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.

5.0

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$20
Average Mileage:
92,000 miles
Total Complaints:
2 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (1 reports)
  2. power steering fluid levels need to be adjusted (1 reports)
2013 Nissan Altima electrical problems

electrical problem

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2013 Nissan Altima Owner Comments

problem #2

Jan 012023

Altima SR 3.5L V6

  • CVT transmission
  • 134,000 miles

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

When I would cut the wheel all the way to one side when exiting my driveway the dash and entertainment components would lose power. I racked my brain trying to figure out why. The problem was intermittent so it was hard to nail down until I noticed something. The colder the weather the worse and more persistent the problem. In fact on one of the coldest days as I executed a turn with the steering wheel fully turned not only did the various dash things shut off the wheel forced itself to straight up slightly from its fully turned state. That's when I figured out it was the power steering fluid. There was a small amount of air in the line and the level was just barely too low. Once the fluid would heat up and could move with less resistance it stopped doing it. So I bled the line and added a tiny amount of e-psf, problem solved. To test it I took it to a parking lot, cut my wheel all the way to one side and let it idle in a circle for 30 seconds or so.

The problem is that the power steering draws more electrical power the more stress the power steering is under. When the PSF is cold it is more viscous and puts more stress on the power steering. When I exit my driveway I turn the wheel all the way to one side and the further you turn the wheel under any circumstance the more stress the power steering is under. Combine the viscosity of the cold PSF, with an underfilled reservoir that has air trapped in the line and turning the wheel all the way you get a momentary loss of power. Also because I was exiting my driveway I would let the car's idle speed make the turn for me so the alternator wasn't producing as much power as it would if executing a more routine sort of turn where I had engaged the throttle.

- Paul M., Indianapolis, IN, US

problem #1

Apr 242018

Altima ES 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

The car when you try and turn it feels like it wants to turn off the dash and radio and everything starts to turn off. It is so annoying. Not sure why it does that, just need to see if I'm the only one it has done that too?? The vehicle is used 2013 Nissan Altima. I'm so frustrated with this problem!!! They are attempting to fix it but not to sure if they will! Took it to dealership and they gave me the runaround, told me that all Nissan Altimas do that? Like really? No, I don't think so!!!

- Rachel S., Hobbs, NM, US

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