CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2013 Nissan Altima has multiple problem trends including the CVT transmission, and now that this model is out of warranty, it earns our "Avoid Like The Plague" badge.

Owners complain about vibration and transmission failure related to the CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), a whining noise from the power steering pump, and constant windshield problems that appear to be the result of poor design.

Be warned: the 2014 & 2015 Nissan Altima appears to share these same problems.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
8 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
58,569 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2013 Nissan Altima drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2013 Nissan Altima Owner Comments (Page 3 of 25)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #448

Jun 132021

Altima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

1. The vehicle component that failed was the transmission. The manner in which it failed was total, rendering the vehicle unable to move under its own power. This failure occurred while moving in traffic on a heavily trafficked divided highway. 2. The driver and other occupant of the vehicle were put at great personal risk by being in a disabled vehicle amidst surrounding traffic moving at 40-60 MPH. Occupants of an additional vehicle that stopped behind the disabled vehicle were also put at great personal risk for the same reason. Law enforcement officers who arrived to assist were required to block multiple lanes of oncoming traffic with their duty vehicles. These law enforcement officers were further put at risk by having to push the disabled vehicle 100+ yards through traffic at the aforementioned speeds before it could be safely moved off the roadway. Passing motorists were at great risk of colliding with the disabled vehicle throughout the incident. The total duration of the disabled vehicle being stuck in traffic as described was in excess of 15 minutes. Due to luck and the actions of law enforcement officers, no injuries or fatalities resulted. 3. This mechanical failure has been diagnosed by both independent and manufacturer certified dealer repair shops. 4.T he vehicle has been inspected by the manufacturers authorized service representative, the dealer. Law enforcement officers assisted in recovering the vehicle and confirmed it was disabled. Insurance representatives have not yet inspected the vehicle. 5. There were no warnings or any other sort of indication from the vehicle prior to complete and total failure of the transmission. The vehicle has been properly maintained per manufacturer specifications and is under the mileage at which any reasonable motorist would expect a total failure of this component. 6. After being notified of the above, manufacturer refuses to repair vehicle with a safe transmission.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #447

May 032021

Altima

  • miles
While I was driving and had stopped at a red light. When the light turned green the vehicle wouldn-??t move and instead shut down. It would power normally again, but when the car is shifted into drive, the car shuts down again. This is incredibly dangerous as my car was stopped in the middle of the road during rush hour. I was lucky to not have been hit. There were no warning signs. It happened very suddenly. I took my car to the dealership and they said my car needs a transmission replacement (car is a 2013 and 61k miles). I found out that there was a class action lawsuit that took place in 2020 for the very problem in the make, year and model of my car (CVTs in many 2013-2016 models). Nissan never recalled the transmissions but instead settled for an extended warranty which ended May 2020 for me. Now it is May 2021 and my transmission needs replacing. This problem is not only a part of the class action lawsuit that is already settled, but there are countless accounts of this problem still happening to people. Nissan is failing to take accountability for their faulty transmissions, which is a danger to the public. I-??m am asking that NHTSA pressures Nissan to recall all CVTs and to reimburse people for their CVT repair costs.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #446

May 032021

Altima 4-cyl

  • 145,400 miles
2013 Nissan Altima just went dead while driving on street. Got it towed to garage, garage said cvt dead, transmission needs replacement, $$$$$, very unhappy

- Summerfield, FL, USA

problem #445

Apr 172021

Altima

  • 88,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The transmission has failed prematurely. The car has stalled creating a dangerous situation. The vehicle will vibrate and pulls oddly at low speeds. A burning smell has now developed and I cannot drive the vehicle due to safety concerns. There are many many other Nissan Altima owners reporting the same issue and there needs to be a recall on the cvt transmission on my car.

- Severna Park, MD, USA

problem #444

Apr 102021

Altima

  • 110,000 miles
When driving the car the acceleration is hesitant. When sitting at a red light and go to accelerate there is a delay in which the car won't move. When driving the transmission does not seem to want to shift. This happens both on a street and highway. This has happens multiple times. I just bought the car about 1 year ago.

- Kissimmee, FL, USA

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problem #443

Mar 252021

Altima

  • 200,000 miles
Car started having problems when attempting to accelerate, began jerking and a shaking randomly while driving. These problems started around 70,000 miles. Recently my car started jerking while trying to drive out of a subdivision then the engine light came on and also the traction light. I couldn't accelerate so I safely pulled to side of road because it felt like I lost power. I was able to take it to autozone nearby where the scanner read a code for a stuck solenoid. After taking it to Nissan dealership where they were supposed to work on recalls related to my vehicle (including a cvt reprogramming),they called me and told me the transmission completely went out when mechanic tried pulling it into shop. Now I'm stuck with a car I can't drive and can't afford to fix. They quoted me $4200 to replace a transmission that seems to be faulty in the first place. Your customers need to be compensated for this. An extended warranty shouldn't have been the only solution. I'll never buy a Nissan again and will be avoiding cvt transmissions if possible.

- Livonia, MI, USA

problem #442

Mar 182021

Altima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I had to replace the transmission in my 2013 Nissan Altima. These transmissions are defective and dangerous as can be seen by the numerous complaints and class action lawsuits. The NHTSA should hold Nissan responsible for the cost of the replacement.

- Centerville, OH, USA

problem #441

Mar 272018

Altima

  • 76,680 miles
On April 2018, I visit the Nissan del oeste at aguadilla pr to report noise in the power steering noise, no action was taken, they just said that was normal with all Nissan power steering pump. February 25, 2021 I contact Nissan del oeste at aguadilla pr and notify about the issue of the power steering noise and transmission noise. Appointment for March 2 2021 was set and I notify them with problem. They told me there was not any recall for power steering pump and cvt transmission. I did mention the recalls for 2013 Nissan Altima iaw NHTSA with ref.: ST12-009B, ref:ntbb-0176 andtsb ntb12-081. They inform at the voucher the mileage in and out, they did not took the car for a run of 6 miles like it says on voucher 48133S. The main concern is that the car could have any situation with one of those parts just mentioned during a drive and cause any accident with out having the control. My question is, if there is a malfunction for my 2013 Altima that is already knowledge by Nissan motor comp. And provide recalls why my have to be exclude? the power steering noise is at every moment when on and running, power steering fluid is good. The transmmision is during the driving with some noise after 20 miles drive on highway between 65 to 70 mph and then pressing the brake, the noise feel like it come from the transmmision. Another situation is ocaccionaly some lowt of power and some times accelerate. Brakes pads are good, brake fluid is good. My car mpg is 31.2 and mileage at this moment is 76,680.

- Aguadilla, PR, USA

problem #440

Feb 272021

Altima

  • 110,000 miles
I purchase my 2013 Nissan Altima 1 month ago well when I went to get in the car and drive the car would not go in drive or reverse when I hit the gas it did nothing had it towed to the shop where they told me the transmission was bad the cvt transmission had went out and they stated that it was a lot of recalls on 2013 Nissan Altima transmissions the warranty will cover up to 100,000 miles I only have 100000 miles on net at the moment when it went out the shop is trying to charge me $3,500 to fix it well actually they wanted $4,100 out the door but I explained to them I only had the car for 1 minute and just paid $4,000 cash to purchase the car they felt bad and said that they would do the job for 3500 since it's a recall for the cvt transmissions I'm trying to figure out how do I submit a claim so I can get help in trying to fix this car I don't have $3,500 to give these people when I just spent $4,000 buying the car can I get some help please I was driving on 95 all of a sudden the speed broke all the way down to 20 miles per hour I proceeded to pull over on the side of the road cut the car off crank it back up it will not go and drive or reverse I had to have it towed to the shop and that's when I found out that the cvt transmission was bad also the converter but mostly the cvt transmission

- Lauderhill, FL, USA

problem #439

Aug 032020

Altima

  • 90,000 miles
The car starts jerking when getting up to speed if you accelerate slowly.

- Smithfield, VA, USA

problem #438

Feb 042021

Altima

  • 54,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

P17F0 is the diagnostic code that I received after taking my 2013 Altima sv 2.5 to a mechanic due to loss of power, horrible gas milage and a heavy vibration/rumbling noise coming from the front of my car.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #437

Feb 202021

Altima

  • 94,900 miles
I was driving down the road (in suburbs) when I came to a stop sign. I started noticing a little stutter when I approached the stop sign and started slowing down. This is a continuous problem whenever my car needs to accelerate after a stop (between 5-40 mph) or slow down to come to a complete stop. I haven't been on the highway since I noticed this problem because I am worried for my safety. I went to a mechanic immediately once I noticed the stutter and small jerks. The engine light is not on so when I described this to him he said he had to do an in depth read of my transmission. He ended up finding a code in my transmission that had picked up on the transmission slipping / stuttering.

- Fairhaven, MA, USA

problem #436

Oct 012020

Altima

  • 154,113 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while his son was stopped at a traffic light, he attempted to accelerate however, the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was towed to all star Nissan (27700 juban rd, suite a, denham spring, la 70726) where the failure was diagnosed as a faulty transmission that needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer where the technician stated that the transmission had failed. The contact stated that he received an unknown manufacturer's recall for the transmission and notified the manufacturer however, they offered no assistance because the transmission was previously replaced. The vehicle was not repaired a second time. The failure mileage was 154,113.

- Zachary, LA, USA

problem #435

Nov 252018

Altima 4-cyl

  • miles
The car was buzzing under the hood, left-sided, when I first bought it from the dealership in a used condition. This buzzing sound appear when it is around 1.75 RPM. The buzzing got worsened recently and escalated to a mechanical grinding sound. The grinding sounded like metal pieces colliding on each other and was so loud that the people on the entire street could hear. It was the worst (most frequent) when the car started up cold or in any gears for driving (R, D, ds). When the car was at P or N, the sound didn't come on as often. Even after warming up the car, the sound was there at 1.5-1.75 RPM, no matter at what speed. As long as it reached that range of RPM, the sound accompanied. I am afraid this costly problem (~$4000 to replace cvt transmission) will continue to worsen and stop working or burn at some point while driving, leading to a safety concern.

- Lafayette, IN, USA

problem #434

Jan 012020

Altima

  • 111,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle vibrated with a loud sound was coming from the front of the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle would not drive while in the reverse. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 111,000.

- Pageland, SC, USA

problem #433

Nov 112020

Altima

  • 113,900 miles
While driving the car completely stopped moving, transmission locked up. My repair shop couldn't fix it or figure out what was wrong with it. Car has been sitting for weeks while trying to get in contact with Nissan who has told me that there was a recall on my vehicles cvt transmission and they had never sent out a recall notice to me and I've been the register owner for years.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #432

Dec 012020

Altima

  • 108,000 miles
Car jolts and shudders on the road intermittently. Very unsafe as car jolts forward on its own. Car stalls sometimes on the road. Extremely dangerous as you never know when it is going to happen. When you give a little gas, car will sometimes go normally or it will jolt forward like a clutch being let out even though its an automatic. Always happens while driving on the road. This has been an issue with 2013 Nissan and still they have not done a recall. Things that are this dangerous should be recalled because most people cannot pay 4000 dollars for a new transmission.

- Fort Mohave, AZ, USA

problem #431

May 012018

Altima

  • 85,000 miles
My car hesitates when in reverse or when at red lights. This happens while in drive

- College Station, TX, USA

problem #430

Oct 242020

Altima

  • 187,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the gear shifter failed to shift from the park position. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the failure was diagnosed that the gear shifter assembly needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was still at the independent mechanic for repairs. The contact stated that the local Nissan dealer informed her that this was a known failure with similar vehicles. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 187,000.

- Xenia, OH, USA

problem #429

Jun 162020

Altima 4-cyl

  • 155,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked and loss motive power without warning. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the roadway however, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate forward. The vehicle failed to resume back to normal. The vehicle was taken to michael jordan Nissan (3930 durham chapel hill blvd, durham, nc 27707, (919) 489-3800) where it was diagnosed and it was determined that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.

- Burlington, NC, USA

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