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:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
46,257 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2013 Nissan Altima Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #26

Oct 082017

Altima

  • 88,904 miles

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

Reported to sheehy Nissan mechanicsville va foutr times. The vehicle braking system activates while driving at any speed (stability light activates). The brake light stays on when the vehicle is turned off. The accelerator touches the floor while traveling 45-60 mph loss of pressure. I was told to wait for the engine light to activate in order to use the extended warranty gold plan. I was charge $93 for a scan of the computer, then it was purged. The fob system is not recognizing the keys and I was charged for checking and reprogramming keys. Fob keys still lose the programs while driving.

- Henrico, VA, USA

problem #25

Oct 042017

Altima

  • 83,000 miles
After leasing the car for about 4 months, the car developed an issue at 83,000 mile mark. When attempting to turn left or right from standstill the car stalls. I would press down the gas pedal all the way down and the car would not move or accelerate until 6 seconds or so later. Sometimes the car doesn't move at all until I move the steering wheel back and forth. From this I can infer it has to do with the power steering or something electrical. It only happens when the steering wheel is turned halfway or more at a stop. Kinda like a power outage at that since all the lights dim and sometimes even the HVAC fan speed goes down while while the car is unable to move. This is extremely dangerous as I was trying to make a left turn while there was a pause in opposite traffic and the car just rolled a little and stopped since I depressed the brake pedal while accelerator pedal did absolutely nothing until I straightened the steering wheel. After my car rolled out into oncoming traffic I could of easily gotten in a crash if the oncoming cars didn't slow down for me. This happens pretty randomly but only when trying to turn from a stop. I can't any longer trust the car as its pretty dangerous especially when trying to merge with fast moving traffic.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #24

Jun 102017

Altima

  • 60,000 miles
Takata recal: I have a 2013 nissian Altima and when I push the gas pedal it doesn't accelerate like it supposed to. For an exapmle when I push the gas pedal all the way to the floor it doesn't do anything. This happens about two or three times when I'm driving in a 20minute span. Also, when I turn off my car (it has a push start) my break lights are on. When I turn it off I don't have to push the break and push the start button. (the car thinks I'm stepping on the break).

- Janesville, WI, USA

problem #23

Dec 052016

Altima

  • 100,233 miles

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

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. When the accelerator pedal was applied, the vehicle was slow to pick up speed and the gears were slow to change over. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing and repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,233.

- Stockton, CA, USA

problem #22

Dec 162016

Altima

  • 91,515 miles
When first starting the car the rpms start jumping. Wen U go to put it in gear it cluncks. And when I go to accelerate it wont go faster than 40. (gas pedal to the floor)

- Hayward, CA, USA

problem #21

Sep 012016

Altima

  • 69,000 miles
I bought a Nissan Altima 2013. Back in February the car would start and would shut off when I put it on drive and reverse. This happen in the middle of the street. I took it to the dealership and left it there for a month and they still were not able to tell me what was wrong with the car. Even though a technician duplicated the problem the car computer would still say the car is fine.I took it to get a second opinion from a Nissan master technician and they weren't able to tell me what was wrong with the car. After about a month the car started working again. I was told by a 3rd place I took the car that it might be a sensor issue and the car literally decides when's going to work and not and that this is an on going issue iwth the Altima. A couple of days ago the car would took off with me at a red light when I just tap the gas. I was at a red light the light turn green I tp the gas the rpms jumped ad the accelarated in high speeds. Also the car would not go forward or backwards after I put it in reverse immidiately, it would stay idel for about 5 ten seconds than go. The Nissan dealership has not been able to diagnose that anything is wrong with my car he computers keeps saying the cr is fine. I have told Nissan headquaters that I feel unsafe when I'm driving the car. Looking online I see that this a on going defect with the Altima 2013 that Nissan refuses to address. I have called Nissan and told them that this car is defective and im starting to feel its putting my life and someone S with this carelse in danger and there response was basically tough luck. Right now the car is cranking but not start. I feel like Nissan did a poor job with this car and it should have been sold

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #20

Jul 152016

Altima

  • 47,000 miles

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

Intermittently the car is completely shutting off while driving on the road. The engine starts vibrating while slowing down or braking and turns off. It will start immediately7-8 times in a row but will turn turn off as soon as the transmission is put into drive. This has happened 5-6 times in the past 2 weeks. We have taken this to the Nissan dealer only for them to tell us they can't fix it because there are no codes showing up! our concern is the number of other people who have complained about the same issue and there is no recall for whatever is causing this.

- Medford, NJ, USA

problem #19

Sep 212015

Altima

  • 58,000 miles
While driving, the vehicle stalls when the accelerator is depressed and does not respond no matter how much the pedal is depressed. The accelerator must be depressed a second or third time for the engine and the car to respond. I have had several near miss accidents due to sluggish or nonresponsive acceleration. The sluggish and nonresponsive acceleration occurs without warning and can be on a flat or incline surface.

- Woodstock, GA, USA

problem #18

Jan 062015

Altima

  • 27,000 miles
While I was driving it just stop and forcing to start when have it check they say said its gas pump with other several problem, I recently bought the car not even after three months it start gave those problem, now it have been sitting for almost a year now without driving, I still makes my payment every month, I can't have you guys a exact date when it really happened but I really need a investigation for the car as soon as possible my cell number [xxx]. thank you information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #17

Jan 252016

Altima

  • 29,000 miles
Driving at the rate of 45 miles per hour. My 2013 Nissan Altima 3.5 sl start surging going faster than the speed limit. I applied on brakes pushing them down to the floor my car hit a 2013 durango SUV on the driver side knocking the rear wheel completely off. My car still surging faster on a congested high-way to avoid causing any fatalities my car spend around three times. Before coming to a stop. No air bag deployed on my driver's side occupant seat was unoccupied. My Nissan Altima 3.5 sl was a total loss, A-frame severely damage beyond repair. The seat beast on the driver side turn my large intestine, several feature bilateral pelvic bone, whip lash, neurological disturbance, (L) torn rotator cuff, spinal cord injury where partial paralysis have start to set in my legs. Irreversible nerve damage, poor sight, broken teeth whereas; I have to get them all pulled out & go into the hospital to have a complete mouth of implants. The seat belt was so tight that it torn a muscle in my chest cavity (L) side causing my heart not to fill up completely. Seeing a psychiatrist after the aftermath of the incident, gastrointestinal doctor, pain specialist,

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #16

Jan 252016

Altima

  • 29,000 miles

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

The contact owned a 2013 Nissan Altima. While driving 30 mph, the vehicle revved and accelerated without warning. The contact depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle did not respond. As a result, the contact's vehicle crashed into another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The driver sustained injuries to the pelvic, both legs, head, teeth, and. Medical attention was required. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 29,000.

- Columbus, GA, USA

problem #15

Feb 182016

Altima

  • miles
I simply turned on my car when the RPM and speed gauge went out of control from 0 to max in stationary mode, the car was parked in my garage spot. This process occurred several times in a row, along with this the car engine was extremely loud making roaring noises and shuddering and vibratign. When I put my foot on the brake pedal nothing happened the car continued with the RPM and speed gauge cycling from 0 to max, I did not feel safe to attempt to drive the car. Last month I had to have the car service because it would not accelerate while I was on the freeway the max speed on the car was 30 miles per hour. I got off the highway immediately and the car turned off when I parked it on the street. It took 3 attempts to finally turn on. The car did this again on a second occurrence before I could get it to the dealer, I was driving on the street and again the same issue occurred. The car stalls, jerks, vibrates on its own at random times. Each time I have had my preventive services done at the dealer the car is in near perfect condition and nothing can be diagnosed, then the car has these incidents occur with no warning.

- Woodland Hills, CA, USA

problem #14

Nov 072015

Altima

  • 89,000 miles
This is a combination of problems. Approximately around Nov. 7, 2015 the check engine light came on while at the dealer (almost one year after the last time). I have not owned my vehicle 2 years yet. I thought they had taken care of it when they told me the light shouldn't come back on. They said the code was for reprogramming the mass air system. About 2 weeks later the same light came on but this time I lost acceleration again while getting on the freeway. I had a couple of close calls on being rear-ended while having my son in the car. I had to get off immediately and drive down to the dealer which took me it seemed forever because it would barely move. I had to leave the vehicle as it was closing. The following day I was called and told that it required reprogramming of the mass air system. I had them do it but it took them 1 day to return the vehicle to me. About 2 days later the check engine light came back on again and I took it back to the same dealer. This time finding the problem wasn't as easy. They kept my vehicle for 3 days before letting me know that I needed to have the throttle chamber replaced. Really now...check engine light on a total of 2 times in 1 year + 2 more time in another year, 1 alternator replaced in 1 year, 1 throttle chamber replaced in almost 2 years, leaking rear shocks in 1 year and Nissan does nothing to replace my vehicle which is a constant safety hazard for me and my family.

- Colton, CA, USA

problem #13

Oct 052015

Altima 4-cyl

  • 31,898 miles
The contact owned a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to respond when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact also stated that the air conditioning unit failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The contact was informed that the transmission and air conditioning unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. While driving and pulling into a parking space, there was an abnormal electrical odor coming through the air condition vents. The vehicle caught fire. While trying to exit the vehicle, the door handle failed to work. The contact was able to exit the vehicle through the driver side window. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 31,898....updated 01/07/16

- Valley Village, CA, USA

problem #12

Apr 142014

Altima

  • 48,000 miles
Have you had any recalls on these parts alternator they say mind id bad and a nother lady was there she had to replace hers I cannot believe these would have to be replace so soon.there must be a fault some where.

- Osceola , AR, USA

problem #11

Oct 272014

Altima 4-cyl

  • 27,000 miles
I have these issues everyday driving this car. Shuttering at low RPM when accelerating or decelerating, noticeable delay in gears shifting when shuttering is occurring between 1200 and 1800 RPM. RPM's increase rapidly(sharp spike) when car is going down hill but does not allow the car to gain speed. The ramping of RPM's is loud and resembles when you hit gas to accelerate to enter a highway only you are not getting the acceleration in speed. Also coming up hill the car gives off a burning smell. I have not located the source of the burning smell and it goes away after going back to flatter terrain for awhile. The smell lingers enough to cause concern.

- Thurmont, MD, USA

problem #10

Dec 022014

Altima

  • 25,000 miles
Transmission shudders during acceleration, generally between 1st and 2nd gear thus hesitation occurs when entering higher speed lanes.(I.e. a momentary hesitation in power during acceleration)

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #9

Apr 072014

Altima

  • 47,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. While driving approximately 60 mph, the speedometer failed without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the speedometer needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 47,000.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #8

Aug 012014

Altima 4-cyl

  • 28,000 miles
Occurrence has happened 8 times while driving. The vehicle shudders which leaves about 4 seconds of no throttle response. A loud noise is heard from the transmission area, the vehicle jerks hard and the rpms drop as well. Usually occurs when driving 25-35 mph while slowing down and/or turning.

- Bremerton , WA, USA

problem #7

Apr 302014

Altima 4-cyl

  • 29,920 miles
Hello I purchase a 2013 Nissan Altima in may of 2013 with 20 miles on it..this year in April of 2014 I starting have problem with the transmission.I was on the crescent city bridge coming home from work with alot of traffic my car all of a suddenly just slowed down and will not pick up speed I push the accelerator all the way to the floor and the car still will not pick up speed.I than took it to Nissan and they had it for a day called me to come get it said they restarted the transmission..okay. After a week later it happen again on 5-14-14 again they kept it for another day and called me to come get it..I asked them were they sure it want do it again because I was scared it will get me in a car accident and hurt some one..the man at Nissan said everything was okay..so okay again it happen to me again with my son and grandson in the car this time.again slowed down and will not pick up speed on the bridge causing cars to blow at me like I just stopped on top of the bridge.again I took it to Nissan again on the 5-20-14 they than keep it and put me in a rental for 2 days.they again said they fixed the problem.so I go to get my car and yes again it happen again..so the man at Nissan said wad car was still under warranty but wanted me to give them $240 for something that was still underwarranty so I am still stuck wit this problem.what do I do next.wait til someone get killed or hurry in this car..I don't understand what's next.so I hope this help me out before its to late.

- New Orleans , LA, USA

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