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:
5 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
45,805 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 brakes problems

brakes problem

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2013 Nissan Altima Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #54

Apr 292023

Altima

  • miles

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

While driving my vehicle when trying to accelerate it wouldn-??t go above 20mph had to hit the brakes then vehicle would just accelerate real fast I was in traffic with my kids thank god we wasn-??t hurt Nissan needs to recall this situation it-??s affecting a lot of 2013 and

- Kinston , NC, USA

problem #53

Jan 132023

Altima

  • miles
My car will not got out of gear without pressing the shift lock release button.

- Norfolk, VA, USA

problem #52

Jun 072021

Altima

  • miles
ODI#11431173.....Bought the car may 19 2021 picked it up on may 22.2021 brought it back with issue's 3 days later unprofessional argument place because their blaming me trying to say the car was good until I took possession of it. I broke it therefore I'm responsible, i brought the vehicle back to the them in 3 days because the powersteering fluid leak out n there's a winding and grinding noise n the back tire area their mechanic told me i need bearing on the rear passenger n brakes on rear driver side after addressing the bearing n ordering the right powersteering fluid for the car the owner says i gotta pay half an the mechanic got amnesia quick he didn't tell me i needed brakes anyways car lights traction and brakes come on June 4th notified them they made appointment for the 9th the car lost complete brakes 6/7/2021 tried to speak to the owner again it's my fault so I towed the vehicle to Curry Nissan in Chicopee mass n they knew I was towing it to Nissan i couldn't afford them already spent $7340 car shouldn't have had any life threatening issues.

- Springfield, MA, USA

problem #51

Mar 272018

Altima

  • 76,680 miles

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

On April 2018, I visit the Nissan del oeste at aguadilla pr to report noise in the power steering noise, no action was taken, they just said that was normal with all Nissan power steering pump. February 25, 2021 I contact Nissan del oeste at aguadilla pr and notify about the issue of the power steering noise and transmission noise. Appointment for March 2 2021 was set and I notify them with problem. They told me there was not any recall for power steering pump and cvt transmission. I did mention the recalls for 2013 Nissan Altima iaw NHTSA with ref.: ST12-009B, ref:ntbb-0176 andtsb ntb12-081. They inform at the voucher the mileage in and out, they did not took the car for a run of 6 miles like it says on voucher 48133S. The main concern is that the car could have any situation with one of those parts just mentioned during a drive and cause any accident with out having the control. My question is, if there is a malfunction for my 2013 Altima that is already knowledge by Nissan motor comp. And provide recalls why my have to be exclude? the power steering noise is at every moment when on and running, power steering fluid is good. The transmmision is during the driving with some noise after 20 miles drive on highway between 65 to 70 mph and then pressing the brake, the noise feel like it come from the transmmision. Another situation is ocaccionaly some lowt of power and some times accelerate. Brakes pads are good, brake fluid is good. My car mpg is 31.2 and mileage at this moment is 76,680.

- Aguadilla, PR, USA

problem #50

Oct 212020

Altima

  • 122,048 miles
The car was stationary in the driveway, with wheel wedges placed at front tires. It was jacked up the rear driver side tire was removed to put on new brakes, only to find a bolt holding the caliper on to the bracket was broke off. This warrants a great safety concern. Do all the other ones have to be changed?- in order to prevent a safety hazard.

- Newfield, NJ, USA

problem #49

Jun 292020

Altima 4-cyl

  • 115,000 miles
While driving the vehicle on open highways the vehicle will experience a loss of power and engine shuts off resulting in loss of steering and breaking. Vehicle will also experience the same issues while driving in the city streets. When coming to a stop the vehicle will lose power and breaks will not work. This has been occurring since November 2019

- Castle Hayne, NC, USA

problem #48

Apr 132020

Altima 4-cyl

  • 150,000 miles

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

Replaced the battery and now brake light and check engine like is on and won't start. Brakes are hard. Car was parked for 2 days and came out to a dead battery. Replaced battery and the copper battery connector. Went to start it and then all these other issues happened.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

problem #47

May 082019

Altima

  • 105,000 miles
Purchased used 2013 Nissan Altima 2.5 sl with approximately 65,606 miles. June 2016, at 65,606 miles, auto dealer mechanic resurfaced front rotors and replaced front and rear brakes. At approximately 65, 650 miles brakes/rotors began to thump. Dealer mechanic resurfaced front left rotor. At approximately 92,799 miles, brakes began to squeal. Second mechanic was unable to find problem. At 96,052 miles third mechanic experienced brakes squealing and resurfaced all four rotors. However, brakes began to squeal after resurfacing. At approximately 97,192 miles, a fourth mechanic replaced front rotors and front and back brakes. At approximately 105,139 miles brakes began to squeal. 5th mechanic replaced the front brakes.

- Upper Marlboro, MD, USA

problem #46

Jan 012014

Altima

  • miles
Ever since I bought the vehicle my brakes, which also starts my car will occasionally feel like they get stuck sounds as if they might be rusty and when I apply pressure they catch. I will apply and then all of a sudden they click down. I'm afraid the longer it goes on sooner or later they will no longer work. Happens motion and stationary. Suspension' every bump I go over I feel like my car is hitting rock bottom. Slow or normal speed. All these problems I have told since I first bought my vehicle. I was fluffed off telling me it was this or that and it was normal. I drove the same car 'a rental'never never felt any of these problems. That is why I decided to buy a Nissan. Big mistake.

- Strongsville, OH, USA

problem #45

Nov 152018

Altima

  • 119,000 miles
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.

- Edison, NJ, USA

problem #44

Oct 052018

Altima

  • 128,000 miles

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

"takata recall" my gear shifter remains in a stuck position. The car was stationary on a city street. I was unable to shift from park to another gear. This is a major safety issue as I have gotten stuck with my toddler in the car and was unable to move to a safer location. It took me at least 15 minutes to get the car to shift from park into gear. I was terrified! I had to leave the car in its location and take a lyft home with my daughter. The next day my local mechanic came to check the car. He said that this is a common issue for 2013 Nissan Altima. He said he would have to take the car to his shop to investigate what might be causing this failure or I should call up Nissan because they should be aware of this safety issue.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #43

Dec 012016

Altima

  • miles
Brakes squeal when applying brakes in drive and reverse. Mechanic cannot find cause.

- Collierville, TN, USA

problem #42

Jan 052016

Altima

  • 33,000 miles
A/C has not worked properly till it just stoped. The ac blows air intermittent cold and hot. Compressor not working properly. Filled with freon but will not consistently blow cold. Headlights very dim. The lenses are clear

- West Palm Beach, FL, USA

problem #41

Jan 022018

Altima

  • 62,000 miles
I own a Nissan Altima 2013, and sadly I've more problems with this vehicle than any other I ever owned. The engine stalls when in notion and stationery. Sometimes it takes multiple tries to even get it started. The interior door handles on the both the driver and passenger side broke and had to be replaced. The air bag sensors had to be replaced. The hood latch had to be replaced. And the back brakes have been changed three times and it S still has a awful lengthy squeak which is very embarrassing. So say the least this is very disappointing considering I'm still paying over three hundred dollars a month for a car not and still have to come out of pocket for repairs that the extended warranty supposedly does not cover. Very disappointed with this purchase. All of these issues have happened over time and I'm still having issues to this day.

- Crowley, LA, USA

problem #40

Feb 122018

Altima

  • 80,000 miles
1. break switch needed replacing and now the issue is happening again as far occasionally loses power causing some potential safety issues in pulling out into traffic. 2. both passenger and driver interior door handles do not open door which is a major issue as the only way to open doors is to roll window down. In an emergency this could cause serious threat to safety if windows can not be rolled down.

- Milford, NH, USA

problem #39

Jan 012018

Altima

  • miles
"takata recall" vehicle has a airbag and latch problem

- Paterson, NJ, USA

problem #38

Jan 012016

Altima

  • miles
Shift lock is not working.

- Santa Teresa, NM, USA

problem #37

Feb 202017

Altima

  • miles
My brakes and rotors have been replaced three times within a six-week period. After each replacement, squealing and grinding sounds continued. Each replacement resulted in a upgrade of brake pads to take care of the loudness of the squeals. Replacement was done by the same shop. The squeals and grinding noises occur whenever I push the brakes to stop or put the car in reverse to backup. For the last replacement of brake pads, I was told to drive the car for at least 100 miles and the squeals and grinds would stop. This however never happened. The third time I took my car back to the service shop they replaced the brakes with pro stop. I was told this is the top of the line in brake pads. To this day, I still experience very loud squeals and grinding as if my brakes need to be replaced.

- Lochearn, MD, USA

problem #36

Apr 012017

Altima

  • 54,000 miles
The dashboard brake warning light keeps coming on when driving & remains on until car is turned off and then restarted. It has occurred multiple times whether slowing (foot on brake), going up or downhill, driving on freeway, or after stopping for a light. Has happened multiple times starting when car was 3 months old. Nissan dealer says computer analysis shows incident occurs but computer doesn't show why.

- Moraga, CA, USA

problem #35

Feb 112015

Altima

  • miles
The brakes started squealing after a couple a days after I purchased the car, and continue to squeal after replacement. Ti have contacted the dealer and they told me that it is common, and there is nothing they can do. This car squeals really loud when it is in motion, and when the brakes get hot.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

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