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: exterior lighting
442 reports, newest first. Show all
Exterior lighting, Jul 15, 2018
LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS TOO DIM, BARELY I CAN SEE IN FRONT OF VEHICLE, I HAVE TO LOOK TO THE DASHBOARD TO KNOW IF THE ARE ON OR OFF, IN CITY DRIVING THEY DO NOT PROVIDE MUCH HELP.
Exterior lighting, Jun 18, 2018
OVER TIME THE HEADLIGHTS BECAME CLOUDY AND DID NOT PUT OUT ENOUGH LIGHT TO SAFELY DRIVE AT NIGHT. ON THE HIGHWAY, WE WERE DRIVING IN THE DARK (UNLESS WE PUT ON THE HIGH BEAMS WHICH DID WORK). THE DEALERSHIP TOLD US THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE LIGHTS. AFTER READING OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET, AND TAKING THE CAR TO TWO OTHER AGENCIES, I CONFRONTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY MADE A $957 (PLUS TAX) REPAIR THAT RESTORED OUR HEADLIGHTS, WHILE STILL DENYING THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM.. FROM THE INTERNET, OTHERS EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM AND WERE TOLD THAT THE HEAT OF THE HEADLIGHTS GRADUALLY MELTED THE LINING OF THE HEADLIGHT UNIT AND COVERED THE LENS. THE COMPANY FELT THEY HAVE NO OBLIGATION TO RECALL BECAUSE IT TAKES OVER 50,000 MILES AND THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTEE BY THE TIME YOU REALIZE YOU HAVE A PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS VERY SERIOUS AND MADE IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON THE FREEWAY OR ON ROADS WITHOUT STREET LIGHTS AT NIGHT. IT TOOK US MONTHS OF TAKING THE CAR IN, FIRST TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEN TO TWO OTHER AGENCIES, BEFORE THE DEALERSHIP AGREED THE LIGHTS WERE TOO DIM AND NEEDED TO BE FIXED. IN ADDITION TO THE DEALERSHIP FEE, I SPENT MORE THAN $200 REPLACING HEADLIGHT SETS AND HAVING THE VEHICLE CHECKED OUT BY OTHER AGENCIES. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THE CARS NEED TO BE RECALLED.
Exterior lighting, Jun 18, 2018
I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY VEHICLE ONCE HEADLIGHTS ARE REQUIRED. UNLESS YOU ARE USING THE HIGH BEAMS, YOU CANNOT SEE MORE THAN A FEW FEET AHEAD OF YOU. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED TO BE PASSED TO MY DAUGHTER AS GET FIRST CAR. THERE IS NO WAY I WOULD ALLOW MY CHILD TO BE BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THIS VEHICLE. I WOULDN'T FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THE SAFETY OF MY CHILD DRIVING THUS CAR, WHEN I DO NOT FEEL SAFE.
Exterior lighting, Jun 18, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE BRIGHTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO PETRO NISSAN (6248 US-98, HATTIESBURG, MS 39402, (601) 450-1470) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
Exterior lighting, Jun 3, 2018
THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING IS NEXT TO NONE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. VIABILITY IS NEXT TO NONE. I WENT A HEAD AND CHANGED THE LIGHTS TO LED LIGHTS IMPROVED MAYBE 10 %. I HAVE ASKED OTHER OWNERS AND THEY SAY THE SAME THING. LIGHTING SHOULD BE ADDRESS SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY EQUIPMENT.
Exterior lighting, May 24, 2018
AT APPROXIMATELY 50,000 MILES THE HEADLIGHT LOW BEAMS STARTED TO BECOME DIM. THIS CONDITION WORSENED UNTIL 60,000 MILES. I WAS NERVOUS ABOUT DRIVING AT NIGHT. I CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD I COULD REPLACE THE BULBS ($425)OR THE ENTIRE LIGHTING ASSEMBLY ($1120). BASED UPON REVIEWING VARIOUS WEBSITES, I REALIZED THIS PROBLEM WAS EXPERIENCED BY OTHERS AND THAT THE ENTIRE LIGHTING ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED. I CALLED NISSAN'S CUSTOMER SERVICE GROUP IN TN. THEY AGREED TO SPLIT THE COST 50/50 WITH ME FOR THE ASSEMBLY.
Exterior lighting, Apr 24, 2018
NISSAN KNOWINGLY PUTS DRIVERS & PASSENGERS AT SERIOUS RISK OF INJURY AND DEATH SINCE NISSAN REFUSES TO RECALL AND REPLACE DEFECTIVE NISSAN HEADLIGHTS. NISSAN IS FULLY AWARE THAT NISSAN HEADLIGHTS ARE DEFECTIVE, AND THAT DRIVERS ARE UNABLE TO DRIVE SAFELY AT NIGHT DUE TO DEFECTIVE NISSAN HEADLIGHTS. DEFECTIVE NISSAN HEADLIGHTS ARE ESSENTIALLY THE SAME AS DRIVING WITH NO HEADLIGHTS AT ALL! *JS
Exterior lighting, Apr 13, 2018
HEADLAMPS STARTED TO GET DIMMER AND DIMMER. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP, WAS TOLD THE HEADLAMPS BOTH WERE DIM DUE TO THE REFLECTOR PART FADING OUT. WAS GIVEN A $1,288 QUOTE TO REPLACE ($366 FOR EACH HEADLAMP ASSY, PLUS $500 LABOR TO INSTALL). CALLED NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE - THE "REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES, AFTER CONSULTING WITH THE DEALERSHIP, WOULD OFFER A 70% DISCOUNT". I CAN BUY THE REPLACEMENT HEADLAMP ASSY'S THROUGH MULTIPLE OUTLETS FOR $110-125). EVEN AT 70% I WOULD STILL BE PAYING OVER $450 FOR WHAT IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE FROM A DEFECTIVE PART. THE CAR CANNOT BE DRIVE AT NIGHT BECAUSE THERE IS INSUFFICIENT LIGHT TO SEE THE ROADS. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW AND HAD 70,000 MILES ON IT. MY FIRST CHECK ON THE INTERNET LOCATED 91 OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, SAME MODEL AND YEAR, AND SAME COST!
Exterior lighting, Apr 9, 2018
OVER HE PAST YEAR WE NOTICED OUR HEADLIGHTS GETTING SIGNIFICANTLY DIMMER. LOOKING AT THEM FROM THE OUTSIDE THE PLASTIC WAS CLEAR AND LIGHTS SEEMED TO BE BRIGHT A NIGHT. HOWEVER AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS THE LIGHTS WOULD NOT LIGHT UP THE ROAD ANY BETTER THAN A GOOD FLASHLIGHT. WE CONSISTENTLY HAD TO DRIVE WITH HIGH BEAMS JUST TO SEE THE ROAD. ONE NIGHT WE COMPARED THE FOG LIGHTS TO THE HEADLIGHTS AND FOUND THE FOG LIGHTS LIT UP THE ROAD BETTER. AFTER SPEAKING WITH TWO DEALERSHIPS WE FINALLY DECIDED TO GET THE HEADLIGHTS REPLACED FOR ALMOST $500 AND THAT WAS AT DEALERS COST ( THEY WANTED TO HELP). I RETAINED THE HEADLIGHTS AND FOUND THAT THE ISSUE WAS THE PLASTIC LENS THAT FOCUSED THE HEADLIGHTS. THE LENS HAD BECOME CLOUDY AND ALTHOUGH IT LOOKED LIKE A LOT OF LIGHT EMANATED FROM THE HEADLIGHTS IT WAS SO DISPERSED THAT VERY LITTLE WAS FOCUSED DOWN THE ROAD. WE FOUND THIS EXTREMELY UNSAFE TO CONTINUE DRIVING WITH BRIGHTS ON ALL THE TIME AND PAID THE PRICE TO REPLACE THEM. NISSAN DENIED OUR CLAIM TO DEFRAY THE COST OF THE REPLACEMENTS STATING IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS WAS CERTAINLY NOT A MILEAGE WARRANTY ISSUE. HAD A CAR SAT STILL FOR A FEW YEARS IT WOULD HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE WITH ZERO MILES. AGAIN THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THE NISSAN SHOULD AT A MINIMUM REDUCE THE PRICE OF REPLACING THE HEADLIGHTS (REGULAR COST IS OVER $700). IT SHOULD BE DEALT WITH AS A SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO A SUBSTANDARD PART IN THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY.
Exterior lighting, Apr 7, 2018
THE LOW HEADLIGHT BEAMS HAVE DIMMED OVER THE LAST SEVERAL THOUSAND MILES. THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE HIGH BEAMS. THEY ARE SO DIM THAT AT NIGHT I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE AT ANY APPRECIABLE SPEED WITHOUT EXCEEDING THE RANGE OF THE DIM HEADLIGHTS, WITH THE RESULT THAT I MUST USE THE HIGH BEAMS IN ORDER TO HAVE EFFECTIVE LIGHTING. THE DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD ME THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE FILM COATING THE PORTION OF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES THAT HOUSE THE LOW BEAM BULBS AND IT IS LIKELY THAT THE ONLY POSSIBLE SOLUTION IS REPLACEMENT OF BOTH HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $1,200. DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS PROBLEM IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND I WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY THIS AMOUNT OUT OF POCKET. FROM MY READING ONLINE THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM (AND SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE) FOR THE 2013 ALTIMA THAT NISSAN HAS NOT ADDRESSED EFFECTIVELY.
Exterior lighting, Apr 1, 2018
THE HEADLIGHTS ARE BARELY VISIBLE ON LOW BEAM. SPOKE TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, BUT NISSAN WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THE PROBLEM AND FIX IT. THE PROJECTOR FILM INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY IS FAILING AND THE ONLY WAY TO FIX IT IS REPLACE THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY, AROUND $1,000. WITH THIS LACK OF HEADLIGHT PROJECTION, YOU ARE OUT DRIVING YOUR VISIBILITY WHEN YOU ARE TRAVELING OVER 25 MPH. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT HAZARD FOR THE DRIVER, AS WELL AS ANY PEDESTRIANS YOU MAY DRIVE UPON AND NOT SEE UNTIL IT MAY BE TOO LATE. I'M LOOKING FOR THE NSTFB TO STEP UP AND FORCE NISSAN TO STAND BEHIND THIS KNOWN PROBLEM.
Exterior lighting, Mar 30, 2018
FOR MORE THAN SECERAL MONTHS MY LIGHTING ON MY CAR HAS BEEN VERY DIM. ALMOST TO THE POINT OF I AM NOT FOR SURE IF MY LIGHTS ARE ON AT NIGHT OR NOT (BUT THEY STAY ON AUTOMATIC).
Exterior lighting, Feb 20, 2018
THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS HAVE BECOME SO DIM THEY DO NOT ILLUMINATE THE ROAD ANY BETTER THAN THE PARKING LIGHTS. NEW BULBS DO NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. NISSAN CLAIMS THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE FILM COATING OF THE PROJECTORS, BUT THEY WILL NOT FIX THE VEHICLE. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY PROBLEM.
Exterior lighting, Feb 12, 2018
THE HEADLIGHTS ON THIS VEHICLE ARE VERY DIM. THEY ARE INEFFECTIVE IN LIGHTING THE ROAD. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IS JUST THE WAY THEY ARE AND TO "JUST USE MY HIGHBEAMS" . THIS DOES NOT SEEM LIKE AN EFFECTIVE SOLUTION. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND IT APPEARS THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT WITH THIS VEHICLE. THIS IS THE CASE ANY TIME THE LIGHTS ARE PUT ON.
Exterior lighting, Feb 6, 2018
MY NAME IS [XXX] AND I AM WRITING TO YOU REGARDING MY 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. I AM HAVING AN ISSUE WITH MY LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS. APPARENTLY I WAS ON MY WAY HOME ONE EVENING WITH MY BABY AND I HAD ON MY LOW BEAMS AND I COULD NOT SEE THE ROAD AHEAD OF ME, THE LIGHTS WERE ON; BUT, NOTHING WAS COMING OUT OF IT. MY HUSBAND CHANGED THE BULB AND STILL NOTHING. I TOOK IT TO SUTHERLIN NISSAN AND THE SERVICE GUY TOLD ME HE IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THE HEADLIGHTS IN THE 2013 ALTIMA, AND HE HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS ONES THAT HAD TO BE CHANGED. I AM OUT OF WARRANTY; SO, I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE $130 TO CHECK IT OUT TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON. THIS PAST FRIDAY MY CAR STARTED LOSING POWER AND SHUTTING OFF, I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY HAD TO CHANGE THE AIR FLOW SENSOR AND WHEN THE GUY CHECKED MY HEADLIGHTS HE SAID IT IS BLACK INSIDE THE PROJECTION AREA NOTHING WILL COME THROUGH EVEN IF YOU CHANGED THE BULBS AND I EVEN BOUGHT A LED KIT AND THE SHOP TOLD ME NOTHING WILL WORK BECAUSE THE PROJECTION IS BURNT OUT. I HAVE HAD THREE ALTIMA'S IN THE PAST; 2002, 2003, AND 2013 AND I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS WAS NOT RECALLED. I HAVE MY FAMILY TO THINK ABOUT DRIVING ON THESE HIGHWAYS WITH NO LOW BEAMS, I HAVE TO USE MY HIGH BEAMS AND PEOPLE ARE FLASHING ME BECAUSE I AM BLINDING THEM; BUT, I NEED TO BE ABLE TO SEE. I AM VERY UPSET AND DISSATISFIED, I DO NOT SEE WHY I SHOULD HAVE TO SPEND OVER $900 ON NEW HEADLIGHTS WHEN THE PARTS GUY AND SERVICE GUYS KNOW THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THIS YEAR VEHICLE THEY TEND TO KEEP THIS IN STOCK. THESE HEADLIGHTS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED'. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. HERE IS A LIST OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. HTTP://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/NISSAN/ALTIMA/HEADLIGHTS-PROBLEMS.PHP INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Exterior lighting, Jan 10, 2018
I AM WRITING TO YOU REGARDING MY 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. I AM HAVING AN ISSUE WITH MY LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS. APPARENTLY I WAS ON MY WAY HOME ONE EVENING WITH MY BABY AND I HAD ON MY LOW BEAMS AND I COULD NOT SEE THE ROAD AHEAD OF ME, THE LIGHTS WERE ON; BUT, NOTHING WAS COMING OUT OF IT. MY HUSBAND CHANGED THE BULB AND STILL NOTHING. I TOOK IT TO SUTHERLIN NISSAN AND THE SERVICE GUY TOLD ME HE IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THE HEADLIGHTS IN THE 2013 ALTIMA, AND HE HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS ONES THAT HAD TO BE CHANGED. I AM OUT OF WARRANTY; SO, I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE $130 TO CHECK IT OUT TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON. THIS PAST FRIDAY MY CAR STARTED LOSING POWER AND SHUTTING OFF, I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY HAD TO CHANGE THE AIR FLOW SENSOR AND WHEN THE GUY CHECKED MY HEADLIGHTS HE SAID IT IS BLACK INSIDE THE PROJECTION AREA NOTHING WILL COME THROUGH EVEN IF YOU CHANGED THE BULBS AND I EVEN BOUGHT A LED KIT AND THE SHOP TOLD ME NOTHING WILL WORK BECAUSE THE PROJECTION IS BURNT OUT. I HAVE HAD THREE ALTIMA'S; 2002, 2003, AND NOW 2013 AND I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS WAS NOT RECALLED. I HAVE MY FAMILY TO THINK ABOUT DRIVING ON THESE HIGHWAYS WITH NO LOW BEAMS, I HAVE TO USE MY HIGH BEAMS AND PEOPLE ARE FLASHING ME BECAUSE I AM BLINDING THEM; BUT, I NEED TO BE ABLE TO SEE. I AM VERY UPSET AND DISSATISFIED, I DO NOT SEE WHY I SHOULD HAVE TO SPEND OVER $900 ON NEW HEADLIGHTS WHEN THE PARTS GUY AND SERVICE GUYS KNOW THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THIS YEAR VEHICLE THEY TEND TO KEEP THIS IN STOCK. THESE HEADLIGHTS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED'. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT THIS WEBSITE, I SEE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS ISSUE. HTTP://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/NISSAN/ALTIMA/HEADLIGHTS-PROBLEMS.PHP
Exterior lighting, Dec 19, 2017
LOW BEAM HEADLAMPS ARE DANGEROUSLY DIM. ANY SPEED OVER 30 MPH IS OVERDRIVING THE LOW BEAMS. ALMOST HIT A DEER THAT WAS 300' IN FRONT OF ME BECAUSE I DIDN'T SEE IT.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Nov 27, 2017, crash
WE HAVEN'T DRIVEN THE CAR IN LIKE 10 DAYS AND TRIED STARTING IT AND IT WOULDN'T START. GOT THE CAR JUMP STARTED AND NOTICED THAT EVERY TIME I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL THE CAR BOGGED DOWN THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM SHUTS OFF AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. ALSO THE SAME EXACT THING HAPPENS WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM AND THE BACK UP CAMERA GOES COMPLETELY DARK.
Exterior lighting, Nov 25, 2017
MY 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS DANGEROULSY DIM HEADLIGHTS. I HAVE CHANGED THE BULBS 4 TIMES NOW AND THERE IS NO CHANGE. WE TOOK IT TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP, THE TECHNICIAN SAID THAT IT IS A KNOWN MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND HE RECOMMENDED LED BULBS. I CHANGED THE BULBS AGAIN TO LED ONES AND NOTHING CHANGED. I CANNOT SEE MORE THAN A CAR LENGTH IN FRONT OF MY CAR AT NIGHT. WHEN A CAR IS BEHIND ME WITH REAL HEADLIGHTS, IT THROWS A SHADOW AND MAKES IT MORE DIFFICULT TO SEE IN FRONT OF THE CAR. I CANNOT SEE WHERE I AM TURNING AND I AM AFRAID I AM GOING TO HIT A PEDESTRIAN OR RUN OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE OF SUCH POOR VISIBILTY FROM THE DIM HEADLIGHTS. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS DEFECT. I HAVE READ COMPLAINTS FROM MANY OTHER ALTIMA DRIVERS WHO HAVE THE SAME DANGEROUS ISSUE. THERE IS A DEFECTIVE REFLECTIVE FILM IN THE LIGHT PROJECTOR THAT PEELS AND DOESN'T PROJECT THE LIGHTS CORRECTLY. THIS ISN'T A WARRANTY ISSUE, IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE TECHNICIAN SAID THERE IS NO "FIX" FOR THIS ISSUE WITHOUT CHANGING OUT THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY. VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH ONLY A CARLENGTH OF LIGHT IN FRONT AND NONE TO THE SIDES. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL BECAUSE OF THE DANGER IT POSES TO DRIVERS AND OTHER ON THE ROADS. IT IS A KNOWN DEFECT.
Exterior lighting, Nov 24, 2017
THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE EXTREMELY DIM. I HAVE AND THE BULBS CHANGED TWICE. AFTER CHANGING THEM IT MADE NO DIFFERENCE IN THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE LOW BEAM. I HAVE TALKED TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT NISSAN WHERE OUR CAR IS SERVICED AND HE HAS STATED THAT THEY HAVE ALSO HAD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT PEOPLE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH LOW BEAM. AFTER GETTING ONLINE AND CHECKING OUT TO SEE WHAT PEOPLE HAVE SAID IT APPEARS THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY HAS TO BE REPLACED WHICH RUN SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 700 TO $1,000 AT THE DEALERSHIP. THE CAR IS ACTUALLY UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT UNLESS I USE MY HIGH BEAMS AND THIS HAS BEEN CAUSING A PROBLEM TO THE OTHER CARS THAT ARE ON THE ROAD. IT'S WAY TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IT IN THIS CONDITION SO I'VE BEEN LOOKING AT HAVING TO PURCHASE AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT ASSEMBLIES BECAUSE THEIR COST IS MUCH LESS THAN THE DEALERSHIPS. I'M ASSURED THAT NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT DOES NOT WANT TO DO ANYTHING TO CORRECT IT.
Exterior lighting, Nov 17, 2017
TURN SIGNAL. WHEN TURN SIGNAL IS AUTOMATICALLY CANCELLED AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS STRAIGHTENED, SOMETIMES IT ACTUATES THE 'LANE CHANGE' THREE-FLASH SIGNAL IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION - PRESUMABLY BECAUSE THE SIGNAL OVER-TRAVELS AND MOMENTARILY TRAVELS IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. FOR EXAMPLE, AFTER MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE SIGNAL CANCELS AND SIGNALS THREE FLASHES IN THE LEFT DIRECTION. THIS HAS RESULTED IN A PERSON PULLING OUT IN FRONT OF ME BECAUSE THEY APPARENTLY THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO CHANGE LANES TO THE LEFT IMMEDIATELY AFTER MY RIGHT TURN. THIS ONLY HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY, BUT I FIRST NOTICED IT SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE.
Exterior lighting, Nov 17, 2017
I THINK ITS SAD THAT NISSAN HAS REC'D SEVERAL COMPLAINTS VERY POOR VISIBILITY ON THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS AND WILL DO NOTHING TO REPLACE THESE HEADLIGHTS FOR CUSTOMERS. I NOTICED THAT THE LIGHTS PROJECTED FAR LESS THAN ANY VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED. NISSAN CLAIMS ITS OXIDATION BUT IT IS NOT. THEY REFUSE TO FIX, AND I HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE WITH THE CAR SINCE ABOUT 60,000 MILES. I DEALT WITH IT FOR A LONG TIME BUT IT PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORST AND NOT I CANT SEE 5 FEET IN FRONT OF ME WITHOUT HAVING TO TURN ON MY HIGH BEAMS. I AM VERY UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THIS. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS! I HAVE ALMOST GOTTEN INTO SEVERAL ACCIDENTS WHILE DRIVING, BECAUSE OF THE POOR VISIBILITY.LOW BEAM LIGHTS ARE INSUFFICIENT FOR SAFE NIGHT TIME DRIVING AND THE LIGHTS ARE BURNING THE INTERNAL FILM. THE LIGHT BEAM THEN HITS THE FILM & REFRACTS AWAY FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. REPLACING THE ACTUAL HEADLIGHT DOES NOTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE I HAVE FRIENDS WITH SAME CAR THAT HAVE TRIED AND NO FIX. PLEASE HELP!! I ALMOST CRASH MY CAR AROUND A TURN THE OTHER NIGHT DUE TO THE LOW VISIBILITY. NISSAN WILL NOT COVER UNDER MY WARRANTY AND I WILL BE CALLING CORPORATE TODAY. I CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX THIS AND ITS NOT FARE BECAUSE THIS IS A RE CALL ISSUE!
Exterior lighting, Nov 16, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WERE EXTREMELY DIM AND THE CONTACT COULD NOT VIEW THE ROAD AHEAD. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
Exterior lighting, Oct 19, 2017
THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS ARE INSUFFICIENT FOR SAFE NIGHT TIME DRIVING. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP (SEE ATTACHED). I THEN CONTACTED THE NISSAN CORPORATION WHO STATED THEY WOULD HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM IF THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD BOUGHT IT IN DURING THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY PERIOD, BUT PROBLEMS WITH THE LIGHTS ARE NOT COVERED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THEY DID OFFER TO PAY FOR 1/3RD OF THE $1000 TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP OFFERED TO PAY SOME SO THE COST WOULD BE $500. I CANNOT AFFORD THIS AND WHO'S TO SAY THAT THE REPLACEMENT WON'T DO THE SAME THING? THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM IS DUE TO THE LIGHTS MELTING SOME INTERNAL FILM - THE LIGHT BEAM THEN HITS THE FILM & REFRACTS AWAY FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. REPLACING THE ACTUAL HEADLIGHT DOES NOTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. (MY SISTER HAS THE SAME MAKE & MODEL AND HAS TRIED THIS). RECENTLY, I ALMOST HIT A PEDESTRIAN WALKING ACROSS A MAJOR HIGHWAY. I LIVE ONE MILE DOWN A COMPLETELY DARK ROAD. DRIVING WITH MY HIGH BEAMS IS FINE, BUT DANGEROUS WHEN THERE IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC. WHEN I TURN THEM OFF I HAVE TO DROP MY SPEED TO 15 MILES BELOW THE SPEED LIMIT TO BE ABLE TO SAFELY SEE. THIS IS ALSO DANGEROUS. I FEEL THAT NISSAN SHOULD RECALL THE LIGHTS ON THESE CARS BECAUSE 1. PEOPLE LIVING IN 'THE CITY' MIGHT BE UNAWARE 2.DOING DUE DILIGENCE TO HAVE A SAFE CARE I.E. REPLACING A BURNT OUT BULB DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND 3. PAYING $1000 TO MAKE A CAR SAFE IS OUT OF THE QUESTION FOR THE AVERAGE PERSON.
Exterior lighting, Aug 6, 2017
HEADLIGHTS ARE EXTREMELY DIM TO THE POINT OF PROVIDING NO LIGHT WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. IT IS NECESSARY TO ALWAYS USE HIGH BEAMS. NISSAN DEALER COMPLETED FULL DIAGNOSIS AND DETERMINED BOTH COMPLETE HEADLIGHT HOUSINGS NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $1100 TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THIS SEEMS TOTALLY RIDICULOUS FOR A VEHICLE THAT IS LESS THAN 4 YEARS OLD. THE BULBS ARE WORKING FINE HOWEVER THE ROUND BUBBLE LENS COVER IN FRONT OF THE BULB APPEARS TO HAVE BECOME CLOUDY RESTRICTING LIGHT FROM PASSING THROUGH IT AND PROJECTING IT ON THE ROAD. WE HAVE SEEN ONLINE ON SEVERAL WEBSITES NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS HIGHLY DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE AND NISSAN HAS TOLD THEIR CUSTOMERS THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR THEM. THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT.