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.

8.4

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$3,120
Average Mileage:
56,250 miles
Total Complaints:
179 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. new transmission (59 reports)
  2. not sure (49 reports)
  3. nothing fixed (24 reports)
  4. replace transmission (22 reports)
  5. cvt transmission failed; need replacement (11 reports)
  6. complete cvt replacement (8 reports)
2013 Nissan Altima transmission problems

transmission problem

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2013 Nissan Altima Owner Comments (Page 4 of 9)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #119

Oct 122015

Altima SV 1.8L

  • CVT transmission
  • 50,000 miles

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

They reprogrammed the tranny with a software update....it minimized the rattling sounds....but at slow speeds it shudders and jerks ......I bought this vehicle brand new it now has 70000 miles on it and the transmission is starting to pick up the ante on all counts.....shake rattle and roll......I feel Nissan knows the miles are limited in this tranny.....I hope I'm wrong but I feel one of these days that Altima is going to take a dump........this will be definitely my last Nissan purchase......at least do the right thing Nissan and extend the warranty for an inferior transmission.......

- Al G., Leesburg, FL, US

problem #118

May 182017

Altima SL 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 52,000 miles

When I called the dealership and explained what was going on with my 2013 Nissan Altima) they explained it was normal "you get a dip in the RPMs and some roughness. After bringing the car in and putting it on the diagnostic machine a code came up for the transmission issue. Need a new transmission. Car is under the 5 year/60000 powertrain warranty. Dealership gave me a rental. Just a pain and I have no confidence in Nissan products. I will not purchase another Altima.

- Keith D., Schwenksville, PA, US

problem #117

Mar 122017

Altima

  • CVT transmission
  • 72,348 miles

I BROUGHT MY CAR IN 2015 FROM BOBS BUICK, BROUGHT IT IN TO GET SERVICED TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING WAS OK. NOTHING REPORTED BACK. RECENTLY I HEARD A WHINE AND A COUPLE DAYS LATER MY CAR SHUT OFF ON ME. SUPPOSIVELY I AM OVER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY ( WHICH IM FIGHTING BECAUS THAT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE) ANYWAYS NISSAN AND MY DEALER BOTH ARE FIGHTING TO NOT HAVE O PAY FOR THIS ISSUE. I HAD MY CAR IN 2 YEARS AND MY TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT BE GONE. I DONT KNOW WHAT HAPPEN I DONT KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON.ALL I KNOW IS ONLINE IT TALKS ABOUT THE ISSUE THAT EVERYONE HAS BEEN HAVING WITH THESE CVT TRANSMISSIONS IN NISSANS OF MY YEAR AND MODEL. I SOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING THIS NOR SHOULD I BE GOING THROUGH ALL OF THESE HOOPS WHEN THIS IS NISSANS ISSUE THAT THEY DO NOT WANT TO FACE A FACT OF DUE TO MIGHT HAVING TO RECALL THE CAR. IF IT IS IN THE BETS INTREST OF EVERYNE WHO HAS THIS TYPE OF CAR TO GET THIS CHECKED AND OR RECALLED THEN THAT IS WHAT NEED TO BE DONE BECAUSE MY CAR SHUT OFF ON ME GETTIN OFF THE HIGHWAY! I DO NOT APPRECIATE THIS AS THE CONSUMER AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A FAN AND SPOKE REALLY HIGHLY OF NISSANS ALL MODELS AND MAKES AND NOW I FEEL LIKE I AM NOT BEING TREATED FAIRLY. THIS SI NOT GOING TO BE SWEPT UNDER THE RUG WITH ME, SOMETHING WILL BE DONE. I GET A CAR TO RELY ON IT, THIS ISSUE IS ALL OVER WWW.NISSANPROBLEMS.COM/TRANDS/CVT WHICH MEANS THIS IS A PROBELM BECAUSE OF NISSAN SO NISSAN NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT HIS. THIS ISSUE IS NOT LITTLE AND LIKE I SAID ITS A 2013 I SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THESE PROBLEMS. I WILL TAKE THIS ISSUE WHEREEVER I NEED TO GET THIS FIXED, I WILL NOTIFY WHOEVER I AHVE TO LIKE CAS, DMV OR EVEN NHTSA. I WILL DO WHATEVER I NEED TO DO.

- Tenaya M., New Haven, CT, US

problem #116

Mar 122017

Altima S 3.5L V6

  • CVT transmission
  • 57,000 miles

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

I have taken the car in to get checked out bc the transmission would shutter around 30 mph. They checked it out said they could not feel it. But me and my wife have had it happen to us multiple times. I'm going to be pissed if this leads to a new transmission after the warranty is up in 1000 miles

- Brendan G., Central Islip, NY, US

problem #115

Jan 012017

Altima SL 3.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 53,000 miles

Purchased a low-mileage/usage 3.5 SL in Dec of 2016. 52k miles. Still under Power-train; out of bumper to bumper warranty. Super excited! Nice car! Started feeling jerking, shuttering in low RPMs. Also, after take-off from stop, with accelerator depressed but not floored the RPMs would suddenly drop, even while still accelerating. Now with 59k miles, I have to use the shift lock button release to shift out of park.

Dealer said the they couldn't reproduce shuttering/jerking movement, but noted that the quick drop in RPMs is normal for the CVT. They stated that the shifter issue is not included in Power train warranty, although it's part of the transmission... I made mention of the previous CVT issues and extended warranty and was given #800.Nissan1 to register a complaint directly prior to the warranty expiration. I will try to update this if I hear anything from them. Anybody else had the Corporate side work with them on this issue for this series of Altimas? Thanks for your time!

- happygolucky, Los Angeles, US

problem #114

Nov 222016

Altima S 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 80,000 miles

Disappointed with this Altima. Was driving down the highway when the engine stalled and it wouldn't go in gear. Although disappointed with the car the dealer and Nissan handled it amazingly well. Even tho the car was out of warranty, they covered it for free ...

- nkj, Taylor, US

problem #113

Feb 232017

Altima S 3.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 97,000 miles

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

When taking off (which I do smoothly) I've noticed that the car is having gear changing problems and seems to sputter and jerk a little. I have noticed the sputtering before around 80,000 miles but it was intermittent and I didn't know what the problem was and of course it never performed the problem when a tech would look into it. Finally an uber passenger who happened to be a mechanic was in my car one night and noticed the sputtering which had by then gotten worse and occurred more often but I had learned to ignore it I guess fearing that it would be a costly fix at some point. This mechanic advised me to inquire with Nissan to look into a recall for the transmission issue. No current recall exists but I'm hearing that my problem is a common one with the 2013 Altimas so here I am to add to the complaint list that I am having this common issue and I'm reaching out to Nissan to correct this issue with their transmission.

- Aisha D., Santa Fe Springs, US

problem #112

Jan 152017

Altima

  • CVT transmission
  • 61,000 miles

Typical CVT problems - car stalls when idle is low (i.e. at red lights, etc.) Jerking when accelerating from 0-40 MPH. Very dangerous. Quite a headache. Kinda fishy how this problem started at 61K miles and my warranty ended at 60K.

- Ashley B., Wilmington, US

problem #111

Apr 052017

Altima SV 3.2L

  • CVT transmission
  • 68,400 miles

I have had 4 Nissan in the last years. This is my last Nissan.

- Troy T., Oakland, CA, US

problem #110

Mar 072017

Altima SV 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 64,134 miles

2013 Nissan Altima, bought in Oct 2016 with 61,000 miles. Now at 64,000 miles needs new CVT and not covered by warranty. Very frustrating, known issue with CVT mfg. (75% owned by Nissan Motors), been occurring since 2008 with CVT's. Never expected to have issue with a Nissan, this is my 3rd in the past 7 years. Warranty extended on 2008-2010 for exact same issue, clearly not resolved. Should be extended to all Nissan's with CVTs (which is most of them in later model years). It's only a matter of time until the car stalls out in traffic and it becomes a fatality and not just a pain. Very disappointed in their lack of customer "service" - Nissan should do better by their customers

Update from Apr 8, 2017: Corporate Nissan agreed to replace the CVT at no cost to me, although it was not covered by their warranty (ends at 60,000 miles). This took about a week, and they did provide a dealer rental car (also at not charge) during the repair period. The car has not shown any issues since returned to me.

- Ellen C., San Diego, CA, US

problem #109

Feb 132017

Altima

  • CVT transmission
  • 113,000 miles

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

I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH REVERSE. IF IN PARK, I COULD GO INTO REVERSE. IF I WAS DROPPING SOMEONE OFF AND WENT INTO REVERSE FROM DRIVE, IT WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS UNTIL I PLAYED WITH IT IN OTHER GEARS. I ALSO FEEL SHUDDERING/ VIBRATIONS LATELY AROUND 40MPH. I TOOK IT INTO NISSAN BECAUSE MY MEHANIC STATED THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN WITH NISSAN FOR THE SIMILAR ISSUE I WAS HAVING. NISSAN WANTED ME TO PAY FOR THE SERVICE HOURS WHILE THEY LOOKED AT MY VEHICLE WHICH I DID NOT END UP PAYING. THEY HANDED ME TWO QUOTES ON WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE. EITHER THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ($4500) OR THE BODY VALVE SOMETHING ($1200). THEY COULD NOT GIVE ME A DEFINITE ANSWER. AFTER SEEING ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE, I CONTACTED THEIR CORPORATE OFFICE. THEY CALLED ME A FEW DAYS LATER. I EXPLAINED THEY SHOULD REPAIR MY VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY KNEW THEIR CVTS WERE BAD AND THEY HAD EXTENDED WARRANTIES UP TO 120,000 MILES UP TO 2010 MODELS. THE LADY TOLD ME SHE LOOKED UP MY VIN AND THEY COULD NOT HELP ME WITH ANY REPAIRS. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER NISSAN AGAIN!!!!!!! THEIR COMPANY SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR FAULTY PRODUCT!!! A 2013 VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THESE KIND OF ISSUES. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE 3.5 YEARS AGO BECAUSE NISSANS WERE KNOWN TO LAST INTO 250,000+ MILES.....NEVER AGAIN.

- Rebecca S., Keshena, US

problem #108

Mar 032017

Altima S 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 59,000 miles

I realized this THESE problems first delay accelterting too much shaking vibration huming noise

- Israel C., brooklyn, NY, US

problem #107

Feb 172017

Altima SV 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 70,800 miles

There is no excuse in the world for a transmission with 70,800 miles to have to be replaced. Nissan, you know you have a big problem with these CVT transmissions yet you do not stand behind them. Just do a little research and you will see LOTS of complaints on this CVT transmission.

If you are reading this, PLEASE save yourself the time, money, and effort and buy a different brand vehicle. What is sad is that I really actually like this car but will never, ever, even consider another Nissan because they know this transmission is a problem yet they do not stand behind it.

$3,300 at 70,000 miles to replace it..... uncalled for.

I will post everywhere I can and spread the word as far and as loud as I can not to buy anything that has a Nissan name on it.

- Jimmy R., Gulf Breeze, US

problem #106

Jan 222017

Altima SL 3.5L V6

  • CVT transmission
  • 62,137 miles

I owned ALTIMA 13 v6 3.5 L, Purchased 29448$ first owner.

A very normal driver using vehicle going to work, i have never exceed 120 km speed. Every single service maintained only in nissan what ever parts required replace am always giving them approval by phone to get replaced. The care maintained extremely well. After warranty expired by 9 months ago, i was feeling small hesitation between (20~60) speeds, Ignored for while then it become daily not every 3 days. So i drop it to dealer and have small ride he said i couldn't see any issues so far, i told him i want full checkup and verify car has no problems. He said will charge you 92$. Agreed, after two days get call transmission failed you have to replace it and your warranty expired. Price for new transmission is 7163$ with lab chargers. I have declined it and open a case with nissan middle east. Got one more call that the cost would be divided on two you and us, i declined it. When met the general manager i have told him if you tell me the reason of getting this fail defiantly i would pay 7163$ now. He didn't answer my question, at the end he said it's CVT that's why !! Imagine you are a customer and authorized dealer saying that, what you will feel

Finally we agreed to pay 1326$ and rest will be handled by them. I have get new loan for this replacement. Just to let everybody knows loan on vehicle and a loan for transmission replacement for a vehicle less than 4 years old. Gearbox replaced, car with me, thinking of selling it, lost is big for me. I will never get altima or nissan in future for sure, i think if nissan trust this sh*t gear they would give 10 year warranty on gearbox minimum. It's really shame if you had a vehicle well maintained in agent and less than 4 years old getting major defect. I request nissan to refund amount paid, they stealing, what i have understood from people the new gearbox is generation 7 and my old one is gen 5. So, i think every one has generation 5 gear box he may face this problem soon. Nissan must replace their gearboxes for free, it's nothing with customer to let this happen. As i don't have the control to get this happens, and maintaning it perfectly i deserve full refund

- wget, Bah, Bahrain

problem #105

Dec 152016

Altima SV 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 56,000 miles

I have a 2013 Nissan Altima. I had experienced a shudder or hesitation when I both accelerate or decelerate, much like other drivers have experienced. However, I was driving on the highway today and got off the exit ramp. As I was approaching the light and close to a dead stop, my car stalled or "locked up". All lights were on but I had no power-steering and my check engine and battery light came on. The traffic behind me was having to complete to a quick halt as they got off the highway and weren't expecting to have to stop when there was a green light! I put the car in park and started it again. It started but then when I put it in drive, the same thing happened as it stalled. I repeated the process and the second time around, it sputtered and stayed on while in drive.

I quickly drove it to the Nissan dealer down the street and left it with them. They were closed and I have yet to talk to them but after reading up on it, I'm absolutely convinced that the sputtering and stall are a correlation of a bad CVT transmission. Luckily, I should still be covered by the warranty since I bought it in 2012 and only have 56,000 miles on it. Still it shouldn't be happening and could have really ended up causing an accident. I'm interested to see what the dealership will have to say!

- jboring, Charlotte, NC, US

problem #104

Oct 272016

Altima S 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 118,014 miles

Jeniffer thought she had a great car when she got this used Altima until it started lurching, and then missing gears while the engine raced. Then it would stall after coming to a stop then race just to engage and jump start. Took it to the Nissan dealer who supposedly did a diagnostic over 5 days, and after charging her for it, said there were no trouble codes, but that it had acted up once when he was driving it home. Told her with no trouble codes there was nothing he could do to help her and sent her back out on the road with the car in this same dangerous state. She needed a car to get to work so the wonderful helpful people at Nissan. urged her to buy a brand new Focus. I co signed and asked what was wrong with the Altima. She said it went crazy and handed me the key. I made it to the end of the block and had to rev it up just to get it to move. all downhill from there, it was truly scary. I did a quick inspection and it was obvious the tranny was not original, not even the correct match for this car. I saw the memo another lucky Altima owner posted, looks like an uphill battle. Thanks for the open mike.

- Mark R., San Bernardino, CA, US

problem #103

Oct 152015

Altima SL 2.5L I4

  • CVT transmission
  • 62,000 miles

Starting around 62,000 miles the car would jerk every now and then randomly. We told the dealership and they test drove it and said it needed a new transmission. We were 2,000 miles out of the warranty, but Nissan paid for it. Which is good because they know that their CVT's are garbage and break. I was mad that the transmission malfunctioned on such a young car, bu at least I didn't have to pay for the transmission to get fixed.

- Luke T., Eunice, LA, US

problem #102

Jul 032014

Altima SV 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 21,000 miles

The CVT transmission in this 2013 Nissan Altima SV is very unsafe and dangerous. When going 35mph or less and letting off the gas the car jumps as if everything inside mechanically is about to blow. Something is very dangerous and not right with the transmission in this car. Took it in several times under warranty and they can't seem to replicate the problem. It typically occurs when it is very warm outside. You have to be decelerating with the foot of the accelerator from about 40mph.

There are many many complaints on this year/model so nissan needs to extend the warranty on this transmission and finally fix the problem. The car now has 63K miles and is out of manufacturer warranty. It is very unsafe and is an accident waiting to happen. I've had relatives in the car when this sudden "jerk" or "transmission shudder" occurs and they refuse to ride in the car again.

Nissan Motor Corp needs to do the right thing and totally recall the transmission or extend the warranty to 10yr/120K miles like they did here http://www.nissanassist.com/ProgramDetails.php?menu=2 / This is a known issue and will prevent me from ever buying another Nissan again. Bought the car new and at first didn't realize how bad the problem was. I just thought it was an occasional mechanical mis-align. After nearly being thrown through the window several times upon deceleration from about 35mph without pushing the break, I now know it isn't normal and very dangerous.

I have videos of this occurring. I hope no one has gotten hurt or into an accident because of this defect. We should all push Nissan to extend the warranty on this car and finally make it right.

- 2013altimacvt, Ramer, TN, US

problem #101

Jan 032017

Altima S

  • CVT transmission
  • 71,743 miles

I recently purchased the car and even took to my old mechanic and everything was fine. Soon after this starts and now I have this nice looking car that doesn't even move. Nissan used to be a brand I gave great reviews, but what happened. There is an old saying: "If it aint broke don't fix it"!!!

- Courtney E., San Antonio, TX, US

problem #100

Sep 052016

Altima

  • Automatic transmission
  • 59,300 miles

The transmission was covered under warranty, just made it at 59,300 miles. I was very irritated. Then I had to pay for a vehicle upgrade, on my rental. But it was repaired fairly quickly.

- Renee H., Houston, TX, US

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