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, May 23, 2013
ON AT LEAST THREE OCCASIONS THE AIR BAG INDICATOR HAS INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. IN ALL OF THESE CASES AN ADULT HAS OCCUPIED THE PASSENGER SEAT. THIS ISSUE IS NOT CONSISTENT. IN ONE CASE WHEN IT DID NOT DEPLOY I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN AND IT APPEARS TO WORK CORRECTLY. AT THIS TIME I DO NOT KNOW IF THE AIRBAG IS ENGAGED OR NOT. I CONSIDER THIS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Visibility, May 16, 2013
WHEN THE SUNROOF IS OPENED AND YOU'RE DRIVING IT RATTLES LIKE CRAZY. IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE IS SOMETHING LOOSE IN THE SUNROOF AND WHENEVER YOU GO OVER A BUMP OR AN ANGLE IT GETS WORSE. I HAD THIS ISSUE ON A HYUNDAI SONATA AND AFTER 6 MONTHS OF THIS HORROR, I FINALLY WAS ABLE TO GET RID OF THE CAR.. I AM NOT GOING DOWN THIS AVENUE AGAIN WITH THIS CAR.. GET A FIX FOR IT! *TR
Power train, May 16, 2013
VEHICLE STUTTERS AND VIBRATES AT LOWER SPEEDS. ALSO THEIR IS A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. BROUGHT BACK TO DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES SINCE MARCH. ALL 3 TIMES I WAS TOLD IT IS PERFECTLY NORMAL FOR THE CAR. I READ ONLINE THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR ISSUES. *TR
Electrical system, May 15, 2013
THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY WHILE I WAS DRIVING - EVERYTHING WENT DARK AND GAUGES DROPPED TO ZERO. THE DEALER TOOK IT RIGHT AWAY AND THEY ARE REPLACING THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE CAR HAS 940 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME AND I HAD PURCHASED IT NEW 14 DAYS EARLIER. MILES DID NOT ACCUMULATE ON DRIVE TO THE DEALER (I COULD SEE THIS B/C I STOPPED THE CAR WHEN THE PANEL WENT DARK, BUT UPON RESTARTING THE MILEAGE WOULD DISPLAY BRIEFLY THEN DISAPPEAR. I DID THIS AGAIN AFTER I DROVE ABOUT 15 MILES TO THE DEALER - MILES WERE THE SAME). *TR
Air bags, May 15, 2013
PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT OFF IS COMING ON WITH AN ADULT SITTING IN THE SEAT. TOOK CAR IN TO DEALERSHIP. THEY RAN COMPUTER TEST AND NOTHING CAME UP. TEST DROVE WITH ME SITTING IN PASSENGER SEAT AND PROBLEM STILL HAPPENED. TECH PERFORMED MULTIPOINT VEHICLE INSPECTION AND NOTHING CAME UP. EVEN THOU PROBLEM IS STILL THERE, NISSAN STATES ALL SYSTEMS OPERATING TO SPECIFICATION. IN MY OPINION, NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I'M HOPING NISSAN DOES NOT WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE IS HURT OR KILLED TO ISSUE A RECALL. *TR
Air bags, May 13, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG OFF INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY EVEN THOUGH A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER WAS PRESENT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT WEIGHTED LESS THAN 130 POUNDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER THREE TIMES FOR THE SIMILAR DEFECT. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONED AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000...UPDATED 06/17/13 *BF
Seats, May 9, 2013
PURCHASED AS A NEW VEHICLE, THE HEATED SEATS DO NOT, NOR EVER DID WORK PROPERLY. WHEN THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL IS SET TO HIGH, ONLY THE SEAT GETS HOT; AND IT GETS REAL HOT. WHEN THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL IS SET TO LOW, ONLY THE SEAT BACK GETS WARM AND THE SEAT ITSELF DOES NOT HEAT. I KNOW THAT NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE, MY DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS TOLD ME AS MUCH. IT IS NOW OVER SIX MONTHS AND THEY STILL CANNOT FIX MY NEW CAR. LIVING IN A COLD CLIMATE THIS WAS IMPORTANT TO ME. IT IS FRUSTRATING THAT NOTHING IS BEING DONE. I FEEL IT IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE THE SEAT GETS SO HOT WHEN SET ON HIGH AND IS NOT DISTRIBUTED EQUALLY THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE SEAT. *TR
Air bags, May 9, 2013
FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AIRBAG SYSTEM DOESN'T WORK WITH MY FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS WEIGHING BETWEEN 115-125 POUNDS. STATUS LIGHT INDICATES SYSTEM IS OFF AND AIRBAG WILL NOT INFLATE IN A CRASH. NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE TELLS ME THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO WORK WITH FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS 85 POUNDS AND UP. I AM FILING AS I SEE OTHER 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. DEALER "CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM " SO NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. MY VEHICLE CONTINUES TO OFFER NO FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG PROTECTION FOR 115-125 POUND PASSENGERS. *TR
Structure, May 8, 2013
THE WELDING IN THE FOUR DOORS DISPLAY BROKEN. THE LINE IS GETTING BIGGER AND A I AM WORRY ABOUT THE BODY OF THE CAR. PLACES THAT I CAN'T SEE THE WELDING. *TR
Service brakes, May 8, 2013
THE BRAKES ON THE NISSAN ALTIMA ARE CONSTANTLY SQUEALING. I BROUGHT A BRAND NEW ALTIMA NISSAN 2013. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES AND ALSO CONTACTED CUSTOMER CARE FOR NISSAN. THE SQUEALING OF MY BRAKES ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. I WAS TOLD AT THE DEALERSHIP I WOULD HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE SQUEALING FOR AS LONG AS I HAVE THE VEHICLE. I WAS ALSO TOLD THERE WAS AN ALERT (BY A FLOOR MANAGER). WELL, CUSTOMER CARE SAID THAT WAS NOT TRUE. I AM TRYING TO GET RID OF THE CAR. THERE IS NO REASON TO HAVE SQUEALING BRAKES. THIS OCCURS EVERY TIME I MAKE A STOP OR REVERSING. I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE PUSH TO START BUTTON. I HAVE COMPLAINED THAT IT ACTS AS IF IT DOES NOT WANT TO "CATCH" I WAS TOLD WHEN I FIRST COMPLAINED THAT A NEW STARTER WAS ORDER AND I WOULD BE CONTACTED WHEN IT ARRIVES. THAT WAS IN 2012. IT IS MAY 2013. STILL HAVE NOT BEEN CALLED BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND MY CAR HAS BEEN SERVICE AT LEAST 3 TIMES SINCE IT WAS REPORTED. *TR
Steering, Suspension, May 8, 2013
SINCE NEW THIS CAR HAS HAD A SERIOUS HANDLING ISSUE. IT DID ARRIVE NEW WITH DEFECTIVE TIRES. NEW TIRES WERE INSTALLED, PROBLEM CAUSED BY TIRES WAS KNOW GONE. HOWEVER, THE CAR STILL HANDLED VERY POORLY AT SPEEDS OVER 65 MPH. THE HANDLING IS SO BAD THAT I FEEL IT IS DANGEROUS AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. HANDLING IS A VERY SUBJECTIVE COMPLAINT, AND BECAUSE IT IS, I DO NOT FEEL THAT THIS IS BEING TREATED THE WAY IT SHOULD BE. THE MAY ISSUE OF POPULAR MECHANICS DESCRIBES THIS ISSUE PERFECTLY. "AGAINST THE COMPETITION THE ALTIMA FEELS DISJOINTED, AS IF DIFFERENT ENGINEERING TEAMS HAD CALIBRATED THE STEERING, SUSPENSION, AND POWERTRAIN WITHOUT TALKING TO ONE ANOTHER.WHEN WE PITCHED THE CAR HARD INTO A CORNER, FOR INSTANCE, THE LIGHT STEERING MADE US WONDER IF WE'D BE ABLE TO COMPLETE THE TURN. WE FOUND THAT THE BODY BOBS AND WEAVES DURING A HARD RUN THROUGH THE CANYONS, LEAVING THE DRIVER WITHOUT CONFIDENCE IN ITS HANDLING.' I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN, AND I TRULY BELIEVE THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR WORSE. *TR
Air bags, May 8, 2013
THE AIRBAG SENSOR FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, WHEN A 120-130 LB FEMALE IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE DETECTION SYSTEM AND WARNING LIGHT SUGGEST THE AIR BAG HAS BEEN SHUT OFF. THERE IS A RECALL FOR NISSAN ALTIMAS OF MY MODEL YEAR, BUT NOT MY VEHICLE. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE BUT I DON'T KNOW WHY MY VEHICLE IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. WHEN I TEST-DROVE THE VEHICLE IN JANUARY, THE SALESMAN (~130 LB) WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND JOKED THAT HE OFTEN TRIGGERED THE AIRBAG SHUT-OFF BECAUSE HE DIDN'T WEIGH ENOUGH. BUT I ASSUME THE WEIGHT MAXIMUM FOR SHUT-OFF HAS TO BE AROUND 70 POUNDS. *TR
Air bags, May 7, 2013
PASSENGER AIR BAG INDICATOR TURNS ON, RANDOMLY ? EVEN WHEN PASSENGER SEAT IS OCCUPIED. IT MEANS PASSENGER AIR BAG IS OFF - IT WILL NOT INFLATE IN A CRASH. I'M VERY SCARY DRIVE THIS CAR WITH SOMEONE WHO SITS THE PASSENGER SEAT. NISSAN ALREADY RECALLS 2013 ALTIMA WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I REPORTED IT AT NISSAN DEALER, THEY DO NOTHING AND SAY MY CAR'S VIN# NOT INCLUDE THE RECALLS SO THEY DON'T FIX OR REPLACE ANYTHING. *TR
Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, May 5, 2013
WHEN COASTING FROM A LOW SPEED (45-55) TO NEAR STOP THE TRANSMISSION "LOCKS UP" WHILE NOWSHIFTING. THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY LOCKS UP, SO BAD THAT IT FEELS LIKE YOU'VE HIT SOMETHING. THE STEERING WHEEL IS ALSO AFFECTED TO THE BRUTE FORCE. NISSAN ISSUED A MANDATORY RECALL TRANSMISSION REPROGRAM WHICH I PROMPTLY HAD DONE TO THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, JUST THIS FRIDAY, 5/3/13, THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN DID THIS. BOTH TIMES I WAS LUCKY THAT I WAS ON BACK ROADS WITH LITTLE TO NO TRAFFIC AND THAT I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT IN THE WRONG CONDITIONS (ICE/SNOW/RAIN) OR WHEN ONCOMING TRAFFIC IS COMING COULD GET SOMEONE KILLED. I CAN'T EXPLAIN JUST HOW VIOLENT THE DOWNSHIFT IS, OTHER THAN TO SAY THE FIRST TIME MY 6 YEAR OLD BEGAN CRYING IN THE REAR SEAT BECAUSE HE THOUGHT WE WRECKED, AND THAT THE 2ND TIME MY CELL PHONE WAS JARRED FROM A VERY RUGGED CRADLE. *TR
Air bags, Engine, May 1, 2013
WHEN SITTING THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF SIGN COMES OUT AND RANDOMLY DISAPPEAR,APPEAR REPEATEDLY. SIT THE VERY PROPERLY BY OWNER' MANUAL IT COMES OUT. IT MEANS PASSENGER AIR BAG IS OFF SIGN ON IT WILL NOT INFLATE IN A CRASH. I'M VERY SCARY DRIVE THIS CAR WITH SOMEONE WHO SIT THE PASSENGER SEAT. ALTHOUGH SITTING ON THE SEAT PROPERLY AND USING THE SEAT BELT PROPERLY IT DOESN'T MATTERS BECAUSE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF LIGHT ALWAYS ILLUMINATE. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS IN A CRASH. I REALLY WANT TO KNOW NEED AIR BAG FOR WHAT??? NISSAN ALREADY RECALLS SOME CAR SAME ISSUES. I BRING MY CAR NISSAN DEALER,THEY DO NOTHING AND SAY"THIS IS NORMAL" AND HAVE SAME PROBLEMS MY CAR'S VIN# NOT INCLUDE THE RECALLS SO THEY DON'T FIX OR REPLACE ANYTHING. IT IS RIDICULOUS. ALSO ALTIMA HAS WEIRD WINNING HIGH PITCH NOISE ALL THE TIME AND DRIVE LOW RPM TO CHANGE TO HIGH RPM MAKES VERY LOUD RUMBLING KNOCKING NOISE.IT SEEMS LIKE A DRIVE BELT AND TENSIONER PROBLEMS. DEALER SAY THAT IT IS NORMAL. DEALER ALWAYS SAY "IT IS NORMAL". IF MY WARRANTY IS FINISH THEY SAY THAT IT IS PROBLEMS. I REALLY WANT TO SOLUTIONS. *TR
Steering, Power train, Apr 29, 2013
THERE IS A SHUTTERING VIBRATION IN DRIVE TRAIN WHEN ENGINE IS AT 1500 RPM AND GOING UP AN INCLINE. EVENTUALLY IT IS GOING TO CAUSE LOOSING OF BOLTS AND CAUSE CRASH. *TR
Visibility, Air bags, Seat belts, Apr 27, 2013
AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR I NOTICED THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR WAS VIBRATING WHILE DRIVING AT ALL SPEEDS. THEN THE DEALER REPLACED THE MIRROR SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL THEY FIXED THE VIBRATING PROBLEM. BUT NOW, THE MIRROR THEY REPLACED IT WITH SEEMS TO BE A GENERIC MIRROR, SEEMS LIKE A CONVEX MIRROR AND THE OBJECTS AND VIEW LOOK DEFORMED. IT ISN'T A FLAT MIRROR AND THE DEALER SAID THAT IS NORMAL AND ALL THE CARS HAVE THAT SAME MIRROR. THAT IS A LIE BECAUSE WHEN THEY CHANGED MY VERY FIRST MIRROR DUE TO VIBRATING, IT WAS FLAT AND CLEAR. THIS ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN SOLVED BUT NOW THEY REPLACED 2 SENSORS THAT ARE ON RECALL AND WAITING FOR A THIRD SENSOR ON THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG TO BE REPLACED AS WELL DUE TO RECALL. I AM SO TIRED OF GOING BACK AND FORTH TO THE DEALER THAT I AM FINALLY GOING TO FILE A COMPLAINT, THIS CAR IS A LEMON! (2013 NISSAN ALTIMA SV -PEARL WHITE). *TR
Air bags, Apr 25, 2013
I PURCHASED A NEW 2013 ALTIMA SEDAN 2.5SL MID OF MARCH. 1. PASSENFER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT ON. PASSENGER AIRBAG SEEMS TO DISABLE ITSELF RANDOMLY. 2. WHINING OR WHISTLING NOISE FROM ENGINE BAY. 3. WHEN I MAKE A TURN(LETF, RIGHT BOTH) I CAN HEAR DRUMING SOUND FROM BACK. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 22, 2013
WHEN YOU HAVE GAS IN THE CAR AND SLOW DOWN/STOP YOU CAN HEAR THE GAS SLOSHING BACK AND FORTH IN THE TANK. ESPECIALLY IF THE TANK IS CLOSE TO FULL. *TR
Steering, Apr 22, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHIFTED TO THE SIDES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS STIFF AND REQUIRED EXTREME EFFORT TO STEER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160. *TR
Power train, Apr 20, 2013
THE CVT TRANSMISSION IS VIBRATING VIOLENTLY FROM 1200~1800 RPM WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE PREMATURE TRANSMISSION FAILURE DURING DRIVING. SUCH VIBRATION ALSO COMPROMISES THE MILEAGES THAT NISSAN HAS DECLARED THEREFORE MORE GREEN HOUSE GAS EMISSION FOR SAME MILES. MANY 2013 ALTIMA OWNERS COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME THING IN FORUMS SUCH AS EDMUNDS, CARS.COM AND ETC. IT IS A MECHANICAL DESIGN FLAW THE COULD SEVERELY JEOPARDIZE THE CAR AND HURT THE PEOPLE IN IT THOUGH NISSAN NEVER ADMIT IT OR FIX IT IN THE PAST ONE YEAR. I SINCERELY REQUEST NHTSA TO LOOK AT THIS ISSUE. THANKS. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Apr 13, 2013
WHEN LOOKING IN REAR VIEW MIRROR AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS OF CARS BEHIND YOU REFLECT AND CAUSE LINES TO APPEAR ABOVE AND BELOW THE HEADLIGHTS OF CARS BEHIND YOU. VERY DISTRACTING AT NIGHT. I'M BEING TOLD IT IS A REFLECTION FROM THE DEFROSTER LINES AND THE TINTED WINDOW. *TR
Steering, Apr 10, 2013
2013 NISSAN ALTIMA SV PURCHASED 02/2013 VEHICLE HAS 1732 MILES WHINING NOISE FROM POWER STEERING IS UNBEARABLE STEERING IS NOT TOO GOOD FEELS LIKE WANDERING. BROUGHT BACK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD NISSAN IS WORKING ON IT. FILED A COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN CORPORATE AND WAS ASSIGNED A CASE MANAGER WHO SAID THAT THIS WAS ONLY THE SECOND TIME SHE HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING WELL THAT S A LIE BECAUSE THE DEALER SAID IT IS HAPPENING AND MORE THAN TWICE SOMEONE NEEDS TO CHECK THIS OUT POWER STEERING UNIT. *TR
Air bags, Apr 9, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SHUT OFF INDEPENDENTLY AS A PASSENGER WAS OCCUPYING THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS FOR A TOTAL OF FIVE TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED EACH TIME THAT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE RECREATED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V069000 (AIR BAGS) AND CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 21,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 7, 2013
THE ADVERTISED MILES PER GALLON ON THE HIGHWAY IS 38. I GET 27 MPG ON THE HIGHWAY. I DRIVE ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY HIGHWAY MILES AND MY MILEAGE HAS NEVER BEEN OVER 27 MPG. THIS CAR IS A RIP OFF AND NOT WELL MADE. *TR