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
Electrical system, Air bags, Jan 22, 2013
THERE IS AN INTERMITTENT PASSENGER AIRBAG DETECTION ISSUE WITH 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 SV. THERE WERE IN MULTIPLE TIMES WHEN A FULL GROWN PERSON(WEIGHT > 150LBS) SITTING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, WHILE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN, 'PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG OFF' INDICATOR WOULD TURN ON, INDICATING THAT CAR IS NOT DETECTING ANYONE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AND IN RESULT AIRBAGS WERE TURNED OFF. THIS WARNING INDICATION STAYED ON THROUGHOUT OUR DRIVE AND SOMETIMES TURNED OFF AFTER 10-15 MINUTES OF DRIVE AND IN OTHER OCCASIONS IT DIDN'T TURN OFF AT ALL UNTIL CAR WAS TURNED OFF. IF THIS WAS JUST A FEATURE ISSUE THEN MUCH LOWER PRIORITY SHOULD BEEN ASSIGNED BUT IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE/CONCERN AND I REQUEST AN INVESTIGATION. A BLATANT DISREGARD FROM THE MANUFACTURER OF THIS ISSUE MAY RESULT IN DEATH, INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE. I REQUEST THE HELP OF NHTSA FOR QUICK AND THOROUGH INVESTIGATION ON THIS MATTER. THANK YOU! *TR
Air bags, Jan 22, 2013
WITH A FULL-SIZE ADULT SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED (WHICH INDICATES THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IS NOT ENGAGED). THIS HAPPENED EVERY SINGLE TIME I'VE OPERATED MY VEHICLE SINCE I PURCHASED IT ON DECEMBER 28TH, NO MATTER THE SIZE OF THE ADULT SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT - ANYWHERE FROM 130 LB. INDIVIDUAL TO 220 LB. INDIVIDUAL. FOR REFERENCE, MY FRIEND HAS A ROGUE AND THE AIRBAG ENGAGES (I.E. LIGHT GOES OFF) WITH JUST HER HANDBAG IN THE SEAT. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP SINCE THE CAR IS FULLY COVERED BY WARRANTY. THEY ORDERED A NEW SENSOR FROM NISSAN AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE WITH THE NEW SENSOR. THEY HAVE HAD MY BRAND NEW VEHICLE (500 MILES) FOR 6 DAYS. I READ ON-LINE BOARDS THAT INDICATE THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH 2013 NISSAN ALTIMAS (HTTP://WWW.NISSANCLUB.COM/FORUMS/2013-NISSAN-ALTIMA-DISCUSSION-2-5-3-5/331394-PASSENGER-AIRBAG-LIGHT.HTML) AND AM VERY CONCERNED I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE. I MAY BE RETURNING IT UNDER THE LEMON LAW. *TR
Air bags, Seats, Jan 21, 2013
THE PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE AN ADULT OVER 125 LBS IS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES WITH MULTIPLE ADULTS OF VARIOUS WEIGHTS. IF THE CAR IS STOPPED, TURNED OFF AND TURNED BACK ON IT USUALLY CLEARS THE PROBLEM. I HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE NISSAN SERVICE CENTER FOUR TIMES. EACH TIME THEY HAVE DONE SOMETHING ELSE TO TRY TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM BUT IT KEEPS HAPPENING. I AM AWAITING A CALL BACK FROM THE MANAGER OF THE NISSAN SERVICE CENTER. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT MY PASSENGER WILL NOT BE PROTECTED BY A WORKING FRONT AIR BAG. I HAVE SEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON LINE AND SEEN MANY POST OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS FOR THE 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. I HAVE ALSO SEEM MANY INSTANCES OF THIS PROBLEM WITH PREVIOUS ALTIMA MODELS AND OTHER NISSAN VEHICLES. *TR
Air bags, Jan 10, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE, WHO TEST DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOUR MILES AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND LODGED A COMPLAINT FOR THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,600.
Electrical system, Air bags, Seats, Jan 9, 2013
FEMALE PASSENGER, 5FT. 0IN., WEIGHING 100LBS CAUSES FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG TO BE DISABLED (FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG STATUS LIGHT ON). LIGHT WOULD GO AWAY AFTER A WHILE. FOR A FEMALE PASSENGER, 5FT. 5IN., WEIGHING 120-125LBS CAUSES INTERMITTENT FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG OPERATION. APPEARED TO OPERATE NORMALLY BEFORE. 12/24/2012: VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO DEALER AND WAS FOUND THAT THE SCALE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT WAS OFF BY 25. SCALE WAS ZEROED OUT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. ISSUE APPEARS TO BE RESOLVED FOR FEMALE PASSENGER, 5FT. 5IN., WEIGHING 120-125LBS. 01/07/2013: FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG DISABLED FOR MALE PASSENGER 5FT. 6IN., WEIGHING 160LBS. RESOLVED BY RESTARTING VEHICLE. *TR
Air bags, Jan 7, 2013
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DOES NOT ENGAGE WHEN INDIVIDUALS SIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE AIRBAG SENSOR SHOWS THE AIRBAG NON-OPERATIONAL EVEN WHEN INDIVIDUALS OF APPROPRIATE SIZE AND WEIGHT ARE SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. NISSAN HAS NO KNOWN FIXES FOR THE SITUATION AND STATE THAT ITS A "BREAK IN" PERIOD. THIS IS A BRAND NEW CAR PURCHASED ONE WEEK AGO. SERIOUS INJURY COULD RESULT FROM AN NON-OPERATIONAL AIRBAG AND I AM NOT WILLING TO WAIT FOR THE BREAK IN PERIOD.
Air bags, Jan 2, 2013
PASSANGER AIR BACK INDICATOR(LIGHT) SOMETIME COME UP EVEN THOUGH ADULT SITTING ON PASSENGER SHEET. *TR
Air bags, Dec 17, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING FIVE TIMES. THE TECHNICIAN RECALIBRATED THE AIR BAG SENSOR AND REPLACED THE SEAT CUSHION BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5.
Air bags, Dec 13, 2012
2013 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 SL. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WITH A PERSON IN THE PASSENGER THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS INDICATED AS BEING OFF. THIS IS HAPPENING WITH FULL GROWN ADULTS ALL OF WHOM HAVE BEEN OVER 150 POUNDS. I BELIEVE THIS TO HE A FAULTY SENSOR IN THE CARS SEAT CUSHION. ONCE DRIVING FOR 10-15 MINUTES THE LIGHT GOES OFF INDICATING AIRBAG IS NOW ON. THIS USUALLY OCCURS IF THE CAR IS ALREADY RUNNING AND A PASSENGER ENTERS THE VEHICLE. *TR
Air bags, Dec 4, 2012
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT IS ON WHEN ADULT PASSENGER IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF AFTER DRIVING FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Seats, Nov 26, 2012
INTERMITTENTLY, "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" WARNING LIGHT REMAINS ON EVEN THOUGH PASSENGER (130 LBS) IS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER, IT OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES, HAD TO TURN OFF AND RESTART THE CAR TO CLEAR THE LIGHT. *TR
Air bags, Oct 15, 2012
PASSENGER AIRBAG "OFF" LIGHT STAYS ON EVEN WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. INTERMITTENT PROBLEM - ONGOING SINCE NEW. *TR
Air bags, Oct 8, 2012
THE PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS A PASSENGER SITTING IN THE SEAT THAT WAS OVER 100 POUNDS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE SINCE THERE WAS NO ERROR CODE IN THE SYSTEM. I HAD TO SHUT OFF AND RESTART THE VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR THE PASSENGER AIR BAG TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. SINCE THE INITIAL INCIDENT, THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED ONE OTHER TIME. *TR
Air bags, Sep 20, 2012
INTERMITTENTLY, "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" WARNING LIGHT REMAINS ON EVEN THOUGH PASSENGER (130 LBS) IS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER (CLOTH) SEAT. *TR