2013 Nissan Altima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 2,312 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 26 Altima model years with reports.
Of the 2013 reports, 63 involved a crash and 9 involved a fire. 48 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Latches/locks/linkages, hood, latchMay 28, 2020
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2018 Nissan Altima vehicles. If the primary hood latch is inadvertently released, there is an increased likelihood that the secondary hood latch may corrode over time.
Corrosion to the secondary latch may cause it to bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed. If the primary latch is inadvertently released again and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will install a stronger release spring in the hood release lever, a warning label near the secondary hood latch, and an Owners Manual addendum card with instructions on how to lubricate and maintain the secondary hood latch mechanism, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 30, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Note: Recall 16V-029 remains open for any unremedied 2013-2015 Altimas and this recall applies to all vehicles covered by 16V-029 even if those repairs have already been performed.
Campaign 20V315000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, sensor, occupant classificationDec 19, 2016
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Altima vehicles manufactured January 3, 2013, to July 29, 2013, 2015-2016 Rogue vehicles manufactured October 14, 2014, to August 12, 2016, and 2016 Maxima vehicles manufactured June 4, 2015, to August 19, 2015. An incorrect Occupant Classification System (OCS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may have been installed in the front passenger seat. The incorrect ECU and seat combination may misclassify the front passenger seat occupant.
If the front passenger seat occupant is misclassified, the air bag may deploy incorrectly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ECU and update the OCS software free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 16V911000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, sensor, occupant classificationApr 26, 2016
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano Hybrid, and Chevrolet City Express, 2014-2015 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, and 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles. In these vehicles, the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may be turned off and not deploy in the event of a crash.
If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors. Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in Altima, Maxima, Murano, Rogue, and Sentra vehicles, and replace the OCS ECU in LEAF, NV200, NV200 Taxi, Pathfinder, Infiniti Q50, JX35, and QX60 and Chevrolet City Express vehicles, free of charge. Interim notices were sent to owners on May 31, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669, Infiniti customer service at 1-888-833-3216 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.
Campaign 16V244000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, hood, latchJan 22, 2016
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Nissan Altima vehicles manufactured March 6, 2012, to December 31, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch may bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.
If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
These vehicles were previously included in recalls 14V-565 and 15V-116, however the previous remedy plan may not have been performed consistently to remove the safety risk. To correct this issue, Nissan will re-notify all affected owners and dealers will replace the hood latch with a new one, free of charge. The recall began on February 17, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 14V-565 and 15V-116.
Campaign 16V029000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontalOct 20, 2015
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Altima and Pathfinder vehicles, 2013-2014 Nissan Sentra vehicles, 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles, 2014-2015 Infiniti QX60 vehicles and 2014 Infiniti QX60 Hybrid vehicles. The affected vehicles received an incorrect occupant classification system (OCS) control unit during a repair. These OCS control units may incorrectly classify the front passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult.
If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger air bag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the passenger.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on November 30, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 15V681000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasolineAug 4, 2015
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) notified the agency on July 31, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2016 Nissan Maxima vehicles manufactured February 10, 2015, to August 18, 2015. On October 14, 2015, Nissan expanded the recall to cover an additional 41,388 vehicles, including certain model year 2013-2015 Altima 3.5 vehicles equipped with a V6 engine manufactured March 30, 2012, to August 18, 2015 as well as the vehicles covered by the July 31, 2015 notification. In the affected vehicles, due to an improperly installed o-ring that may not have been seated correctly at the time of assembly, fuel may leak during a crash from the area where the fuel sending unit attaches to the fuel tank.
If fuel leaks from between the fuel sending unit and the tank, it may increase the risk of a fire in the event of a crash.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer ring between the fuel tank and the fuel sending unit. The recall began on September 28, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 15V486000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, hood, latchFeb 27, 2015
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Nissan Altima vehicles manufactured March 1, 2013, to December 31, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch may bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.
If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will be instructed to modify the bend angle of the hood actuation lever to eliminate potential interference with the hood inner panel. In addition, dealers will clean and lubricate the latch joint as needed. If significant corrosion is observed, the latch assembly will be replaced. This repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 14V-565.
Campaign 15V116000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, hood, latchSep 15, 2014
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013 Nissan Altima vehicles manufactured March 6, 2012, to February 28, 2013. In the affected vehicles, interference between the hood inner panel and the secondary latch lever, in combination with debris and corrosion, may cause the secondary hood latch to bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.
If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will be instructed to modify the bend angle of the hood actuation lever to eliminate potential interference with the hood inner panel. In addition, dealers will clean and lubricate the latch joint as needed. If significant corrosion is observed, the latch assembly will be replaced. This repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 20, 2014. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 14V565000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, softwareMar 25, 2014
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, and Sentra, model year 2013 NV200 (aka Taxi) and Infiniti JX35 and model year 2014 Infiniti Q50 and QX60 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the occupant classification system (OCS) software may incorrectly classify the passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult.
If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger airbag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the passenger.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2014. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 14V138000 on NHTSA.gov
Tires, temporary/emergency spare tireApr 24, 2013
Nissan North America is recalling certain model year 2013 Altima vehicles manufactured March 21, 2012, through March 26, 2013. The spare tires may have been significantly over- or under-inflated.
Tires that are significantly over- or under-inflated may fail without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and adjust the spare tire pressure, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 29, 2013. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 13V158000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsMar 1, 2013
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2013 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, Sentra, and Infiniti JX35 vehicles. Sensors within the passenger Occupant Detection System (ODS) may have been manufactured out of specification. This may cause the system to malfunction and permanently suppress the passenger airbag.
If the vehicle is involved in a crash necessitating airbag deployment and the passenger airbag is suppressed, there may be an increased risk of personal injury.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ODS sensors and replace them as neccessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 6, 2013. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 13V069000 on NHTSA.gov
SteeringOct 10, 2012
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Altima vehicles manufactured from May 10, 2012, through July 26, 2012. These vehicles may have been equipped with transverse link bolts and power steering rack bolts that were not torqued to proper specification.
The affected bolts could become loose and fall out which may lead to a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the bolts to the proper torque specifications. The safety recall is expected to begin during November 2012. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 12V494000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
514 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Engine, May 1, 2013
WHEN SITTING THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF SIGN COMES OUT AND RANDOMLY DISAPPEAR,APPEAR REPEATEDLY. SIT THE VERY PROPERLY BY OWNER' MANUAL IT COMES OUT. IT MEANS PASSENGER AIR BAG IS OFF SIGN ON IT WILL NOT INFLATE IN A CRASH. I'M VERY SCARY DRIVE THIS CAR WITH SOMEONE WHO SIT THE PASSENGER SEAT. ALTHOUGH SITTING ON THE SEAT PROPERLY AND USING THE SEAT BELT PROPERLY IT DOESN'T MATTERS BECAUSE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF LIGHT ALWAYS ILLUMINATE. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS IN A CRASH. I REALLY WANT TO KNOW NEED AIR BAG FOR WHAT??? NISSAN ALREADY RECALLS SOME CAR SAME ISSUES. I BRING MY CAR NISSAN DEALER,THEY DO NOTHING AND SAY"THIS IS NORMAL" AND HAVE SAME PROBLEMS MY CAR'S VIN# NOT INCLUDE THE RECALLS SO THEY DON'T FIX OR REPLACE ANYTHING. IT IS RIDICULOUS. ALSO ALTIMA HAS WEIRD WINNING HIGH PITCH NOISE ALL THE TIME AND DRIVE LOW RPM TO CHANGE TO HIGH RPM MAKES VERY LOUD RUMBLING KNOCKING NOISE.IT SEEMS LIKE A DRIVE BELT AND TENSIONER PROBLEMS. DEALER SAY THAT IT IS NORMAL. DEALER ALWAYS SAY "IT IS NORMAL". IF MY WARRANTY IS FINISH THEY SAY THAT IT IS PROBLEMS. I REALLY WANT TO SOLUTIONS. *TR
Visibility, Air bags, Seat belts, Apr 27, 2013
AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR I NOTICED THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR WAS VIBRATING WHILE DRIVING AT ALL SPEEDS. THEN THE DEALER REPLACED THE MIRROR SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL THEY FIXED THE VIBRATING PROBLEM. BUT NOW, THE MIRROR THEY REPLACED IT WITH SEEMS TO BE A GENERIC MIRROR, SEEMS LIKE A CONVEX MIRROR AND THE OBJECTS AND VIEW LOOK DEFORMED. IT ISN'T A FLAT MIRROR AND THE DEALER SAID THAT IS NORMAL AND ALL THE CARS HAVE THAT SAME MIRROR. THAT IS A LIE BECAUSE WHEN THEY CHANGED MY VERY FIRST MIRROR DUE TO VIBRATING, IT WAS FLAT AND CLEAR. THIS ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN SOLVED BUT NOW THEY REPLACED 2 SENSORS THAT ARE ON RECALL AND WAITING FOR A THIRD SENSOR ON THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG TO BE REPLACED AS WELL DUE TO RECALL. I AM SO TIRED OF GOING BACK AND FORTH TO THE DEALER THAT I AM FINALLY GOING TO FILE A COMPLAINT, THIS CAR IS A LEMON! (2013 NISSAN ALTIMA SV -PEARL WHITE). *TR
Air bags, Apr 25, 2013
I PURCHASED A NEW 2013 ALTIMA SEDAN 2.5SL MID OF MARCH. 1. PASSENFER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT ON. PASSENGER AIRBAG SEEMS TO DISABLE ITSELF RANDOMLY. 2. WHINING OR WHISTLING NOISE FROM ENGINE BAY. 3. WHEN I MAKE A TURN(LETF, RIGHT BOTH) I CAN HEAR DRUMING SOUND FROM BACK. *TR
Air bags, Apr 9, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SHUT OFF INDEPENDENTLY AS A PASSENGER WAS OCCUPYING THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS FOR A TOTAL OF FIVE TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED EACH TIME THAT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE RECREATED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V069000 (AIR BAGS) AND CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 21,000.
Power train, Air bags, Mar 31, 2013
AFTER THE FIRST CAR WITH 2000MILES AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF IN THE ACCIDENT SO WENT BOUGHT ANOTHER NEW ONE THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON IN 70 MILES SO PUT A NEW SEAT FROM ANOTHER CAR NISSAN DID NOT HAVE A NEW SEAT NO THE AIR BAG LIGHT DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY AND THE CAR HAS A VIBERATION THAT NISSAN CANT FIX NEED TO STOP SELLING LEMONS. *TR
Air bags, Mar 31, 2013, crash
WE HAD ANEW 2013 ALTIMA WITH 2000MILES ON IT WAS TRAVELING 25 OR SO MPH GOT HOT IN REAR END BY A F 350 GOING 60 OR70MPH HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME BOTH SIDES DAMAGED ME AND THE WIFE HAD TO BE CUT OUT OF THE CAR NO AIR BAGS WENT OFF N HAS A PROBLEM. *TR
Air bags, Mar 31, 2013
PASSENGER AIR BAG PERIODICALLY TURNS ITSELF OFF DURING A TRIP AND WILL NOT RESET UNTIL THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED PERIODICALLY, APPROXIMATELY 10 TIMES. I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT CHANGE THE DEFECTIVE SENSOR UNTIL NISSAN OFFICIALLY RECALLED THE PART. THEY SIMPLY LOOSENED AND THEN RETORQUES THE SENSOR. *TR
Air bags, Mar 26, 2013
PASSENGER AIRBAG SEEMS TO DISABLE ITSELF RANDOMLY. AIRBAG OFF LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN GOES AWAY AFTER A WHILE AND THEN COMES BACK AGAIN AFTER A FEW MINUTES. VERY SCARY TO DRIVE KNOWING THAT THE AIRBAG WON'T DEPLOY. *TR
Air bags, Mar 23, 2013
I TOOK DELIVERY ON A NEW NISSAN ALTIMA 3/15/2013, AND THE NIGHT BEFORE, I SAW ONLINE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSORS, SO I ASKED DEALER TO CHECK ON THIS BEFORE I TOOK DELIVERY. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED BY THAT RECALL SINCE IT WAS MANUFACTURED AFTER THAT 'BATCH'. I NOTICED THE NEXT DAY THAT THE RED DASH AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON, AND ALSO NOTICED THAT THE YELLOW PASSENGER AIRBAG 'OFF' LIGHT WAS ON, EVEN THOUGH NOBODY WAS IN THAT SEAT, NO OBJECT THERE, ETC. I DROVE MY WIFE IN THE CAR A FEW DAYS LATER, AND BOTH RED AND YELLOW LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHETHER SHE WAS IN THE SEAT, OR I WAS IN THE SEAT, OR NOBODY WAS IN THE SEAT. I CHECKED THE OWNERS MANUAL, AND IT INDICATED THAT BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY IF IN AN ACCIDENT IF THESE LIGHTS WERE ON. RETURNED TO DEALER ON 3/20/2013 AFTER TELLING THE DEALER THAT I REFUSED TO DRIVE THIS CAR ANYMORE UNTIL THIS WAS REMEDIED. AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE, THEY PROVIDED A RENTAL CAR. I STILL HAVE A RENTAL CAR AS OF 3/23/2013, AND HAVE BEEN TOLD FOR 3 DAYS NOW THAT NISSAN HAS INFORMED THE DEALER THAT THEY WANT TO SEND THE DEALER AN ENTIRE 'PASSENGER SEAT STRIP', BUT CANNOT PROVIDE INFORMATION ON WHEN THE PART WILL BE AVAILABLE OR WHEN IT WILL SHIP. AFTER READING THE RECALL DESCRIPTION, MY VEHICLE IS EXHIBITING EXACTLY THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALL NOTICE - BOTH RED AND YELLOW AIR BAG LIGHTS ARE ON AND REMAIN ON ALL THE TIME. I ASKED AGAIN FOR THE DEALER TO CHECK IF MY VEHICLE WAS COVERED BY THE RECALL, THEY SAID NO. HOW CAN IT BE THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED? THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT ANOTHER CUSTOMER JUST HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN, AND THE RENTAL CAR AGENCY TOLD ME THEY JUST ORDERED SEVERAL NEW ALTIMAS AND THAT THEY HAD TO RETURN ONE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. IS THE NHTSA AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM? *TR
Air bags, Mar 14, 2013
AIR BAG LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED WHILE THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED WITH PASSENGER INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAG IS DEACTIVATED. BOTH REQUIREMENT (WEIGHT LIMIT AND SETTING CORRECTLY) BY THE MANUFACTURE IS MEET. TOOK TO THE DEALER AND HAD NISSAN SEND A TECH FROM THE MANUFACTURER TO CHECK IT OUT. ALL THE TELL ME IS THERE IS NO CODES STORE IN THE SYSTEM. I BELIEVE THIS IS MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WITH NO ANSWERS FROM NISSAN. THEY DANCE AROUND WHEN I ASK QUESTION AND TURN IT INTO USER ERROR, WHERE IN FACT REQUIREMENT (WEIGHT LIMIT AND SETTING CORRECTLY) BY THE MANUFACTURE IS MEET. 1800-343-6913 EXT. [XXX] CASE # [XXX]. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE PLEASE HELP I GOT NO WHERE WITH NISSAN INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Air bags, Seats, Mar 12, 2013
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON AT RANDOM TIMES WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE LIGHT INDICATES THAT THE AIRBAG IS OFF. THE DEALER HAS RESET THE SEAT TWO TIME AND THE PROBLEM IS NOT SOLVED. I CHECKED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT OTHERS HAVE BEEN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER HAS INDICATED THAT NISSAN HAS PUT A HOLD ON PARTS FOR THAT SEAT. THEY OBVIOUSLY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM. I AM SERIOUSLY CONCERNED THAT SOMEONE SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT CAN BE AT RISK IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. IF NISSAN WON'T TELL THEIR OWN DEALERS WHAT IS GOING ON THAT IS A PROBLEM. *TR
Air bags, Mar 5, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PASSENGER DID NOT WEIGH ENOUGH FOR THE AIR BAG SEAT SENSOR TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE CONTACT THEN RODE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED FOR A OCCUPANT WITH MORE BODY MASS. A SECOND APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED WITH THE DEALER FIR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 300.
Air bags, Mar 3, 2013
I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW (NISSAN ALTIMA 2013 - 3.5SL) AND FOUND OUT AFTER 2 DAYS THAT THE PASSENGER FRONT AIRBAG LIGHT WAS WORKING IN A SPORADIC MANNER. MY WIFE WEIGHS 112 LBS. AND THE SENSOR WILL NOT WORK TO PROTECT HER TO INFLATE - AS THE LIGHT INDICATES THE AIRBAG IS OFF. I SAT IN THE SEAT AT 160 LBS. AND THE LIGHT WENT OFF AND THEN CAME BACK ON. THE DEALER SAID IT HAD NO SOLUTION THAT I HAD TO DRIVE IT THAT WAY. THE SEARCH ON THE INTERNET SHOWED A HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE NISSAN FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG. THIS NOTICE OF COMPLAINT IS CONCERNING WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS DEFECT THAT IS LIFE THREATENTING AND WHY THE NHTSA HAS NOT STEPPED IN TO PROTECT THE CONSUMER. *TR
Power train, Air bags, Seat belts, Engine, Mar 2, 2013
WHEN STARTING THE CAR THE STARTER WOULD KEEP CRANKING AFTER THE RELEASE OF THE START BUTTON, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON SOMETIMES EVEN WHEN A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT ALSO THE REAR SEAT BELTS ARE VERY HARD TO LOCK IN DO TO THE RECEIVER END PUSHES DOWN INTO THE SEAT WHEN DRIVING THERE IS A FEW PROBLEMS THE LOW END RATTLES AND SHAKES AND 45 AND ABOVE THERE IS A WINING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT THAT SOUNDS LIKE A BAD ALT BEARING OR TRANS PROBLEM IT GETS LOUDER THE FASTER YOU GO VERY ANNOYING WITH TODAY TECHNOLOGY THESE PROBLEMS AND THIS IS JUST A FEW IS A BIG STEP BACK FOR NISSAN NOT A HAPPY CUSTOMER JUST BROKE 6000 MILES. *TR
Air bags, Feb 28, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200.
Air bags, Feb 27, 2013
PURCHASED A NEW 2013 ALTIMA SEDAN 3.5SL IN NOVEMBER 2012. WITHIN DAYS NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ALWAYS ON, WHETHER A PASSENGER WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OR NOT. TOOK CAR INTO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SENSOR HAD BEEN INCORRECTLY CALIBRATED AT 200 POUNDS INSTEAD OF 0 POUNDS. THEY RECALIBRATED THE SENSOR AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT WORKED FINE... FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEKS. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS NOW ALWAYS ON. THIS ISSUE CONCERNS ME BECAUSE I MUST ASSUME THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NEVER DEPLOY. *TR
Air bags, Seats, Feb 19, 2013
THE "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" WARNING LIGHT MAY COME ON WHEN AN ADULT OR LARGE TEENAGER IS SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THIS FAILURE HAPPENS OCCASIONALLY. AT TIMES, THE WARNING LIGHT WILL GO OFF AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF DRIVING. IT APPEARS THAT EITHER THE SEAT SENSOR(S) OR THE SOFTWARE THAT READS THE SENSOR(S) AND DETERMINES THE SIZE/WEIGHT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER MAY BE FAULTY. I AM AMAZED THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL OF THE 2013 ALTIMA FOR THIS ISSUE, GIVEN THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE. *TR
Air bags, Feb 17, 2013
THE FIRST SIX WEEKS WE HAD THE CAR IT OPERATED NORMALLY. THAN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF LIGHT OCCASIONALLY WOULD COME ON WITH MY 120 LB WIFE IN THE SEAT. NOW IT WILL COME ON ALL OF THE TIME. IF YOU START THE CAR BEFORE SHE GETS IN THE LIGHT USUALLY STAYS OFF AFTER SHE GETS IN BUT NOT ALWAYS. WITH A 50 LB PERSON IN THE SEAT THE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON, THAT IS WHEN I THINK IT SHOULD COME ON. *TR
Air bags, Feb 12, 2013
I HAVE OWNED THIS 2013 ALTIMA FOR 5 MONTHS AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAGS CONTINUOUSLY STAY ON "OFF MODE". I AM A FEMALE AND WEIGH 136 POUNDS AND MY HUSBAND RIDES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AS WELL AT TIMES AND HE IS 160 POUNDS, SO THERE IS DEFINITELY ENOUGH WEIGHT. I BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFECT WITHIN THE SENSORS. IN MY VEHICLE IT WILL STAY OFF FOR HOURS OR SOMETIMES IT WILL TAKE 15-30 MINUTES AND IT WILL TURN ON, BUT IT NEVER STAYS ON.I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. AND IT COULD BE LIFE THREATENING TO A PASSENGER IN ONE OF THESE VEHICLES IF THE AIRBAGS DO NOT DEPLOY IN A CRASH. NISSAN NEEDS TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE LOSES THERE LIFE. THERE IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING WRONG AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE QUICKLY TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE ITS A SERIOUS MATTER. THERE ARE LIVES AT STAKE HERE.. *TR
Air bags, Feb 10, 2013
FEW DAYS AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE (09/23/12) THE SEAT BELT LIGHT WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD ALSO INDICATE THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS DISENGAGED WITH A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE. TONIGHT (2/10/13) THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR ONCE AGAIN INDICATED NO PASSENGER WHEN MY 120 LB WIFE WAS SITTING IN THE SEAT. I TRIED IT WITH MYSELF (155LB) AND AGAIN IT OCCURRED. THIS IS AN UNACCEPTABLE SAFETY CONCERN. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Feb 9, 2013
THE DAY I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE (1/23/13) THE SEAT BELT LIGHT WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD ALSO INDICATE THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS DISENGAGED WITH A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP (ROSENTHAL NISSAN OF TYSONS) TOOK THE CAR IN BACK AND MADE SOME ADJUSTMENTS. THE PROBLEM APPARENTLY WENT AWAY. TONIGHT (2/9/13) THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR ONCE AGAIN INDICATED NO PASSENGER WHEN MY 110 LB WIFE WAS SITTING IN THE SEAT. I TRIED IT WITH MYSELF (175LB) AND AGAIN IT OCCURRED. THIS IS AN UNACCEPTABLE SAFETY CONCERN. *TR
Air bags, Service brakes, Feb 8, 2013
WAS DRIVING 45 MPH TO TAKE CHILD TO SCHOOL. WHILE AT LIGHT MADE SURE NO PARKING BRAKE ON. THEN PUT CAR IN PARK TURNED VEHICLE OFF AND ON TWICE AS BRAKING LIGHT STILL ON. KEPT VEHICLE OFF FOR APPROXIMALLY 1 MINUTE AND TURNED BACK ON. THE FOLLOWING DAY TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE WHICH THEY STATED BREAK FLUID NOT TOPPED OFF. SO ON 2/8/2013 DRIVING WITH 8 YR.OLD DAUGHTER SITTING IN FRONT SET. AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON THE SHOWING AIRBAG OFF BUT THEN THE LIGHT WENT OFF. PULLED OVER HAD MY DAUGHTER STAND UP, REMOVE BOOSTER SEAT AND THEN PUT BACK DOWN. AIRBAG LIGHT STILL REMAINED OFF. TURNED VEHICLE OFF 3 TIMES BEFORE TURNING BACK ON. MY HUSBAND CALLED DEALERSHIP TO DISCUSS AND ADVISE TAKING IN FOR SERVICE AND PROBLEMS AFTER JUST PURCHASING VEHICLE ON 2/4/2013. ON THE WAY HOME BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULDN'T GO OFF. *TR
Air bags, Jan 31, 2013
THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON MEANING THAT THE AIRBAG IS NOT ACTIVATING NO MATTER WHO IS SITTING ON THE SEAT. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER ONE WEEK AFTER WE PURCHASED IT AND THEY "SUPPOSEDLY" RESET THE SENSOR. WE LEFT THE DEALERSHIP AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTED IMMEDIATELY. WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER A WEEK LATER AND A NISSAN ENGINEER WAS THERE THAT DAY AND HE LOOKED AT IT AND SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. A PERSON'S LIFE COULD BE LOST BECAUSE OF THE MANUFACTURING DEFECT. NISSAN SHOULD SERIOUSLY LOOK INTO THIS AND RECALL THE CARS BEFORE SOMETHING SERIOUS HAPPENS TO ANY OF US WHO PURCHASED THIS CAR. WE CAN'T BELIEVE THAT KNOWING THAT THERE IS THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM, THEY WILL NOT EVEN TRY TO FIX IT. IT SHOWS LACK OF CONCERN AND RESPONSIBILITY ON THEIR PART FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS. WE ARE GOING TO USE THE "LEMON LAW" AND RETURN THE CAR SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. SAFECAR.GOV AND THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY SAFETY ADMINISTRATION NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE. THERE ARE PLENTY OF COMPLAINTS IN REGARDS TO THIS ISSUE. BACK IN 2009 NISSAN RECALLED SEVERAL OF THEIR CARS (INCLUDING THE ALTIMA) FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THEY STILL HAVEN'T GOTTEN IT RIGHT. *TR
Power train, Air bags, Jan 29, 2013
I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR ALL OF A WEEK. THERE ARE AT LEAST 2 MAJOR SAFETY CONCERNS. THE FIRST IS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. THE LIGHT ON THE DASH INDICATES THAT THE AIR BAG IS "OFF" WHEN MY WIFE SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEATS. SHE IS AN ADULT, HEIGHT ABOUT 5' 2" AND WEIGHS APPROX. 120 LBS. APPARENTLY I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE. CALLS TO NISSAN ARE A WASTE OF TIME AT THIS POINT AS I'M TOLD NOTHING ABOUT HOW THIS WILL BE RESOLVED. THE OTHER ISSUE IS WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSION. UNDER LIGHT ACCELERATION, AT ABOUT 1200-1500 RPM THERE IS A VIBRATION AND ITS VERY NOISY. IT ALMOST SEEMS LIKE THE CAR IS GOING TO DIE OUT. THE OTHER ISSUES I AM HAVING WITH THE CAR OF WHICH THERE ARE A FEW ARE NOT NECESSARILY SAFETY RELATED SO I WONT POST THEM HERE. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THERE ARE BETTER AND SAFER CHOICES OUT THERE. CHOOSE WISELY. *TR
Air bags, Jan 24, 2013
WITH A 140 LB ADULT SITTING UPRIGHT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON. IT EVEN FAILS SOMETIMES WITH AN ADULT WEIGHING 155 LBS. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID NO SYSTEM ERRORS ARE DETECTED. THE TRIED A 120LB ADULT AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON ALSO. THEY SAID THAT TO REPAIR NISSAN HAS TO ADVISE THEM WHAT THE ISSUE IS. *TR