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.
Exterior lighting, Jul 13, 2019
LOW BEAMS HEADLIGHTS ARE EXTREMELY DIM. YOU CAN'T SEE AT NIGHT AND DURING THE RAIN IT'S EVEN WORSE. HAVE TO DRIVE WITH HIGH BEAMS. THIS IS A SAFETY MEETING ISSUE AND NISSAN NEEDS TO FIX IT.
Suspension, Jul 13, 2019
I BEGAN NOTICING A LOUD CRACKING NOISE WHICH SEEMED TO ORIGINATE FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR WHENEVER THE REAR WHEELS WOULD GO OVER SHARP BUMPS. I HAD THE DEALER TAKE A LOOK AND I HAVE A CRACKED CONTROL ARM.
Power train, Jul 12, 2019
THE 2ND TIME IN LESS THAN 2 YEARS THAT THE CVT VALVE WENT OUT MAKING THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY JERK FORWARD AND BACKWARDS EVEN WITH THE BRAKES ON AND THEN SUDDENLY LOSE POWER. WETHIS IS A HAZARDOUS SITUATION AS MY CAR HAD TO BE TOWED YESTERDAY AFTER SUDDENLY STOPPING AT A BUSY INTERSECTION. LAST TIME IT HAPPENED ON A BUSY BRIDGE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE 2013 ALTIMAS BUT UNFORTUNATELY I'VE JUST BECOME AWARE OF THIS. PEOPLE COULD DIE.
Exterior lighting, Jul 12, 2019
I OWN A 2013 ALTIMA. I AM HAVING ISSUES WITH THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS BEING VERY DIM. AT NIGHT I HAVE TO USE MY HIGH BEAM TO SEE. WHEN I DRIVE ON A ROAD THAT'S NOT VERY LIT IT ALMOST SEEMED LIKE MY LIGHTS ARE NOT ON. DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY BECAME VERY UNSAFE WHEN IT WAS STORMING AT 4:00 IN THE MORNING AS I COULDN'T USE MY HIGH BEAMS. THIS REALLY SCARED ME AND FELT UNSAFE TO DRIVE MY CAR AT NIGHT DURING SUCH CONDITIONS. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO NISSAN AND THEY DID COME ACROSS A SAME ISSUE WHICH RESULTED IN HAVING TO REPLACE THE WHOLE HEADLIGHT. CHANGING THE BULB DID NOT HELP. I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT THIS UNSAFE ISSUE, GIVEN THAT AFTER READING UP ON IT, I AM ONLY ONE OF SO MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD FOR MANY DRIVERS ON THE ROAD.
Structure, Jul 12, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE, FRONT PASSENGER, AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO COCHRAN NISSAN OF SOUTH HILLS (3200 W LIBERTY AVE, PITTSBURGH, PA 15216, (412) 245-4540) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT NEW DOOR HANDLES WERE NEEDED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONLY THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
Power train, Jul 10, 2019
MY CAR WAS DRIVING PERFECTLY FINE IN THE MORNING. CAR STARTED FINE LATER IN THE AFTERNOON. IT STARTED JERKING AND NOT ACCELERATING SMOOTHLY AS I PULLED OUT TO THE STREET. THEN IT STALLED AT THE STREET. RESTARTED THE CAR AND EVERYTHING SEEMED NORMAL UNTIL I PUT IT IN GEAR. AFTER ONLY A FEW FEET IT STALLED AGAIN. IT NOW STALLS IN ANY GEAR BESIDES PARK AND NEUTRAL. HAD TO PUSH THE CAR OFF THE ROAD AND HAVE IT TOWED. ANOTHER BAD CVT TRANSMISSION. NISSAN SHOULD BE ASHAMED. SELLING THESE CARS WITH MAJOR MECHANICAL FAILURE AND POOR WARRANTY. HAD TO EXTENDED WARRANTY ON PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS BECAUSE OF FAILURES. SHOULD BE A RECALL. THIS IS HAPPENING TO TO MANY PEOPLE. LAST NISSAN I WILL OWN.
Suspension, Jul 10, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH ANY TURN AND THE FRAME STAYED TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS NEEDED AND SCHEDULED TO BE INSTALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BY THE MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY MAY ISSUE A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE IN THE FUTURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.
Suspension, Jul 10, 2019
I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY ABOUT 5MPH AND HEARD A LOUD THUD, AS IF I RAN SOMETHING OVER, LOOKED UNDER MY CAR AND THE REAR WHEEL CONTROL ARM HAD COME DETACHED AND WAS BROKEN. I CALLED THE NISSAN DEALER WHO SAID BOTH CONTROL ARMS NEED REPLACED BECAUSE THE OTHER ONE IS CRACKED. I STARTED RESEARCHING AS I FOUND THIS ODD TO HAPPEN IN A 2013 VEHICLE & FOUND MORE THAN 347,000 CARS MAY HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND ALL VEHICLES NEED RECALLED AS THIS COULD LEAD TO THE DRIVER LOSING COMPLETE CONTROL OF THEIR VEHICLE AND POSSIBLE DEATH. I AM GRATEFUL MY 18 YR OLD SON WHO IS A NEW DRIVER WAS NOT ON THE TURNPIKE WHEN THESE DECIDED TO GIVE OUT AND THAT I WAS JUST BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. NOT ONLY IS IT A SAFETY HAZARD BUT WHEN THIS HAPPENS IT COULD ALSO LEAD TO THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OF ADDITIONAL DAMAGE IF YOU ARE ACTUALLY IN MOTION WITH THE VEHICLE. AS I AM IN NEED OF A VEHICLE I HAVE TO PAY FOR THESE TO BE FIXED WHICH I WAS JUST QUOTED A WHOPPING $2,100. SHAME ON NISSAN!! SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE IF THE CONTROL ARMS OF THE 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA DO NOT GET RECALLED AND THESE VEHICLES ARE LEFT ON THE ROAD WITHOUT THE REPAIRS NEEDED.
Other or unspecified, Jul 10, 2019
TAKATA RECALL: WHILE DRIVING ON A PAVED ROAD AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 45 MPH, THE RIGHT REAR SUBFRAME FAILED CATASTROPHICALLY DUE TO APPARENT CORROSION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT THE LOCATION OF THE BUSHING TO THE FRAME. THE RESULT WAS THAT THE REAR WHEEL OFFSET AND CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS COMPROMISED. THIS IS A HISTORIC PROBLEM WITH NISSAN AND THEY HAVE NOT ADDRESSED THE PROBLEM WITH THE NEW MODEL IN 2013. IT IS UNSAFE AND UNFAIR THAT OWNERS PAY FOR NISSAN'S REFUSAL TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. MORE PHOTOS WILL BE AVAILABLE WHEN THE SUBFRAME IS REMOVED.
Exterior lighting, Jul 9, 2019
I HAVE A 2013 NISSAN. I START TO NOTICE THE LIGHTS GETTING DIM 2016-2018. MY HEADLIGHTS ARE SO DIM I CAN'T DRIVE MY CAR AT NIGHT. I HAVE PUT MYSELF AND OTHERS IN DANGER BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE CONTACT NISSAN ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND THEY ACT AS IF PUTTING PEOPLE IN DANGER IS NOT A ISSUE TO THEM. I HAVE REPLACED BULBS AND THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE WORSE THAN BEFORE.
Suspension, Jul 9, 2019
WHEN ENTERING THE HIGHWAY ON THE CORONADO BRIDGE AT LOW SPEED THE REAR LEFT CONTROL ARM BROKE AND LEFT THE CAR IMMOVABLE. A TOW WAS REQUIRED AND POLICE FOR TRAFFIC CONTROL. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THE RIGHT SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS CRACKED AND READY TO FAIL ALSO. THERE WAS NOT ANY PREVIOUS CORRESPONDENCE FROM NISSAN WARNING OF THE POSSIBLE FAILURE AND NO REASON TO EXPECT THIS TO HAPPEN WITH A 2013 CAR WITH 85000 MILES.
Suspension, Jul 8, 2019
I WAS DRIVING IN A ROUNDABOUT, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A LOUD SNAP COMING FROM REAR, DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL. I STARTED LOSING CONTROL OF THE THE VEHICLE BUT WAS LUCKILY ABLE TO MAKE IT TO A SIDE STREET WHERE I PULLED OVER. I NOTICED THE REAR WHEEL WAS TILTED A BIT SIDEWAYS, AND HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC NEAR BY. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS A BROKEN CONTROL ARM.
Exterior lighting, Jul 5, 2019
MY 2013 ALTIMA HEAD LIGHTS ARE VERY DIM AT NIGHT. I CANNOT SEE 50' IN FRONT. I HAVE HAD THE BULBS REPLACED THINKING THIS WAS THE PROBLEM. BUT THAT DID NOT CHANGED ANYTHING THEY ARE STILL DIM. I HAVE HAD TO STOP DRIVING AT NIGHT BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. THIS HAS BEEN GOING FOR A WHILE.
Power train, Jul 3, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO NISSAN OF SACRAMENTO (2820 AUBURN BLVD, SACRAMENTO, CA 95821, (916) 604-4095) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,953.
Steering, Jul 2, 2019
ON HIGHWAY AND CITY STREET IN MOTION THE VEHICLE WANDER CONSTANTLY ON RIGHT OR LEFT OF THE LANE MAKING IT VERY HARD AND VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. DRIVING DURING WIND CONDITION MAKE THE PROBLEM EVEN WORST. I BELIEVE THAT A COMPONENT OF THE STEERING MIGHT BE AT FAULT NISSAN DEALER SAYS IT'S NORMAL...
Exterior lighting, Jul 2, 2019
LIGHTS LOW BEAM ARE DEAM ,CHANGE OUT THE BULBS AND STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM
Exterior lighting, Jul 2, 2019
THE LOW BEAMS ON THIS VEHICLE ARE EXTRAORDINARILY LOW. DANGEROUSLY LOW. OFTEN TIMES, EVEN WHEN ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, I HAVE TO PUT ON MY HIGHBEAMS TO SEE THE ROAD MORE CLEARLY. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO LOOK TO THE RIGHT AND DOWN TO FIND THE LINE INDICATING THE SHOULDER, ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE IS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THERE SHOULD BE A RECORD FOR THIS VEHICLE. IT IS AN ACKNOWLEDGED PROBLEM BY NISSAN.
Steering, Structure, Wheels, Jul 2, 2019
I WAS DRIVING MY 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA ON A BUSY CITY STREET AND LOST CONTROL OF STEERING ABILITY DUE TO THE RIGHT REAR CONTROL ARM THAT WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND BROKE APART. MY VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED AND THIS PART HAD TO BE REPLACED.
Suspension, Jul 2, 2019
DURING SAFETY INSPECTION, THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR CONTROL ARM WAS DISCOVERED TO BE CRACKED. THE WHEEL WAS ABOUT TO FALL OFF THE CAR. PICTURES (ATTACHED) SHOW SEVERE CORROSION AROUND THE WELD SEAMS AND KNUCKLE CREVICES. I KEPT THE PARTS FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. NOTED THAT THERE IS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION WITH NHTSA IN REGARDS TO THIS FAILURE.
Suspension, Jul 1, 2019
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON A MAINTAINED TWO LANE COUNTY ROAD AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DARTED ACROSS THE ROAD AND BECAME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO STEER. ONCE STOPPED, YOU COULD SEE THE THE VEHICLES LEFT REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS TILTED IN AND RENDERED INOPERABLE. I HAVE ATTACHED PHOTOS OF THE CONTROL ARM BOTH WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM AND FROM THE REPAIR STATION IT WAS TOWED TO. THE CONTROL ARM WAS RUSTED AND BROKE AWAY FROM THE FRAME/PROPER CONNECTION. WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY THE AUTO REPAIR SHOP THAT BOTH REAR CONTROL ARMS NEED TO BE REPLACED, THE BROKEN ONE AND THE OPPOSITE SIDE. THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE IS IN THE SAME CONDITION. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 86,100 MILES ON IT.
Suspension, Wheels, Jul 1, 2019
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND ON A HIGHWAY,READY TO GET ONTO A MAJOR INTERSTSTE RT295N IN NJ. I WAS GOING APROX. 45 MPH WHEN THE CAR STARTED PULLING DRASTICALLY TO MY RIGHT,I THOUGHT I HAD A FLAT TIRE. PULLED THE CAR OVER TO INSPECT, AND MY REAR PASSENGER TIRE WAS NOT FLAT BUT BENT AS IF IT WAS COMING OFF. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHERE HE CONFIRMED THE YES IN FACT THE TIRE WAS COMING OFF! HE SAID IF I DROVE MUCH FURTHER I WOULD HAVE LOST MY TIRE IT WAS HANGING BY A RUSTY THREAD!! UPON FURTHER INSPECTION HE NOTE THE WHOLE REAR SUBFRAME IS RUSTED OUT AND I NEEDED NOT ONE BUT BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS REPLACE BECAUSE THE DRIVERS SIDE WAS ABOUT TO SEPARATE ALSO. THIS IS GOING TO COST ME BIG BUCK ALONG WITH A RENTAL CAR,AS THIS IS NOT SOMETHING INSURANCE WILL COVER. APPARENTLY THERRE HAVE BEEN MANY ISSUES WITH THIS MODEL/YEAR CAR EXACTLY THE SAME AS MY INCIDENT.THERE WAS NO WARNING NOR PREVIOUS SYMPTOMS TO THIS HAPPENING. I COULD HAVE BENN HURT OR KILED NOT TO MENTION SOMEONE ELSE NEAR ME ON THE ROAD! I HAVE INCLUDED PICTURES.
Suspension, Jul 1, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED, A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR WHEEL WAS PUSHED INWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE CONTROL ARM WAS FRACTURED DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000. *AS
Suspension, Jul 1, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE CAME FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE WAS BENT INWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS A PROFESSIONAL MECHANIC AND STATED THAT THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM FRACTURED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Suspension, Jul 1, 2019
THE LOWER, RIGHT REAR CONTROL ARM HAS CRACKED, BUT NOT FAILED FORTUNATELY. IT IS IN THE NISSAN SHOP RIGHT NOW. THE DIAGNOSIS IS THAT THAT THE LEFT SIDE IS PROBABLY GOING TO FAIL IN TIME. I LOOKED A THE MECHANIC'S OBSERVATIONS AND I AGREED WITH THE DIAGNOSIS, SO I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO TELL THE SERVICE GUY TO MAKE THE REPAIR ON BOTH SIDES. THE CAR HAS ABOUT 80,000 MILES ON IT, NOW, BUT THE NOISE STARTED ABOUT 10,000 MILES AGO. I NOTICED A THUMPING NOISE AT LOW SPEEDS, ESPECIALLY WHEN GOING OVER SMALL BUMPS, AND ESPECIALLY SPEED BUMPS.THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A RECALL, BUT MOST ALTIMA OWNERS DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND ARE LIKELY GOING TO FIND OUT AFTER A FAILURE. HOPEFULLY, THE WILL FAILURE WILL NOT BE CATASTROPHIC. I QUESTION THE METALLURGY AND MORE IMPORTANTLY THE WELDING METHODS USE ON THE ORIGINAL CONTROL ARMS. HOPEFULLY NISSAN REALIZES THAT THEY HAVE A POTENTIALLY HUGE LIABILITY ISSUE HERE.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jun 30, 2019
AFTER A FEW YEARS OF NORMAL OPERATION THE LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE NO LONGER EFFECTIVE. THEY ARE TOO DIM TO RELY ON WHILE DRIVING ON DARK ROADS/HIGHWAYS. MUST USE HIGH-BEAMS FOR PROPER VISIBILITY. REPLACING BULBS DOES NOT HELP.