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.

7.8

pretty bad
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
5,486 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 body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2013 Nissan Altima Owner Comments

problem #7

Sep 292023

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 stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger-??s side rear control arm fractured. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic confirmed that the control arm had fractured. The contact was informed that the control arm needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Oceanside, NY, USA

problem #6

Oct 142014

Altima

  • miles
When I got into my car in the afternoon my dash board had melted due to the extreme heat wave outside.

- Penns Grove, NJ, USA

problem #5

Jun 152014

Altima

  • 18,000 miles
Our car has dark interior with a black dashboard. On high temperature days, the surface of the dashboard becomes tacky and very shiny. When it is in this condition, it affects my visibility. Under certain conditions of the position of the sun, the sunlight reflects off the surface of the dashboard and into my eyes. At times, the sunlight reflects off the surface of the dashboard and onto the inside of the windshield and results in a bright reflection of the dashboard which greatly reduces visibility. From searches on internet, I have seen that this is a common problem with this make, model and year. It appears that there was a defective formulation of plastic used for dashboards on some cars produced which is causing an exudation of chemicals in high temperatures. Nissan needs to find a solution to this problem. If this defect has not already contributed to an accident, it is only a matter of time before it does.

- Grandview, WA, USA

problem #4

Sep 302013

Altima

  • 3,700 miles

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

The top of the plastic dashboard has a very shiny sticky oil like substance at migrates to and coats the surface causing an extreme glare on the windshield impairing visibility. In addition, this substance outgasses and condenses on the inside surface of the windshield as a milky haze which further increases the impaired visibility. This condition also affects the rear deck plastic as well. It would appear that a defective batch of plasticizer, or an improper ratio was used during the fabrication of the affected parts causing excessive migration of the plasticizer to the surface. The manufacture is aware of and acknowledges this problem however, no fix or solution is forthcoming. This condition is most prevalent on affected parts used in hot environments ie; Florida and southern California. The substance can not be removed by cleaning. It is extremely difficult to see thru the glare and haze on the windshield during sunny days causing a dangerous situation.

- Agoura Hills, CA, USA

problem #3

May 262014

Altima

  • 12,500 miles
On May 26, 2014 approx 9:30am while driving at normal highway speed in eastern pa. In my 2013 Nissan Altima 2.5 sl, we heard what sounded like an extremely loud gun shot type sound right above the car roof. After slowing down and visibly shaken including my 2 occupants we slowly pulling back the sunroof liner that was closed at the time. It was noticed the entire sunroof had blown out of the car onto the highway and trunk area. The remaining glass was bulged outward like the glass was pushed outward from inside. There was no indication whatsoever of impact from outside the car. The roof, trunk and rear spoiler were covered in small shards of glass with many noticeable deep scratches from the glass impact. We stopped at the Nissan dealership in wilkes barre, pa and showed the dealership the problem we just encountered. The dealership cleaned and covered the damaged sunroof and advised us to drive slowly home until you could contact your local dealership. They could give me no reason why this happened or had never heard or seen this problem. I notified my local dealership when I got home and brought the car in for service. I was advised from my dealership after they claimed they contacted Nissan motors and the local Nissan area rep. That they could not give me any reason why this would happen. They told me they usually don't cover glass breakage but called it a good will gesture and would replace the smashed sunroof at no charge but refused to fix the damaged paint that was caused from the glass hitting the roof, trunk and spoiler surface.

- Wethersfield, CT, USA

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problem #2

Jul 282013

Altima 4-cyl

  • 4,200 miles
The vehicle blind spot warning & lane keep system intermittently stops working. The warning on the dash says to clean the camera lens but the lens are clean. If you stop the car & shut off the engine then restart the system will start operating again. Nissan can't find the problem.

- Prescott, AZ, USA

problem #1

Jun 012013

Altima 4-cyl

  • miles
After returning home from the store, I noticed that there was an object done by my gas pedal. I went to pick it up and it looks like its supposed to be holding something up there. I looked up and could not find where it went, but then noticed a bolt that holds the bracket for the hood, and gas door cables was loose. I mean it was half way out and the other was tight. I do not feel safe in this car finding all of these different problems. Almost like they did not quality check it!

- Reston, VA, USA

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