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.
The extended warranty fixed the issue with the power steering whine issue in January 2018, by September it was back. Took it back to another dealer, they said it was the power steering unit. They said if they fix it, they would have to charge me $100, so I would be better taking it back to the original dealer.
So original dealer took the car in called for the part from the extended warranty company and replaced it. Picked up the car and all was good for a few days then the noise returned. The warranty company only uses refurbished parts not new. So took it back again, they again replaced the part and call me to pick up the car. When they bring the car out the noise now is worse than when I brought it back, the service tech now says that the noise is normal. I said how could the other 3 times you replaced it the noise was less and you still replaced the part. Now service manager comes out and states this is normal for the Altima and they wouldn't do any more repairs? Now it is loader than before and really annoying.
I took the car to a Chevy dealer to trade in and they said they would have to take over $700 to repair the power steering unit. Not sure what to do but this is garbage and the car is super annoying to drive with the constant whining. They have lost a customer, I bought a car for my daughter it didn't even consider Nissan due to this type of quality issue that they won't fix and purchased a Mazda. Looking to replace this car and also an older van and no way will I consider such an unethical company that won't stand behind their products.
My power steering unit was not making this noise when I bought the 2013 Altima. It gradually got worse over time and when I took the car into the local Nissan Dealer I was out of warranty. They said this obnoxious noise, which is loud and modulates in pitch, even without turning the steering wheel, was normal. I asked how much does a new unit cost. The unit consists of the electric motor, hydraulic pump and reservoir, for which I was quoted $2,831 just for the part, not including installation. I think the price point was selected so most people would have to put up with the noise. I found one in a junk yard for $110 delivered UPS. After installation I was out $300 and the noise was worse. I found your site and called Gillman Nissan in Rosenberg, TX where complaintant #4 had his noise eliminated. Neither of his 2 service reps were there anymore, and the service rep I spoke with, a John Williams, did not know of the fix. I am very disappointed with Nissan for not wanting to correct an obvious problem, even after one of their mechanics discovers a fix. If they are unwilling to correct their own engineering issues, this will be my last Nissan. I will spread the news about Nissan’s unwillingness to help customers (suckers), and hope you do also. If the executives at Nissan USA had to drive this Altima, it would be fixed inside of a week.
FAC (a single engine military pilot with ears attuned for weird noises)
Update from Nov 30, 2017: I had my 2013 Altima into 4 different Nissan dealerships about this obnoxious noise. The service advisor at the last dealership said it was the power steering unit before I even popped the hood for him to look. He said it was normal for the new electrical units, just like the previous dealerships had told me. Then I found a Nissan Tech Service Bulletin #NTB13-017b dated August 28, 2013 on this power steering noise. Armed with the bulletin I called HQ Nissan USA and they said to take it to another dealership to see if they thought the noise exceeded limits. I took it to a fifth dealership and they agreed the noise was louder than normal. The bulletin has a flow chart based on the VIN for which items to inspect and repair. There are 6 possible parts that can contribute to this noise. 1) A redesigned bracket that mounts on the firewall to secure the high pressure PS fluid line with rubber noise isolators. 2) A hood ledge seal. 3) A felt cover for the PS fluid reservoir. 4) A right front fender noise isolator. 5) A lower right front fender baffle. 6) A high pressure line control valve for 4 cylinder engines. My car needed 5 of these items with an estimate of $534.90. Today Nissan USA paid for these items and the noise is gone as of Nov. 30, 2017. I had to be persistent and find a service advisor that thought the noise was louder than normal. This noise is not on enough Altimas to justify a recall, but all Nissan service advisors should get a hearing check so they can distinguish between normal and excessive. There are enough angry complaints on line about this PS noise issue to affect market share for Nissan. I had my complaints documented before going out of warranty, or I doubt they would have paid for the repair. I am a happy camper now, but it should have been fixed on the first visit. I still don’t understand why this bulletin dated August 28, 2013 was not incorporated into 2014, 2015 and subsequent model years.
Bought 2013 Altima a year ago with 37,XXX miles. Dealer said warranty cancel because over 36K miles. I have to hear the most annoying sound coming from under the hood from power steering pump. I am so disappointed with my purchase, especially now that they say," its a normal characteristic". like really? I had six cars like Sentra, Altima, Maxima, Infiniti I30, I35, G37.... WORST PURCHASE EVER ! Nissan MUST rehabilitate own image and replace all problem pump without question and apologize for making trustee customers stupid when said it's "NORMAL NOISE" NEVER EVER WILL BUY JUNK NISSAN!
I noticed the high pitched whining noise almost immediately when we bought the car. I have kept meaning to call dealership about it and finally did today. I bought the car used at CarMax. They suggested checking with a Nissan dealership to see if this problem could be fixed since the vehicle is still under the manufacturer's warranty. From what I've read, Nissan doesn't even acknowledge that the noise is a defect but says it is just a normal noise. I'm still going to try... wish me luck.
This is a piece of CRAP!!!! I only took a chance on this because we wanted to try another foreign car company…. Really Bad Move. We got rid of a brand new 2013 Hyundai Sonta after owning it 4 weeks because of the gas mileage being way off and the Hyundai dealership lied by saying said it will improve. If never did after week one. Now there’s a law suit against them. I think Nissan should face the same fate because this is not acceptable in any way. I know it comes down to greed. However can someone let me know how this problem made it pass inspections? I will never own another Nissan and we are telling people to stay away as well. Stick with Toyota and Honda they are worth the money, why>? NO PROLEMS
Update from Mar 27, 2015: This is a piece of CRAP!!!! I only took a chance on this because we wanted to try another foreign car company…. Really Bad Move. We got rid of a brand new 2013 Hyundai Sonta after owning it 4 weeks because of the gas mileage being way off and the Hyundai dealership lied by saying said it will improve. If never did after week one. Now there’s a law suit against them. I think Nissan should face the same fate because this is not acceptable in any way. I know it comes down to greed. However can someone let me know how this problem made it pass inspections? I will never own another Nissan and we are telling people to stay away as well. Stick with Toyota and Honda they are worth the money, why>? NO PROLEMS
Nissan states this is normal... Normal for a crappy car not no other cars make this new and we have owned over 10 vehicles.
- Sprider M.,
Wayne, PA, US
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I am so disappointed in Nissan. I always thought they cared about their cars and the people who bought them. The noise from the power steering pump is unbearable. I've been to the dealer numerous times. The service manager told me I needed a new transmission. So they replaced the transmission. The noise is still there. I've been back a few times but not cigar. I think Nissan should fix all of them. It's only on certain models. Right? What's different about the 2013 Altima's that don't make the noise? Why can't I have one of those power steering pumps? I'm going to trade the car. I can't take it.
I have the vehicle in twice for the whining noise coming from the power steering and still no resolution. The first time they told me it was a normal noise...strange since this is my third Altima and I've never heard this noise. Today(the second time) they supposedly replaced a bracket on the power steering pump/motor but the noise is not any better. It's quite incessant and extremely annoying. At some point this needs to become a recall.
I play the radio/mp3 player at level 15 to drown out the whine. It still doesn't always cover it. And some days she just whines incessantly. Supposedly they have replaced the brackets or what have you, but she is back whining again.
My 2013 Nissan Alt is making the same whining noise that many others are reporting. It is especially annoying at low speeds in city driving. It sounds like Morse code or a facsimile transmission when it goes from low to high pitch. In the beginning it was a constant high pitch, which I got used to, but now it is fluctuating up and down and is very annoying. I have had it to the dealer twice and am told it is a "normal" sound of the electronic power steering pump.
Hoping Nissan will do a recall and come out with a fix, but not holding my breath. Been an issue for 2 years now and nothing has happened. I think the problem is across their entire line and worse on the 2.5 liter engines. If anyone has any home remedies to help with the noise I am open to suggestions.
We bought a 2013 Altima SV to replace a gas guzzling SUV. Miss the SUV but like the gas mileage of the Altima. However - we had a 207 Nissan Maxima that was an awesome car and when it was totaled we should have bought another but settled on the guzzler. We were really looking for a problem free, dependable car so Altima seemed a good fit. Boy what a mistake! One week into the purchase and we have been in the shop twice now for the loud whining noise that is getting worse but the dealer just shakes head and says its normal. The CVT transmission - jury is still out on it but the car shakes and stumbles like its going to just give out and shut down in the roadway when accelerating from a stop (red light) etc. I doubt that Toyota or Honda are going to push something to market with problems like these so this will be our last one. This car has nice features and gets really good gas mileage so far but we will NEVER by another Nissan. Sad to say as a third time owner. :(
THE WHISTLING NOISE IS AUDIBLE AT LOW SPEED MOSTLY . I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER AND I WAS TOLD IT IS COMING FROM THE POWER STEERING PUMP, THE CAR WORKS WELL NO STEERING PROBLEM ,IT IS JUST A NOISE MY PASSENGERS NOTICE IT MOST OF THE TIME
Complained to dealer shortly after purchase was told this is normal as it was an electrical power steering unit issue and the manufacture felt they provided sufficient insulation to minimize problem. No fix or solution offered except to complain to manufacturer.
Dealer replaced the bracket and add a shim to cushion the bracket. Noise still continued. Dealership said it was "normal". A friend of mine also purchased one and their Altima doesn't make the noise. No other vehicle line with electric power steering pumps make the noise.
Dealer replaced the power steering pump. Problem still continued even though they said it was fixed. Called Nissan and filed a formal complaint on the vehicle.
Return to dealer twice at 3000 and 6000 miles to complain about loud whine coming from engine compartment when idling. They Tech reported on bill that they he couldn't duplicate problem. Even though car was making noise when I drove in. I called Nissan they acted like there was no problem. They asked me what I would like to have done, since Tech said he could not duplicate problem. Nissan must think were all stupid.
We need Nissan to come up with a fix. Every one needs to call the company and demand a fix. I don't what to hear that the car is safe to drive.
All Nissan owners should write every web site and let the people know.
Have had a 2013 Nissan Altima for two weeks. It made a slight high pitched squeal when I first got it and it steadily increased in frequency and loudness. Took the car back to the dealer to have it checked, and they said it is the hydro electric steering pump, and that all 2013 Altimas make this noise and it is normal. Very frustrated, as don't want a new car making an annoying noise!
New electric power steering pump emits a high pitch whine audible inside and outside the car. Totally annoying to all inside. Nissan corporate says it is normal... ha ...dealers aware say they cant fix without recall and parts.
Lets muster the troops and complain in mass or trash talk and dump the cars. Write a review on every car site.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
The extended warranty fixed the issue with the power steering whine issue in January 2018, by September it was back. Took it back to another dealer, they said it was the power steering unit. They said if they fix it, they would have to charge me $100, so I would be better taking it back to the original dealer.
So original dealer took the car in called for the part from the extended warranty company and replaced it. Picked up the car and all was good for a few days then the noise returned. The warranty company only uses refurbished parts not new. So took it back again, they again replaced the part and call me to pick up the car. When they bring the car out the noise now is worse than when I brought it back, the service tech now says that the noise is normal. I said how could the other 3 times you replaced it the noise was less and you still replaced the part. Now service manager comes out and states this is normal for the Altima and they wouldn't do any more repairs? Now it is loader than before and really annoying.
I took the car to a Chevy dealer to trade in and they said they would have to take over $700 to repair the power steering unit. Not sure what to do but this is garbage and the car is super annoying to drive with the constant whining. They have lost a customer, I bought a car for my daughter it didn't even consider Nissan due to this type of quality issue that they won't fix and purchased a Mazda. Looking to replace this car and also an older van and no way will I consider such an unethical company that won't stand behind their products.
- Don G., TORRANCE, CA, US