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 7 of 9)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #59

Dec 262015

Altima S 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 64,207 miles

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

Car died out as we were rolling to a stop but it completely shut itself down while in motion. This is dangerous. Really loud clunk sound before it died. The car would start back up but would not shift into drive. Any attempt to shift into drive would stall the car out.

Towed to Nissan dealership. Once the tech had the car up on the lift, the torque converter unlocked itself since the wheels were free. No codes in transmission when scanned. No reassurance from tech that it would not happen again and best course of action was to replace the entire transmission is all they could recommend.

They did quote $4K to $5k but always negotiate! They came down to $3k.

Also, they quoted me (wrongly) that it would then have a 3yr/36000 mile warranty but it only comes with a 1 year/12000 mile warranty. I forced them to honor my original quote of 3/36 which they did.

This was for a rebuilt Jatco CVT transmission.

Once you search on the internet "2013 Nissan CVT issues" the floodgates open.

This is a major issue with these cars.

- Bill C., Delmar, NY, US

problem #58

Feb 032015

Altima S 2.5L 175 Hp I4

  • CVT transmission
  • 67,000 miles

I bought this car for $8,000 from my next door neighbor on 1/19/2015. He wanted to sell it so he could get enough money to move with his family in Ireland. He left a week later. On 2/3/2015, I notice vibrations and shuddering in the CVT transmission. I took it to a local mechanic, and he told me that this was a common problem in 2013 Altimas. He said he could replace the transmission for $2,000. $2,000?!?! NO WAY!!!! So, soon after that, I traded in this clunker for a 2003 Honda Civic, yet another lemon! I wish I have found this site sooner!

- mlatifny, Lynbrook, NY, US

problem #57

Dec 172015

Altima SL 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,300 miles

I first took my car into the dealership at 46,000 miles saying something was up with the transmission. It killed on me, and was running really rough. They had it for three days, and said nothing was wrong with it. I get it back, it felt a little funny but wasn't as bad. Of course, as soon as I get over the 60k mile warranty, it starting running really rough again. Take it in again, and now they say I need a new transmission, and it's $4,600. The car is only 2.5 yrs old, and when I bought it, it had over 1,000 miles. Now I have to wait three days to hear back from Nissan to see if they will cover the repair.

- Jeffrey C., Ashburn, VA, US

problem #56

Dec 082015

Altima 3.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 25,000 miles

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

car has had two transmissions replacements due to shudder aka torque converter lockup.

1 year later it is still shudders at low speeds I keep asking the dealer is it not the transmission but the dealer always says it has to be the transmission. I believe the problem is due to a design flaw of the CVT overheating but I am not an engineer.

I do not trust this car.

- jonsmith, Phoenix, AZ, US

problem #55

Oct 012015

Altima SL 3.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 9,942 miles

This CVT Shuttering problem first started happening about 2 months ago (after only owning the car for 18 months as only at 18K kms) as an infrequent harsh shutter in the CVT as I was lightly accelerating and also in the middle of a turn.

It was a scary feeling as it was not normal but it went away when I backed off the accelerator and re-accelerated. In the weeks following I have noticed it happening more frequently and often in the same situation. Also, I have now felt that the car drives rougher, as if the car is feeling rough road road bumps but the roads are very smooth. This makes me believe that the rough feeling in the car is also coming from the CVT and normal cruising speeds.

I got worried enough that. I GOOGLE searched the symptom and found this site with the dozens of other 2013 Altima CVT owners complaining about the same thing!!! Now I am mad and nervous that my big car investment in this car that I always loved truly is a NISSAN LEMON.

I searched on this site on the same problems rate for Altima 2011 2012 and 2014. It's VERY CLEAR that the defect started in 2013 and only for the Altima... not its bigger brother the Maxima.

I am taking it into the Dealer next week to have them look at it. I am also bringing all the information from this website for my car - for those that also are having this problem.

Replacing the CVT might only be a temp fix if Nissan has not yet found the root cause to the defect. I am hoping that Nissan will at least step up and extend the Transmission warranty on these lemon model years that they sucked us into buying. I noticed Nissan did this for their CVTs for years up to 2010.

Update from Jan 21, 2016: During a scheduled maintenance inspection I brought up the CVT SHUTTERING concern with the dealer. They test drove and could not experience the problem (which is not surprising as the problem appears sporadically). But they did do a system diagnostics and detected that the Alternator was not putting out the required voltage. They suspected that a potential cause to the CVT Shutter might be unacceptable power to the control unit.

They replaced the Alternator under warranty in early December. Since the replacement - ~ 6 weeks later, we have not felt the shutter. Crossing my fingers that this was the cause and the problem does not return. What doesn't make sense is how my Alternator was failing and yet there were no "Check Engine" warnings about this problem.

- Perry F., Winnipeg, MB, Canada

problem #54

Aug 012015

Altima LS 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

THIS IS A MINOR PROBLEM NOW BUT GETTING WORSE. IT STARTS SLIPPING AT TIMES WHEN CHANGING GEARS. THE RPM WILL GO AS HIGH AS 6000 BEFORE CHANGING GEARS. THEN TIMES WHEN ON OPEN ROAD AND PASSING A CAR TAKES AWHILE TO DOWNSHIFT OR RESPOND. SAD DAY FOR OWNERS OF THIS YR AND MODEL CAR!

- jborg, Baker, LA, US

problem #53

Jun 302015

Altima SV 3.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 49,000 miles

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

I purchased this vehicle certified with 48K miles relying that maybe if I buy a used certified vehicle, it would be like brand new. I test drove the vehicle before purchase and didn't show any signs of symptoms. Almost two weeks with the vehicle, I began noticing vibrations, hesitations, and terrible jerking. Best way to describe it is driving a stick shift and releasing the clutch untimely. Almost feels like stalling. It does often during traffic when I slowly accelerate. At times, when you're driving at high speed, it feels rough.

I've taken it to the dealership to have it checked but to no surprise, they couldn't duplicate my complaint. They updated the transmission software and I'm not so sure it did anything as I can still feel that roughness when driving this vehicle. I wish Nissan would find a way to fix this problem as it seems to be common problem among Nissan owners. It's terrible. This will be the last Nissan I ever purchase.

- jagger, Alexandria, VA, US

problem #52

Oct 122015

Altima SV 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 81,000 miles

I bought a new 2013 Nissan Altima in August of 2013 to use with my work. I travel about 35,000 miles per year. the transmission began to shudder at 45,000 miles. It was mild at first. At 55,000 miles it got much worse. The engine would actually die at times when I would come to a stop. I took it in to the local Nissan dealership where I purchased it and asked if there had been issues with the transmission of this model as I had read several complaints on the internet. They assured me that there were no problems that they were aware of. They inspected my car and said that it needed a new transmission. The transmission was covered under warranty up to 60,000 miles. They replaced it and I went on my way thinking that the problem was fixed.

After about 10,000 miles on the new transmission, it started "shuttering" again. I took it in to the dealer but could not replicate the issue with them in the car. It now has 81,000 miles on it and seems to be getting worse. I am going to take it in this week and have them look at it again. When the transmission was replaced, they said it had a 60,000 mile warranty. My fear is that the CVT transmission that they use is just NOT RELIABLE. I don't want to have to replace the transmission every time it gets 30-40k miles on it.

Bottom line, I buy a lot of cars. I have 2 college age sons and a wife. We have 4 vehicles. I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER CAR WITH A CVT TRANSMISSION, especially a Nissan. I love the way the Altima looks, but if it isn't reliable it's not worth the trouble. I had 2 Toyota Camrys prior to this Altima and the only thing I had to do was change the oil and put gas in the car. I did have to get a brake job at 110,000 miles on both cars. My sons now have the cars and they have over 150,000 miles on them and we NEVER have problems with them. I will get a Camry next time.

Update from Dec 3, 2015: 12-3-15 The car is shuttering worse than ever. I took it to the dealer where I bought it and they said the transmission needs to be replaced!!!! Unbelievable. I had it replaced at 55k miles. The car now has 84k miles on it. So this transmission made it 29k miles????? The new transmission had a 12 month, 12,000 mile warranty. It hasn't been 12 months, but it has been 29k miles. They are checking with Nissan to see if they will cover it. I can't believe there isn't a class action lawsuit about this. If they don't cover the cost, I'm going to see an attorney. I have 3 co-workers who bought Altimas after me and TWO of them have had the transmission replaced. RIDICULOUS!!!!

Update from Aug 14, 2016: The saga continues with the '13 Nissan Altima. It now has 107,000 miles on it (transmission replaced twice). I was getting out of the car last week and the inside door handle on the driver's door BROKE. I went to open it and I heard a POP. I had to roll the window down and open the door from the outside, roll the window up and turn off the car. The dealer fixed it for $140. This is absolutely the most unreliable car I have ever owned. Based on my experience with this car, I will hesitate to EVER buy a Nissan again!

- Brian J., Tyler, TX, US

problem #51

Aug 142014

Altima SL 3.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 12,000 miles

Problems started in August of 2014, many trips to service department. Finally in June 2015, new CVT Transmission installed. Since new CVT Transmission installed, not even 3 full months or 3000 miles, car has severely shuddered/jerked worse than before replacement. Again, service unable to duplicate to get computer documentation for Nissan. Loud front end noise being heard since new replacement. I was told this was a wheel bearing. New wheel bearing installed. After 3 different complete stop and restarts, noise is still present. Current mileage on car, less than 29,000.

- Theresa B., Necedah, WI, US

problem #50

Oct 012015

Altima S 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 58,000 miles

This is actually my 2nd Nissan Altima. Had 2006 2.5s and had no problems. I purchased this vehicle in april 2014 with 19,000 miles on it. Started having random shifting problems coasting on the highway and at stop signs.

My alternator went a year later one on 2 yr old car. Ran over roadkill and puncture my fuel tank a month later. This past week the car has idle rough and stalls out at stop lights. Today it starts up fine and I shift it in any gear and car dies. If i shift out of park to drive and gas it. I can drive it but looking at all the complaints below looks like i have 2,000 miles to get this fix or I'm going to be out a lot of money. dropping my car off tomorrow at the dealership. Keep you guys up to date.

- T R., Saint Charles, MO, US

problem #49

Aug 122014

Altima SL 3.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 12,400 miles

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

After transmission replacement, Car is still randomly shuddering at highway speeds. The loud growling noise that started after the new transmission was replaced was thought to be a "bad wheel bearing". It was replaced. Guess what, the same noise is still happening when driving.

I am amazed that Nissan doesn't have the technology to narrow the transmission and/or engine problems down to correct the situation the first time. But rather has the excessive funds to keep "repairing" (insert sarcastic smirk here) the same issues over and over. Not a satisfied customer. I have come across those "I just love my Nissan" owners. My first question is how old is your car? To which is typically 2010,2009,2008...etc.

Not many I talk to owning a 2011 and newer that have been overly impressed with the recurring problems the car has. I am quick to let these "satisfied" Nissan customers know to be very, very leery about getting a newer model. In fact, I let everyone know the issues/unresolved issues I am still having.

- Theresa B., Necedah, WI, US

problem #48

Sep 042015

Altima

  • CVT transmission
  • 82,000 miles

Loved the car, enjoyed the great mileage etc etc. Then one day I couldn't get the car out of park. 3 days later it stalls at a light. Freaked my wife out because she was driving. Took it back to the dealer they told me it was a loose battery post. They fixed that problem my wife drove it home and it stalled again before she even got home. Long story short...(too late) lol went with my wife to take it back. Off course they told me it's showing no codes. My wife found this site and was able to tell them what the problem was. Everything listed about this car she has experienced. Thank you!! Your comments were very helpful. I'll let you know when and if it gets fixed.

- Michael H., Sun City, CA, US

problem #47

Aug 012014

Altima SL 3.5L V6

  • CVT transmission
  • 12,000 miles

When start moving after complete stop, can feel vibration on gas pedal and steering wheel, between 1st and 2nd gear.

- Andriy B., Chicago, IL, US

problem #46

Jun 172015

Altima SL 3.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 31,000 miles

Noticed the shuttering problem about a month before reporting it as it became more pronounced. They immediately diagnosed it as a transmission problem and said of course that this is very rare, but they were going to replace it with a new one, which they did.

- Steve E., New Berlin, WI, US

problem #45

May 122015

Altima S 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,996 miles

I purchased my third Nissan vehicle so I think of myself as a loyal Nissan customer. My first car was a Nissan Nentra, second car was a 2004 Nissan Maxima which the transmission when bad on it so I traded it in for a 2013 Nissan Altima from Carmax in June of 2014 with 36000 miles on it.

Never had a problem with the car until one day I'm driving down the highway with my three children and my car starts vibrating and would not go into gear, scared to death because I'm on the highway with my three children. Took it to the Nissan dealership in High point, NC, well it was not what I wanted to hear. It was my transmission that when out in the car, my car completely not driveable because I barely could even drive it to the dealership!

Nissan told me they had 2 other newer Nissans in their shop with bad transmissions so that tell me something. My car has 62996 miles on it, spoke to Crystal at Nissan corporate and told he they could not pay for my transmission, which they told me would cost $3400 and not even had the car for a year and still paying on the car. That the car was 2996 miles over the manufacturer warranty, absolutely crazy!!!!!! There was obviously a bad transmission in the car and Nissan should pay to get another one!!

Crystal who I spoke with at consumer affairs, was very unhelpful, refused to let me speak with someone else, she kept saying to me that she was gonna disconnect the call "RUDE" then finally she told me she would get her supervisor to call me to probably get me off the phone, and basically told me I was wasting my time because her supervisor was gonna agree with her. Kept talking over me, and kept saying that she understood how upset I am when she doesn't, so I finally ask her how could she understand, and then she couldn't tell me.

This is my first review I have ever written on anything I have ever purchased!! I feel like I have been completely cheated on buying this car and someone needs to talk to Crystal on how she's suppose to speak with people!!! I am a single mother of three children and I purchased this car because I needed a reliable vehicle. I will never purchase another Nissan again and make sure my family and friends don't do the same thing!! I am looking now to get rid of this car ASAP as Nissan corporate and their bad cars have made a very difficult time for me!!

- Tina A., High Point, NC, US

problem #44

Apr 012015

Altima SL 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 52,045 miles

We bought this car new and it was great up to this point. Now we have very little confidence in this car. After some online searching, we realized that we aren't the only ones with this problem. We planned to have this car for a long time because my wife depends on it to do her job.

- Edwin G., East Palatka, FL, US

problem #43

Jul 162015

Altima SL 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 59,495 miles

This is the second time our car had to be taken to the Nissan dealership for this shuddering issue. We feel it but wouldn't you know the Nissan techs couldn't find a problem. As a result, they checked it out but ultimately nothing was done to remedy the problem.

- Edwin G., East Palatka, FL, US

problem #42

Apr 092015

Altima S 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,234 miles

The transmission in this car is horrible . It shakes the car , vibrates very bad as you accelerate and then once you get going it then it subsides. Nissan needs to recall these transmissions. I had it in for service and they said it needed to be adjusted. But even after they did that it still vibrated the car at many different speeds when you would go to accelerate.

Update from Jan 9, 2016: I took My 2013 Altima into Nissan on Dec 19th, 2015 which was a Saturday . The service advisor called me on Monday telling me that my Valve body wasn't any good and that they needed to order a new one . He said they should get it in within 5 days . Well I called back on the 6 th day since I never heard back from him and he told me they got the part in . He would call me when it was done . Then the update , the new valve body wont work with the existing transmission pan and that they needed to order a new replacement one . He said it would take up to 10 days since it wasn't at the warehouse hub where everyone gets there parts in . <p>Now , mind you that this is now January 7 th 2016 , he said that they couldn't get it shipped out until Friday January 15 th . I said if I find one can you get it installed faster if I buy it , I cant go with out a car that long , and I wanted the one that they were supposed to get from Nissan so that I could resell it and try and get some of my money back . He said no , I said that Nissan wouldn't allow them to do that . I found one in Virginia , so I said here is the number of the dealer , can you buy it and get it installed . He said no , that the dealer wouldn't release it to him .

So now I was at a cross road of being stuck without a car for 2 more weeks roughly .

So I found a Honda dealer to take it in trade while it was waiting for the repair part , and Now I`m driving a Honda accord : ) so much of a better car .

I will never buy another piece of crap Nissan again !!!!!!

- marknv, Las Vegas, NV, US

problem #41

Jan 022015

Altima 3.5S 3.5L V6

  • CVT transmission
  • 23,507 miles

Purchased a brand new 2013 Nissan Altima 3.5S Sedan on April 1,2013. Was happy to replace older vehicle with something that I was sure would not give me a problem for a long time. Boy was I wrong,. The first few months were very uneventful. The new vehicle handled exactly as a new vehicle should. Great I thought, good choice.

Then about the time that new car smell wore off, all hell began to break loose. I began to notice that when I pressed on the gas pedal, the vehicle would shudder slightly. I disregarded it, and didn't give it a second thought.

Then it began to happen more frequently, and move violently. The vehicle would shake like the mechanical bull in the movie "Urban Cowboy". To make matters worse ,the car would hesitate when you pressed on the gas pedal. Can you imagine trying to cross over a busy intersection with a car that doesn't move when you expect it too?

Took the car back to the dealer where I purchased it from. I was told that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle, that it was just the way the CVT transmission shifted. Okay I was a dummy, and bought in to the explanation that I was given. Took the vehicle home, and continued with normal driving. Sure as a bear sh*ts in the woods, the exact same problems resurfaced again. The shuddering, the hesitation, and my disgust continued. So I took the car back to the dealer where I purchased it from, only this time I had one of the mechanics ride in the car with me so that he could get a first hand feel of my complaint. The vehicle shuddered and hesitated just like I knew it would, and the mechanic agreed that there was a problem, and that I was not auditioning for an episode of the "Twilight Zone". They took the vehicle, gave me a rental car, and after a few days found metal shards inside the transmission casing. Not good right? Houston, we have a problem.

Well, I was told, we are going to have to replace you CVT transmission with a new one. Hey I have no problem, knock yourselves out. Do whatever you have to do to solve the problem. So I drove around in the car rental that they let me use while they tried to fix their brand new car that was sold to me. You know something, I didn't have not one problem with the car rental, HHHHhmmmmm.

A few day later I was contacted, and told that my car was ready. Picked it up, returned their car rental, got in my car and took off. I didn't experience the shudder or hesitation, and I thought they had nailed it. Well, I was wrong, and they are still wrong for the same problem returned a few months later. The vehicle is still shuddering, and hesitating just like before. After some investigation on my own I found out that there is a longstanding problem with the CVT transmissions. I'm not the first nor the last to have this problem, and I am currently dealing with Nissan personnel to resolve the issue, but rest assured I will never buy another Nissan vehicle again, because to me CVT stands for Continuously Vibrating Transmission.

- madashell56, New Orleans, LA, US

problem #40

May 242015

Altima SL 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 73,000 miles

I have felt the shutter for a week or so but decided I would take my 2013 Nissan on a golf trip with friends Memorial Day Weekend. On the way home it puked on I77 near Beckley WV. Great experience with AAA and it started out a good experience with dealership.

2 days in to repair of the solenoid on the tranny I received a call that in fact they couldn't replace just the part they had to do a whole tranny. I received a quote for 3 hours labor and the part for $790. Approved the repair then get a call and told that that repair can't happen! Now waiting 3 - 5 days for a tranny delivered and the price goes to $2600 approx. I ask if there was anything Nissan would do and was told No. Out of warranty too many miles.

Wow a 2 year old Nissan that cost $26,000 and nothing can been done to help. They extended all prior year warranties but the 13 obviously is too big a piece of junk to back. I am or rather was a loyal Nissan guy but never again!!!

- Scot S., Carrollton, OH, US

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