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:
28 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
34 / 0
Average Mileage:
24,071 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 seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2013 Nissan Altima:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2013 Nissan Altima Owner Comments (Page 5 of 26)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #421

Feb 012019

Altima

  • miles

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

Air bag has had recalls taken care of but now has an airbag light on. Alsohdadlights are very dim when driving. New bulbs have been replaced.

- Lawrenceburg, KY, USA

problem #420

Oct 012019

Altima

  • 82,000 miles
The passenger front air bag sensor has failed. The air bag is always off with a red warning on the console, regardless if there is someone in the passenger or not. Other Altima's of that model year have had recalls issued for this problem. My car is not on the recall list. You can't imagine how much Nissan wants to replace the sensor.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #419

Jan 302020

Altima 4-cyl

  • 98,000 miles
The contact owned a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 mph, the contact rear ended another vehicle. As a result the air bags failed to deploy and no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated the police was on scene. However, no police report was filed. The contact stated she was transported by the ambulance to the hospital for back and neck injuries. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot where it was deemed a total lost. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by a dealer or independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. However, offered no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #418

May 102017

Altima

  • miles

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

Airbag sensor not detecting weight on passenger seat at all times. Problem started when car had a relatively low milage (under 50K). Dealership said problem is due to airbag module with no recalls on this specific car. Airbags on passenger side are completely not functional at all times. I was very hesitant to file a complaint until now.

- Stillwater, OK, USA

problem #417

Dec 132019

Altima

  • 98,000 miles
The occupant classification system sensor was re-programmed years ago during the recall and now it is not recognizing when people sit in the passenger seat no matter the vehicle condition (stationary, in motion, etc). Not sure if it just a failure with my part or something else, but it is concerning.

- Downers Grove, IL, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #416

Oct 012019

Altima

  • miles
I had recieved a notice for recall on the passenger air bag sensor in seat was not registered to someone sitting in seat. Took car to dealership to repair and it still does not register an occupant. So now it stays on and so does the driver warning sensor light. When it register a body both lights go off. Puzzled. Please advise. Attached is a picture of the problem at hand.

- Lancaster, Tx, TX, USA

problem #415

Oct 272019

Altima

  • 85,000 miles

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

The passenger airbag dah light indicated that the airbag was "off" while an adult was occupying the passenger seat. I took the vehicle to a Nissan dealership who determined that 2 airbag modules were deflective, not working and needed to be replaced at my expense. I contacted Nissan usa, franklin, tn and explained the problem. Consumer Affairs department said there was not a campaign or recall for this problem but would look in to it for a possible "goodwill" coverage. After contacting the dealership that inspected the car, Nissan offered to cover 60% of the cost. This may a good "goodwill" gesture, but I can only imagine the possible catastrophic bodily injury that could have occurred in an accident if I hadn't noticed this problem. These are not moving parts. I find it hard to believe that there is no warning light or indicator for this failure. How many other Altima could be affected by this problem?10/27/2019

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #414

Jul 072019

Altima

  • 94,000 miles
The passenger airbag light came on a few months ago. I brought it to the Nissan dealership and was told it was a loose wire. Paid $100 on my deductible for the extended warranty. The light came back on a few weeks ago. Now when I take it in they tell me they have to replace one or two sensors each costing $1000 that is not covered up the extended warranty. There seems to be dozens of people with this same car having this same issue. I don't feel safe driving the car but I also don't want to put $2000 into a 2013 car.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #413

Oct 282019

Altima

  • miles
Letter from congressman burgess on behalf of constituent regarding 2013 Nissan altma which is in need of repair; despite the warranty on their car, Nissan has refused to conduct the necessary repairs. The consumer stated the airbag and the wiring in the vehicle need to be repaired.

- Lewisville, TX, USA

problem #412

Mar 012018

Altima

  • 65,000 miles
A recall was told to me that the passenger air bag light needed to be fixed. I brought my car to the Nissan dealership for them to do this recall. Once this recall was done, my airbag light came on, on my center dashboard, roughly a month later- car was stationary. I went to Nissan to assist with this issue for it seems related to past recall that was 'fixed.' More than myself have had this issue with the airbag dash light.

- Dudley, MA, USA

problem #411

Oct 032019

Altima

  • 133,000 miles

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

Randomly my airbag light came on. But no airbags ever deployed. Also I beliveve my years transmission has a recall on it. Every now and again it downshifts while I am accelerating on the highway and it terrifies me. I would appreciate feeling safe in my investment

- Tucker, GA, USA

problem #410

Jan 022019

Altima

  • 115,000 miles
My airbag light the one that says my airbags are not on keeps coming on. Have taken it to nissian dealership to get it reset for $70 but it came back on again. I am not paying $70 again. There has to to be a reason it keeps coming on.

- Clovis, CA, USA

problem #409

Oct 292018

Altima

  • miles
The vehicle's passenger airbag sensors do not detect when a passenger is occupying the passenger seat and remains in off position with a red light on the dash board. (this vehicle was recalled in 2016 and repaired already.)

- Rixeyville, VA, USA

problem #408

Jun 042019

Altima

  • miles
The air bag light will not go off and I cant get an inspection sticker.

- Gloucester, MA, USA

problem #407

Jul 012019

Altima

  • miles
Passenger light airbag is never detected. (been on going for a couple of years) engine light stays on (for about 3 months) seatbelt airbag (3 months) will not go out. There is never a recall and a problem is never found by mechanic. Can get the engine light off for a little while, but comes back on usually within a week.

- Orange, TX, USA

problem #406

Sep 202019

Altima

  • 70,000 miles
I have had the following issues with the Nissan Altima: Air bag sensor issues sometimes sensor malfunctions (looked at 3 X, not fixed), rear view camera sometimes does not work (looked at 3 X, not fixed), transmission cvt issues sometimes jumps into gear (looked at 3 X, not fixed), seat belt sometimes locks up (looked at 1 X, not fixed). Issues happen while in motion or starting.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #405

May 062019

Altima

  • miles
Purchased in may of 2019 by owner. Want to make sure if if it has been any recalls. Fixed breaks, still having problems with rotors making sound every time I break, shocks and struts from rear side are no longer functional. Air bag system says it is off

- Madera, CA, USA

problem #404

Jul 202019

Altima

  • 54,235 miles
Airbag light stays on. Does not register that driver or passenger are seating in the seats to engage the airbags. No matter how heavy the occupants are the air bag light does not go off.

- Cheyenne, WY, USA

problem #403

Jul 312019

Altima

  • miles
Takata recall (for one problem) airbag light came on - took in and they said the switch under passenger seat had become disconnected - fixed by Nissan dealership within two days, airbag light back on - took in and they were getting codes for driver seat airbag - Nissan recommended replacing air bag diagnostic unit. Within another two days of this repair, the air bag diagnostic unit giving same code. Now, recommending replacing driver seat airbag. Dealership indicates that while these error codes are firing, the airbag system would not go off in an accident.

- Bloomington, IN, USA

problem #402

Apr 232013

Altima

  • miles
This is an ongoing issue. Purchased a brand new 2013 Nissan Altima in April. The passenger air bag light turns on when passengers sit in the seat. This has been happening since the first few days of the purchase meaning the light signals and notifies the driver that the air bag is not active or engaged. This denotes that an airbag will not deploy with a passenger in the seat if an accident were to occur. Each time this light has come on I have set up an apptment with mydealer to have the issue fixed. The diagnostics check does not show an error and is unable to determine the cause of the problem. The sensors have been reset each time, but does not fix the issue. Multiple appointments were made to correct the issue, but none have rectified the situation. I have asked for the car to be replaced numerous times, or correct the issue. None of which has been fulfilled. The request for a replacement has been side tracked by bringing the car in for another look to find the problem. At this point my window of time for a replacement has passed due to trying to find a diagnostics error code. A claim was filed with Nissan corporate Consumer Affairs, but no update or progress has been made in over two weeks. As of today the 11th day since my last reported issue, the claim associate is just now starting to look into this. The claim was closed without my knowledge stating I could not be reached, but no phone call or message was missed or left from Nissan corporate. I have called the dealership multiple tomes each day looking for an update or resolution and certainly would have promptly called Consumer Affairs back due to the severity of this safety issue. At this point no one is able to give me any indication of next steps.[xxx]. thanks. [xxx] parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- New Castle, DE, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

Not what you are looking for?