CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2013 Nissan Altima has multiple problem trends including the CVT transmission, and now that this model is out of warranty, it earns our "Avoid Like The Plague" badge.

Owners complain about vibration and transmission failure related to the CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), a whining noise from the power steering pump, and constant windshield problems that appear to be the result of poor design.

Be warned: the 2014 & 2015 Nissan Altima appears to share these same problems.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
32,176 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2013 Nissan Altima body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2013 Nissan Altima Owner Comments

problem #13

Sep 282021

Altima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2013 Nissan Altima. Consumer writes in regards to nhsta safety recall 20V-315. The consumer stated the parts necessary for the recall were unavailable.

- Ellicott City, MD, USA

problem #12

Apr 032018

Altima

  • miles
2013 Nissan Altima. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle swaying and instrument panel malfunction. The consumer stated while driving the vehicle, on the same day of purchase, the hood opened.

- Torrington, CT, USA

problem #11

Jan 312017

Altima

  • 76,591 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact received a recall notice pertaining to the hood of the vehicle. The contact recently experienced a hood failure. While driving approximately 45 mph, the hood detached from the vehicle and struck the windshield, sun roof, and side mirrors. Because the vehicle received a recall repair, the dealer would not repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The recall details were not provided. The approximate failure mileage was 76,591.

- West Haven, CT, USA

problem #10

Dec 212016

Altima 4-cyl

  • 20,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

In late December 2016 our 2013 Nissan Altima was being driven in high point, North Carolina when the hood of the car flew open against the windshield causing zero visibility and the car was forced off the road causing it to be damaged. This incident involves a 2016 Nissan recall on this car for a hood lock assembly replacement that was never done properly to this car. There was body damage to this vehicle due to this accident. The driver has medical injuries from this accident. The car is having smells since the accident. Nissan assigned a case number and an arbitration specialist to this accident and the car is at the dealership under review. However, nobody from Nissan is authorizing repair, providing medical assistance or providing transportation until the car repairs are completed. Thank you for any assitance you can provide.

- Jamestown, NC, USA

problem #9

Dec 282016

Altima 4-cyl

  • 30,000 miles
Last week my daughter was driving her 2013 Nissan Altima at approximately 20 miles hours when the hood suddenly flew up and crashed into the windshield. Luckily there was no traffic around and she was able to close the hood back down and return the short distance to her home. When I inspected the vehicle the next day I discovered that the secondary hood latch did not work. Upon investigation I discovered that Nissan had recalls on this model for this specific issue. I contacted the NHTSA and reported the issue. I was told that the recall repair had not been done as per their records. I then contacted Nissan to inform them of the issue and they said that the recall repairs had actually been completed earlier this year by a Nissan dealer in Florida (we purchased the vehicle from a car lot in Florida in October of 2016). After a discussion with Nissan customer relations they towed the vehicle to one of their local dealers for inspection (12/30/16). Their investigation found that the replaced secondary latch had failed therefore allowing the hood to fly open. I am deeply concerned about the safety of this vehicle. If this had been in traffic, at a higher rate of speed or other conditions serious injuries would have been possible. How do I know that whatever new repairs that are done will solve this serious issue?

- Choctaw, OK, USA

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problem #8

Feb 182016

Altima

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving 20 mph, the hood latch released and the hood slammed into the windshield. As a result, the windshield was shattered. The vehicle was taken to a glass company to be repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

- Lawrenceville, GA, USA

problem #7

Feb 042015

Altima

  • 18,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While accelerating to enter a highway, the hood blew open and crashed into the windshield.

- East Patchogue, NY, USA

problem #6

Nov 032014

Altima

  • 22,400 miles
I was driving down a major highway, and all of a sudden my hood slammed up into my windshield blocking my view of sight while I was going 60 mph. The light on the ceiling came out of the housing and hit me on the head. It felt like a boulder landed on my car. I was in the left lane and was luckily able to swerve safely two lanes over to pull off to the side of the road without an accident. I then examined the damage and the hood was all dented up, the steel on the fenders was all torn, and the roof had major dents. I was able to slam the hood shut, got off the highway at a very slow speed and took local roads to my destination. I was very shook up by the incident, and luckily no one was hurt as this could have been a very serious accident. I found out that morning that there was a recall out by Nissan for the hood latch (NHTSA campaign 14V565000) that opened on September 15, 2014 (approximately a month and a half prior to my incident). To make matters worse, my car was in the Nissan service department on October 17, 2014 and no one mentioned the recall to me at that time either. That time was the last time the hood was opened prior to the incident occurring. It is blatantly clear that Nissan is at fault with this accident, they need to take responsibility. I have called Nissan customer service 5 times and have still had no resolution and they have told me a specialist is supposed to call me by the end of the day 3 times. I was even given the individual's contact information during the 4th call, and he fails to report my calls. I don't know what else to do to try and resolve my issue. I need professional help, please someone help me!

- Carnegie, PA, USA

problem #5

Aug 252014

Altima

  • 35,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. While driving 35 mph, the hood detached from the vehicle and landed on the windshield. The vehicle was towed to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 35,000.

- Central Islip, NY, USA

problem #4

Aug 032014

Altima 4-cyl

  • 43,000 miles
My husband, 9 year old, and I had just left kroger leaving gatlinburg, tn after a weeks vacation. We pulled onto a very busy highway. As the car got to 25-30 mph the hood just flew open and hit the windshield. Fortunately no one was hurt, but my husband had to get out of the car on the busy highway (we were in the fast lane) and close the hood. Both side panels were completely damaged (bent, scratched, and crumbled) and my hood is also dented. We made our way to a gas station to further inspect the problem. When the lever is pulled the hood unlocks. However, the safety doesn't catch. You don't have to push the hatch. I am now terrified to drive my new car I just bought 6 months ago. I have been reading stories about Nissan having this issue and it seems no one is doing anything about it. This is a manufacturer defect! hoods covering a windshield while driving is far more dangerous than an airbag defect.

- Milan, IN, USA

problem #3

Jun 252014

Altima

  • 60,200 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the front hood independently became unlatched. The contact closed the hood and proceeded to drive. As soon as the vehicle reached 70 mph, the hood abruptly opened and flew into the front windshield. The contact had to stick his head out the driver's window in order to see the roadway and safely maneuver the vehicle to the shoulder. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they were unable to unlatch the hood. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, who advised that the safety latch was defective and stuck in the open position. The mechanic stated that the hood, side panels and the roof needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 60,200.

- St Louis, MO, USA

problem #2

May 132014

Altima 4-cyl

  • 51,950 miles
Driving to work, going about 45 mph. With no warning the hood just flew up to the windshield. I was able to stop promptly, and did not have an accident. My hood was not popped open, and it was not just the safety latch holding it, it just popped open. I was so lucky not to have been on a busy street, so no accident occurred.....however $3175 damage to my car had to be fixed. There has to be a problem with the latch... this is my 4th Altima, and I have also worked for a Nissan dealership....never heard of this happening before, ,,,until now.....

- Chatsworth, GA, USA

problem #1

Feb 282014

Altima

  • 21,150 miles
I was driving with my wife and daughter and just stopped at a light. I made a left hand turn and when the car reached about 25 to 30 mph I heard a loud boom and could not see out my windshield. I realized that my hood just opened and slammed into my windshield. Thank god I was not on a major highway at the time going twice the speed. Took the car back to the dealer and the dealer said they could not find anything wrong with my car. They said they could not open the hood. The night it happened I opened the hood with the latch in my car went outside and just pulled my hood open no safety latch engaged when I left the dealer I did the same thing and could not open the hood and they said they did nothing to fix it. Now I have to talk to someone from corporate because the dealer will not fix the damage to my car.

- Budd Lake, NJ, USA

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