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: structure
134 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Jan 10, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT QUARTER PANELS WERE PEELED AND BENT BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,0000.
Structure, Dec 16, 2013
TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HOOD ERRONEOUSLY UNLATCHED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY ICE AND COLD TEMPERATURES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,000. RK
Structure, Nov 4, 2013
I WENT TO GAS STATION TO FILL MY LAWN MOWER GAS CAN. I THOUGHT I OPENED THE TRUNK WHERE THE CAN WAS STORED. IT DIDN'T OPEN SO I RE-CLICKED THE LATCH. TRUNK OPENED. GOT BACK ON THE ROAD, SMALL TOWN, NO TRAFFIC AND MY HOOD FLEW OPEN AND BACK AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD. I MAY HAVE INADVERTENTLY HIT THE HOOD LATCH THE 1ST TIME-NOT SURE BUT REGARDLESS, THE SECONDARY CATCH SHOULD HAVE PREVENTED THIS AT 25 - 30 MPH. WHAT IF I HAD BEEN ON EXPRESSWAY? NO DAMAGE TO ME BUT $2100 DAMAGE TO CAR. I AM INSURED. THEY ARE REPLACING THE FENDERS WHERE THEY WERE TORQUED BACKWARD, THE HINGES WHERE SPRUNG, AND THE LATCH MECHANISM BECAUSE UNSURE WHY SECONDARY LATCH DID NOT HOLD. WAS AT NISSAN DEALER WITHIN PAST MONTH IN CINCINNATI AND HOOD HAS NOT BEEN OPENED - NO INKLING ANYTHING WRONG. I DON'T FEEL THIS HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH DEALER AS I HAVE DRIVEN NUMEROUS MILES SINCE AT 65-70 MPH. NO WARNING LIGHT IN DISPLAY SO EVIDENTLY THIS FAILURE IS NOT CONNECTED TO A WARNING SOUND OR LIGHT. AT THIS LOW SPEED, THE WINDSHIELD AND HOOD LOOKS OK INITIALLY - BUT MORE DAMAGE MAY APPEAR AS THEY WORK ON THE CAR. I HAVE A RENTAL DUE TO THE SAFETY CONCERN OF CARSTAR ESTIMATOR. I FEEL THERE COULD BE SOME IMPROVEMENT MADE HERE TO PREVENT THIS. *TR
Air bags, Structure, Oct 28, 2013, crash
THE CAR WAS TRAVELING BETWEEN 25-30 MPH WHEN THE DRIVER SWERVED TO MISS A DEER THAT HAD JUMPED OUT OF THE WOODS. THE CAR WENT OFF THE ROAD AND INTO SOME TREES AND A ROCK WALL. THE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS DAMAGED PRETTY EXTENSIVELY (TOTAL LOSS), WITH DAMAGE TO THE DRIVERS SIDE FENDER AND A DIRECT IMPACT TO THE CENTER OF THE VEHICLE PUSHING THE INTERIOR BUMPER APPROX. 10" BACK AND INTO THE RADIATOR. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THIS CRASH. WE HAD BEEN TOLD PREVIOUSLY THAT NISSAN HAD A RECALL FOR THE PASSENGER AIR BAGS, AND WHEN IT WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER, NOTHING WAS DONE BECAUSE THEY RAN A REPORT STATING THAT OUR VEHICLE WAS NOT DUE FOR THE RECALL. AFTER SHOWING THE DEALER PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE, THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT "THEY COULDN'T BELIEVE THAT THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY, AND THAT "THEY BELIEVED THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE". I HAVE PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE, AND I ALSO HAVE VIDEO EVIDENCE OF MY DAUGHTER SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON STATING THAT THE AIRBAG IS OFF. THIS WAS SHOWN TO THE DEALER PRIOR TO THE CRASH, AND STILL NOTHING WAS DONE TO INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE FURTHER. WHEN I SHOWED THE GM OF THE DEALERSHIP THE VIDEO, AND TOLD HIM THAT NOTHING WAS DONE TO REPAIR IT, HIS RESPONSE WAS "GOD FORBID THAT ANYONE OF US GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY'!! A FEW WEEKS LATER....THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED. I BELIEVE THERE IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEMS OF THESE CARS, AND SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE IS SEVERELY INJURED OR KILLED DURING A CRASH. *TR
Electrical system, Structure, Oct 1, 2013
THE VEHICLE BLIND SPOT WARNING & LANE KEEP SYSTEM INTERMITTENTLY STOPS WORKING. THE WARNING ON THE DASH SAYS TO CLEAN THE CAMERA LENS BUT THE LENS ARE CLEAN. IF YOU STOP THE CAR & SHUT OFF THE ENGINE THEN RESTART THE SYSTEM WILL START OPERATING AGAIN. NISSAN CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. *TR
Structure, Jul 19, 2013
ABOUT 2 MONTHS AFTER GETTING THIS CAR I NOTICED A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE SUNROOF ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR. THE NOISE GOT MORE PRONOUNCED WHEN RUNNING OVER SOME SMALL BUMPS EVEN AT LOW SPEEDS. I TOOK THE CAR TO ROUTE 23 AUTO MALL SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN BUTLER, NJ; THE SAME DEALER WHERE I GOT THE CAR. BELOW IS A LIST OF DATES AND ISSUES THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE WITH THIS CAR. 06/07/13 ? TOOK CAR IN FOR RATTLE NOISE AND NHTSA RECALL 13V-158. NOISE CONFIRMED AND NEW HEADLINER ORDERED. 06/17/13 ? HEADLINER REPLACED, HOWEVER NOISE REMAINED THE ISSUE WAS NOT ADDRESSED. CALLED AND EXPLAINED THE ISSUE TO THE DEALER. NEW APPOINTMENT SET. 06/25/13 ? DEALER STATES THAT THE ISSUE WAS NOW FIXED, HOWEVER THE NOISE STILL REMAINED. DEALER BROKE PILLAR COVERS AND NOW THEY ARE NOT SITTING PROPERLY, PRESENTING A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE. 7/10/2013 ? CALLED NISSAN'S NATIONAL CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM. CASE: [XXX]CREATED TO TRACK THESE ISSUES. SPOKE TO [XXX] AT EXTENSION [XXX]. SUGGESTED I GET A 2ND OPINION. 7/12/2013 ? LOW PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT FOR LEFT FRONT TIRE COMES UP. ADDED AIR. ISSUE CAME BACK AGAIN LATER IN THE DAY. ADDED AIR A SECOND TIME, ISSUE CORRECTED. 07/16/2013 ? TOOK CAR FOR SECOND OPINION TO RAMSEY NISSAN IN NEW JERSEY. DEALER VERIFIED COMPLAIN. DEALER NOTICED MISSING INSULATION AND BROKEN PILLARS. NOISE ISSUE SEEMS BE FIXED NOW. NEW PILLARS ON ORDER. 07/18/2013 ? LOW PRESSURE WARNING COMING FROM LEFT REAR TIRE. THIS IS A BRAND NEW CAR AND I FIND IT UNACCEPTABLE THAT I'M ENCOUNTERING ALL THESE ISSUES THIS EARLY. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR AND I'M NOW LEFT WONDERING WHAT ISSUE WILL BE NEXT. I FEAR FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY WHEN I DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AS IT SEEMS THERE IS A NEW PROBLEM EVERY OTHER DAY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Structure, Jun 4, 2013
AFTER RETURNING HOME FROM THE STORE, I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS AN OBJECT DONE BY MY GAS PEDAL. I WENT TO PICK IT UP AND IT LOOKS LIKE ITS SUPPOSED TO BE HOLDING SOMETHING UP THERE. I LOOKED UP AND COULD NOT FIND WHERE IT WENT, BUT THEN NOTICED A BOLT THAT HOLDS THE BRACKET FOR THE HOOD, AND GAS DOOR CABLES WAS LOOSE. I MEAN IT WAS HALF WAY OUT AND THE OTHER WAS TIGHT. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS CAR FINDING ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT PROBLEMS. ALMOST LIKE THEY DID NOT QUALITY CHECK IT! *TR
Structure, May 8, 2013
THE WELDING IN THE FOUR DOORS DISPLAY BROKEN. THE LINE IS GETTING BIGGER AND A I AM WORRY ABOUT THE BODY OF THE CAR. PLACES THAT I CAN'T SEE THE WELDING. *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