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:
28 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
34 / 0
Average Mileage:
24,071 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 seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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2013 Nissan Altima Owner Comments (Page 1 of 26)

problem #501

Jul 222024

Altima

  • miles

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

I was traveling straight and made an abrupt turn. I lost control of my car and struck a pole, then hit a brick building. None of the airbags in my vehicle deployed and I hit my nose on the steering wheel and sustained other injuries.

- Pawtucket, RI, USA

problem #500

May 172024

Altima

  • miles
OCS System for Passenger Airbag is not working properly. Went to two dealerships and they said it was not covered under the recall 16V-244. I spoke with Nissan Consumer Affairs and they said that the recall was addressed in the past but was not able to provide when and where. The dealerships I go to for servicing do not have any history of the OCS ever being repaired which means that it was probably repaired sometime with the original owner. Assuming it was actually replaced in the past, with replacement, the part is still failing and not having reached the 15 year mark for the car or the actual recall itself is alarming.

- Allen, TX, USA

problem #499

Mar 172024

Altima

  • miles
My vehicle has a code failure for the air bag sensor light. In order to pass inspection the light has to clear itself and it is not. I-??ve had this vehicle since 2015 and have never had this issue. After talking to a representative at Nissan service department, he claimed that this is an issue he has with his Nissan as well leading me to believe that this is a manufacturer issue. Upon receiving a diagnostic there is no actual damage to the sensor in question it-??s just malfunctioning. Below is an explanation from the service team at Nissan. DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE: B00A0-00 OCCUPANT SENSOR MAL. CHECKED HARNESS FOR ANY DAMAGES AND FOUND NONE. UNPLUGGED UNIT AND SENSOR AND RECONNECTED THEM. ATTEMPTED TO CLEAR CODES DID NOT CLEAR, UNSUCCESSFUL. ATTEMPTED TO PERFORM ZERO POINT RELEARN, UNSUCCESSFUL. ATTEMPT TO CLEAR CODES AGAIN AND CODES DID NOT CLEAR

- Riverdale, GA, USA

problem #498

Feb 122024

Altima

  • 160,000 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 while driving at an undisclosed speed, the hood suddenly became unlatched, compromising front visibility. As a result, the contact veered into a light pole, damaging the bumper. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The air bags did not deploy. A Police report was not filed, and no injuries were reported. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V244000 (Air Bags), and the VIN was included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 160,000.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #497

Feb 102024

Altima

  • miles
Headlights

- Westampton, NJ, USA

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problem #496

Jan 152024

Altima

  • miles
My airbag light has been illuminated for the past few months. It does not illuminate while someone is in the seat. Once reset, it stays off for a while. When checked, the mechanic informed me that the sensor in my passenger seat needs to be replaced. Due to this malfunction, the vehicle may improperly deploy airbags. This has not happened but I-??m concerned that it could possibly happen.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #495

Nov 212023

Altima

  • miles

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

Hello, I took my Nissan Altima into my local Nissan dealer for a hood latch recall on 11/13/2023. On 11/21/2023 at about 6:40 pm I was driving my car at a speed of maybe 45-50mph and my hood flew open hitting my windshield causing damage to my car, and scaring my son and I. I called the dealer the next morning and spoke to Anthony from the service department regarding this situation, and he stated a faulty latch could have been put on my car, causing this to happen. I sent pictures to him via email, and he advised that he would contact the director and call me back with an update. I received a callback within hours advising Nissan would cover the damages but I would need to contact consumer affairs to see which location could do the repairs as they were behind by 8 month at that location in particular and could not provide me with a loaner car. After a week of waiting for an update from a dealer to confirm repairs, I had the car towed to the Thomas Nissan of Joliet on 12/4/2023 as the car would not accelerate anymore due to the hard brake. As of today 12/18/2023 I have spoken to the service manager there and he advised parts came in but they do not have a date for repairs or approval on the acceleration issue and for now will only repair the body. I advised that I am extremely saddened by the way I am being handled after such a traumatic ordeal that could have been deadly or life altering. This recall was supposed to prevent this issue, and it only caused it. This recall hasn't done anything to fix the cars, and neither have three other hood latch recalls for Altima cars. Altima drivers are in danger from hoods that suddenly fly open while driving, and this situation just proves a problem. Nissan doesn't know how to properly repair it, and my car and I are proof.

- Westchester , IL, USA

problem #494

Sep 202023

Altima

  • miles
Air bag not function

- Fayetteville, AR, USA

problem #493

Sep 132023

Altima

  • miles
The 2013 Nissan Altima passenger light seatbelt dash light stayed on unless seatbelt was buckled with person in seat. Took to Nissan dealer who charged $150 to diagnose as a sensor control unit except when they cleared the codes the airbag light also came on and has stayed on. 1.Issue number one is Nissan had a recall on the sensor unit and Nissan refuses warranty. I called Nissan hotline and took back to dealer and warranty was still refused. 2.Issue number two the air bag light only showed up after the codes where cleared account to Nissan. This means that I was driving with the passenger air bag not functioning without any warning light showing not functioning air bag. I believe this is a warranty issue and also a safety issue where the car has a non-functional passenger air bag even though it does not show until the codes are cleared at a dealer. How many people are driving around not knowing Nissan is not giving a warning Light?

- Fayetteville, AR, USA

problem #492

Jul 242023

Altima

  • miles
Deer run out in front of me. Airbags did not deploy.

- Louis Fork , AL, USA

problem #491

Aug 232023

Altima

  • miles

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

Front passenger air bag warning lamp is illuminating signaling that the vehicle is not detecting an occupant in the seat. This is the second time this has occurred. The first time the sensor was replaced, (Pc214) NHTSA13V-069. It was covered under a safety recall in April 2013. I took the vehicle to Bowie Nissan, Bowie, MD and asked to have the sensor replaced at no charge as this is a safety issue. I provided the TSB from Nissan notifying the dealerships. The TSB reference number NTB19-071 September 12, 2019. I supplied the service writer a photo of the results of a diagnostic scan that stated occupant sensor was abnormal. The service advisor stated that it is a safety issue but they would have to charge a $189 diagnostic scan. If they confirmed the problem they would then make the repair and charge me the cost since it is not covered by Nissan. My car currently has mileage of 104,389 mile. I feel that this should be repaired by Nissan at no charge as this the second time this part has failed and that it is genuine safety issue. I feel that Nissan is dodging it responsibility to its customers and NHTSA.

- Crofton , MD, USA

problem #490

May 012023

Altima

  • miles
The airbag sensor stop working. The airbag light stayed on whether someone was sitting in or not sitting in the passenger seat. The dealership stated there was an opening in the circuit and had to be re-builded. With the airbag not working this made the vehicle unsafe to drive and they could not tell me if the defect was with the driver side or passenger side airbag.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #489

Jul 192023

Altima

  • miles
I had recall work done on my car was not properly repaired Issue still needs addressed Nissan refuses to look into they are telling me it was addressed. But the issue still remains. To fix the issue they want me to pay for it but I ma afraid that it may not be fixed properly again. This is the third accordance with this issue.

- Harpers Ferry, WV, USA

problem #488

May 242023

Altima

  • miles
I took my vehicle in for assessment which costs around $160 as had many warning lights, including airbag. Nissan reviewed and informed my the passenger airbag needed to be replaced as the sensor was bad. There have been four previous recalls on Nissan Altima for airbag sensor issues and mine was not addressed. Now there is an issue and I'm told to spend money I don't have for an issue Nissan should fix. In the event somebody is hurt or worse, Nissan will be held responsible. Please take action and correct this issue and hold Nissan responsible.

- Merrillan, WI, USA

problem #487

Nov 182022

Altima

  • 109,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, he noticed a burning smell coming through the A/C vents. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that unknown frontal air bag had deployed under the hood and burned; however, the mechanic could not repair the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to another mechanic who informed the contact that they could not repair the vehicle. An unknown dealer was contacted but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #486

Jun 132022

Altima

  • miles
My 2013 Nissan Altima had a malfunctioning air bag which "could or could not" deploy correctly, and at any time. I had to pay $2800 for replacement of this serious safety issue, and Nissan will not reimburse me. This air bag had simply stopped operating correctly, it had never been deployed. At the time of replacement the car had 86,000. I had no choice about replacing it unless I wanted my passenger to be at a serious safety risk.

- New Bedford, MA, USA

problem #485

Feb 252023

Altima

  • miles
Driver air bag light remains on. Passenger air bag was supposedly fixed per recall years ago, but now the driver air bag seems to be faulty. Car has not been in an accident. Attempts by dealer and other mechanics to reset the light have failed, indicating there is a problem. Nissan refuses to remediate and says that it is the owner's responsibility. Dealer has said that Nissan does not know what the problem is and even if airbag is replaced for a tune of $3K they do not guarantee that the problem will be fixed! There is no option for us and this is extremely unsafe.

- Mililani, HI, USA

problem #484

Oct 242022

Altima

  • miles
Air bag sensors continue to come on even after repairs and reprogramming have been completed multiple times. Sensors do not recognize occupants thus causing a safety issue should there be a collision. Complaint was filed with Nissan Consumer Affairs and Nissan refuses to remediate even though recall was issued on this same issue several years ago. Nissan states outside of normal warranty. Nissan expects remediation costs ($800 plus) to be covered by consumer. I believe the sensor and airbag system is still faulty and was not properly remediated during the initial recall.

- Georgetown, KY, USA

problem #483

Sep 292022

Altima

  • miles
This vehicle has never been in an accident and the driver air bag light came on. Per dealer it was the air bag modular and the who driver seat. Needed to be replaced. I called Nissan and they wouldn-??t cover the replacement, because this part is only covered up to 50,000 miles. I-??m very concerned and disappointed this is a safety hazard and should have been covered we are talking about air bag which saves lives. While in the dealership getting my car repaired another customer came in with the same issue. Can you please investigate Nissan before the faulty air bag modular they are placing on their cars? I can see the part going out on vehicles involved in accidents, it doesn-??t make sense on non-accident vehicles.

- Austell , GA, USA

problem #482

Aug 152022

Altima

  • miles
Airbag sensors are failing and Airbag warning light is

- Long Beach, NY, USA

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