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:
5 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
45,805 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 brakes problems

brakes problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2013 Nissan Altima:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2013 Nissan Altima Owner Comments (Page 3 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #14

Jun 122013

Altima 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,000 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 he started the vehicle and the passenger side air bag illuminated. The contact also stated that the headlights were very low, he was unable to see the road at night and had to activate the high beam headlights. The brake warning light illuminated on the instrument panel while driving 30 mph. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 5,000.updated 05/28/14 MA the consumer stated the brake warning light illuminated at 45mph and then again at 30mph. The passenger air bag light illuminated on two separate occasions prior to a passenger sitting in the seat. The headlights improved since replacing the bulbs with 110 w, aftermarket bulbs. The seat belt light illuminated on 3 separate occasions. The vehicle had to be restarted. Updated 05/30/2014

- Moraga, CA, USA

problem #13

Jan 012014

Altima

  • 6,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving 70 mph, the traction control warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they stated that the brake lights needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 6,000.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #12

Apr 012013

Altima 4-cyl

  • miles
After a few weeks of owning this new car, the brake light came on and stayed onwhile I was driving. I started hearing squealing and thunking coming from my brakes. These are new and on a new car, the car just now has 6000 miles on it and it still should not makes these sounds. I took it in they did something to clear the brake light and said the noises are normal. This should not be making all of these different noises. Nissan needs to find the problems of their cars and fix them! I feel like there is something still wrong but the dealership does not want to look any further.

- Reston, VA, USA

problem #11

Aug 012012

Altima 4-cyl

  • miles

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

I have reported to Nissan several times about my vehicle having squeaky brakes. They supposedly added a stint to quiet the brakes but that didn't work. Also the airbag light is not functioning properly.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #10

Aug 302012

Altima

  • miles
The brakes on the Nissan Altima are constantly squealing. I brought a brand new Altima Nissan 2013. I have taken the car to the dealership several times and also contacted customer care for Nissan. The squealing of my brakes issue has not been resolved. I was told at the dealership I would have to deal with the squealing for as long as I have the vehicle. I was also told there was an alert (by a floor manager). Well, customer care said that was not true. I am trying to get rid of the car. There is no reason to have squealing brakes. This occurs every time I make a stop or reversing. I also have a problem with the push to start button. I have complained that it acts as if it does not want to "catch" I was told when I first complained that a new starter was order and I would be contacted when it arrives. That was in 2012. It is May 2013. Still have not been called by the service department and my car has been service at least 3 times since it was reported.

- Smiths Station, AL, USA

problem #9

Apr 052013

Altima

  • 3,500 miles
The brake light comes on randomly and stays on until the vehicle is turned off; the brake pedal has a "hitch" in it when letting up on it (as does the gas pedal); you can hear gas sloshing around in the gas tank. Piece of crap car.

- Cottonwood Heights, UT, USA

problem #8

Aug 012012

Altima

  • 1,300 miles

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

1. when you fill the gas tank up you can hear fuel sloshing around and knocking against the tank. 2. brakes squeal and grind 3. engine is noisy and growls car shakes 4. air bag recall 5. gas mileage is not as advertised 6. console has been repaired multiple times.

- Silver Spring , MD, USA

problem #7

Oct 192012

Altima 4-cyl

  • 20 miles
I purchased my Nissan Altima 2013 S car on 17 October 2012 with 12 miles. Approximately two days later after buying this vehicle, I began hearing a constant whining noise coming from the engine compartment at a very low speed, a drumming slapping noise when I abruptly brake, a rather disturbing metal clunking sound that seems to generate from the fuel tank and finally intermittently clicking sound from the engine compartment at a high rate of speed. These sounds ar extremely nerve wrecking for a brand new car. I brought my car to three different Nissan dealerships for inspection at least seven times only to be told that these concerning sounds are normal conditions for this model. The car has also hesitated multiple times on start up. Filed a complaint that led to nowhere because Nissan North America, Inc insists that these are "normal" conditions for this vehicle.

- Brookeville, MD, USA

problem #6

Feb 182013

Altima 4-cyl

  • 1,600 miles
I spoke to 5 town Nissan who did a so called thorough check on my car stated that everything was perfect but the brake light went on. How can everything be perfect with the brake light going on. All I see is that these dealers say its good and cars are in perfect working condition when they are not.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #5

Feb 132013

Altima 4-cyl

  • 1,484 miles
Brake light went on right after taking it out of the service center of Nissan dealer brake pedal dropped to floor.

- Kiamesha Lake, NY, USA

problem #4

Feb 062013

Altima 4-cyl

  • 120 miles

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

Was driving 45 mph to take child to school. While at light made sure no parking brake on. Then put car in park turned vehicle off and on twice as braking light still on. Kept vehicle off for approximally 1 minute and turned back on. The following day took vehicle in for service which they stated break fluid not topped off. So on 2/8/2013 driving with 8 yr.old daughter sitting in front set. Airbag light was on the showing airbag off but then the light went off. Pulled over had my daughter stand up, remove booster seat and then put back down. Airbag light still remained off. Turned vehicle off 3 times before turning back on. My husband called dealership to discuss and advise taking in for service and problems after just purchasing vehicle on 2/4/2013. On the way home brake light came on and wouldn't go off.

- Friendswood, TX, USA

problem #3

Jan 042013

Altima 4-cyl

  • 200 miles
Well I been driving this car for about three months now and the brake light keeps coming on about a week after I go the car the light came on, I took it to the dealership and they told me when its low on brake fluid the light will come on. Well about three weeks later while driving the light came on again. I took it back to the dealer ship and they said nothing is wrong with the car. Two weeks later the light came on again and I look the car to the dealership while the light was on and they keep telling me nothing is wrong with the car. So about a week ago the light was on again. I am starting to feel afraid to drive the car because I think it wont stop this is a new car I should not have brake issue this early.

- Baltimore , MD, USA

problem #2

Aug 292012

Altima 4-cyl

  • 3,500 miles
I purchased a 2013 Nissan Altima 2.5 S in July of 2012 with 349 miles on it. I have had numerous problems and have returned the vehicle on several occasions for repair and have yet to find a solution to the problem. In the mean time they are only getting worse. The first problem occurred 2 weeks after I purchased it. I got in my car and applied the brake and pushed the button to start the car and the car hesitated, it was almost like the starter had hung up. I wasn't too worried at first and figure it was just a one time fluke, but it wasn't. nearly five days later it occurred again and atleast one or twice a week there after. After 4 weeks and it having done it about 4 times by then I made and appointment to have it service and a few days later I noticed 2 new noise problems. I was driving with window down one day and heard a loud chiming or jingling noise coming from what sounded like the front driver tire.it pretty much sounded to be a loose nut or screw jingling around somewhere. Then a few days after that's when the brakes started squealing. And it was terrible and very loud, like nails on chalkboard and very embarrassing. So when I bring it to be serviced they tell me that the issue I had when started could not be duplicated and that the brakes where cleaned and the rotors where shaved down and also that they put no squeal on. And for the issue with the jingling noise was that a screw was loose and rattling around on the engine cover. But when I drove the next day the brakes started squealing again so once more 2 weeks later I return it again.and they tell me they have to shave the rear rotors this time. When I leave this time the squealing does not return for 2 weeks. So once more I return it this time they tell me that dirt is caked under my brake pads and all I can do is pretty much pressure wash them every day. That's not quality!

- Coden, AL, USA

problem #1

Aug 012012

Altima

  • 1,300 miles
Purchased a Nissan 2013 in July of 2012 in 8/2012 the car had to have a total brake job on the front and rear brakes at 1300 miles. Nissan has yet to tell me why the car was manufactured with bad brakes and rotors and if there is an underlying issue that created the issue at 1300miles. Faulty powersteering pump causes the car to growl and make a winding noise. You can hear the fuel in the tank sloshing around in the tank of the car. This car is horrible.

- Silver Sping, MD, USA

Not what you are looking for?