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.

9.2

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
1,750 miles
Total Complaints:
5 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (4 reports)
  2. sold the car and took a big loss (1 reports)
2013 Nissan Altima accessories - interior problems

accessories - interior problem

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2013 Nissan Altima Owner Comments

problem #5

Feb 162013

Altima 2.5 SL 2.5L 4 Cl

  • CVT transmission
  • 6,000 miles

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

Well, I will start by saying that I can't believe there are not more complaints about these zero gravity seats that I and many other people bought into. My wife commutes for work about 130 miles a day and I wanted something that would be very comfortable for her time spent in the car, as well as great fuel economy. I don't drive this car very often because I am 6'-9" tall and I almost have too big a shoe horn to get in and out. I have a very bad back and I am disabled so needless to say it hurts getting in and out, especial out because it set's so low to the ground like almost every car does. My point is that I can't drive and diagnose the problems in the seat.

But the first day she drove she said her back was hurting. I was really surprised she said that because of all the hype about these seats. So I called the dealer and they told me to take the head rest out and turn them around 180d, so I did that and it seemed to work for awhile but within a couple days the pain right back. So we went shopping to try to find something that would give some lower to mid back relieve. We tried at least three different things and the only thing that helps her is a long thin short soft pillow. My wife sits at a desk all day and then in the car and when she comes home she is hurting all over her lower back and sides including her legs, so we think this seats are the the biggest problem. I drive a Buick Enclave with all the bells and whistles and she drives that sometimes even though she doesn't like the size of car. She doesn't hurt so bad.

I bought this Altima in an SL model with the tech package so it wasn't the cheapest Altma and I can't believe how fast and how much these cars depreciate, in less then two years this car is worth less then half of what we paid for it. I don't know about you but I can't afford to flush almost $16,000 down the sh*t hole. So my wife has sacrificed herself in the name of trying to save some money but I think it is starting to cost us more money in medical bills.

I would love to hear from more people on this issue of the zero gravity seat.

- onetallone, mansfield, OH, US

problem #4

Sep 022013

Altima SL 2.5L - 4 cyl

  • CVT transmission
  • 50 miles

The seats are uncomfortable and the padding squeaks when you move. The adjustment just doesn't fully get the seat into a comfortable position.

- Yong H., Englewood, PA, US

problem #3

Mar 022014

Altima

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,000 miles

Bob Moore Nissan is, and by far, the worst dealership in this country, they try to take advantage of a bad situation and make more profit instead of trying to help. No excuse for the sales manager to do this, simply a bad management team and will never get my business again or anyone that knows me. This is in Tulsa Oklahoma. You would have thought the owner of Bob Moore Nissan would have called me but he did not and I am sure he heard about this.So, this tells me not to buy any vehicles from any of the Bob Moore Nissan dealerships.

I had to sell my car to another Nissan dealership in Tulsa because Bob Moore Nissan (where I brought the car) low balled me. I only had the car 6 weeks and could not drive it because the seat was hurting my back. I lost $3600 dollars in 6 weeks and Bob Moore Nissan in Tulsa Oklahoma tried to make me lose even more money by selling the car back to them. BEWARE OF BOB MOORE NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN TULSA OKLAHOMA AND ALL DEALERSHIPS WITH THE BOB MOORE'S NAME

- davidoklahoma, tulsa, OK, US

problem #2

Aug 022013

Altima

  • Automatic transmission
  • 600 miles

Bob Moore Nissan sold me a new Altima and i went back in a week later and told them about my problem about the seat hurting and they could had care less.so it got to the point where i could not drive the car and i only had the car for 6 weeks.i started to drive to Florida and after 600 miles i realize i had to turn around because the seat was killing my back.Yesterday i sold it to another dealer here in Tulsa for 300 more dollars than Bob Moore Nissan wanted to give me. I am so mad at the sales manager and general sales manger at bob Moore Nissan because they knew i had a problem and try to rip me off.at 1st they were going to buy the car back at 1000 dollars below wholesale and then they said the most they would give me is $16,800 which is 300 dollars below wholesale so i sold to another dealer for $17,100 and its was a brand new car I only had it for 6 weeks and it had 3,184 miles on it and i was force to sell it because it kill my back to drive it. Nissan told me to see what the dealership would do for me and all they care about was ripping me off more.they could had gave me 500 dollars above wholesale,I would had thought they care. If they would had care at all I would had be happier. They could had me more money and still made money maybe not as much as they would want.plus the sales manager lie to me several times. Nissan corp would only refer me to the dealer

- davidoklahoma, tulsa, OK, US

problem #1

Jul 312013

Altima

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,000 miles

i had the car 6 weeks and i cannot drive any distance at all,the seats really hurt my back so i am going to take a $3000 lost and the tag and i have only had the car for 6 weeks.you would think the company would do something about this.i will never buy another nissan again to lose 4 thousands dollars in 6 weeks plus the money they made off my honda accord.i have to sell the car i cannot drive it,

- davidoklahoma, tulsa, OK, US

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