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.

6.8

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$420
Average Mileage:
22,950 miles
Total Complaints:
35 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (24 reports)
  2. replace brakes, calipers & pins (6 reports)
  3. replaced brakes (5 reports)
2013 Nissan Altima brakes problems

brakes problem

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2013 Nissan Altima Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #35

Aug 012020

Altima

  • CVT transmission
  • 160,000 miles

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

The squealing brakes started when I bought the car with 15000 miles. I've replaced numerous times and no help, replaced rotors, and pads and now it squeals worse. Nissan absolutely no help, yet again.

- Carla G., Oak Grove, US

problem #34

May 282016

Altima S V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,144 miles

In May 2016, apply brakes at 50 mph, squeak. Hardware kit, rear disc brake pad, pad kit disc br. Replaced pads & tube pads. Test drove & rechecked. Ok at this time.

- Barbara C., Kihei, US

problem #33

Mar 012013

Altima S 4

  • CVT transmission
  • 2 miles

My brakes squealed really bad ever since I got the car at mile zero til 70k. I tried everything. Eventually a mechanic friend recommended CRC Disk Brake Quiet. I put some on with the cheapest Chinese Rotors and Pads straight from eBay that $150 could buy. And at last no more screeching going on a year now. Ymmv good luck.

- Mike K., Omaha, US

problem #32

Sep 142016

Altima S 3.2L

  • CVT transmission
  • 25,000 miles

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

The brakes squeal constantly. I have replaced rotors at least 3 times thus far. Do not buy this car.

- Patricia L., West Orange, US

problem #31

Feb 282015

Altima S 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 36,000 miles

When I got my car at 36,000 miles the brakes were already squeaking. Check the brakes and they are fine. Apparently Nissan puts hard brakes on their cars. The noise is super loud and it will tear up your rotors! I suggest if you buy one of these piece of craps to change your brakes to ceramic brakes.

- Nicole L., Nash, TX, US

problem #30

Nov 102016

Altima 2.5L I4 Smpi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,000 miles

I had my oil changed but for some reason I realized that the cap to my brake fluid was missing So I went to Nissan to try and buy a cap but they wanted $450.00 to replace the whole brake fluid area they do not sell the cap separately. I thought that was crazy plus it wasn't covered by my warranty. These people are money crazy. So for now I covered with foil I can not find a cap for it anywhere.

- patriciamartinez, Hanford, CA, US

problem #29

May 152013

Altima S 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,000 miles

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

I bought this car in October 2012. The brakes started to make noise 4 months after. Since it is in the winter, I thought that weather is cold. However, the weather got warmer and the noise got louder. I took the car to the dealer and they said that this is a known problem and fixed it for me. However, after certain period (less than 12 months), the brake started to make noise again.

I took it to the dealer and they said that this is normal and gave me a piece of paper suggesting me to use the original part. The car was fixed at the same dealership and did the dealer not use the original part?! They did not do anything at that time. Then the noise got louder and I could not help going to the dealer again in November 2014. My warranty was expired and I paid them to fix the problem.

Now, my daughter drove the car and complaint the brake noise 3 months ago. She is going to take the car to the dealer. In 3 years and 10 months, the brakes of the car will be fixed three times. Before I had this car, I had Camry, Accord and only needed to repair the brakes around 60K. This is definitely my worst car experience ever. I will not recommend Altima or any Nissan car to anyone. I do not understand how Nissan can ship the car with such bad brakes. I am thinking to get rid of the car.

- Kenong W., Davis, CA, US

problem #28

Nov 012012

Altima

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100 miles

On-going problem. Since we got the car (10/2011), the brakes squeal when backing-up.

According to the dealer, this is a known problem. Nissan sent the dealer bulletins about this problem but there is NO fix for it.

- Lloyd H., Monroe Township, NJ, US

problem #27

Jan 142014

Altima SL

  • CVT transmission
  • 11,000 miles

The brake dummy light keeps coming on and the dealer said I needed to have my brake fluid flushed because it is recommended by the manufacturer and because you get moisture in the line - my brakes also squealed- I paid for the flush and about 3 months later it started doing the same thing. The squealing isn't as bad but the light comes on almost everytime I press the brake and it stays on for a while.

- she2jul, Vero Beach, FL, US

problem #26

Dec 012015

Altima 3.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 30,000 miles

I've had the brakes changed both front and rear due to a high pitch squeel/wine when reversing. I had to record it on my smart phone to prove the noise. Nissan will say its normal but the noise went away after they replaced the brakes and surfaced the rotors.

- jonsmith, Phoenix, AZ, US

problem #25

Oct 012015

Altima S 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 47,194 miles

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

My 2013 Altima brakes have progressively become louder and louder. They squeak like there is no tomorrow, but not every time. And after taking it to our mechanic, who is pretty trustworthy, he told us that he has quite a few other customers, with Altimas, who's brakes do the same exact thing. And that our brake pads have more than half of the pad still on them, so basically their is nothing he can do, since he is an honest mechanic. Sure he could tell us to replace the pads, and rotors and what not, but that would be wasting our money, because their is plenty life left in our brakes, SO basically we are stuck announcing our arrival everywhere we go!!! THANKS A LOT NISSAN!!!! everything else about this car is wonderful, just the brakes suck!!!!

- Crystal B., Ventura, CA, US

problem #24

Jul 082015

Altima

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,000 miles

I have enjoyed my car and have had nothing major until the brakes sound like I crashed and burned. Everyone in my neighborhood can hear me coming miles before I reach my destination. it is the most embarrassing monstrous sound. I too have taken my car back to the local dealership and was told my brakes are not under warranty, my car is still under warranty though. Upon speaking with the service representative I was told I would be out of $300.00 to have them replaced. Oh I forgot to say I have replaced them twice already, not at the dealership. I am hoping Nissan realizes they have placed a defective product on these model cars and recall as well as fix the problem before someone dies and has to suffer for their failures.

- Shun W., Texarkana, AR, US

problem #23

Mar 012013

Altima S

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

My brakes are LOUD. It has been this way since I bought the car. Every time I bring it in they say there is nothing wrong with it. The breaks are loud. My dogs can hear me when I get to the entrance of my subdivision and I live in the back. I have brought it in to get new breaks and this didn't correct the problem. Nissan corporate said that some noise is normal. This isn't some noise, this is make your ears bleed noise. They need to correct the issue but are saying they can't.

- candycw, Mandeville, LA, US

problem #22

Oct 222014

Altima LX 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,000 miles

The Carmax dealer replaced the brakes for free but they still squeak when I first start driving and step on the brakes especially after it rains.

- Arnold P., Simpsonville, SC, US

problem #21

Jun 102014

Altima S V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7,571 miles

I had to have front and rear brakes replaced and both sets of rotors resurfaced at 7500 miles on 6/10/14. I had just had scheduled maintenance at Nissan Dealership on 4/10/14 (at 5500 miles) and paperwork said all brakes and tires were good at that time. Therefore I don't understand how exactly 2 months later I have 0% on one set of brakes and about 30% on other set.

- cheriew, Philadelphia, PA, US

problem #20

Aug 082013

Altima S 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 10,000 miles

I DON'T EXPECT A NEW CAR TO HAVE SQUEALING BRAKES LIKE AN 18 WHEELER. IT IS EMBARRASSING TO DRIVE. I HATE TO VALET PARK THE CAR BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN EMBARRASSED BY THE LOUD SQUEALING BRAKES. NISSAN KNOWS IT IS A PROBLEM BUT DO NOT HAVE A SOLUTION. MY ORIGINAL CAR WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND NOW I AM RENTING ANOTHER 2013 ALTIMA THAT HAS THE SAME ISSUE. THEY REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS AT 10000 MILES BUT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. IF MY CAR IS TOTALED I REFUSE TO BUY ANOTHER NISSAN VEHICLE FOR LIFE.

- Iced M., Dallas, TX, US

problem #19

Oct 282014

Altima S 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 39,000 miles

So I purchased this car used with 38K miles on it. I've known many people who've had these and they all seemed to like them. I didn't do much research on it, because of this. I had also rented one before and liked it very much.

Basically I noticed some light brake squealing within a few days of buying it. I called my salesman and he said if it kept happening to call him back and they would take care of it. Lo and behold, it did keep happening and it got progressively worse for about a week. I took it into the shop and the mechanic said there was nothing they could do because the brakes were of sound nature. I could purchase new pads, but it would be at my cost. Apparently, this has been an ongoing issue with this year/model and they haven't corrected it. Thanks Nissan. You suck.

- David F., West Des Moines, IA, US

problem #18

Nov 012014

Altima S 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,600 miles

I purchased my Altima January 2014. February 2014 I took my Altima in for several issues, one being the brakes squeaking. The service adviser took the Altima in and had the brakes fixed under the warranty, the squeaking stopped until last month, the mileage at the time was 24115. The dealership at the time was South Point Nissan, I purchased the Altima from them.

The location is now owned by a different Nissan dealership, Clay Cooley Nissan. I had a totally different experience with this service adviser, we went for a test drive and the Altima did not make the brake squeal. I told him when I drive off in the morning,and leaving work the squeal noise is very loud and annoying. He explained to me that the Altimas have what's called a cold start squeal, when the brakes warm up the squeal goes away. I advised him that I have never heard of that on a newer vehicle and that the South Point had fixed the brakes under the warranty in January. He said to bring the Altima back when it squealed more often. I'm returning this Friday, November 7th to have them take care of this issue. I have a case number with Nissan North America,#16442753. I have called the service adviser but he will not answer my calls or return my voice mails. The mileage at this time is 30600.

- Sal H., Austin, TX, US

problem #17

Sep 102014

Altima S 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,010 miles

The brakes have been squealing ever since I drove the car off the lot. Over the past couple of months it has gotten much worse. Took the car to have the brakes inspected and was told that they did not need to be replaced, that this is a common Nissan Altima problem. Not happy to hear that, to say the least.

You would think with a car this new, no annoying brake problems should exist. They need to do a recall and come up with a solution to fix this very "common" problem.

- Tamara S., Millbrook, AL, US

problem #16

Aug 012014

Altima S 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,000 miles

So bought my new Nissan Altima. Well not so new, had 28000 miles on it. First week with it and I notice the brakes are squealing. What the heck. ? The car only has 28 thousand miles, the brakes have to be good. Well it's squealing and bad. Guess that's why the first owners traded it in. Son of a b&@$. Dealer says that brakes are not covered under warranty. Stupid Nissan.

- David L., Tucson, AZ, US

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