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: engine
166 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Engine, May 31, 2013
SO I HAVE BEEN HEARING A WHINING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF MY CAR AT LOW SPEEDS. I TOOK IT IN AND THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT WAS A NORMAL POWER STEERING NOISE. AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO, I BROUGHT IT BACK A WEEK LATER AFTER I FOUND OUT THE NEXT DAY THAT THEIR IS A NISSAN TECHNICAL BULLETIN ON THIS. AND THEY HAD IT FOR A FEW DAYS WITH MY OTHER CONCERNS AND RETURNED IT TO ME SAYING THAT MY CAR DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE REPAIR. WHY IS THIS? IT IS MAKING INTOLERABLE NOISES AND YET THEY DO NOT FIX IT? TO THIS DAY I AM STILL GETTING THESE NOISES AND HAVE READ THAT THE STEERING PUMP HAS FAILED ON OTHER 2013 NISSAN ALTIMAS. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL! *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Engine, May 31, 2013
WELL THE MAIN SELLING POINT ON THIS VEHICLE IS THAT THE DEALER TOLD ME THEY WERE TOP IN MPG'S WITH 27 CITY AND 38 HIGHWAY. AFTER A WEEK OR SO I NOTICED THAT MY MPG AVERAGE IS NO MORE THAN 23.1. AND THAT WAS WITH MORE THAN 50% TRAVEL ON HIGHWAYS WITH NO TRAFFIC(NEVER WENT UNDER THE SPEED LIMIT). I FIGURED IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH IT BEING NEW AND IT WOULD AVERAGE OUT BETTER LATER. SO AFTER 5,000 MILES ON THE CAR I TOOK IT IN AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS IS JUST BECAUSE EVERY DRIVER AVERAGES DIFFERENT AND I KEPT SAYING BUT I AM NOT EVEN GETTING CLOSE TO THE 27 CITY AND I DRIVE MORE HIGHWAY. BUT THEY TOLD ME THAT EVERYTHING IS NORMAL AND THEY RESET THE AVERAGE CALCULATOR. AFTER A WEEK IT WAS WORSE THAN IT WAS BEFORE AND I WAS BRINGING IT BACK FOR MY MANY OTHER PROBLEMS I HAVE WITH THIS CAR. THEY HAD MY CAR FOR 4 DAYS AND FINALLY TOLD ME THAT WHILE THEY HAD IT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SAYING THAT MY AIR FUEL RATIO SENSOR WAS FAULTY. THEY REPLACED IT AND TOLD ME THAT WAS THE FIX. I HAVE PUT ABOUT A TANKS WORTH OF MILEAGE ON IT SINCE AND I AM GETTING UNDER 23 MPG STILL. EITHER SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG WITH MY CAR OR NISSAN IS LYING ABOUT THE MPG'S AND YES I GET THAT THEY ARE PRESENTED BY THE EPA BUT NISSAN DOES THE TEST FIRST THEN SENDS IT TO THE EPA AND THEN THE EPA TESTS LATER ON. EITHER WAY THE MPG'S ARE WRONG AND I DRIVE TO TRY TO GET THE BEST MPG'S I DON'T EVEN GO OVER 2,000 RPM'S UNLESS GOING UP HILL. WHICH BRINGS ME TO THE VIBRATION FROM THE TRANS. BUT THAT'S IN ANOTHER COMPLAINT. NISSAN NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE I CHOSE THIS OVER THE HONDA ACCORD JUST FOR THE MPG'S. *TR
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
Electrical system, Engine, Apr 5, 2013
I WAS DRIVING A BRAND-NEW, NISSAN ALTIMA RENTAL CAR ON A BUSINESS TRIP. AFTER I RETURNED TO MY HOTEL ONE AFTERNOON, I FORGOT TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF. THIS VEHICLE HAS A KEY FOB AND A "START/STOP" BUTTON ONLY. THERE IS NO METAL KEY. AFTER I EXITED THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED THAT THE HORN DID NOT HONK WHEN I LOCKED THE VEHICLE WITH THE KEY FOB. THE TRUNK RELEASE DID NOT AUTOMATICALLY OPEN WHEN I USED THE KEY FOB. I MANUALLY PRESSED A BUTTON UNDER THE TRUNK LID TO RETRIEVE MY BAG. THE NEXT MORNING, I NOTICED STEAM AND WATER COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST TAILPIPES. (IT WAS APP. 34 DEGREES THAT MORNING.) I DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING, AND THE CAR USED APP. 3/8S OF A TANK OF GASOLINE OVERNIGHT. MY CONCERN IS THAT A CAR LIKE THIS COULD BE DRIVEN INTO A GARAGE WITH THE ENGINE LEFT ON, AND THEN THE OCCUPANTS OF THE RESIDENCE COULD GET CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING FROM THE EXHAUST FUMES. THIS VEHICLE NEEDS SOME TIME OF WARNING BELL, CHIME, ETC. TO REMIND THE DRIVER THAT THE ENGINE IS STILL RUNNING IF THEY OPEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND/OR EXIT THE VEHICLE. THANK-YOU. *TR
Service brakes, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 22, 2013
1. WHEN YOU FILL THE GAS TANK UP YOU CAN HEAR FUEL SLOSHING AROUND AND KNOCKING AGAINST THE TANK. 2. BRAKES SQUEAL AND GRIND 3. ENGINE IS NOISY AND GROWLS CAR SHAKES 4. AIR BAG RECALL 5. GAS MILEAGE IS NOT AS ADVERTISED 6. CONSOLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED MULTIPLE TIMES. *TR
Power train, Engine, Mar 17, 2013
I PURCHASED THIS CAR ON 3/8/2013 AS BRAND NEW WITH 24 MILES ON IT. 7 DAYS LATER WHEN STARTING UP THE MOTOR THE ENGINE STRUGGLED TO CATCH OR START RUNNING. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES NOW. WILL BE CONTACTING NISSAN. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR HAVING A WEEK OLD "NEW" CAR. STILL WAITING FOR RESPONSE FROM DEALERSHIP. *TR
Engine, Mar 15, 2013
MY VEHICLE WHICH APPEARS TO HAVE MULTIPLE DEFECTS IS NOW HESITATING ON START UP AND HAS OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. WHEN I PRESS THE ENGINE BUTTON, THE CAR JUST KEEPS CRANKING AND SOMETIMES, BARELY OR STRUGGLING TO START. EVERY NOW AND THEN, I NOTICED THAT THERE'S ALSO A SINGLE CLICKING SOUND WHICH SEEMS TO COME FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND A DRUMMING/SLAPPING NOISE WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE MAKES TO MANY DISTURBING NOISES THAT NISSAN FOR SOME REASON CAN'T SEEM TO IDENTIFY OTHER THAN THE SOUNDS BEING NORMAL. *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
Power train, Engine, Feb 27, 2013
CVT TRANSMISSION SHUTTER, WHILE DRIVING FROM STOP TO GO, CAR FELT IT WAS GOING TO STALL, LIKE WHEN TURNING LEFT IN TRAFFIC. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 18, 2013
ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON BROUGHT IT IN AND DIAGNOSED AS THE OXYGEN SENSOR. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Structure, Feb 2, 2013
I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR 5 MONTHS AND BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW AND IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS THAT NISSAN CANNOT RESOLVE. ON TOP OF ALL OF THE RECALLS, BRAKE AND STARTING ISSUES IT NOW STARTING TO FALL APART. RECENTLY I HAVE BEEN NOTICING A NOISE COMING FROM THE WINDSHIELD ALMOST EVERY TIME I DRIVE AND ESPECIALLY WHEN I AM DRIVING 60-75MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. THE NOISE I HAVE BEEN HEARING SOUNDS LIKE SMALL ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND AT OTHER TIMES I HEAR A CRACKING NOISE. SO HERE RECENTLY I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 75MPH AND HEAR SOMETHING FLAPPING ON THE WINDSHIELD AND NOTICE THAT IT IS THE RUBBER SEAL THAT GOES AROUND THE WINDSHIELD. SO I PULL OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT AND REATTACH THE SEAL. THE CAR IS ONLY 5 MONTHS OLD AND NOTHING SHOULD BE COMING OFF LIKE THAT. ALSO MY CAR HAS BLACK INTERIOR AND IT TENDS I BE MUCH HOTTER ON INSIDE ESPECIALLY IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT. ONE DAY I LEFT MY CAR PARKED IN THE DIRECT SUNLIGHT AND GOT IT AND THE INTERIOR WAS PRETTY WARM AND I WAS GOING TO PLUG MY PHONE IN AND THE A/C OUTLET INSIDE THE CUBBY UNDER THE RADIO AND AS SOON AS I TRIED TO LIFT THE OUTLET COVER IT CRACKED AND BROKE OFF. I TRADED IN MY 2010 ALTIMA FOR THE 2013 BECAUSE I LOVED MY PREVIOUS ALTIMA AND I HAD 60K ON IT AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH IT. I THOUGHT I WAS BUYING QUALITY AND RELIABILITY WHEN I PURCHASED A NISSAN, BUT THAT HAS NOT BEEN THE CASE. I HAVE HAD THE CAR ONLY FIVE MONTHS AND HAVING MECHANICAL, EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR ISSUES. THIS WILL BE THE LAST NISSAN I OWN, I WILL BE GETTING A CAMRY NEXT TIME I PURCHASE A CAR. *TR
Service brakes, Engine, Feb 2, 2013
I PURCHASED A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S IN JULY OF 2012 WITH 349 MILES ON IT. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS AND HAVE RETURNED THE VEHICLE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS FOR REPAIR AND HAVE YET TO FIND A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. IN THE MEAN TIME THEY ARE ONLY GETTING WORSE. THE FIRST PROBLEM OCCURRED 2 WEEKS AFTER I PURCHASED IT. I GOT IN MY CAR AND APPLIED THE BRAKE AND PUSHED THE BUTTON TO START THE CAR AND THE CAR HESITATED, IT WAS ALMOST LIKE THE STARTER HAD HUNG UP. I WASN'T TOO WORRIED AT FIRST AND FIGURE IT WAS JUST A ONE TIME FLUKE, BUT IT WASN'T. NEARLY FIVE DAYS LATER IT OCCURRED AGAIN AND ATLEAST ONE OR TWICE A WEEK THERE AFTER. AFTER 4 WEEKS AND IT HAVING DONE IT ABOUT 4 TIMES BY THEN I MADE AND APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT SERVICE AND A FEW DAYS LATER I NOTICED 2 NEW NOISE PROBLEMS. I WAS DRIVING WITH WINDOW DOWN ONE DAY AND HEARD A LOUD CHIMING OR JINGLING NOISE COMING FROM WHAT SOUNDED LIKE THE FRONT DRIVER TIRE.IT PRETTY MUCH SOUNDED TO BE A LOOSE NUT OR SCREW JINGLING AROUND SOMEWHERE. THEN A FEW DAYS AFTER THAT'S WHEN THE BRAKES STARTED SQUEALING. AND IT WAS TERRIBLE AND VERY LOUD, LIKE NAILS ON CHALKBOARD AND VERY EMBARRASSING. SO WHEN I BRING IT TO BE SERVICED THEY TELL ME THAT THE ISSUE I HAD WHEN STARTED COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED AND THAT THE BRAKES WHERE CLEANED AND THE ROTORS WHERE SHAVED DOWN AND ALSO THAT THEY PUT NO SQUEAL ON. AND FOR THE ISSUE WITH THE JINGLING NOISE WAS THAT A SCREW WAS LOOSE AND RATTLING AROUND ON THE ENGINE COVER. BUT WHEN I DROVE THE NEXT DAY THE BRAKES STARTED SQUEALING AGAIN SO ONCE MORE 2 WEEKS LATER I RETURN IT AGAIN.AND THEY TELL ME THEY HAVE TO SHAVE THE REAR ROTORS THIS TIME. WHEN I LEAVE THIS TIME THE SQUEALING DOES NOT RETURN FOR 2 WEEKS. SO ONCE MORE I RETURN IT THIS TIME THEY TELL ME THAT DIRT IS CAKED UNDER MY BRAKE PADS AND ALL I CAN DO IS PRETTY MUCH PRESSURE WASH THEM EVERY DAY. THAT'S NOT QUALITY! *TR
Power train, Engine, Jan 29, 2013
PURCHASED BRAND NEW WITH 2 MILES. AT 4500 MILES, HEAT GAUGE INDICATED AN INCREASE IN ENGINE TEMPERATURE. DROVE 2 MILES TO A SERVICE STATION, AND UPON OPENING THE HOOD, ANTI-FREEZE WAS SPRAYED EVERYWHERE. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER INSPECTED, AND SAID THE RADIATOR HAD LEAKED, SO THE DEALER REPLACED THE RADIATOR. AFTER REPLACEMENT, THE DEALER PERFORMED A TEST DRIVE, WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER PERFORMED PRESSURE TESTS, AND SAID THE ENGINE WOULD NEED REPLACEMENT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 4, 2013
I TOOK POSSESSION OF MY NEW 2013 ALTIMA SV 2.5L 4 CYLINDER ON 11/17/2012. A SHORT TIME LATER I STARTED HEARING A RUMBLING, "LUGGING", SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND FEELING A VIBRATION ON THE GAS PEDAL AND STEERING WHEEL, ON LIGHT ACCELERATION FROM A STOP AT AROUND 1500 RPM. ON 12/13/2012 I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO MY DEALER AND DROVE AROUND WITH MY SALESMAN AND A SENIOR TECHNICIAN, WHO BOTH STATED THEY HEARD THE RUMBLING NOISE. MY SALESMAN AND I WENT ON A DRIVE ON ANOTHER NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 L SIMILAR TO MY CAR AND NEITHER OF US HEARD THE RUMBLING SOUND MY CAR MAKES. NO WORK WAS PERFORMED DURING THIS VISIT. ON 12/19/2012, I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS TIME THE SERVICE DEPT. ORDERED A SERPENTINE BELT AND BELT TENSIONER FOR MY CAR AND INSTALLED A PIECE OF INSULATION ON THE A/C LOW PRESSURE LINE. THE WORK ON THE A/C LINE DID NOT HAVE AN EFFECT ON THE NOISE AND VIBRATION LEVEL. MEANWHILE, I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN CUSTOMER CARE AND WAS ASSIGNED A CASE NUMBER AND A "REGIONAL SPECIALIST TO HANDLE MY CASE. ON 12/21/2012, I RETURNED TO THE DEALER WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. ON THIS VISIT THE SERPENTINE BELT AND TENSIONER ON MY CAR WERE REPLACED BY NEW ONES. I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT NISSAN WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND THE BELT AND TENSIONER SWAP WAS JUST A TEMPORARY SOLUTION. I DID NOTICED A FRACTIONAL DECREASE IN NOISE AND VIBRATION LEVEL AFTER THE SWAP. AS OF TODAY,01/04/2013, THE NOISE AND VIBRATION ARE BACK. THIS ISSUE HAS BECOME VERY ANNOYING AND DISTRACTING, TO THE POINT WHERE THE ABILITY TO CONCENTRATE FULLY ON MY DRIVING IS BEING AFFECTED. I RARELY USE THE CAR RADIO WHILE OPERATING MY VEHICLE FOR EXACTLY THIS SAFETY REASON. I'M CONCERNED THE IMPACT OF THE NOISE AND VIBRATION ON MY ABILITY TO CONCENTRATE FULLY ON MY DRIVING COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT AND POSSIBLE INJURY. I HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM NISSAN. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Engine, Oct 23, 2012
ON AUG. 10TH WE RECD AN EMAIL FROM THE EMPIRE NISSAN FLEET MNGR [XXX]. HE STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO HAVE THE CAR BACK AND WOULD PAY OUR FIRST MTH PYMT AND GIVE US A REPLACEMENT CAR OF LIKE KIND AND QUALITY. THEY WOULD NOT TELL US WHY THE VEH NEEDED TO BE RETURNED. WE NOTIFIED CORP NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPT AND THEY CONTACTED EMPIRE NISSAN. THEY FINALLY ADVISE THAT THE REASON THEY NEED THE VEH BACK WAS BECAUSE THERE WAS AN OPEN CAMPAIGN ON IT WITH A SINGLE RECALL. WE AGREED TO RETURN IT FOR THE REPAIR. WE TOOK THE VEH BACK TO NISSAN AND LATER ON THAT DAY, WE WERE NOTIFIED THERE WERE 10 RECALLS FOUND ON THE VEH! AT THIS POINT WE REALIZED THAT WAS WHY THEY WANTED TO SWAP THE VEH. THEY AGREED TO GIVE US A RENTAL CAR DURING REPAIRS. WE PICKED UP THE VEH & AS SOON AS WE LEFT, THERE WAS A CONSTANT BUZZING NOISE COMING FROM THE CAR, THERE WAS A LOT OF ROAD NOISE AND WHISTLING FROM THE WINDOWS, THE ENGINE WAS LOUD. WE CALLED THE GM [XXX] & ASK THEM TO BUY THE VEH BACK & THEY TOLD US THAT WE WERE ASKING TOO MUCH AND THAT WE ARE ACTING LIKE WE ARE THE VICTIM. WE ALSO CALLED THE SVS MGR, [XXX] TO MAKE HAVE THE VEH SERVICED AGAIN. HE WAS RUDE AND SAID HE DIDN'T WANT TO GET IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS WITH THE MANUFACTURE & TO NOT BRING THE VEH IN TO THEM FOR SVS & THEY WILL NOT BE PROVIDING A LOANER NOR A RENTAL FOR US. HE STATED HE WOULD HAVE AN ENGINEER COME OUT TO LOOK AT THE VEH TO DETERMINE THE COND. WE HAVE HEARD NOTHING. NISSAN HAS BEEN EVASIVE AND HAS NOT BEEN HONEST WITH US. KNOWING THAT VEH HAD SEVERAL MECHANICAL ISSUES, THEY ALLOWED US TO CONT TO DRIVE THIS VEH AND PUT US IN DANGER WITH NO REGARDS TO OUR SAFETY. JUST A DAY AGO WE SAW ON THE NEWS THERE ARE NOW TWO MORE RECALLS ON OUR VEH. NOW A TOTAL OF 12 RECALLS ON A BRAND NEW CAR! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Engine, Aug 22, 2012
I BOUGHT A NEW 2013 ALTIMA 2.5 SL ON 7/26/12, WITH 104 MILES ON IT SINCE IT WAS DELIVERED FROM ANOTHER DEALER. ON 7/29/12 A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE OWNER'S MANUAL SAID THAT POSSIBLY THE GAS CAP WAS NOT TIGHT. THIS WAS NOT THE CASE. MANUAL SAID THAT IF THE LIGHT WAS NOT FLASHING, THEN IT WOULD CLEAR AFTER A FEW TRIPS. IT DID NOT CLEAR, SO I DROVE 25 MILES TO DEALER 8/3/12 FOR THEM TO TEST. THEY SAID IT WAS A BAD CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND WOULD BE REPLACED THE NEXT DAY. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE SERVICE MANAGER CALLED AND SAID THAT WHEN THEY REMOVED THE CONVERTER THAT ITS CONTENTS SPILLED ON THE SHOP FLOOR; AND THAT THEIR CONTACTS WITH NISSAN WAS THAT THIS HAD HAPPENED ON OTHERS AND THUS THE ENGINE HAD BEEN RUINED AND THAT NISSAN WOULD REPLACE THE ENGINE. I STATED THAT I DID NOT WANT A REPLACED ENGINE BECAUSE OF ALL OF THE REQUIRED DISASSEMBLY AND REASSEMBLY INVOLVED, ESPECIALLY WITH A CAR ONLY A FEW DAYS OLD AND HAVING DRIVEN ONLY APPROXIMATELY 160 MILES. I HAD PAID FOR A NEW CAR AND WANTED A COMPLETELY NEW CAR AS A REPLACEMENT. I HAVE FILED A CASE WITH NISSAN, BUT SO FAR THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING BUT SAY THAT THEY ARE REVIEWING THE SITUATION. THE SELLING DEALER HAS BEEN VERY COOPERATIVE, SAID THAT THEY AGREE WITH ME AND HAVE STATED THAT THEY HAVE ALSO CONTACTED NISSAN ON MY BEHALF AND REQUESTED THAT A NEW REPLACEMENT BE PROVIDED. SINCE NISSAN HAS SEEN THIS SITUATION ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION, THEY WERE AWARE THAT THEY HAD FAULTY CATALYTIC CONVERTERS AND THAT CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WAS THE RESULT. THESE ARE NOT CARS WITH SEVERAL THOUSAND MILES USE AND SEVERAL MONTHS OLD; BUT RATHER MINE WAS LESS THAN A WEEK OLD. NISSAN SHOULD NOT GIVE THE BUYING CUSTOMERS THE RUN-A-ROUND, BUT DO THE PROPER THING AND REPLACE THE CARS WITH NEW ONES LIKE WE PAID FOR. I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT THEY SOLD QUALITY PRODUCTS AND HAD A REPUTATION FOR GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE. *TR