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.
Be warned: the 2014 & 2015 Nissan Altima appears to share these same problems.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
8 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
57,951 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.
The vehicles low beam lights are dangerously dem and hard to see with them on. They have gotten worse over time and putting in new expensive headlight have not helped. The transmission still sometimes in a higher rmp. I have to tap on the brake to get it unstuck in that RPM.
Cvt failed without warning. No warning lights, no slippage. Stalls randomly in drive and reverse. Restarted after 5 minutes and drove fine again. Had to spend $250 in towing fees in the same week. Nissan didn't admit cvt fault knowingly. Happened shortly after their recall on the tcm transmission control module reprogramming. Shame on you, Nissan!
The torque converter would seize if the car slowed down causing the engine to stall. Restarting the car would be no problem (in park or neutral) and it idled fine. As soon as you put it in gear, the problematic torque converter would cause the car to stall again. The car is currently (01/23/2020) at poughkeepsie Nissan (NY) getting fixed.
The contact called on behalf of her husband who owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. While driving at an undisclosed speed and coming to a stop, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to provide a prognosis for the failure. The vehicle was then taken to crown Nissan located at 5151 34th St N, St. Petersburg, fl 33714, to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,010.
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima 2.5. the contact stated that while driving at various speeds there was an abnormal whining and grinding sound coming from the transmission. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the transmission bearing failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer hugh white Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (250 columbus rd suite a, athens, oh 45701 (740) 594-8555) where it was diagnosed for the 2nd time and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The repair was still pending. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered to pay 80% of the repair cost. A case was also opened with the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.
- Athens, OH, USA
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Transmission slipping when vehicle slows. Sometimes the car dies as a result. When trying to accelerate, transmission slips out of gear thus causing a safety hazard such as getting stuck in an intersection or in front of oncoming traffic.
I have never had any problems with this vehicle, but on new year's eve with my family in the car, my 2013 Nissan Altima stalled while idling at a traffic light. I didn't drive it yesterday (new years day), and brought it to the dealership first thing this morning to have it checked out (Jan 2). I was told that I need to replace the transmission! it is shocking to me that a 6 Y.O. car -- without any progression of symptoms or any warning lights whatsoever -- would need an entirely new transmission. These seems like a manufacturing problem to me, as a quick google search revealed numerous Nissan owners complaining of needing to replace their cvt prematurely.
My 2013 Nissan Altima sl VIN: [xxx] is not allowing me to shift when pushing the brake pedal. I have to use a pencil/etc in the shift lock release bypass area everytime. Searching the web and it seems that many cars are hobbled by a thin piece of metal on a cheap $3 micro switch in the shifter. Bending the small metal tab on the micro switch apparently can fix the issue so it makes contact again. Dealers want $700 to replace the entire shifter assembly which is outrageous. Youtube link: Https://www.youtube.com/watch?V=eu7vm2Y-7ly and part fix at 8 minute mark. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Engine juddering that seems to be coming from engine or transmission. Significant cabin vibration and noise with slow acceleration especially in cold weather. Happens at all speeds, highway or city.
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the transmission warning indicator illuminated and it felt as if the transmission was slipping. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 66,000.
My car is a 2013 with less than 40,000 miles. In the matter of 5 days, the transmission has declined significantly. When at a stoplight, my car will shut down completely. I have to park it, turn it off, then crank it back up. When accelerating from a stop, it will stall as if I have it in neutral. Even while driving on the interstate, my RPM will be fluctuating, but my acceleration wouldn't change. It would stall at 40mph, make a jerking motion, then pick up a little speed. Today it barely went past 20mph. Nissan will not take care of this issue, which is clearly their fault! now I have to get a new transmission paid out of my own pocket.
I was abput to make a turn while in middle of busy 4 way intersection when the car turned off and abrubtly stopped in the middle of intersection. I tried to turn car back on but it would not start. Bystanders came and helped move car to safe side of street. Tried to start car after trying to change gears. Then it was moving sluggish. Then it drove again. But then it happened again. Took to Nissan dealer and they said it needed new transmission. This car had only 100,000 miles. I have 4 other Nissan that have lasted over 200,000 miles and never had this transmission issue. I have submitted also to kcc campain complaints website.
My 2013 Nissan Altima's cvt is faulty. The transmission causes the vehicle to shutter at any speed and randomly shuts off. Additionally, at a moments notice it will rev up in rpms and not go anywhere. It stalls in traffic which has caused a significant safety concern. This occurs while driving at all speeds. It has happened on highways, city streets and simply backing out of my driveway.
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. While driving approximately 20 mph, the vehicle decelerated and stalled without warning. When the contact shifted into neutral and restarted the vehicle, it resumed normal operation. When the shifter was placed in drive, the vehicle stalled. Also, the transmission made a noise and the vehicle stalled once it was warmed up. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 106,000.
The car has had no previous issues with the transmission - note that the check engine light never came on. I was driving on the highway and my transmission started to stutter and the RPM's would momentarily rev very high. After driving for several minutes of this, the car started to decelerate - eventually getting down to about 25 mph. At this point, the car never regained speed. After getting the car towed to the local dealership, it was found that the transmission was damaged and needed to be replaced.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Sandy Ridge, NC, USA