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:
28 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
34 / 0
Average Mileage:
24,071 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 seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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2013 Nissan Altima Owner Comments (Page 8 of 26)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #361

Mar 212016

Altima

  • 0 miles

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

When driving the car the ABS light comes on when someone is in the seat at the correct weight.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

problem #360

Apr 242018

Altima

  • 0 miles
Belt light indicates not operational while being occupoed shoiuld go off during occupied. Off at times when occupied however this has been brought to the dealership on more than 5 trips and we are told that nothing is wrong. But that other new cars on the lot are also indicating the same signal we do not know if the bag will operate while light id=S out occuringinf since car is new 2013 call manfucturer and was told "oh well, we can do nothing about that" go to another dealersbnip see if they can find out what's wrong

- Ooltewah, TN, USA

problem #359

Jun 092017

Altima

  • miles
2013 Nissan Altima. Consumer writes regarding takata airbag safety recall. The consumer requested information about the air bag manufacturer.

- Somerset, MA, USA

problem #358

Nov 202017

Altima

  • 78,000 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 air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Nissan 112 dealer (730 medford ave, patchogue, NY 11772, (631) 651-1987) where it was diagnosed that the battery sensor needed to be reset. The battery sensor was reset; however, the air bag warning indicator illuminated again. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the battery sensor was reset a second time; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the occupant detection system needed to be reset and the front driver's and passenger side sensors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.

- Patchogue, NY, USA

problem #357

Feb 062018

Altima

  • miles
Reliable Nissan in albuquerque performed the ntb16-052 requal and immediately after repair the driver side airbag light came on and stayed on. Told this to mechanic and was charged for the repair when picking up the car. The driver side airbag always worked. Mechanic stated that cause of airbag was due to a low battery and a zero point reset had to be performed for the fix. He stated anytime on a Nissan car if the battery voltage dropped below 12V the airbag light will come on and have to be taken in for a zero point reset and a charge of $149.49. There are several issues with this. - first is the driver side airbag on my wife's car always worked and after the recall it did not. Requal was for the passenger side airbag fix but affected the driver side airbag light to come on. - second issue was the car battery was replaced without being contact for replacement. There was no issue with the car battery as the car did not have issues starting. Asked them to put the original car battery back in which they did and car started ok. He said it was marginal. Checked the battery with my code reader and battery was 12 volts. Car has been starting okay for several weeks. The last issue which is the most important is Nissan stating if a battery on a Nissan drops below 12 volts and airbag light will come on and may not work. If this is the case this is a major safety issue as there are always going to be batteries that go low or need a charge as it is a consumable part. A customer will be charged for the fix and worse of all the airbag will not work until taken to the shop. Really. I have owned a Chevrolet and now two Ford and a Nissan. Only Nissan has this issue? if a car battery is good enough to start a car but is below 12 volts the airbag will not work even with the alternator charging the battery. This is what several individuals at Nissan are telling me. Please help

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

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problem #356

Jan 012017

Altima

  • 115,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact's vehicle was repaired per an unknown air bag recall. After the recall repair, the dealer (D-patrick Nissan, 4200 E division St, evansville, in 47715) stated that due to the recall being repaired, the sensor for the air bag on the passenger side would no longer work properly. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided the same information as the dealer. The failure mileage was 115,000.

- Owensville, IN, USA

problem #355

Feb 132018

Altima

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V244000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that a recall repair appointment was scheduled with columbus Nissan Inc (100 ms-12, columbus, ms 39702, (662) 328-6691); however, upon arrival, the contact was informed that the parts were not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Shuqualak, MS, USA

problem #354

Jan 202018

Altima

  • 128,324 miles
My "vehicle was previously recalled to reprogram front passenger occupant classification system (OCS) electronic control unit (ECU)." I took my car in for the recall to have it taken care of, but now I'm still having issues with the OCS. Currently, the driver side airbag light is on, indicating that it is not functioning properly. In addition, while the car was in motion and I was sitting in the passenger seat, the passenger side airbag light was lit up. This indicated that the airbag was off, despite the fact that I was sitting in it. After taking the car into the dealership, I was informed that the code B00aq00 showed that I needed a new OCS control unit as well as two OCS sensors. I informed them of the previous recall on the OCS; however, they said this was a separate issue, so I was going to have to pay $539.88. Nissan originally said in a letter that, "if at any time within the next 15 years, the OCS system in your vehicle does not perform as described above, we urge you to please schedule an appointment at your nearest Nissan dealer. The dealer can check the OCS system in your vehicle and, if needed, perform a one-time retrofit to the OCS system free of charge." Since the OCS is still having issues after the original recall, I thought it was imperative to report this huge safety issue. I was informed that the airbags might not deploy if I were in a car accident, which could cause unnecessary injuries or even death. Clearly there are still unresolved issues with the OCS that need attention.

- Arley, AL, USA

problem #353

Mar 022016

Altima 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 9,999 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the passenger air bag warning indicator illuminated and remained illuminated while there was a passenger in the seat. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 16V244000 (air bags), but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to michael jordan Nissan (3930 durham-chapel hill blvd, durham, nc 27707, (919) 489-3800), but the failure could not be duplicated or retrieve a fault code. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 9,999.

- Cary, NC, USA

problem #352

Dec 282017

Altima 4-cyl

  • 43,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. While operating the vehicle, the air bag sensor indicator sometimes remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to corcordville Nissan (452 wilmington West chester pike in glen mills, pa 19342) where it was diagnosed that the passenger side air bag control module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The failure was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 43,000. The consumer stated took the vehicle to porter Nissan where the airbag was repaired.

- Wilmington, DE, USA

problem #351

Jan 012018

Altima

  • miles

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

"takata recall" vehicle has a airbag and latch problem

- Paterson, NJ, USA

problem #350

Oct 152017

Altima

  • 45,000 miles
Takata recall, my driver side airbag warning light is showing on from last 15 days when I just started driving. Plus my shift lock sensor is not working. I put the gear on park on a gass station but when I tried to start it wont let me change the gear unless I opened the shift lock cap and tuck something in and try to change the gear to drive the car. Since then I have ti tuck something to change the gear from parking to anything else.

- Elk Grove, CA, USA

problem #349

Sep 252017

Altima

  • 95,000 miles
Takata recall... a semi trailer swung and almost hit my car. I swerved and drop off on the shoulder of I-30, I hit the concrete retainer wall at 70mph and no airbag deployed and I had a knot on my head and black eye. Also I hit 4 hogs on FM852, again no airbag.

- Winnsboro, TX, USA

problem #348

May 062014

Altima

  • 30,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the front driver's air bag warning indicator illuminated and remained lit upon start-up. The vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 16V911000 (air bags), but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to moses Nissan (202 5th St, St albans, wv 25177, (304) 727-2921), but a fault code was unable to be retrieved. The dealer could not offer further assistance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.

- Charleston, WV, USA

problem #347

Dec 152017

Altima

  • miles
Takata recall. Warning lights for passenger airbag come on intermittently whether passenger is in vehicle, or not. Have had the vehicle in to the dealer to resolve the problem, but it has not been resolved yet. This happens when idling and in motion and still currently happening.

- St. George, UT, USA

problem #346

Apr 012016

Altima

  • miles
I had the OCS system recall for the airbags. Last year they said they fixed it however, I have not seen the light on the dash come on any longer. I do not know if it is working or not working as it is not doing what it is supposed to do. I received a letter stating that within 15years I could bring it back to have them check it and fix again if needed, but when I tried to set up an appointment I was told I have to pay 120$ diagnostic fee for them to look at it even though the letter I have says it will be fixed free of charge.

- Metairie, LA, USA

problem #345

Oct 242017

Altima

  • 0 miles
My airbag intermittently does not come on when someone is in the passenger seat.

- West Chester, OH, USA

problem #344

Aug 152017

Altima 4-cyl

  • 25,000 miles
Takata recall on August 15, 2017 I was in an accident on my way to work in which I swerved so I wouldn't hit a deer and instead hit a tree damaging the front middle portion of my car which, ,,to my surprise, ,,, my airbags never deployed and the upper portion of my chest hit the steering wheel... after the tow truck company came & got my vehicle, , my husband took me to the urgent care clinic where they took xrays of my chest finding that it was just severely bruised... the car was taken to clydes auto body in salida, co. Where it was repaired I have all the documents, ,, pictures of the damaged car, & hospital receipts & records if required upon reading this complaint... please rsvp asap, ,, thankyou [xxx] pics of the car damage on my cellphone if needed. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Buena Vista, CO, USA

problem #343

Dec 012013

Altima

  • 500 miles
The passenger airbag light on the dash intermittently stays on, indicating that it is disabled, even with a 150 lb adult seated in the passenger seat. This has been a problem since we purchased the car new in 2013. I have taken the car in many times. The most recent time was about one month ago. This was after we had the recall performed a couple of months ago. What they did for the recall did not work, so I took it back to the same dealer, bill robertson Nissan. They had the car all day and they said all they did is check the wire connections and they were ok. Nissan knows there is a problem with the passenger airbag system on this model (and others) but so far they either can't or won't do what is necessary to fix this. This is a major safety problem as the passenger airbag won't work if this light is on.

- Pasco, WA, USA

problem #342

Nov 052017

Altima

  • 27,000 miles
Takata recall - received notice of recall on airbags. Will be taking in vehicle to have fixed

- Grayslake, IL, USA

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