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:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
33,335 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 steering problems

steering problem

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2013 Nissan Altima Owner Comments (Page 2 of 5)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #69

Jul 292019

Altima

  • miles

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

Rear control arm rusted through and broke. Rear undercarriage all rusted through

- Yorkville, IL, USA

problem #68

Jul 152019

Altima 4-cyl

  • 11,800 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. While driving, the vehicle began veering in both directions. The contact had difficulty maintaining control of the steering while driving approximately 40 mph. Also, the traction control warning indicator illuminated. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the rear lower control arms fractured. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified. The failure mileage was 11,800. Some photos from mechanic regarding broken rear lower control arm of 2013 Nissan Altima, attached. The consumer stated both the right and left rear lower control arm exhibited significant rust and fatigue.

- Acton, MA, USA

problem #67

Jul 142019

Altima

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. While the contact's husband was driving various speeds, the steering wheel became uncontrollable. In addition, the rear passenger wheel fractured. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated that the rear lower control arm needed to be repaired. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: 36454186. No further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

- Meadville, PA, USA

problem #66

Oct 312013

Altima

  • 19,949 miles

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

On highway and city street in motion the vehicle wander constantly on right or left of the lane making it very hard and very unsafe to drive. Driving during wind condition make the problem even worst. I believe that a component of the steering might be at fault Nissan dealer says it's normal...

- Plantation, FL, USA

problem #65

Jun 152019

Altima

  • 77,962 miles
I was driving my 2013 Nissan Altima on a busy city street and lost control of steering ability due to the right rear control arm that was completely rusted and broke apart. My vehicle had to be towed and this part had to be replaced.

- Springfield, MA, USA

problem #64

May 162019

Altima

  • 120,000 miles
Vehicle was in motion on a straight flat stretch of county road traveling at approximately 40 mph. Vehicle started to "shimmy" and steering wheel response became sluggish/erratic, and skid control indicator light came on. Vehicle was slowed to approximately 20 mph and turned into a gas station lot and parked. Vehicle was turned off then restarted in case skid lamp could reset. Vehicle was slowly backed about a foot when a loud "clunk" was heard. Vehicle was stopped and rear tire on driver side inspected. At first, tire appeared to be coming off rotor until closer inspection showed that the driver's side rear control arm snapped at the weld near to where it connects to the frame. Flatbed tow truck was called and vehicle towed to the dealership where car is awaiting repair. Tow truck operator indicated that he has seen this problem multiple times before on same model car. Research on internet post incident indicates similar make/model year cars having same issue.

- Brunswick, OH, USA

problem #63

Mar 072019

Altima

  • 94,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. While driving 70 mph, the vehicle lost steering control and the traction control warning indicator illuminated. The contact pulled the vehicle over to regain control of the vehicle. Courtesy motor sales, Inc (3100 pleasant valley blvd, altoona, pa 16602, (814) 942-9000) diagnosed that the rear passenger side control arm needed to be repaired. The contact scheduled a repair appointment with the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 94,000.

- Gallitzin, PA, USA

problem #62

Feb 272019

Altima

  • 160,000 miles
My clutch in stuck in "park". this has been dangerous for my family and I bc if we are stuck in traffic I would put my car in park, and when traffic starts moving again my car is now holding up traffic behind me bc my car is stuck in park. This car is only 6 years old and I've already had to get the transmission replaced. Nissan needs to know they can't sell cars that cause a danger to families!!!!!!!

- High Point, NC, USA

problem #61

Feb 282019

Altima

  • 76,000 miles
While driving at high speeds 55mph a clunk was heard while in a turn, and the lower right end of the car sank down. The steering went completely crazy and out of control. I had to slow down to 20mph for the entire 30 mile trip home. This was the second time this happened in the last 2 months. The first time was back in January 2019 when the left one broke and almost caused me to wreck again! and now I see there is a federal investigation about this exact thing.

- Confluence, PA, USA

problem #60

Feb 072019

Altima

  • 134,000 miles
While driving on the highway I heard a "pop" and the steering became unstable on my 2013 Nissan Altima with the car veering left and right. I took my foot off the gas and was able to guide the car off to the side of the highway without incident. I thought I had a blow out but the tires were fine. If it had been rush hour I probably would have collided with another car. I was able to slowly drive the car off the highway and to a local Nissan dealer where they indicated I had a rear control arm failure. The left rear tire was clearly leaning outward and the steering wheel was way out of alignment. Nissan replaced (see attached receipt) the link compl rear, link complete, R; two rod connecting and adsorber kit. They also aligned the car. I had them repair both the broken left suspension items as well as the right as I didn't want this to happen again. I do believe this failure is a serious safety issue and really could have caused a crash in heavy traffic. This incident occurred on the highway when I was travelling in a straight line.

- Amherst, OH, USA

problem #59

Jan 212019

Altima

  • 60,000 miles

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

While going about 40 mph driving on a city street my car randomly started to fish tail and I lost control of the rear tires. I took it straight to Nissan and found that the rear control arms had broken. The tech said he "had never seen a break like this." I had not hit any potholes or curbs I was simply driving down the road and it just broke. The vehicle only has 60K miles on it and is in great condition. Luckily I was not on the highway or in a position that I could not pull over as I lost complete control of my tail end and had to drive 45 mins (usually a 15 min ride) to my closest dealership. I have seen similar complaints about the control arms on the 2013 alitma's with low miles and beginning to think this is faulty part.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #58

Apr 202017

Altima

  • miles
I have taking to the Nissan dealer, the shift gear will not move or switch gear do to the problem with the solenoid, is not connecting, I hear is a recall but the dealer will not fix it, because by the time I have this problem my car was over 60,000 miles. It will cost me over $800 out of my packet. I been back and fort driving with them and refused to work with me unless I paid full amount, I know that is in fact a big problem with the shift lock and many other people have the same problem as my car. Every time I start my car I need to used a pin or small screw driver to push down the emergency shift release.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #57

Apr 232018

Altima

  • 60,380 miles
About a month ago my steering started acting up. It is very stiff when turning a corner, but during the turn it also goes back to "normal", then stiff again. Also when turning the wheel it won't return back to the straight position.

- Bloomfield, CT, USA

problem #56

Jun 042017

Altima

  • 73,000 miles
I bought my car in April 2016 I've had nothing but issues it chugs all the time on highway/city/county roads, and while turning left and right with Cruze set or not. Every time I get in my car and try to shift it down from park it don't always shift or if I try shifting up it's like it sticks it has been fixed once already, when the heated seats are on low or high setting if left on longer than 5 minuets it gets burning hot. The steering wheel is also super loose my car has 82,000 miles on it I've had it for a year and a half and I've had so many issues including the air conditioning marquart motors out of chippewa falls wi refuses to return my calls (I bought the car from them they are useless and unhelpful ) I have a extended warranty as well so most repairs are covered thank god but won't be for long. It's very frustrating that I paid 23,000 for a car that has so many issues I really just wish I could give it back so scared to have my children in it and I shouldn't have to feel that way. Alsothere are 3 or four recalls and I can't seem to ever get it in for repair because our Nissan dealer is always so booked or don't have the parts to fix it till days or weeks later.

- Fairchild, WI, USA

problem #55

Oct 042017

Altima

  • 83,000 miles
After leasing the car for about 4 months, the car developed an issue at 83,000 mile mark. When attempting to turn left or right from standstill the car stalls. I would press down the gas pedal all the way down and the car would not move or accelerate until 6 seconds or so later. Sometimes the car doesn't move at all until I move the steering wheel back and forth. From this I can infer it has to do with the power steering or something electrical. It only happens when the steering wheel is turned halfway or more at a stop. Kinda like a power outage at that since all the lights dim and sometimes even the HVAC fan speed goes down while while the car is unable to move. This is extremely dangerous as I was trying to make a left turn while there was a pause in opposite traffic and the car just rolled a little and stopped since I depressed the brake pedal while accelerator pedal did absolutely nothing until I straightened the steering wheel. After my car rolled out into oncoming traffic I could of easily gotten in a crash if the oncoming cars didn't slow down for me. This happens pretty randomly but only when trying to turn from a stop. I can't any longer trust the car as its pretty dangerous especially when trying to merge with fast moving traffic.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #54

Mar 072017

Altima

  • 61,000 miles
I have already taken this vehicle back numerous times to the dealership for the same recalls and the notification / emergency lights still come on. This happens when driving at a stop light or when I turn the car on.

- Morgan Hill, CA, USA

problem #53

Feb 182017

Altima

  • 19,000 miles
I have been having an issue with the gear lock not allowing me to get out of park. I have push to start and my car starts with no problems. This has happened more than once and the only way to get the gears to move is by pushing down the gear release lock. I do it have a video but there are complaints of thi and videos on youtube!

- North Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #52

Jul 302013

Altima

  • 40,000 miles
Woke up yesterday to a weak battery no start steering wont lock.so it has to be towed cvt transmission went out already, it was replaced, air bag for [passenger} sometimes works its the 2nd new car I ever owned and im 54 years old im so disappointed at this car it must have been built on a Friday.

- Evarts, KY, USA

problem #51

Oct 012016

Altima

  • miles
Brakes make squeaky noise all the time. Passanger airbag sign does not show even if someone is sitting

- Chesterfield, MO, USA

problem #50

Aug 222016

Altima

  • 73,000 miles
Hi I took my vehicle for regular inspection and have reported a problem with the passenger side wheels making noise. Also reporting car drift side ways while at high speeds. With initial analysis from Nissan service center have mentioned that there is some issue with shifting of a spring on the on the track rods. I raised this to my extended warranty service provider. And they have mentioned that it has to be done under tsb and will not undertake the repair. Hence I am submitting this incident report you you so investigate if it actually falls under tsb or not. And if it is then how I can get it fixed under tsb norms.

- Novi, MI, USA

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