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.

2.0

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
78,750 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 transmission problems

transmission problem

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2013 Nissan Altima Owner Comments

problem #6

Sep 152023

Altima

  • 100,200 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 vehicle made an unusual sound and stalled. The contact stated she was able to drive the vehicle to the shoulder of the road and then the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated the vehicle would not restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with a failed transmission. The transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 100,200.

- Bridgewater, NJ, USA

problem #5

Sep 222021

Altima

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that upon coming to a complete stop, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that soon after the restart, the vehicle again stalled without warning. She also stated that the vehicle would hesitate while in reverse with an abnormal, clunking sound coming from the engine. The contact then took the vehicle to a dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and informed her that there were no recalls on the vehicle and that the warranty had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

- Swedesboro, NJ, USA

problem #4

Aug 022021

Altima

  • 74,300 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle suddenly jerked forward. The vehicle then would return to normal function. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 74,300.

- Apopka, FL, USA

problem #3

Jun 152021

Altima

  • 153,000 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 while driving at 45 mph, approaching a stop light the vehicle began to jerk back and forth, the contact was able to stop the vehicle and turn the steering wheel to the right side of a merging lane to avoid oncoming traffic. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer who inspected the vehicle and diagnosed the failure with the transmission and it would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately mileage 153,000.

- Talladega, AL, USA

problem #2

Oct 282019

Altima

  • miles
My 2013 Nissan Altima sv transmission shuttered while on the highway. I was in busy traffic and almost cause an accident. Nissan should be ashamed of theirselves....making a vehicle with a transmission like this. And they know the transmission is most important part of the vehicle.

- Melbourne , FL, USA

problem #1

Dec 052017

Altima

  • 75,000 miles
I am reporting a dangerous condition with the 2013 Nissan Altima transmission. The transmission failed on my car at 75,000 miles while driving 65 - 70 mph on the Florida turnpike. The car is out of warranty based on miles (not time) and I was denied coverage by Nissan due to warranty expiration and because vehicle was purchased used. The transmission has stuttered since purchase but it seemed to be a quirk of the car; however, on Dec. 5, 2017, it briefly would not move in reverse as my daughter (the primary driver) began a 4-hour drive from orlando to miami. It engaged and she continued on her trip. While driving on the Florida turnpike, the transmission disengaged while driving at highway speed. She was able to coast through traffic to the side of the road. She turned off the car and it started and moved again. It was nighttime and not safe for her to remain on the side of the road. The transmission continued to stop several times during her drive and she again pulled over, stopped, then restarted the car. She made it safely to miami. The next morning, Dec. 6, the car would not move in drive or reverse. On Dec 10 the car was towed by aaa to a nearby auto mechanic. On Dec. 11 the transmission failure was diagnosed and I was advised to take the car to a Nissan dealer because of the numerous reported problems with the cvt transmissions, including an extended warranty on models up to year 2010. On Dec. 11 it was towed to Nissan and we established a case with Nissan customer care. Today, Dec. 19 we were informed that Nissan will not cover any of the cost of repair. The repair estimate is at least $3,700. They will replace with the same transmission, so we are concerned about safety in the future. We still owe ~$8,000 on the vehicle and feel we have no choice but to move forward with the repair.

- Longwood, FL, USA

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