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.
Power train, Sep 3, 2013
THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE USING THE AIR CONDITIONER AND COASTING FROM 45 MPH TO 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED HARD ENOUGH TO JOLT THE CAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC AND SERVICE MANAGER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND STATED WHEN INSPECTING THE VEHICLE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. IT WAS RECOMMENDED TO BRING THE CAR BACK WHEN THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. AROUND 20000 MILES THE HARD SHIFTING ALSO BEGAN TO OCCUR WHILE THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING. THE OWNER REQUESTED TO BRING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WHILE THE INCIDENT WAS OCCURRING, BUT THE DEALERSHIP DECLINED AS THEY WERE BUSY AND TO CALL BACK AFTER THE HOLIDAY. WHEN THE OWNER CALLED BACK AFTER THE HOLIDAY, THE SERVICE PERSON ASKED IF THE CAR FELT LIKE IT WAS SHIFTING HARD. THE OWNER STATED YES, AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS FEELING IS NORMAL IN A CVT TRANSMISSION AND THERE WAS NO NEED TO BRING THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP. THE CAR SHIFTS SO HARD, SOMETIMES THE TIRES SQUEAL. THIS HAPPENS OFTEN IN TRAFFIC AND WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, ESPECIALLY IN ICY OR WET CONDITIONS. TO DATE, THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *JB
Air bags, Aug 29, 2013
THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASH THAT SIGNIFIES IF THE AIRBAG IS OFF OR ON IS INCONSISTENT. THE LIGHT IS SUPPOSED TO LIGHT FOR A BRIEF 7 SECOND BOOT UP PERIOD THEN EXTINGUISH, REGARDLESS IF THERE IS A PASSENGER OR NOT...WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A UNDER WEIGHT PASSENGER WITH THE SEAT BELT FASTENED. THE MOST COMMON IRREGULARITY OBSERVED IS FOR THE LIGHT TO EXTINGUISH AS EXPECTED HOWEVER WITH A PASSENGER THAT WEIGHS WELL OVER 100 LBS, THE LIGHT WILL COME ON RANDOMLY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS AT HIGH SPEED AND NOT EXTINGUISH UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS SHUT DOWN. THE FIRST DOZEN TIMES OR SO, I WOULD ASK THE PASSENGER TO MOVE THEIR WEIGHT OR WIGGLE TO ATTEMPT TO HAVE THE LIGHT GO OUT AND RE-ENGAGE THE AIRBAG BUT THIS WAS TO NO AVAIL. ONCE THE LIGHT TRIPS WHILE THE CAR IS UNDERWAY, IT WILL NOT GO OUT. ON OCCASION THE BEHAVIOR IS THAT THE LIGHT STAYS ON AFTER THE BOOT PERIOD AND EVEN WHEN A PASSENGER SITS AND BUCKLES UP, THE LIGHT STAYS LIT. AGAIN, EVERY INDICATION IS THAT THERE IS NO AIRBAG DURING THIS PERIOD. I TOOK THE CAR TO A NISSAN DEALER ON AUGUST 27TH AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY "CODES" AND ALTHOUGH THEY COULD NOT GUARANTEE ME THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WAS ENGAGING PROPERLY, THEY COULD NOT DO ANY MORE THEN RESET THE SYSTEM UNTIL NISSAN CORP WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED A TECH TO LOOK INTO THE VEHICLE VIN RECORD AND INVESTIGATE. I CONTACTED NISSAN AND RECEIVED A CASE NUMBER (119977748)ON 8/28 VIA PHONE. NISSAN CONTACTED ME ON 8/29 TO ADVISE THAT THE WOULD INVESTIGATE AND CONTACT ME IN EARLY SEPTEMBER AS TO THEIR FINDINGS. I AM ALSO ATTEMPTING TO DETERMINE IF THERE HAS BEEN ANY FOLLOW UP LETTER TO THE NISSAN CORP LETTER 13V-069 DATED 2/28 SENT TO THE NHTSA, RECALL MANAGEMENT DIVISION INDICATING THAT NISSAN INTENDED TO HAVE A RECALL FOR A SIMILAR PROBLEM. *TT
Engine, Aug 27, 2013
I HAD PURCHASED A NEW 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA FROM BOMMARITO NISSAN ON 11/6/2012 MY CAR ONLY HAD 252 MILES ON IT. WHEN I HAD TAKEN THE ACRE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR A OIL CHANGE THAT'S WHEN I WAS NOTIFIED THAT THEY WILL HAVE TO ORDER PARTS FOR MY CAR FOR THE FUEL RATIO SENSOR AND ECU WITH NEW UPDATES SINCE THIS WAS MADE THE CAR HAS BEING RUNNING HORRIBLE AND WHEN THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THEY STATED THAT THE CAR HAS ALL THE UPDATES AND THIS IS HOW IT SUPPOSED TO RUN SO THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE CONCERN. I DID RESEARCH AND SEE THAT OTHERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. NISSAN DOES NOT WANT TO PAY FOR ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. THIS CAR IS CARP AND IF I WANTED A USED CAR I WOULD HAVE BOUGHT ONE WITHOUT ANY POWER BECAUSE THE CAR SEEM TO LOOSE POWER YOU HAVE TO TURN OFF AIR TO GET SPEED AND PUNCH YOUR FOOT INTO THE FLOOR TO GET POWER AND ITS IDLED TO HIGH AS IF IT IS NOT GETIN ANY GAS I WOULD LIKE THIS ISSUE TO LOOKED INTO BECAUSE THERE IS A PROBLEM ON HAND AND OTHERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND NISSAN IS NOT WANTING TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS. *TR
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Air bags, Engine, Aug 26, 2013
SAFETY CONCERN, PROPER OPERATION OF AIR BAGS (SRS LIGHT ON). THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. ONE MONTH AFTER PURCHASING A BRAND NEW NISSAN ALTIMA 2013, A MAJOR LIGHT INDICATOR CAME ON. THIS LIGHT BROUGHT UP CONCERNS. ARE THE AIR BAGS WORKING PROPERLY? WILL THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY CORRECTLY UPON IMPACT? ARE THE AIR BAGS WORKING AT ALL? WILL THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY WHILE DRIVING? WILL THE AIR BAGS IMPLODE AND AFFECT THE STEERING PROCESS? IS THIS AN INDICATION THAT THERE IS AN ELECTRONIC OR ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION? AFTER BUYING A BRAND NEW VEHICLE, SHOULD I EVEN HAVE TO DEAL WITH THESE ISSUES, QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS? IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE SAFETY CONCERN, THE LIST OF ELECTRONIC, ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL ISSUES CONTINUES FOR THE NEWLY BOUGHT VEHICLE. THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING, THE BRAKE SYSTEM, BUBBLING PAINT AND CONCERNS WITH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND INTERIOR COMPARTMENT OF THE ABOVE MENTIONED VEHICLE. ALL THIS IS REFLECTED IN EACH OF THE INVOICES SUBMITTED FOR YOUR PERUSAL. IN ADDITION, UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, IT CONTINUOUSLY HAS A ROUGH IDLE, A ROUGH START AT TIMES THE VEHICLE STALLS OUT. HE IS AT A LOSS BECAUSE WHO SHOULD HE TAKE HIS VEHICLE WITH THIS CONCERN? ALL IN ALL, SIR ALL THESE VEHICLE DISCREPANCIES ARE TROUBLING TO HAVE WITH A BRAND NEW NISSAN ALTIMA 2013 AND ALL OF THESE ISSUES WITHIN THE LAST NINE MONTHS. ALSO, THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING, THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND CONCERNS WITH THE ENGINE AND INTERIOR COMPARTMENTS. IN ADDITION, UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, IT CONTINUOUSLY HAD A ROUGH IDLE, A ROUGH START AT ALL TIMES AND THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL.
Air bags, Seat belts, Aug 22, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ALTHOUGH THE SEAL BELT WAS LATCHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE UNKNOWN REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,600.
Air bags, Aug 20, 2013
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AS I WAS A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT OF THE ALTIMA. THEREFORE, THE AIR BAG TURNED OFF WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I AM A 5'7" ADULT FEMALE WEIGHING AROUND 140 LBS. I CONTACTED NISSAN CORPORATE OFFICES TODAY AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE. HOWEVER, I NOTICED ONLINE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM ON OTHER NISSAN ALTIMA'S, SO WHY NOT THIS ONE? IS THIS AN ONGOING ISSUE THAT HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED? I WILL ALSO BE SENDING A COMPLAINT REGARDING OUR 2008 ALTIMA THAT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED ON THIS 2008 VEHICLE, EITHER. *TR
Visibility, Visibility/wiper, Aug 19, 2013
DEAR NHTSA, PLEASE INVESTIGATE IF THE WINDSHIELDS ON 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA'S ARE DEFECTIVE IN NATURE. THAT IS, DO THESE WINDSHIELDS HAVE A PROPENSITY TO EASILY CRACK POSSIBLY DUE TO WEAKNESS OR DEFECTIVE MANUFACTURING? OUR BRAND NEW ALTIMA WHICH HAS LESS THAN 3000 MILES SUFFERED A CRACK WINDSHIELD PASSENGER SIDE. OTHER DRIVERS HAVE ALSO REPORTED SIMILAR INCIDENCES, SEE: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/NISSAN/ALTIMA/2013/WINDOWS_WINDSHIELD/WINDSHIELD_CRACKED.SHTML THIS DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE AN ISOLATED INCIDENT AND COULD BE A RESULT OF A WEAK WINDSHIELD, PLEASE INVESTIGATE. *TR
Air bags, Aug 15, 2013
2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PROBLEMS WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON CONTINUOUSLY. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, HE FOUND IT WAS CAUSED BY THE FAILURE OF THE SENSOR IN THE SEAT THAT DETERMINED WHETHER THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED BY AN ADULT OR A CHILD. THE CONSUMER INSTALLED SPACERS BETWEEN THE PASSENGER SEAT RAILS AND THE SEAT IN ORDER TO RAISE THE SEAT BY ONE INCH. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT ALTERING THE VEHICLE VOIDED THE WARRANTY COVERING THE FAULTY SENSOR. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE CHANGES HE MADE RESULTED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT STILL BEING MORE FIRMLY ANCHORED TO THE FLOOR PAN OF THE VEHICLE THAN THE POWER SEAT THAT SAT BESIDE IT. AS FAR AS THE SENSOR WAS CONCERNED, IT COULD NOT TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE SEATS ORIGINAL CONFIGURATION AND THE ALTERATIONS THAT HE MADE. THE CONSUMER ASKED THE SERVICE MANAGER IF HE RESTORED THE SEAT TO ITS ORIGINAL CONFIGURATION, WOULD IT BE CONSIDERED UN-ALTERED; HE SAID NO. THE VERY FACT THAT HE REMOVED THE SEAT CONSTITUTED ALTERING IT.
Air bags, Seat belts, Aug 14, 2013
I GOT NISSAN ALTIMA 2013 IN SEP. 2012 AND SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN TAKING THIS CAR EVERY MONTH TO DEALERSHIP FOR AIRBAG OFF INDICATOR, WHICH REMAINS LIT EVEN WHEN PASSENGER IS SEATED WITH SEAT BELT ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES AND WEIGHT OF THE PASSENGER RANGED FROM 130 TO 180 POUNDS. THE MOST SERIOUS OF THESE INCIDENTS WAS, WHEN I DROVE MY CAR FOR 15 MILES (2 MILES ON CITY STREET AND 13 MILES ON FREEWAY). SO FAR, I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THAT THERE ARE NO ERROR CODES, THEY WOULD RESET SOME SENSORS BUT IT HASN'T MADE ANY DIFFERENCE. I WAS TOLD IT COULD HAVE BEEN BECAUSE OF THE WAY PASSENGER WAS SITTING, SO ONE TIME I ASKED PASSENGER TO JUMP ON THE SEAT, THAT 180LB PASSENGER WAS JUMPING IN THE SEAT BUT THE AIRBAG OFF LIGHT STILL REMAINED ON. I NOTICED THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE, AND I HOPE THESE COMPLAINTS WILL EVENTUALLY GET DESIRED RECALL ATTENTION. *TR
Air bags, Aug 12, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE THE SEATS WERE OCCUPIED BY ADULT PASSENGERS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE MAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V069000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100.
Air bags, Aug 12, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE THE SEATS WERE OCCUPIED BY ADULT PASSENGERS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE MAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V069000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100.
Air bags, Aug 12, 2013
2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED UPON LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP, HE NOTICED A LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD INDICATING THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. WHEN THE CONSUMER CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, HE WAS ADVISED BY THE SALESPERSON, THAT HIS WIFE SHOULD JUMP UP AND DOWN ON THE SEAT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. ON JULY 3, 2013, THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE DEALER TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE COMPUTER DID NOT INDICATE THERE WAS A PROBLEM, AND SINCE THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD A FEW HUNDRED MILES, IT SHOULD BE OK. ON JULY 13, 2013, THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE CONSUMER INFORMED THEM, THE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CONSUMER INSISTED THAT THE PROPER REPAIR BE MADE, ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT REMOVING THE SEAT AND CHANGING THE SENSOR COULD NOT BE ACCOMPLISHED AT HIS REQUEST AND UNDER NO CONDITION WOULD THE REPAIR BE IMPLEMENTED WITHOUT A RECALL NOTICE FROM NISSAN.
Air bags, Aug 10, 2013
I GOT NISSAN ALTIMA 2013 IN DEC 2012 AND SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN TAKING THIS CAR EVERY MONTH TO DEALERSHIP FOR AIRBAG OFF INDICATOR, WHICH REMAINS LIT EVEN WHEN PASSENGER IS SEATED WITH SEAT BELT ON. THIS WITH HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES AND WEIGHT OF THE PASSENGER RANGED FROM 130 TO 180 POUNDS. THE MOST SERIOUS OF THESE INCIDENTS WAS, WHEN I DROVE MY CAR FOR 15 MILES (2 MILES ON CITY STREET AND 13 MILES ON FREEWAY). SO FAR, I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THAT THERE ARE NO ERROR CODES, THEY WOULD RESET SOME SENSORS BUT IT HASN'T MADE ANY DIFFERENCE. I WAS TOLD IT COULD HAVE BEEN BECAUSE OF THE WAY PASSENGER WAS SITTING, SO ONE TIME I ASKED PASSENGER TO JUMP ON THE SEAT, THAT 180LB PASSENGER WAS JUMPING IN THE SEAT BUT THE AIRBAG OFF LIGHT STILL REMAINED ON. I NOTICED THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE, AND I HOPE THESE COMPLAINTS WILL EVENTUALLY GET DESIRED ATTENTION. *TR
Engine, Aug 9, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE ALSO VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,000.
Power train, Aug 7, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR WAS ON BACK ORDER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,300.
Air bags, Aug 7, 2013, crash
HEAD ON COLLISION TO DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
Air bags, Aug 5, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN PERFORMED REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V069000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SIX TIMES. THE AIR BAG SENSOR IN THE CENTER CONSOLE AND IN THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER EVERY REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 380. *TR
Steering, Aug 4, 2013
MY FAMILY AND I WERE HEADING DOWN A MAJOR HIGHWAY INTO A METRO AREA FOR THE EVENING AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT NEARLY CAUSING ME TO HIT A WALL ON AN EXIT RAMP. THIS IS ONLY ONE OF SEVERAL ISSUES I HAVE HAD WITH THE VEHICLE, THIS ONE BEING THE MOST SERIOUS. I WILL BE SEEKING TO RETURN THE VEHICLE FOR FULL REFUND AS I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS CAR IS SAFE. PLEASE PUSH NISSAN TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES. *TR
Air bags, Jul 31, 2013
SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR, THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ON AFTER STARTING APPROX. 12 TIMES IN 8 MONTHS. TO SHUT THE WARNING LIGHT OFF I HAD TO SHUT CAR OFF & RESTART TO CORRECT. DEALER FIRST SAID DUE TO WAY WIFE WAS SITTING, NEXT TIME THEY MENTIONED TSB BULLETIN, 3RD TIME THEY MENTIONED CORRECTED TSB & REPLACED SENSORS, 4TH TIME, ENGINEER TOLD THEM ABOUT A FIX REPLACED MODULES, 5TH TIME ENGINEER SHOWED THEM FIX ON AN EARLIER CAR, 6TH TIME FIELD ENGINEER SAID W/O CONFIRMATION NOTHING CAN BE DONE. DEALER STATED THAT EACH TIME COMPUTER SHOWED NO PROBLEM. NO EXPLANATION OTHER THAN CHECK OWNER'S MANUAL AND LIGHT WILL GO ON INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN THE LIGHT STAYED ON, MY WIFE SHIFTED HER BODY AS WELL AS RAISED HER BODY AND LANDED ON SEATS, THEN GOT OUT OF CAR AND JUMPED INTO CAR -LIGHT STAYED ON UNTIL I SHUT OFF CAR AND RESTARTED. I BELIEVE THE DEALER TRIED HIS BEST AND HAS CLOSELY WORKED WITH ME. IT'S NOT THE DEALERS FAULT BUT NISSAN'S ALLOWING THIS TO HAPPEN. I CONTACTED THE NISSAN REGIONAL PEOPLE AND THEY WERE VERY NICE BUT THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE WITHOUT CONFIRMATION. NOR WOULD PUT IN WRITING THAT THE AIRBAG WOULD WORK IF CAR WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. WHAT THEY DID SAY WAS THAT AS OF THE TIME OF THE DEALERS CHECK, THE AIRBAG WAS OPERATIONAL. I WAS ALSO REMINDED THAT THE AIRBAG WAS A SECONDARY RESTRAINT SYSTEM. GEE, I THOUGHT IT WAS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE CAR'S SAFETY EQUIPMENT. WHEN I ASKED IF A DESIGN FLOW, I DID NOT GET AN ANSWER. WHY DOES NISSAN HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND NOT ANY OTHER MANUFACTURER? DO EARLIER NISSANS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM? *TR
Air bags, Jul 29, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200.
Power train, Jul 28, 2013
WE FIRST BEGAN NOTICING WHAT FELT LIKE A HARD DOWNSHIFT WHEN COASTING AT SPEEDS UNDER 50 MPH. THE PROBLEM WAS FIRST DIAGNOSED AS A ANTILOCK BRAKE PROGRAMMING ERROR, BUT REPAIRS DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM AND THE SEVERITY INCREASED. WHEN TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF 30 - 45 MPH AND WE'D TAKE OUR FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR, IT ALMOST FELT LIKE WE WERE BEING REAR-ENDED. IT BECAME CLEAR THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE NEW CONTINUOUS ACCELERATION TRANSMISSION (I.E., NO SHIFT). ONCE THE MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN FELT THE PROBLEM WHEN IT HAPPENED, A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS ORDERED AND INSTALLED (APPROX. AT 10,000 MILES). AFTER THE NEW TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED, WE HAD NO PROBLEMS UNTIL AROUND 15,000 MILES, WHEN THE PROBLEM RESURFACED. WE TOOK IT BACK IN FOR REPAIRS, AS THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE WITH SUCH A HARD JERKING PROBLEM. THEY TRIED REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION CONTROLLER, BUT THAT ALSO DID NOT WORK. WHEN THEY TOLD US THAT THEY WERE GOING TO NEED TO INSTALL ANOTHER NEW TRANSMISSION WE TOLD THEM WE DIDN'T WANT THE CAR ANY LONGER. THE DEALERSHIP WORKED ON OUR BEHALF TO TRY TO GET HELP FROM NISSAN FOR A NEW VEHICLE, BUT WITH VERY LITTLE SUCCESS. FORTUNATELY, OUR DEALERSHIP STILL DID THE RIGHT THING AND WE HAVE A NEW VEHICLE. *TR
Seat belts, Jul 25, 2013
2013 ALTIMA PASSENGER SEAT BELT INDICATOR LAMP DOES NOT COME ON, OR LATER TURN OFF, WHEN THE CAR IS ALREADY RUNNING / STILL RUNNING AND PASSENGER SITS IN FRONT SEAT OR EXITS THE VEHICLE. AFTER DEALERSHIP HAD REPLACED THE VEHICLE ODS (UNDER RECALL). I HAVE HAD TO EITHER SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART IT WHILE THE PASSENGER IS ALREADY SEATED, OR WAIT SEVERAL MINUTES WHILE DRIVING BEFORE THE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE (WHILE PASSENGER SEAT BELT WAS NOT ENGAGED (WORN). I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM AND A FIELD TECHNICIAN FROM NISSAN (U.S.) LOOK AT THE ISSUE, THEY WERE ABLE TO RE-CREATE, AS WELL AS NOT GET IT TO FAIL. CURRENTLY THEY ARE SAYING IT IS NORMAL FOR THE LAMP TO NOT COME ON OR GO OFF FOR UP TO 7 SECONDS (IN USER MANUAL) WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING AND PASSENGER ENTERS OR EXITS THE VEHICLE. I HAVE TOLD THEM THIS WAS NOT LIKE THIS BEFORE THE LAST ODS REPLACEMENT (THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THEY HAVE MADE THE RECALL "FIX"). AFTER PICKING THE VEHICLE UP I DROVE HOME, LEFT CAR RUNNING AND HAD MY WIFE RECREATE THE ISSUE, I HAD VIDEO RUNNING SO I COULD CAPTURE THE EVENT AND AMOUNT OF TIME IT TAKES AND WHAT I HAVE TO DO TO GET THE SEAT TO RECOGNIZE IT IS OCCUPIED, OR NOT. I CALLED DEALERSHIP WHILE I WAS MAKING THE VIDEO AND REPORTED WHAT WAS OCCURRING AGAIN. I AM SUPPOSED TO BRING THE CAR BACK TO THEM LATER THIS WEEK. *TR
Air bags, Jul 24, 2013
PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR WAS OCCASIONALLY SHOWING THAT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WAS DEACTIVATED WHEN THERE WAS AN ADULT PASSENGER SEATED IN THAT SEAT WITH THEIR SEATBELT ON. TOOK IT INTO NISSAN DEALERSHIP THE CAR WAS PURCHASED FROM AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE FOR A FAULTY SENSOR, AND THEY "RESET THE SOFTWARE" FOR THIS SYSTEM UNTIL THE PART CAME IN. WENT BACK TO SAME DEALERSHIP FOR THE RECALL TO BE FIXED FOR A SECOND TIME AND THEY AGAIN "RESET THE SOFTWARE" AND THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER SAID THEY NEED TO RESET THE SOFTWARE TWICE BEFORE REPLACING THE SENSOR. I CALLED NISSAN AND THEY STATED THIS WAS NOT TRUE, AND IT SHOULD BE REPLACED NOT SOFTWARE RESET. IF THEY ARE LYING AND CUTTING CORNERS ON REPLACING A RECALLED PART THAT PUTS SOMEBODY'S LIFE IN DANGER, THEN WHAT ELSE ARE THEY LYING ABOUT. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Jul 22, 2013
THE BEST I CAN DO TO EXPLAIN THE PROBLEM I AM HAVING WITH MY 2013 ALTIMA IS TO COMPARE IT TO THE JERKING YOU WILL EXPERIENCE IN A STICK SHIFT VEHICLE IF YOU DO NOT CLUTCH AND SHIFT PROPERLY ALMOST CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STOP. ONCE I WAS ENTERING ONTO THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR ACTED AS IF THE PARKING BRAKE WAS APPLIED WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER FROM WHICH I PURCHASED IT (ST.CLAIR AUTO MALL), THE MECHANIC DROVE IT AND ALMOST IMMEDIATELY HE EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM. WE DROVE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP (SERVICE DEPT.). HE LOOKED UP SOME INFORMATION IN THE COMPUTER, SAID DIAGNOSTICS TESTS WERE RAN BUT THE TEST(S) TURNED UP NOTHING. AND ALSO THERE WERE NO LIGHTS ON THE DASH INDICATING A PROBLEM. SO, FOR THAT REASON NOTHING COULD BE DONE. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Jul 21, 2013
THE LOWER MIDDLE SECTION OF THE WIND SHIELD CRACKED AFTER HEARING A POPING NOISE. THE CRACK WAS INSTANT AND TRAVELED AT LEAST 4 TO 5 INCHES IN LENGTH. *TR