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
2,312 reports, newest first.
Air bags, Seat belts, Jul 22, 2020
THE PASSENGER AIRBAG ISSUE FROM CAMPAIGN ID #R1609 IN 2014 AND AGAIN IN 2016. THE SAME ISSUE IS NOW HAPPENING AGAIN. THIS INCLUDES THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT SHOWING THE AIRBAG IS NOT ACTIVE WHEN AN ADULT IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. THE SEAT BELT LIGHT IS ALSO ON SHOWING THE PASSENGER IS NOT BUCKLED UP WHEN IN FACT THE SEAT BELT IS CONNECTED AND LATCHED. THIS HAPPENING WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BOTH MOVING AND NOT MOVING. NISSAN ISSUED A CONSUMER AFFAIRS CASE NUMBER, BUT IS REFUSING TO FIX THE ISSUE UNDER THE RECALL DUE TO IT BEING FIXED TWICE BEFORE.
Suspension, Jul 22, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SUSPENSION ARM FRACTURED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THE REAR SUSPENSION ARM FAILED DUE TO RUSTING AND CORROSION. THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR ARM WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR ARM WAS ALSO CORRODED AND RUSTED BUT NOT REPLACED. COUNTRY NISSAN (40 RUSSELL STREET, HADLEY, MA 01035) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
Exterior lighting, Jul 21, 2020
THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY DIM AND MAKES DRIVING AT NIGHT EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS.
Power train, Air bags, Jul 21, 2020
VEHICLE STOPPED AUTOMATICALLY (BY ITSELF) WHILE IN MOTION. LUCKY THAT IT WAS IN A PARKING LOT OTHERWISE THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL ACCIDENT. WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER, THEY MENTIONED ITS AN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND WILL NEED TO BE CHANGED. LOOKING IT UP ON GOOGLE MADE ME UNDERSTAND THAT ITS A COMMON ISSUE WITH NISSAN ALTIMA AND NISSAN HAS NOT TAKEN ANY STEPS OR OFFERED ANY HELP TO ITS CUSTOMERS TO SUPPORT FIXING THE ISSUES. ITS A DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN, KINDLY TAKE SOME ACTIONS!
Power train, Jul 20, 2020
I OWN A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA PURCHASED FROM MY FRIEND WHO ORIGINALLY PURCHASED IT FROM A NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THE CAR'S SHOWN TRANSMISSION ISSUES 12TH JULY 2020 WHEN I WAS ABOUT TO STOP FOR A SIGNAL. THE CAR WAS SHUDDERING BEFORE COMING TO A FULL STOP. INITIALLY I THOUGHT IT WAS A BRAKE ISSUE, NAIVELY THINKING GIVEN THAT I EXPERIENCED IT WHEN COMING TO A STOP. BUT WHEN I PRESSED GAS AFTER SIGNAL TURNED GREEN, THE CAR DID NOT ACCELERATE AS IT WOULD DO NORMALLY. I RODE THE VEHICLE FOR ANOTHER 5 MILES THE NEXT DAY AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO GET WORSENED. UPON RESEARCHING AND FINDING THAT IT IS A TRANSMISSION ISSUE, I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR JULY 15TH MORNING. THE CAR DID NOT GO IN REVERSE AT THE BEGINNING AND I HAD TO CHANGE THE PARKING GEAR BEFORE I TRIED TO REVERSE AGAIN. THIS TIME IT SLOWLY MOVED. WHEN MOVING FORWARD IN ROADS, THE CAR WAS NOT ABLE TO GO BEYOND 20 MPH AND THE RPM WOULD GO UP AND DOWN WHEN PRESSING GAS. I BARELY MANAGED TO REACH THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ASSESSED THE VEHICLE TO HAVE TRANSMISSION ISSUES. THEY TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
Exterior lighting, Jul 19, 2020
THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS ARE ON BUT BASICALLY NON EXISTENT. A FEW TIMES I'VE EVEN PULLED OVER TO CHECK IF THEY BOTH WERE OFF/BURNED OUT... THEY WEREN'T. I HAVE REPLACED BULBS WITH NO CHANGE TO THE BRIGHTNESS I DO OR DO NOT GET. ONLY OPTION CURRENTLY IS TO DRIVE IN THE DARK WITH HIGH BEAMS, POTENTIALLY BLINDING ON COMING TRAFFIC THEN!!! THIS ISSUE IS THE SAME WHETHER DRIVING OR STATIONARY AND HAS BEEN ONGOING WITH NO REMEDY FOUND YET.
Suspension, Jul 16, 2020
REAR LINKS, THE DEALER TOLD ME THE SUSPENSION COULD BREAK AT ANY MOMENT. REPAIR COST ME $440.00 AND THEY REFUSE TO REIMBURSE ME STATING CUTTING OFF RUSTED COMPONENTS WAS NOT RELATED TO THE FIX. CAMPAIGN ID IS P9324
Electrical system, Jul 8, 2020
CAR STALLING AT IDLE OR STOPPING. CAR STARTS THEN CUTS OUT, WON'T RUN. CAR HAS BEEN IN SHOP FOR 3 DAYS NOW PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND CAN'T SEEM TO PIN POINT EVEN WITH FIXD OR OTHER DEVICES.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jul 8, 2020, crash
ON THE MORNING OF OCT 25,2018 I ENTERED MY 2014 NISSAN ALTIMA APPROX 7:15 AM AND PUT VEHICLE IN REVERSE, TRAVELED APPROX 20 FT PUT CAR IN PARK TO RUN IN FOR SOMETHING I HAD FORGOTTEN. I SAFELY EXITED THE VEHICLE , CLOSED THE DOOR AND WALKED THE 20 FT TO MY 3 STEPS AND APPROACHED MY DOOR TO MY HOME AS I STARTED TO UNLOCK THE DOOR I HEARD A POP AND TURNED AROUND AND OBSERVED MY CAR LEAVING THE DRIVEWAY , IT HAD GONE INTO REVERSE AND CROSSED THE STREET WHERE IT STOPPED AGAINST A GRANITE WALL DAMAGING THE TRUNK.
Suspension, Jul 7, 2020
SUGGESTED THAT I REPLACE CONTROL ARMS ON MY 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA AT 79,000 MILES. I SAW THERE WAS A "SERVICE ALERT" NOT RECALL BY NISSAN TO REPLACE THESE IN "SALT STATES". I LIVE IN FLORIDA NEAR THE WATER, AND THERE IS WATER IN THE AIR HERE. ARMS ARE CRACKING, CORRODING. WOULD LIKE NISSAN TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT. MAAS BROS. NISSAN IN NEW PORT RICHEY FL SUGGESTED THE REPAIR...OVER $1000.
Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, Jul 7, 2020
THE HEADLIGHTS ARE SUPER DIM WHEN I AM DRIVING AT NIGHT. I HAVE REPLACED MY HEADLIGHTS TWICE NOW TO THE BRIGHTEST LIGHTS YOU CAN BUY. WHEN I DRIVE AT NIGHT I HAVE TO TURN ON MY BRIGHT LIGHTS BECAUSE I AM NOT ABLE TO SEE THE ROAD IN FRONT OF ME WITH THE REGULAR HEADLIGHTS ON. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT DUE TO THE HEADLIGHTS BEING SO DIM. I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR LAST SUMMER.
Steering, Air bags, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 4, 2020
WHILE DRIVING ON STREET, THE GAS PEDAL WILL NO LONGER PROVIDE POWER TO THE CAR AND BEGIN TO SLOW ITSELF DOWN. I WILL PUSH ON THE BREAKS BRIEFLY AND TRY THE GAS PEDAL TO SEE IF IT WORKS AND IT WILL TAKE A FEW TIMES BEFORE IT DOES. WHILE ON THE FREEWAY THE VEHICLE AGAIN, GAS PEDAL WOULD NO LONGER PROVIDE POWER TO THE CAR AND BEGIN TO SLOW ITSELF DOWN. THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED 8 SEPARATE TIMES TO THE CAR. IT WILL WORK FOR A FEW DAYS AND THEN DO IT AGAIN, WITH OUT NOTICE. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON. SECOND ISSUE IS, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL ALSO FEEL EXTREMELY LOOSE, NOT DURING THE SAME TIME BUT WHEN MY SPEED IS OVER 70 MPH. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NOR ANY SAFETY NOTICES WILL GO ON. LASTLY, THE AIR BAG LIGHT WON'T COME OFF. THE GAS PETAL ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN ON JULY 3TH, 2020 AND I DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO GET LOOKED AT. THE DEALER FOR A 5 POINT INSPECTION AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. I CHECK THE NHTSA WEBSITE AND IT SHOWS NO RECALLS DONE. DOES THIS MEAN THEY HAVE NOT BEEN COMPLETED? *TR
Exterior lighting, Jul 1, 2020
LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE TOO DIM AND UNSAFE FOR NIGHT DRIVING. *TR
Suspension, Jul 1, 2020
WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY, MY NISSAN ALTIMA STARTING MAKING NOISE FROM THE REAR AND THE CAR FEEL GOING TO THE LEFT BY ITSELF. AFTER I STOPPED I FOUND THE REAR CONTROL ARM WHICH HOLDS THE SPRING PART BROKE APART. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Jun 30, 2020
WHEN DRIVING MY CAR IT JERKS, WHEN I'M AT A COMPLETE STOP AND THEN GO TO TAKE OFF THE CAR JERKS . MY CAR HAS THE CVT TRANSMISSION WHICH HAS OR HAD A CLASS ACTION CLAIM AGAINST THEM HOWEVER TO MY UNDERSTANDING I WASN'T ABLE TO QUALIFY FOR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY BECAUSE MY MILEAGE EXCEEDED WHAT WAS REQUIRED . I DON'T FEEL SAFE TRANSPORTING MY FAMILY IN THIS CAR DUE TO THE HESITATION/ JERKS , HOWEVER I'M NOT FINANCIALLY ABLE TO TAKE THE CAR TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC . I'VE TRIED CONTACTING SOMEONE IN REGARDS TO THE NISSAN ALTIMA CVT SETTLEMENT TO SEE IF THEY COULD DIRECT ME TO SOMEONE WHO COULD HELP RESOLVE THIS ISSUE BUT I'VE HAD NO SUCCESS REACHING ANYONE. I'VE HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH THE CAR BESIDES THE HESITATION/ JERKING, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT RANDOMLY COMES ON FOR NO REASON , THE A/C WANT PROPERLY WORK . THIS HAS BEEN A ONGOING PROBLEM FOR AWHILE, WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR ( USED ) I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE JERKING WHEN I FIRST DROVE IT BUT THE SALESMAN SAID THAT ITS NORMAL FOR THAT TYPE TRANSMISSION AND THAT I'D GET USE TO IT HENCE THE FACT I DIDN'T KNOW I WAS PURCHASING A CAR THAT WAS PUTTING MYSELF AND FAMILY IN DANGER . PLEASE HELP
Power train, Service brakes, Engine, Jun 29, 2020
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON OPEN HIGHWAYS THE VEHICLE WILL EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF POWER AND ENGINE SHUTS OFF RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING AND BREAKING. VEHICLE WILL ALSO EXPERIENCE THE SAME ISSUES WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY STREETS. WHEN COMING TO A STOP THE VEHICLE WILL LOSE POWER AND BREAKS WILL NOT WORK. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE NOVEMBER 2019
Exterior lighting, Jun 29, 2020
THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS IN MY 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA ARE VERY DIM. I CHANGED THE HEAD LAMPS THINKING THAT MAYBE THE OLD LIGHTS HAD JUST AGED AND LOST BRIGHTNESS. THIS DID NOT MAKE A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN THE BRIGHTNESS. I RESEARCHED ON-LINE AND FOUND MULTIPLE REPORTS THAT FROM 2013-2015 PEOPLE WITH NISSAN ALTIMA'S HAD SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. THE PROBLEM WAS CONCERNING ENOUGH THAT DURING A ROUTINE MAINTENANCE OF MY VEHICLE I ASKED THE DEALER HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST TO REPLACE THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES. IT WAS AROUND $1000. YIKES. RECENTLY I HAD A 'NEAR MISS' THAT I PARTIALLY ATTRIBUTE TO THE DIM HEADLAMPS. I WAS DRIVING ON A LOCAL 2 LANE ROAD. THERE WAS A CAR COMING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION ABOUT 50 YARDS AWAY. SUDDENLY A CAR BEHIND THAT CAR PULLED DIRECTLY INTO MY LANE. TO AVOID A COLLISION I IMMEDIATELY PULLED THE WHEEL RIGHT AND WENT INTO A YARD. I THOUGHT MAYBE THE PERSON HAD A HEART ATTACK AND LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR BUT WHEN I LOOKED BACK THE PERSON HAD SWERVED BACK INTO THE CORRECT LANE. I THOUGHT MAYBE MY LIGHTS WERE OFF BUT I CHECKED AND THEY WERE ON. I'VE BEEN DRIVING FOR 35 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPEN BEFORE. COULD HAVE BEEN SOMEBODY TEXTING AND DRIVING? I WOULD BE INTERESTED TO KNOW IF THE 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS A HIGHER NIGHT TIME DRIVING ACCIDENT RATE COMPARED TO OTHER SEDANS. REGARDLESS I THINK THESE HEADLAMPS ARE UNSAFE. I'M GOING TO TRY TO FIND A REPLACEMENT HEADLAMP AND DO THE REPAIR MYSELF AS I CAN'T READILY AFFORD THE $1000. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE EVER ENTERED A COMPLAINT. *TR
Structure, Jun 28, 2020
ON FRIDAY 6/26/2020 WHILE DRIVING ON THE MA TURNPIKE I-90 W, SHORTLY BEFORE EXIT 20, THE HOOD OF MY 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA FLEW ALL THE WAY BACK CRASHING INTO THE WINDSHIELD AND FRONT PORTION OF THE ROOF. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN AND PEEK UNDER THE BOTTOM PORTION OF THE HOOD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. MY WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED, BOTH SIDE FENDERS WERE BENT UP/ SLIGHTLY DISPLACED, THE ROOF WAS DENTED, INSIDE THE CAR THE CEILING SPEAKER/ SUNGLASS CONSOLE CAME CRASHING DOWN AND MY HOOD WAS DENTED AND HAVING TROUBLE STAYING SHUT. I MANAGED TO SECURE IT DOWN AND DROVE SLOWLY TO EXIT 20. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED AT AN AUTO SHOP NEAR BY AND THE OWNERS FIRST WORDS WERE, "LOOKING AT YOUR CAR, I CAN TELL YOU THIS IS EXACTLY HOW PEOPLE GET KILLED IN MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS". I AM NOT SURPRISED. HAD I NOT BEEN ABLE TO SEE OR SAFELY SLOW DOWN, I MAY BE DEAD. THE SHOP OWNER SHOWED HOW THE SPRAINED HINGES ALLOW THE HOOD TO GO ALL THE WAY BACK CAUSING WINDSHIELD DAMAGE MAINLY DUE TO THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. HE DID SPRAY SOME WD 40 ON THE LATCH TO GET IT TO FUNCTION A LITTLE BETTER; HE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE AND WOULD NOT RECOMMEND DRIVING IT. THE DAMAGE WAS ESTIMATED AT $4000.
Suspension, Jun 26, 2020
BOTH REAR CONTROL ARMS HAVE CRACKED AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FIRST WAS AT ABOUT 125,000 MILES AND THE SECOND WAS 137,000 MILES. MANY PEOPLE HAVE TOLD ME THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH 2012-13 NISSAN ALTIMA'S AND SOME HAVE HAD NISSAN REIMBURSE THEM FOR THE COST OF THE REPAIR, WHICH IS QUITE EXPENSIVE. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jun 26, 2020
DRIVING AT NIGHT IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE WITH MY 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA SV. WITH THE LOW BEAMS ON YOU CANNOT SEE THE ROAD AHEAD OR ANY OBSTACLES THAT MIGHT BE AHEAD. THESE HEADLIGHT SHOULD BE A RECALL. HORRIBLE DESIGN. *TR
Suspension, Jun 24, 2020
NISSAN ALTIMA 2013 LEFT REAR LOWER SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM BROKE OFF WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR SWERVED VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT. IT COULD OF ENDED HORRIBLY BUT LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT. THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE AND ABSOLUTELY NOT SAFE. NISSAN NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS!! *TR
Power train, Jun 24, 2020
WHEN I DRIVING 75 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, SUDDENLY MY 2013 ALTIMA TRANSMISSION GEARBOX SLIPPING TO NEUTRAL. I HAD TO TOW THE CAR TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION FOR $3700.00. *TR
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 21, 2020
COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT NEARLY 122,000 MILES IN THE MIDDLE OF A MAJOR INTERSTATE WHEREIN THE VEHICLE COULD NOT TURN BACK ON. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THERE WERE WEEKS OF JERKY SHIFTING, THE CAR WAS UNABLE TO COAST, QUICKLY ACCELERATE, OR COME TO A STOP WITHOUT JERKING THE CAR UNTIL STOPPED. THE IDLE OF THE CAR WAS UNUSUALLY HIGH NEAR THE DAY OF FULL TRANSMISSION FAILURE. AFTER COMPLETELY REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION WITH A BRAND NEW ONE, THE CAR STILL IS HAVING TROUBLE SHIFTING SMOOTHLY.
Exterior lighting, Jun 21, 2020
HEADLIGHTS VERY DIM. REPLACED BULBS MULTIPLE TIMES BUT LIGHTS REALLY NOT VISIBLE WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT OR IN RAIN.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Jun 18, 2020
WITHOUT WARNING MY CAR STOPPED ACCELERATING. IT DIED AT IN INTERSECTION AND HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. THE PROBLEM STARTED ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR DIED AT A BUSY INTERSECTION. CAR HAS 123000 MILES WITH NEVER AN ISSUE WITH CVT.. DEALER TOLD US IT WILL COST 4,000 DOLLARS TO FIX. TRANSMISSION SHOULDN'T FAIL AT 123 000 MILES. *TR