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 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
8 / 0
Average Mileage:
37,175 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2013 Nissan Altima Owner Comments (Page 1 of 8)

problem #151

May 172024

Altima

  • miles

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

OCS System for Passenger Airbag is not working properly. Went to two dealerships and they said it was not covered under the recall 16V-244. I spoke with Nissan Consumer Affairs and they said that the recall was addressed in the past but was not able to provide when and where. The dealerships I go to for servicing do not have any history of the OCS ever being repaired which means that it was probably repaired sometime with the original owner. Assuming it was actually replaced in the past, with replacement, the part is still failing and not having reached the 15 year mark for the car or the actual recall itself is alarming.

- Allen, TX, USA

problem #150

Feb 102024

Altima

  • miles
Headlights

- Westampton, NJ, USA

problem #149

Jan 282022

Altima

  • miles
The headlights on low beam do not put out enough light to see what is in front of the car and I still have them. It is unsafe to drive a care with inadequate low beam lighting. Yes, dealer confirmed it but said 4/25/2022 was the last date to report the problem to have it replaced as part of the settlement. The dealerships are well aware of this problem. No warning, the lights just gradually got dimmer over time.

- Lexington, KY, USA

problem #148

Mar 092022

Altima

  • miles

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

The car starts good engine sounds good but when you put it in drive or reverse the car turns off

- Rogers, AR, USA

problem #147

Feb 012022

Altima

  • miles
The airbag light came on the dash and stays on without the vehicle being involved in a crash. I took it to a shop to have it repaired and they stated it was a faulty airbag sensor.

- Greensboro, NC, USA

problem #146

Dec 102021

Altima

  • miles
Unknown, but the issue is beneath the passenger seat where it seems a wire has shorted out and even became disconnected and i am unsure but pretty positive that it has something to do with the passenger side airbags because shortly after a diagnostic scan shows several airbag fault codes. Also since then my car-??s performance has changed and now i am receiving diagnostic trouble codes for different electrical components such as mas air flow sensor low voltage and its causing my car to stall at random times while driving and even on freeways. It also has caused my car to slow down while fully accelerating on the pedal. Very big safety concern as im driving on the freeway with my family in the car as well.

- Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA

problem #145

Nov 232021

Altima 4-cyl

  • miles

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

My 2013 Nissan Altima has serious electrical problems and continues to drain my battery, leaving me seeking alternative transportation to and from home, work, etc. The headlight low and high beams are dangerously dim! I have replaced the bulbs several times and the problems continues to get worse. I have seen litigation online with numerous people involved. I thought NTSB would have acted by now" I have also had numerous problems with the AC not working" I am getting estimates currently looking at a $2,000 problem. This car seems very unsafe and any action form your agency would be greatly appreciated! Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

problem #144

Dec 292020

Altima

  • miles
When a passenger sits in the front seat the airbag light on the dashboard indicates the airbag isn't armed. I have had a Nissan dealer "fix" it three times and it starts again in a few weeks. First time dealer said a connection came loose when the seat was adjusted. Same thing the second time and the third time they said they secured the connection. the light came on in a matter of weeks again. I will take the car back for a fourth time soon. I asked the dealer service rep if there were any service bulletins regarding this problem, he said there weren't any, I feel that I can't have the only car with this problem. Whenever there is a passenger in the front seat I worry about being involved in an accident and their airbag not deploying.

- Newbury Park, CA, USA

problem #143

Mar 132021

Altima

  • 84,000 miles
Unable to shift into gear when engaging foot brake when starting vehicle. Shift is stuck in park. Have to use tool in shift lock release to move between gears to drive car. I was driving and was stopped at a railway crossing. Put car in park. Once train had passed I tried to put car in drive position and was unable to do so. After reading manual I discovered that if a fault occurs you must use a tool on the shift lock button release to move vehicle. Very dangerous.

- Apo, AE, USA

problem #142

Dec 152020

Altima

  • 65,000 miles
Replaced both headlight assemblies due to deterioration of reflectors. Common failure on this model. No Nissan recall. Safety issue with faulty lights. Since replacing both assemblies, have had to replace a bulb twice. Going to the dealer again because of light failure.

- Normal, IL, USA

problem #141

Feb 132021

Altima

  • 10,000 miles

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

Transmission on Nissan are easily damaged my car start but dont drive I just paid my car off in starting to have problems

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #140

Jan 182021

Altima

  • 46,000 miles
My dashboard lights do not work.(speedometer, gas level, milage, hot/cold level, etc.) my steering wheel controls do not work (volume button, menu button, source button, cruise control, etc.) my air condition/heat temperature display does not light up. All the fuses have been checked and they are all good. The connection to the battery had been checked and they are good.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #139

Jan 222021

Altima

  • miles
I don't know about this. I found out today

- Dublin, TX, USA

problem #138

Dec 152020

Altima

  • 134,000 miles
The low beam headlights are almost impossible to use during the dark and triple the concern when driving at night and it's raining. This used to not be the case. This is a safety hazard!!! this happens whether street driving or highway driving and essentially makes me have to use the bright lights when there is absolutely no other natural lighting to help

- Whites Creek, TN, USA

problem #137

Dec 172020

Altima

  • 89,000 miles
The red airbag warning light on dashboards is solid lit without a adult passenger on passenger seat. The light goes off when there is a adult passenger on the passenger seat

- Budd Lake, NJ, USA

problem #136

Sep 142020

Altima

  • 0 miles
A/C was blowing hot air while driving and hot air when I came to stops and idled. It's only for some cars that have auto climate control apparently. The issue is the ac compressor control valve failing. Please see the youtube link for a better explanation of the issue/resolution: Https://youtu.be/idwedxjenko

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #135

Oct 012020

Altima

  • 0 miles
When in the parked position and idle, the pressing of the shift trigger on the shifter will not allow the car to shift from parked to any other position (it is stuck) due to the failure of a selenoid sensor not activating from the brake pedal after pressing the brake in order to allow the shifting to take place. Please see the link of the youtube video to explain the issue/resolution: Https://www.youtube.com/watch?V=eu7vm2Y-7ly

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #134

Jul 052020

Altima 4-cyl

  • 45,000 miles
Car stalling at idle or stopping. Car starts then cuts out, won't run. Car has been in shop for 3 days now problem is intermittent and can't seem to pin point even with fixd or other devices.

- Massapequa Park, NY, USA

problem #133

Jun 012013

Altima 4-cyl

  • 50,000 miles
Warning light shows faulty airbag on driver's side, verified by dealer. Passenger side airbag repaired under recall. Driver's side code appeared right after the first repair was made but was advised this is not covered under first recall. This should have been done 2 years ago, and I'm not paying upwards of $5,000 for your electrical failure.

- Fort Walton Beach, FL, USA

problem #132

Jun 012018

Altima 4-cyl

  • 50,000 miles
Airbag warning light indicates faulty electronics. Began about 50,000 miles. This is not due to misuse. It's companion to earlier recall for a faulty airbag, which was corrected. Reported to dealer. Cost estimate to repair from $800 to $5,000 depending the level of defect. Owner believes this should be Nissan's responsibility, as it's not due to negligence.

- Fort Walton Beach, FL, USA

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