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.

7.5

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
44,050 miles
Total Complaints:
4 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace shifter sensor in the steering column (2 reports)
  2. not sure (1 reports)
  3. wrong pedal? (1 reports)
2013 Nissan Altima electrical problems

electrical problem

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2013 Nissan Altima Owner Comments

problem #4

Sep 222018

Altima SE 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 138,000 miles

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

Last Friday after work my 2013 Nissan Altima wouldn't start. I got in the car and the Power Steering light and battery light were on and the car won't turn over I got a ride home and decided to have it towed the next day. I was going to have it towed but while they were moving to put the car on the flatbed truck, the driver tried it and it started. This morning on my way to work, I got in the car and same thing... just won't start and the same lights are on. The radio works, but it just won't turn over. I am glad I was at home this time because that's not safe. I've looked around the internet, and it looks like it could be the electronic steering control lock, but I am not sure. A lot of older Nissan cars were reporting that issue with similar complaints.

- Yari C., New Port Richey, FL, US

problem #3

Jun 202016

Altima SL 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 34,467 miles

The same day after pick up. For a replaced transmision. There was a static like noise that appeared to be coming from the radio. This noise would have probably been undetected for months. Thanks to me enjoy driving with the radio off I was able to detect it. I then noticed the more I accelerated the more I noticed the noise. On Friday, this time I did not go to the service dealership alone. The Nissan service department confirmed that it was my alternator (Similar to complaint #55. First their transmission, then their alternator). I told him great it is confirmed I officially own a lemon. I’m not the type to buy cars. I take care of my cars. My vehicle purchase was something that I had to do quickly. I went from two cars to no cars in less than two months. Someone totaled my Envoy in January and I was rear ended in February. My Altima purchase was based on the true reliability of my Sentra. Being that I needed my vehicle, and there were no loaners available, I decided to take my vehicle in the following Monday. The mechanic said there was a “bulletin” posted about the altinator….in so many words. Nissan is hoping that all of these issues are detected after the warranty runs out. I am posting this as I am waiting on my vehicle. I don’t regret many things in life, unfortunately, this is something that I do regret. I am posting this for other drivers to be warned. I am fortunate to have these complaints happen sooner rather than later. I did purchase an extended warranty…Unfortunately, I do not plan on keeping this vehicle long. I will be purchasing another vehicle by January 2017. Buyers and Drivers Be Ware.

- Debbie M., Morrow, GA, US

problem #2

Nov 012013

Altima V6

  • CVT transmission
  • 3,050 miles

We had been having a problem with various dash lights illuminating and then going off. On 1 Nov 2013 car would not start. It is currently at the dealership, will update with the fix. They are saying a shifter sensor in the steering column?

- Debra P., Gainesville, TX, US

problem #1

Apr 122013

Altima

  • CVT transmission
  • 500 miles

First off let me state that my wife likes the 2013 Nissan that she has. Yet it has a problem that is intermittent. Purchased the car on 3/16/13 and this problem has come up thr3 times. The latest on 5/3/13. This car has remote start.

The problem, First make sure the car is in park. Push on the brake and then push the button to start it. Some times when you push on the brake pedal to start the car it will go straight to the floor and when this happens the car will not start when you push the button. This has happen three times. If you keep trying and after a while the car will start and everything seems fine.

After you get it started you take it to the dealer and tell him of the problem and they check the computer they find nothing wrong. Unless they can get this problem to occur while they have it they cannot find the problem. Since this problem is intermittent you would have to leave it there for weeks and hope it happens. This is not an option. I understand they need to see the problem before they can find a fix. The only time this has happen is when we have the car. The people at the dealership are doing everything they can to find the problem. I am hoping that someone out there has had this problem and has found the fix.

Update from May 21, 2013: A little more information on this. Had to bring this question up in a diplomatic way so I did not get in trouble. Is it possible that you were pushing on the accelerator and not the brake pedal? Now that we are aware of this possibility we can wait to see if it happens again.

- klsparrow, Conway, AR, US

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