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:
9 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
48,595 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 lights problems

lights 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 4 of 21)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #347

Aug 192021

Altima

  • miles

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

Headlights are very dim even after replacing bulbs with led bulbs.

- South Elgin , IL, USA

problem #346

Jul 012020

Altima

  • miles
Headlight assemblies have developed film on inside surfaces, causing the headlights on low beam to be extremely dim, significantly reducing normal night vision to a dangerously low level. Low beam light output is less than that of the fog lights!! Only driving with high beams resolves the issue. Will not drive the vehicle at night! Have discussed with dealership and was told it is a KNOWN problem on 2013-2016 Altima and Maxima vehicles. That was within the past six months. Was told that only resolution would be to replace the headlight assemblies at an estimated cost of at least $450/headlight. Recently spoke to Dealership manager regarding the issue. Available for inspection. Not inspected by manufacturer / police / insurance reps. No warning lamps, messages, etc. First appeared within the past year. Case number 44352662 issued today @ ~ 12 noon. Awaiting response back from Nissan Customer Affairs supervisor, but not expecting call back until tomorrow.

- Bluffton, SC, USA

problem #345

Jul 072021

Altima

  • miles
Headlights on the dim projector failed internally where you can't see at night on dim setting. Several forums online with same complaint.

- Yulee, FL, USA

problem #344

Jun 252021

Altima

  • miles

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

Both headlight low beams are dangerously dim even after replacing the bulbs. Its not possible to see at night while driving unless using high beams to see. Took the vehicle to the dealership afterwards and it was determined the materials in the headlight assembly have deteriorated in both assemblies.

- Middletown, VA, USA

problem #343

Aug 092019

Altima

  • miles
Headlights are very dim at night on low beam, I have to drive with my high beams because I can't see the road or signs or cars, I have almost gotten into accidents because of this, I have taken it to the dealer and they will not replace them, I contacted Nissan North America Consumer Affairs and they won't replace them they say that I'm outside my manufacturers warranty I told them that I understand that but the problem with the headlights is a manufacturers defect, I took the car to a mechanic and he told me to look on YouTube that there are other Nissan Altima owners with the same problem, so I looked it up and he was correct there are videos of mechanics that found the reason the lights are so dim, you basically have to break the housing of the light to see the problem and it is a manufacturers defect so they should be responsible for that the proof is there in the videos I should not have to buy two new headlights because the problem is there's. This has been going on for some years and I was going to give up but I wanted to find out way at night I can't see driving it is frustrating I'm 61 years old and this is not the only car I've owned. This has been going on since 2019

- Orlando, FL, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #342

Feb 042021

Altima

  • miles
Noticed that my 2013 Nissan Altima headlights are very dim. Researched on the internet and quickly realized this is an issue with many 2013-2018 Altimas and that the reflective material in the assembly breaks down over time. This is a serious safety issue and Nissan does not have a recall and they definitely should be forced to recall cars with this issue before it's too late. Very serious safety issue in my opinion.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #341

May 152016

Altima

  • 70,000 miles

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

My headlights have deteriorated to a point now that driving at night is dangerous as I cannot see beyond my foglights (first noted about 5 years ago). I have changed the battery, lightbulbs and have cleaned the headlight assembly covers. Nothing improves visibility. I suspect the assemblies have to be replaced due to the coating in the reflector housing deteriorating due to manufactoring defect as has been mentioned by many other Altima owners.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

problem #340

Apr 302021

Altima

  • 126,000 miles
The dim headlamps of my 2013 Altima have progressively dimmed to an unsafe level that makes it very difficult to see driving path and surrounding area. In my many years of driving, this is by far the worst lighting projected by any of my vehicles. The lighting was great when purchased used in 2016 but overtime is not safe to drive at night and especially during rain storm except when lightning lights the sky.. safety recall is justly needed, are we waiting for someone to die for this to happen?

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #339

Oct 122017

Altima

  • miles
The headlights on my 2013 Nissan Altima are horrible! I can't see with the low beams at all and I need to use my high beams at all times in the dark. This is very unsafe!!! I'm very shocked there hasn't been a recall on these lights! I love my car, however I will never buy another Nissan if they don't fix this problem!

- Montesano, WA, USA

problem #338

Jan 022017

Altima

  • 50,000 miles
Low beam headlights are extremely dim!! I have to drive with the high beam headlights on. Oncoming traffic never flashes their lights at me, so the high beam lights must be dim, also. The low beam headlights are so dim, that cars behind me at night, cast a shadow in front of my car. My low beam headlights don't even put out enough light to prevent a shadow being formed in front of my car!!

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #337

Apr 222021

Altima

  • miles

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

The headlights are extremely dim, totally ineffective for night driving and dangerous. On a dark or semi dark road there is almost no road visibility.

- Monroe Township, NJ, USA

problem #336

Jan 012019

Altima

  • miles
Headlight visibility is awful. I keep taking it to Nissan to have it checked and they tell me they do not see anything wrong. My biggest issue is I am afraid I will have a car accident at night cause my lights as so dim it look like I am driving with my park lights on.

- Greenville, SC, USA

problem #335

Jun 012019

Altima

  • 80,000 miles
The low beam headlights have dimmed progressively over time to the point that it is unsafe to drive at night & have to end up using high beams to get some visibility

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #334

Jan 012021

Altima

  • 35,000 miles
The low-beam headlamps on the 2013 Nissan Altima provide almost no illumination of the road ahead at night. Seriously, turning them off or on, it's almost impossible to tell the difference from the driver's seat. I had one headlamp replaced, but that made no difference. People literally flash their high-beams at us at night because they think we are driving with our headlights off. This is not a subtle problem, but rather an extraordinarily dangerous safety hazard. This problem is well known. See for example, www.nissanproblems.com/Altima-projector-headlights/ : "the low-beam headlights in the 5th generation Altima are dangerously dim. The reflective material inside the projector headlights can wear down, drastically reducing the beam's power. In December of 2018 this problem ranked 10th in carcomplaints.com top problem trends list." Yet Nissan has done nothing about this dreadful safety hazard, as of March 2021. (just checked Nissan's vehicle recall site, 3/15/2021). Reportedly, attorneys chimicles & tikellis are investigating a potential class-action lawsuit against the automaker. This will not be of much solace if my daughter has a car crash or hits a pedestrian because she can't see ahead of her when driving at night. Something must be done--now!

- Decatur, GA, USA

problem #333

Mar 132021

Altima

  • 60,000 miles
Low beams are not strong enough to be able to see at night, I have to use high beams to be able to see, which in common sense makes it really dangerous for me as well the other drivers on the road by me using the high beams, I been looking around to the problem, and the problem with the headlights is where the low beam sits ( the socket ), over time it gets burnt and it just destroy the whole reflection of the halogen bulb, I placed an image so you all can check it.

- Hollywood, FL, USA

problem #332

Mar 012017

Altima

  • miles
My low beams on my headlights are dangerously low at night I can barely see a foot ahead whether driving are parked.

- New Iberia, LA, USA

problem #331

Mar 042020

Altima

  • miles
The low beams on this vehicle are extremely unsafe. If there was to be a child or an animal darting in front of me, they would be done. I do not understand why there is no recall on this since it is a safety issue. I replaced bulbs but it didnt make a difference.

- Egg Harbor Township, NJ, USA

problem #330

Sep 162020

Altima

  • miles
Low beam headlight is very low and unable to see. Changed many bulbs and still same.

- Irving, TX, USA

problem #329

May 012016

Altima

  • miles
The low beam headlights have decreased in brightness after approx car being 4-5 years old & today are practically non existent. Dec 2019 I had to have headlights replaced with a halogen set of lights because new headlight bulb did nothing to increase visibility at night. I've had to run headlights on low beam & fog lights for a few years to have very low visibility. At this time the headlights are virtually non existent except when running on high beams which is causing a great danger to me, my husband & other drivers on road. Nissan has stated they're investigating the issue with these headlights & denies any responsibility due to car being in warranty or recall issued.

- Conway, AR, USA

problem #328

Dec 282018

Altima

  • 87,704 miles
Having issue with low bean lights. I can't see at night. This problem is not fixable. This will be my third headlight assembly. Nissan is not taking ownership and this should be a recall. It's not safe to driver at night unless I turn on my high beams.

- Gwynn Oak, MD, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?