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, Nov 23, 2018
SINCE MY WIFE BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN DIM AND CONTINUE TO DIMINISH IN USEFULNESS TO THE POINT WHERE DRIVING WITH THE HIGH BEAMS ON IS THE BETTER ALTERNATIVE. WE HAVE TRIED HID LIGHTING KITS BUT THE WIRING CIRCUIT CAN NOT HANDLE THE AMPS AND THE FUSES WILL BLOW. NISSAN NEEDS TO HANDLE THIS AS A RECALL AND REPAIR THE HEADLIGHTS IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY. THANK YOU.
Structure, Service brakes, Engine, Nov 23, 2018
THREE MAJOR ISSUES HAS BEEN OCCURING WITH MY 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 SL 1. BRAKE LIGHT COMES UP RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING AT LOCAL OR HIGHWAY SPEED. 2. HOOD POP UP WHILE DRIVING - ISSUE WITH LATCH 3. TRANSMISSION IS MAKING GRINDING NOISE.
Exterior lighting, Nov 21, 2018
THE HEADLIGHTS ARE PROGRESSIVELY GETTING MORE DIM OVER TIME. LIGHTS ARE DIM ALL THE TIME, NOT RELATED TO IDLE OR OTHER FUNCTIONS. MILEAGE IS 72.000 MILES. NIGHT DRIVING IS HAZARDOUS. THE HEADLIGHTS ARE LIGHTING ONLY A FEW FEET IN FRONT OF THE CAR, NOT ILLUMINATING TRAFFIC SIGNS, DIFFICULTY WHEN MAKING TURNS AT A CORNER OR DRIVEWAY. I HAVE TO USE MY HIGH BEAMS AT NIGHT, THE HIGH BEAMS WORK FINE BUT ARE A HAZARD FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I REPORTED THIS TO NISSAN DEALER OVER A YEAR AGO AND THEY ADJUSTED THE AIM OF THE LIGHT UPWARD BUT THIS DID NOT HELP MUCH. THIS IS NOW A SAFETY HAZARD THAT NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION.
Exterior lighting, Nov 21, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 172,000. *TT*JB
Power train, Nov 19, 2018
THE TRANSMISSION FAILS TO ACCELERATE PROPERLY. HAD IT SERVICED SEVERAL TIMES INCLUDING CHANGING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. ONLY 85K MILES, AND THE CAR COMPLETELY CHOKED ONLY REACHING 20 MPH WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE TO MERGE INTO THE HIGHWAY. CURRENTLY GETTING SERVICED AT NISSAN OF BAKERSFIELD, HAVE 4 DAYS AND NO RESPONSE AS TO WHAT THE ISSUE COULD BE.
Exterior lighting, Nov 19, 2018
MY LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS HAVE NO OUTWARD PROJECTION. IT'S NOT A HEADLIGHT BULB ISSUE. WE BOUGHT NEW BULBS-DID NOT HELP. I CAN ONLY SEE 10 FT CLEARLY. I HAVE TO USE MY HIGH BEAMS. I'M TOLD I NEED TO PURCHASE NEW HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING ISSUE NOT MINE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE.
Air bags, Nov 19, 2018
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONSTANTLY ON AFTER TWO RESETS DUE TO RECALL. DEALER SAYS IT IS NOT DUE TO THE RECALL BUT THAT IS BS
Power train, Nov 16, 2018
MY VEHICLE HAS 65K MILES AND HAS BEGAN TO HAVE STICKING GEARS. THE PROBLEM IS IS THAT AFTER STARTING THE CAR THE GEAR WILL NOT MOVE WHEN PRESSING THE BREAKS AND LOCK RELEASE BUTTON. THE PROBLEM OCCURS 7/10 TIMES. THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM AFTER 50K MILES BUT NISSAN REFUSES TO RECALL THE 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA MODELS. THE GEAR ALSO GETS STUCK IN DRIVE WHEN TO WHERE I CAN'T MOVE IT TO OTHER GEARS WHEN THE CAR IS IN DRIVE. THIS RECENTLY HAPPENED WHILE AT THE CAR WAS AND I WAS TRYING TO SWITCH TO NEUTRAL.
Exterior lighting, Nov 15, 2018
THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT COVERAGE ONLY EXTENDS ABOUT 2 FEET IN FRONT OF MY CAR. THIS BECAME NOTICEABLE ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO AND IT HAS GRADUALLY GOTTEN WORSE. AT TIMES, IT LOOKS AS IF I DON'T EVEN HAVE MY LIGHTS ON. I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH MY HIGH BEAMS ON THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME AND THIS POSES A SAFETY RISK FOR ALL DRIVERS IN FRONT OF ME. I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO DRIVE LIKE THIS. I WAS ABOUT TO GET MY BULBS REPLACED AND DECIDED TO DO SOME RESEARCH AND THAT'S WHEN I CAME ACROSS THE MANY, MANY INDIVIDUALS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND NOW I SEE THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE. UNFORTUNATELY IT SEEMS AS THOUGH NOTHING IS BEING DONE OR THE QUESTION IS, HOW MANY COMPLAINTS HAVE TO BE FILED BEFORE A RECALL IS ISSUED BC IT IS OBVIOUSLY SOME SORT OF FLAW IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THESE VEHICLES. PLEASE HELP BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY $1000 TO REPLACE A WHOLE ASSEMBLY WHEN ALL ONE SHOULD HAVE TO DO IS CLEAN OFF THE BUILDUP ON THE OUTSIDE OF A HEADLIGHT AND/OR REPLACE A BULB.
Air bags, Nov 13, 2018
WITHIN THE LAST MONTH (OCTOBER 2018) MY AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD HAS COME ON AND STAYS ON CONSTANTLY. THIS INDICATES THAT THE AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IN A CRASH, AND COULD POSSIBLY MEAN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH. THE LIGHT CAME ON WITH NO WARNING, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OF ANY KIND. THIS HAS TO BE A MALFUNCTION.
Air bags, Nov 12, 2018
PASSANGER SIDE AIR BAG NO LONGER WORKS, THE AIR BAG SAYS ITS OFF AND MALFUNCTIONED. WILL NOT SHOW WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING INN THE SEAT. THUS NEVER SETTING THE PASSANGER AIR SO IF YOU GET INTO AN ACCIDENT IT WOULD NOT DEPLOY. WHEN THE AIR BAG MALFUNCTIONED IT WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY WE TURNED IT ON AND THE LIGHT CAME ON AND HAS NEVER WENT OUT.
Suspension, Engine, Nov 12, 2018
THE FRONT SUSPENSION IS VERY POOR. MY CAR FALL IN A LITTLE HOLE AND ONE OF THE FRONT WHEEL WAS BROKE, BECAUSE THE SUSPENSION WAS BAD JOB. WHEN I TURNING STAR THE ENGINE SOUNDS SOMETIMES VERY RARE.
Engine, Nov 12, 2018
ENGINE STALLS/HESITATES, SOMETIMES CAR WILL SHUT OFF WHEN PRESSING BRAKE. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (CVT) HAS TROUBLE SHIFTING GEARS- CAR JERKS, DOESN'T SHIFT SMOOTHLY. CVT RECALL COMPLETED AND CAR RAN BETTER FOR ABOUT A YEAR THEN STARTED HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.
Power train, Nov 12, 2018
MY CAR STOPPED ACCELERATING IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY. WHEN I GOT OFF THEY HIGHWAY I GOT STUCK AT A RED LIGHT ON A HILL AND THE CAR DIDN'T EVEN HAVE ENOUGH POWER TO GET UP THE HILL AND THE CAR STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS IF I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. THE CAR IS AT 79,973 MILES AND THE NISSAN SERVICE CENTER SAYS THE CAR NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. THERE HAVE BEEN HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS EXACT SAME TRANSMISSION BREAKING DOWN EARLIER THAN NORMAL. I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A NISSAN SERVICE CENTER AND PAY THEIR FEES TO HAVE THE CAR INSPECTED BEFORE THEY WOULD EVEN CONSIDER HELPING WITH THE COST OF REPAIRS. THEY STRUNG ME ALONG FOR 3 DAYS...JUST TO TELL ME THEY WOULD NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY AND WOULD NOT GIVE ANY ASSISTANCE. THIS IS PRETTY TERRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE FROM WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A REPUTABLE BRAND OF CAR AND FOR A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THEIR VEHICLE.
Power train, Nov 12, 2018
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY (IN MOTION), MY CAR (NISSAN ALTIMA 2013) STARTED JERKING EVERY FEW SECONDS WHEN ACCELERATING AND I WAS EXPERIENCING A LOSS OF POWER WHEN ACCELERATING. THIS WAS DURING RUSH HOUR (5PM ON 695 IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND) AND MY CAR BECAME A HAZARD TO PULL TO THE SHOULDER. WHEN THE ISSUE HAPPENED, THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS/LIGHTS DISPLAYED. UPON PULLING TO THE SHOULDER, I PUT MY CAR IN PARK AND SHUT IT OFF. AFTER STARTING THE CAR UP AGAIN AND PUTTING IT IN DRIVE, IT WOULD NOT DRIVE. I TURNED THE CAR OFF A COUPLE OF MORE TIMES AND SHIFTED IT TO DRIVE AND IT FINALLY STARTED DRIVING. HOWEVER, THE JERKING AND THE LOSS OF POWER/ACCELERATION CONTINUED. NOW, I CANNOT DRIVE MY CAR AT ALL. I CONTACTED NISSAN AND EVEN THOUGH THEY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON SOME OF THEIR CVT TRANSMISSION VEHICLES (2003-2010), MY CAR IS A 2013 AND IT IS NOT COVERED IN THE WARRANTY. ALL OF THE NISSAN DEALERSHIPS I HAVE CONTACTED ARE REFUSING TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER A WARRANTY AND ARE QUOTING A $5000 REPAIR FOR A RE-MANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION. UPON DOING RESEARCH, IT IS EVIDENT THE CVT TRANSMISSION ISSUE WITH THE 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND NISSAN SHOULD BE COVERING THIS ISSUE. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 75,819 MILES ON IT AND THE ISSUE HAPPENED AROUND 75,810 MILES. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY PARKED AT A LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP, IT WAS DRIVEN STRAIGHT TO THE SHOP WHEN THIS ISSUE STARTED OCCURRING. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE THE VEHICLE STARTS LOSING POWER/ACCELERATION WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHICH CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Exterior lighting, Nov 9, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE BRIGHTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CABRERA AUTO (LOCATED AT CARR #2 KM 82.2 SALIDA EXPRESO HATILLO, PR-2, 00614, PR, (787) 333-8410), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
Exterior lighting, Nov 7, 2018
2013 NISSAN ALTIMA SV. OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS I HAVE NOTICED THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS GETTING DIMMER AND DIMMER. THINKING I JUST NEEDED TO REPLACE THE BULBS, I STARTED RESEARCHING WHAT BULBS TO GET TO REPLACE THEM. IT WAS THEN I DISCOVERED THE TRUE ISSUE: THE REFLECTIVE COATING IN THE HEADLIGHT PROJECTOR HOUSING IS BEING BURNT OFF BY THE HEAT OF THE BULB RESULTING IN PROGRESSIVELY DIMMER HEADLIGHTS OVER TIME. THE HIGH BEAMS ARE FINE AS THEY ARE SEPARATE BULBS AND DO NOT SEEM TO SUFFER THIS SAME ISSUE. I COMMUTE 44 MILES ONE WAY TO WORK IN THE DARK 5 DAYS A WEEK ON 2 LANE COUNTRY ROADS. THE PROGRESSIVELY DIMMING HEADLIGHTS ARE A SAFETY HAZARD. SOON I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AT NIGHT WITHOUT USING THE HI BEAMS WHICH IS A HAZARD TO OTHER DRIVERS.
Power train, Engine, Nov 6, 2018
MY CAR ONLY HAS 65000 MILES. MY CAR IS STALLING ON ME WHEN SHIFTING TO REVERSE OR DRIVE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS RUN DIAGNOSTIC AND CAME BACK WITH TRANSMISSION ISSUE.
Vehicle speed control, Nov 6, 2018
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA 4 CYLINDER, 4 DOOR SEDAN. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW FROM A NISSAN DEALERSHIP. APPROXIMATELY 3 MONTHS AGO I NOTICED THAT MY CAR WAS SLOW TO ACCELERATE AFTER STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED I THOUGHT THAT I ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE SIDE BUTTON ON MY GEAR SHAFT THAT PUT THE CAR IN A DIFFERENT MODE. WHEN THIS HAPPENED I WAS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT ON A BUSY STREET. WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS THE CAR WOULD NOT GO. I PUMPED IT SEVERAL TIMES AND THEN IT JERKED AND LUNGED FORWARD. I WENT INTO A PARKING LOT, TURNED OFF THE CAR AND WAITED A FEW MINUTES. I STARTED THE CAR AGAIN AND DROVE IT AROUND THE EMPTY LOT TO CHECK THE BRAKES AND ACCELERATION. IT SEEMED FINE. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN SEVERAL TIMES AND I THOUGHT THAT IT MAY NEED AN OIL CHANGE OR I HAD BAD GAS. I GOT AN OIL CHANGE AND WENT TO A DIFFERENT GAS STATION FOR A FILL UP. THE CAR SEEMED FINE FOR A FEW WEEKS (HOWEVER, I DIDN'T DRIVE IT MUCH). THEN YESTERDAY I DROVE THE CAR OVER A 4 HOUR PERIOD. DURING HOUR 3 IT BEGAN TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUES. I WAS STOPPED AT A BUSY INTERSECTION DURING EVENING RUSH HOUR AND THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. MY PASSENGER WAS QUITE CONCERNED. THE CAR JERKED AND LUNGED FORWARD AND I PULLED OVER, TURNED THE CAR OFF, WAITED AND THEN STARTED IT AGAIN. NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THIS MORNING I TOOK MY CAR IN TO MY MECHANIC AND HE PULLED SEVERAL CODES FROM THE CAR DURING THE DIAGNOSTIC EXAM (SUBMITTED). HE SAID THAT IT WAS THE CVT TRANSMISSION AND IT WILL COST $3,800 TO REPAIR! I CALLED NISSAN CORPORATE AND TOLD THEM ABOUT MY ISSUE. THE REPRESENTATIVE SAID THAT I HAD TO TAKE THE CAR TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP, SO I DID. SHE OPENED A CASE TO SEE IF NISSAN WOULD COVER THE REPAIRS. I AM WAITING FOR A 2ND DIAGNOSTIC AND APPROVAL FROM NISSAN TO COVER THESE REPAIRS AS MY CAR IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD.
Exterior lighting, Nov 5, 2018
BECAUSE THIS COMPLAINT INVOLVES MY LOW BEAM LIGHTS MY CAR IS MOVING. I COMMUTE 100 MILES A DAY TO AND FROM WORK. I LEAVE WHEN ITS DARK IN THE MORNING AND I DRIVE HOME AT NIGHT WHEN ITS DARK. MY LOW BEAMS ARE SO DIM I CANNOT SEE ANYTHING FURTHER THAN THE HOOD OF MY CAR. IF I AM DRIVING WITH MY LOW BEAMS ON ONCOMING TRAFFIC IS FLASHING ME TO PUT MY LIGHTS ON. IF I AM DRIVING WITH MY HIGH BEAMS ON IN ORDER TO SEE THE ROAD I AM BEING FLASHED TO TURN MY HIGH BEAMS OFF. THIS STARTED ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO AND HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. I PAID NISSAN DEALERSHIP $200.00 LABOR TO BE TOLD THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM WITHT HE WIRING AND I WOULD HAVE TO LEAVE IT WITH THEM LONGER TO RESEARCH FURTHER. I TOOK IT TO A SECOND MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME IT WAS NOT THE WIRING THAT INFACT THE REFLECTORS ARE DEFECTIVE AND I SHOULD CALL NISSAN. ITS NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE AND THE ONLY FIX IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSY AT $1,000.00 EACH. I DO NOT HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY IF I DID I WOULD NOT BE COMMUTING 100 MILES A DAY TO HAVE A JOB. I HAVE READ ENDLESS COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAME ISSUE AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE. I EVEN FOUND WHERE A CLASS ACTION SUIT IS BEING DONE AND WAS TOLD THAT ONCE I FIX THE PROBLEM TO PLEASE SEND THEM MY DEFECTIVE LIGHTS FOR THEM TO FURTHER RESEARCH...REALLY!!!!
Exterior lighting, Nov 2, 2018
HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. AFTER A FEW YEARS THE VEHICLES LIGHTS FAIL AND YOU CAN NOT REPLACE THE BULBS TO GET YOUR LIGHTS TO WORK. THE DESIGN IS FLAWED AND MAKES THE OWNER HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY TO BE ABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE AT NIGHT AGAIN. THE LIGHTS ARE SO DIM THAT IT DOES NOT EVEN LOOK LIKE YOU HAVE YOUR HEADLIGHTS ON.
Power train, Oct 31, 2018
TRANSMISSION ISSUES. SHUDDERING WHEN DRIVING AT LOWER SPEEDS (LESS THAN 40). WHEN PUTTING THE CAR IN GEAR THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT CATCHING AND THE CAR IS ROLLING. THIS HAPPENS IN FORWARD AND REVERSE. THE CAR CAN ROLL UPWARDS OF 20 FEET BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION CATCHES AFTER YOU GET THE CAR UP TO 2000+ RPMS. THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO ACTUAL ACCELERATE IMMEDIATELY EITHER. 2 DAYS AGO I WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT AND HAD TO PUT MY FLASHERS ON AS I WAS NOT ABLE TO ACCELERATE. AFTER ABOUT 20 SECONDS THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE FINALLY STARTED TO WORK TOGETHER BUT NOT WELL. THERE WAS NO ACCELERATION. ALSO 2 DAY AGO THE CAR STALLED WHEN LEAVING A PARKING GARAGE. THIS COULD HAVE PROVEN TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE IF SHE WERE ACTIVELY PULLING INTO TRAFFIC.
Other or unspecified, Oct 30, 2018
IN 2015 THE A/C COMPRESSOR WHEN OUT AND WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, THEN 21/2 YEARS LATER THE COMPRESSOR WENT OUT AGAIN AND NISSAN REFUSED TO REPAIR. TWO COMPRESSORS IN 5 YEARS AND THEY DIDN'T THINK THIS WAS A ISSUE. I END UP PAYING 1200 DOLLARS TO REPLACE AFTER 2/12 YEARS.
Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, Oct 30, 2018
LOW BEAMS DON'T WORK PROPERLY EVEN AFTER REPLACING BULBS. THIS ISSUE STARTED AROUND LATE 2017.
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Oct 26, 2018
MY "VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY RECALLED TO REPROGRAM FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU). " I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR THE RECALL TO HAVE IT TAKEN CARE OF, BUT NOW I'M STILL HAVING ISSUES WITH THE OCS. CURRENTLY, THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON, INDICATING THAT IT IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. IN ADDITION, WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION AND I WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS LIT UP. THIS INDICATED THAT THE AIRBAG WAS OFF, DESPITE THE FACT THAT I WAS SITTING IN IT. AFTER TAKING THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS INFORMED THAT I NEEDED A NEW OCS CONTROL UNIT AS WELL AS TWO OCS SENSORS. I INFORMED THEM OF THE PREVIOUS RECALL ON THE OCS; HOWEVER, THEY SAID THIS WAS A SEPARATE ISSUE, SO I WAS GOING TO HAVE TO PAY AROUND $700. NISSAN ORIGINALLY SAID IN A LETTER THAT, "IF AT ANY TIME WITHIN THE NEXT 15 YEARS, THE OCS SYSTEM IN YOUR VEHICLE DOES NOT PERFORM AS DESCRIBED ABOVE, WE URGE YOU TO PLEASE SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT AT YOUR NEAREST NISSAN DEALER. THE DEALER CAN CHECK THE OCS SYSTEM IN YOUR VEHICLE AND, IF NEEDED, PERFORM A ONE-TIME RETROFIT TO THE OCS SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. " SINCE THE OCS IS STILL HAVING ISSUES AFTER THE ORIGINAL RECALL, I THOUGHT IT WAS IMPERATIVE TO REPORT THIS HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIRBAGS MIGHT NOT DEPLOY IF I WERE IN A CAR ACCIDENT, WHICH COULD CAUSE UNNECESSARY INJURIES OR EVEN DEATH. CLEARLY THERE ARE STILL UNRESOLVED ISSUES WITH THE OCS THAT NEED ATTENTION.