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.

6.0

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
7,050 miles
Total Complaints:
3 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (2 reports)
  2. tighten screw (1 reports)
2013 Nissan Altima accessories - interior problems

accessories - interior problem

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2013 Nissan Altima Owner Comments

problem #3

Jan 172014

Altima SL 3.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 6,000 miles

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

I heard a rattle in the dash about 6 months after I got the car and had the dealership look at it at least 5 times over the course of a year and a half before they finally were able to locate the rattle. It was so annoying. I had to keep my music really loud so I didn't have to hear it. The dealership scratched up my dash taking it apart so many times trying to figure out where it was coming from.

- Tina R., Carrollton, TX, US

problem #2

Jul 012014

Altima SV 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 15,000 miles

Something in the left rear door is causing a loud rattle, which began before the car had 30k miles. At some point, I will need to figure out how to disassemble the door panel and try to track it down.

- bellor, Salem, OR, US

problem #1

Dec 192012

Altima SV 3.5L V6

  • CVT transmission
  • 6 miles

I made the mistake of buying a brand new 2013 Nissan Altima 3.5SV v6 on Dec 2012. Nice looking car with all kinds of extras...3 days later I got on the road to Memphis from Wichita, KS not even out of the city limits I started hearing a rattle... I thought it was loose change, or something my kids had in the car...the rattle continues for about the next 2 years... the morons at the Nissan dealer could not find the issue.

I took the car to the Nissan dealer (in Wichita, Kansas) several times (about 4 to 6 times)... they replaced the side mirror once and gave me excuses about it the rest of the times... finally they figure out that there is a bracket between the inside ceiling and the outside metal shell with a F%^%#g loose screw...it only took them 2 year to find. Indicating to me that the Nissan quality and care for details is sub-standard.

- pfsagm2005, Wichita, KS, US

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