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: other or unspecified
240 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Sep 23, 2015
PARKED VEHICLE AND COULD NOT GET OUT , THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE WOULD NOT WORK, HAD TO CRAWL OVER CONSOLE TO GET OUT ON PASSENGER SIDE. DROVE TO MY NISSAN DEALER TO GET IT CHECKED AND THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING THAT DAY SO AN APPOINTMENT WAS SET UP FOR NEXT DAY SEPT. 17TH, 2015. WHICH I THINK SHOULD HAVE BEEN AT LEAST LOOKED AT BECAUSE IF MY VEHICLE WOULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE OR IF I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT I COULDN'T HAVE GOT OUT OF THE CAR FAST. I WAS ALSO CHARGED FOR THIS REPAIR WHICH NOW I AM FIGHTING WITH NISSAN BECAUSE I AM STILL UNDER BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. WHICH HAVE ONLY OWNED THE CAR FOR 2 YEARS AND IT DOESN'T HAVE 36,000 MILES ON IT. THEY ARE TELLING ME I HAVE TO PAY BECAUSE OF WEAR AND TEAR. ALSO THE DEALER TOLD THAT I AM THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS MODEL AND YEAR THAT HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE RESEARCHED THAT IN THE MODELS 2003-2008 HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM FIGHTING BECAUSE THEY HAVE CHARGED ME $114.98 TO FIX THE CABLE BECAUSE NO PARTS ARE ON MY RECEIPT AND MY CONSOLE WAS LOSE AND THEY ALSO CHARGED ME $45 TO TIGHTEN SCREWS. THE DEALER ALSO BLAMED THIS ON ME WHEN MY CAR HAS BE IN THEIR SHOP FOR PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG STAYING ON MANY TIMES , WHEN THEY DID THIS REPAIR MY PASSENGER SIDE SEAT WAS ALWAYS MOVED AND USED WHAT IS TO SAY THEY WEREN'T PUTTING THEIR WEIGHT ON MY CONSOLE. I HAVE OWNED MANY NEW VEHICLES AND NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN. THIS IS MY THIRD NISSAN AND MY SECOND ONE BOUGHT FROM THIS DEALERSHIP. I WAS WONDERING IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND IF THERE IS SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP ME.
Wheels, Other or unspecified, Sep 12, 2015
WHEN CROSSING AN INTERSECTION MY CAR STOPPED AND WOULD NOT GO FOR A FEW SECONDS. I WAS JUST FORTUNATE THERE WERE NO CARS COMING. IT'S HAS STOPPED LIKE THIS MANY TIMES I JUST HAVEN'T BEEN IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. MY PREGNANT DAUGHTER WAS VERY UPSET WHEN IT HAPPENED TO HER ON AN OCCASION SHE WAS DRIVING IT. I'M ALSO EXTREMELY UNHAPPY ABOUT THE RUST IN MY WHEELS. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT A 2013 CAR HAS THIS HAPPENING. I HAD A 2007 MONTARO THAT HAD LESS RUST AROUND ITS TIRES BEFORE I TRADED IT FOR THIS CAR. I'M EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Aug 27, 2015, crash
2013 NISSAN ALTIMA RECALL NOTICE MALFUNCTION HOOD RELEASE WHICH COULD CAUSE A COLLISION. WELL HAPPENED TO MY DAUGHTER ON AUGUST 9TH, WHO HAD MY PERMISSION TO DRIVE MY CAR SHE BY THE WAY IS 28. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THIS RECALL, HOWEVER MY FRIEND THAT LEASED THE SAME VEHICLE TWO MONTHS PRIOR AT THE SAME DEALERSHIP, WAS NOTIFIED. MY DAUGHTER WAS JUST GETTING ONTO THE EXPRESSWAY DOING APPROX. 20 MPH IF THAT WHEN THE HOOD OF MY VEHICLE "RELEASED" AND BLEW UP AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD TO WHERE SHE COULD NOT SEE AT ALL. LUCKILY GOD WAS WITH HER AND SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY. MY VEHICLE IS STILL AT A NISSAN DEALERSHIP AS OF TODAY, AUGUST 26TH, COLLISION SHOP STILL SITTING IN THE SAME SPOT THAT IT WAS TOWED TO. OVER 6,000.00 IN DAMAGES FOR A RECALL THAT I SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED AND NISSAN SHOULD BE PRAYING AND FEELING BLESSED THAT THIS HORRIFIC ACCIDENT AND BELIEVE ME IT WAS HORRIFYING TO SEE THAT PEOPLE WERE NOT KILLED, SHAME ON NISSAN CORPORATION FOR ME NOT RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE, SHAME ON NISSAN FOR NOT FIGURING OUT WHEN MY CAR WAS IN FOR SERVICE THAT MY VIN NUMBER SHOWED NOTHING OR IT WAS IGNORED, RECALL NOTICES ARE CONNECTED AUTOMATICALLY TO ANY NUMBERS WHETHER CAR, APPLIANCE, CAR SEATS, ETC., COME ON WE ARE LIVING IN 2015. SHAME ON NISSAN THAT THIS IS NOT IMPORTANT TO THEM TO HELP ME. I HAVE DATES AND RECORDS OF COMMUNICATION AND AM TRYING TO REACH OUT AND TRY TO MAKE THIS PUBLIC HOWEVER I AM AT A STAND STILL AND NEED ADVICE AND HELP, THANK YOU! *TR
Other or unspecified, Jul 8, 2015
THE SECONDARY LATCH ON THE HOOD OF MY CAR FAILED - CAUSING MY HOOD TO FLY UP WHILE I WAS DRIVING.
Other or unspecified, Jun 25, 2015
BACKUP CAMERA QUALITY IS NOT VERY GOOD
Other or unspecified, Jun 18, 2015
SUNROOF RATTLING SINCE 2013.
Other or unspecified, May 20, 2015
CLUSTER FAILED AND SOME LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD ARE NOT VISIBLE. THIS IS KNOWN ISSUE SEE NTB14-049 AND SHOULD WARRANT A RECALL BECAUSE YOU CAN'T SEE ANYTHING ON DASHBOARD. COST IS 1000. CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND WAS TOLD THEY WON'T RECALL OR COVER REPAIR UNLESS YOUR OFFICE REQUIRES RECALL.
Other or unspecified, May 13, 2015
60033 MILES, NEEDED NEW CVT TRANSMISSION. 33 MILES OVER WARRANTY!!!!!
Other or unspecified, Mar 10, 2015
THE GLOW IN THE DARK EMERGENCY TRUNK RELEASE HANDLE PULLED OFF. EITHER THE ANGLE AT WHICH IT WAS POSITIONED OR THE MATERIALS MADE IT SO FLIMSY THAT IT PULLED OFF WITHIN THE TRUNK. I THOUGHT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS BUT I CAN'T SEE ON. *TR
Other or unspecified, Aug 29, 2014
THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAG IS OFF EVEN WHEN THERE IS A PERSON IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALER FIRST ON MAY 28, 2013 AND WAS TOLD THE COMPUTER WAS RESET AND IF I CONTINUED TO HAVE A PROBLEM THEY WOULD INSTALL A NEW SENSOR. WHEN I RETURNED WITH A PROBLEM I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD NEED TO CONTACT NISSAN CUSTOMER AFFAIRS. I ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT THEM BY PHONE AND THEN SENT A LETTER TO NISSAN CUSTOMER AFFAIRS ON AUGUST 30, 2013. AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WAS MADE BY THE DEALER ON SEPTEMER 12, 2013 BUT I AM STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ISSUE. I WAS TOLD THAT EVEN THOUGH THE LIGHT INDICATES THAT THE AIR BAG IS OFF IT WOULD DEPLOY IF THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT. I AM NOT CONVINCED. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM BUT AS EARLY AS YESTERDAY AUGUST 28, 2014 THE LIGHT WAS ON FOR ALMOST 50 MILES INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAG WAS OFF WHILE MY WIFE WAS SITTING ON THE PASSENGER SEAT.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 17, 2014
CAR SHAKES AT 1900 RPM (EVERYTIME YOU PASS BY 1900RPM) AND WHEN STOPPED AT LIGHT (WHEN YOU HAVE BRAKES APPLIED). THIS VIBRATION CAN BE FEELED BY DRIVER & PASSENGER AND WHOLE CAR SHAKES. I HAD IT POINTED OUT DURING THE SERVICING/OIL CHANGES TO NISSAN TECHNICIAN AND ALL I GOT IS "IT IS NORMAL FOR CVT SO CAR WILL VIBRATE". THIS VIBRATION IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS ON AN AVG I DRIVER THE CAR FOR AN HOUR A DAY. AND IF I STOP AT LIGHTS FOR 10 MINUTES ON AN AVG, THEN I AM EXPOSING MY SELF TO THIS VIBRATION FOR THAT MUCH TIME A DAY WHICH IS BAD. ITS SPECIALLY BAD FOR MY LEGS. NISSAN DOES NOT HAVE A FIX AT THE MOMENT FOR THIS ISSUE BUT I EPXECT A BRAND NEW CAR NOT TO VIBRATE AS HORRIBLE AS THIS. MY 10 YEAR OLD CAR WAS MUCH SMOOTHER THEN THIS. THE OVERALL EXPERIANCE IS HORRIBLE AND WILL ADVISE ALL TO STAY AWAY FROM NISSAN BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT ADMITTING THE PROBLEM AND THEY DONT HAVE THE SOLUTION FOR SUCH A PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN YOU CONSIDER THE EFFECTS ON LONG TERM EXPOSURE AND I FEEL GOVERMENT SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 23, 2013
VEHICLE JERKS AT STOPS AND TAKES OFF, RPMS CLIMBED ON THEIR OWN, VEHICLE WON'T START AND WAS TOWED IN, VEHICLE STALL IN MOVING TRAFFIC ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE, AND FAN BLOWER.
Other or unspecified, Mar 19, 2013
I PURCHASED A NISSAN ALTIMA 2013 IN AUGUST 2012 AND I HAVE HEARD THAT NISSAN HAS MADE SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS TO THE MOST RECENT CARS BEING PRODUCED TO INCREASE THE OVERALL SAFETY. ARE THESE CHANGES GOING TO BE MADE TO THE CARS MADE THAT DO NOT HAVE THE IMPROVEMENT. *TR
Other or unspecified, Feb 18, 2013
MALFUNCTION AGAIN BSW/ LDW AND SLIPP INDICATOR. *TR
Other or unspecified, Nov 18, 2012
I WAS DRIVING ON I-5 HEADING NORTH FROM OCEANSIDE, CA WHEN THE MOON ROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED. THERE WAS NO CONTACT WITH ANY OBJECT WHATSOEVER. THERE WAS FIRST A LOUD BANG, LIKE THE SOUND OF A GUN BEING FIRED AT CLOSE RANGE AND THEN THE GLASS OF THE MOON ROOF FELL ON ME AND INTO THE AUOTMOBILE CABIN..