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:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
77,812 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 wheels / hubs problems

wheels / hubs problem

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2013 Nissan Altima Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #33

Apr 222023

Altima

  • miles

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

While driving on a highway at approximately 65 mph the car seemed to lose traction and the slip indicator light appeared. Once able to safely look at the vehicle it was noticed the rear wheels were not aligned and the lower rear control arm had snapped.

- Big Lake, MN, USA

problem #32

Aug 292022

Altima

  • miles
The steering wheel was pulling to one side as I drove to work. After I parked my car I put it in reverse and something fell out of the bottom of the car. The rear lower link had broken in half and the car was not drivable. The tires bent in. The car was then towed to universal Nissan. This was a recall and Nissan wants to charge me for parts and labor.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #31

Feb 052022

Altima

  • miles
I took my car in for an alignment and the mechanic discovered excessive and sever corrosion on the lower suspension link in the rear, the corrosion is so bad that the entire subframe is holding on by a corroded approximately 1/2 inch section, one bump and the entire rear end of the vehicle will fall off. This car is less than 10 years old, has 80,000 miles on it and is for the most part kept in a garage. The corrosion is so bad that the car has been deemed unsafe to drive. Individuals who are experts in automotive parts have indicated that the corrosion that has occurred would be expected for a car that is over 50 years old and has been sitting in water or subjected to extreme use of salt/water/road chemicals to corrode to the degree that this entire unit is showing. I found that Nissan has put in place a "warranty extension to replace this exact part of the lower rear suspension due to excessive corrosion for the year/make/model of car I am reporting, however Nissan is refusing to honor that on my car simply because my VIN number didn't show up as one that should be experiencing this KNOWN issue. Searching the internet I have found hundreds of people that have had their back end fall off while driving due to this corrosion, ALL are same year, make and model. I will attach photos that show the extensive corrosion that is on the lower rear link of my 2013 Altima, reflecting that my car is in fact impacted by the very issue that Nissan supposedly was voluntarily extending the warranty on in an effort to prevent having to do a recall. Based on my brief internet review with a simple Google search this part is DEFECTIVE on more cars than Nissan is covering and someone is going to die as a result of Nissans failure to recall and/or fix the issue when it is brought to their attention despite knowing that this is a prevalent issue on the year/make/model of this car. There lack of taking responsibility will cost someone their life.

- Lees Summit, MO, USA

problem #30

Apr 242020

Altima

  • 95,023 miles

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

The airbag light for the passenger side stays on which means the airbag on the passenger side will not deploy because it's not detecting any weight. Even when someone sits in it it doesn't detect weight. The tires are constantly losing air.

- Murfreesboro, TN, USA

problem #29

Aug 142020

Altima

  • 78,721 miles
Parts of the suspension corroded and wheel came off while my pregnant daughter was driving

- Connellsville, PA, USA

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problem #28

Jun 032020

Altima

  • miles
All 4 wheel bearings failed. Noise level increased with time and eventually changed when I was concerned with my safety. Confirmed by mechanic, that all 4 bearings were bad. Mechanic changed both front bearing first before changing back bearing to confirm failure on back wheel bearings as well. Changed bearings at about 110,500 miles. Have loved Nissan but I've had two major safety concerns with two vehicles as of late

- Layton, UT, USA

problem #27

May 262020

Altima 4-cyl

  • 5 miles

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

I was making a left turn and I heard a pop and pulled over and as I put it in park my traction control light came on so I went out to inspect what happened, checked the front normal, when to the rear noticed my driver side wheel is turned in, went under the car to look and noticed my rear lower control arm rusted and snapped off the bolt that connects it to the body.

- Hollis, NY, USA

problem #26

Mar 082020

Altima

  • miles
Last week I had a catastrophic failure of a rear control arm while driving 50 miles an hour costing me 700 dollars in repair with a used part as an emergency fix. Rear passenger side. Today after having by car back the drivers side rear control arm snapped this time while driving on a road in town at 25 miles an hour. These cars are certain to get someone killed if Nissan doesn't address them. I am furious and scared to drive this vehicle. I know thousands of complaints have been made. I need something done about this.

- Bethlehem, NH, USA

problem #25

Jan 312020

Altima

  • 142,000 miles
My 2013 Nissan Altima is inoperable due to a broken corroded rear wheel suspension link. The lower arm broke while I was driving the vehicle. I immediately noticed that the rear of the vehicle started to slide almost like I was driving in icey conditions, however the roads were clear. The anti skid sensor also lit up on the vehicle control panel. Once I pulled over and looked under the vehicle, I could see the rear wheel arm was broken, causing the tire to lean heavily to the side. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop in which I was informed about the recall P9324. I was told to contact a local Nissan repair shop to get the repairs fixed under the recall. I followed the recommendation and contacted the local Nissan repair shop. After talking with a technician, he confirmed their wad a recall and I made arrangements for the vehicle to be towed there. Since then I was told by the same shop that my vehicle is not a vehicle that falls under the recall. I researched the recall and found that Nissan is campaigning to alert 2013 Nissan Altima owners located in cold weather states of the malfunctioning part do to corrosion from salt used in snow removal. I live in Minnesota and purchased the vehicle in Minnesota. The exact part the Nissan is campaigning to be replaced has broken due to corrosion, however, Nissan refuses to cover the repair costs and claims my vehicle doesn't fall under the recall. I do believe this broken part causes a safety risk as it occured while I was driving on a city street. The damage affected my ability to control the vehicle as the rear end was swerving due to the tire becoming detached from its original position.

- Rochester, MN, USA

problem #24

Nov 302019

Altima

  • 149,000 miles
I was driving straight on the highway at approximately 65 mph when the car started moving from side to side and was difficult to control. I exited the highway and had the car towed to my auto mechanic. The issue was a broken rear right control arm. The control arm completely rusted through and separated from the frame of the car.

- Braintree, MA, USA

problem #23

Oct 082019

Altima

  • 71,000 miles

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

I've been having this clacking noise in the right rear of my car. I went to 2 auto repair places to try to identify the problem. Every time I went over a bump in the road on the right side...click clack, click clack. Finally, diagnosed as crack in control arm. It is at kelly Nissan now. I do have a bumper to bumper warranty from warranty direct. However, I am hoping that Nissan will fix at no cost to me, since this is an ongoing problem with this make and model. I was told I shouldn't be driving the car because it was too dangerous. Also, I reported this to Nissan.I hope no one gets injured due to this defect. I was lucky.

- Nahant, MA, USA

problem #22

Oct 082019

Altima

  • 133,000 miles
My suspension broke off the frame of the car while moving on a turn after being at a complete stop making a left. The rear driver side detached from the frame making the car unmovable and bending the tire almost at a 90 degree angle.

- Monaca, PA, USA

problem #21

Sep 252019

Altima

  • 173,663 miles
The contact owned a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the rear passenger side control arm was repaired by an independent mechanic. While driving on the highway at 40 mph, the front driver's side wheel detached from the vehicle. The driver was able to skid to the side of the road. A police officer observed that the lug nuts may not have been tightened enough to properly secure the tire. The inside of the rim was inspected by the police officer when he observed the vehicle. The bumper, quarter panel, sub frame, alloy wheel, front driver's side suspension control arm assembly, and the front driver's side driveshaft assembly were all severely damaged. The vehicle was deemed totaled by the contact's insurance company and was towed to a referred body shop. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 173,663.

- Bettendorf, IA, USA

problem #20

Aug 192019

Altima

  • 120,000 miles
The rear suspension on our vehicle detached unexpectedly and without warning while we were driving. The vehicle was driving straight on a city street. Thankfully no one was injured. Once the vehicle no longer in motion it was apparent that the rear control arm / rear suspension had detached from excessive rusted. The vehicle is a 2013 with no outer body rust. It seems like this could be a defect as well as a significant safety issue.

- Providence, RI, USA

problem #19

Jul 292019

Altima

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

- Yorkville, IL, USA

problem #18

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 #17

Jun 282019

Altima

  • 90,000 miles
I was driving to work and on a highway, ready to get onto a major interstste rt295N in NJ. I was going aprox. 45 mph when the car started pulling drastically to my right, I thought I had a flat tire. Pulled the car over to inspect, and my rear passenger tire was not flat but bent as if it was coming off. I had to have the car towed to a mechanic where he confirmed the yes in fact the tire was coming off! he said if I drove much further I would have lost my tire it was hanging by a rusty thread!! upon further inspection he note the whole rear subframe is rusted out and I needed not one but both lower control arms replace because the drivers side was about to separate also. This is going to cost me big buck along with a rental car, as this is not something insurance will cover. Apparently therre have been many issues with this model/year car exactly the same as my incident.there was no warning nor previous symptoms to this happening. I could have benn hurt or kiled not to mention someone else near me on the road! I have included pictures.

- Cherry Hill, NJ, USA

problem #16

Jun 212019

Altima

  • 165,000 miles
I was on my way to work at 6:15am. The control arm broke while I was moving at 65 mph on the highway. The car become extremely difficult to control, as if I were sliding on ice, however it is June 2019. I was lucky that I wasn't injured or killed. There were no cars near me, so I pulled over. It would seem to me that the steel control arm had metal fatigue or some other sort of defect. I am 60 years old, and have never had this happen with any other car. The car does have 165,000 miles on it, all highway. This should not happen with a 2013 model year. I feel that the Nissan products are not safe.

- Holden, MA, USA

problem #15

Apr 292019

Altima

  • 88,700 miles
I was driving my vehicle about 25 mph leaving work when I heard a thud/clunk from the passenger side rear of the car. The traction control light came on, I pulled over and looked at the car. I though I had a flat because the car had been handling 'oddly' for about 30 feet. I didn't see a flat, drove the remaining mile home and when I saw the car in the driveway the passenger rear tire was at an angle to the car. It was pointed to the right, while the other tires were aligned straight forward. I called my local Nissan dealership and they told me to not drive the vehicle, as they had one in last week with similar conditions (same year, same model) roughly same mileage. They arranged for a tow truck to pick up the vehicle and drag it onto the bed of the truck. They diagnosed that the right rear control arm had failed, causing the tire to disconnect from the control arm while I was driving. I requested that they check remaining control arm suspension components and they confirmed that the driver's side until was also cracked, but not completely broken through as yet. The Nissan manufacturer rep visited the dealership and stated that the repairs were due to rust, causing both control arms to fail, therefore not covered under warranty in place. The vehicle had fewer than 89,000 miles on it when the components failed, there were no indications of any problems previously, and the car was in the dealership three week's prior due to a transmission replacement. This is my sixth and last Nissan vehicle I have had no prior events like this with my other Nissan vehicles. This part failed without any warning, luckily at low speed in my own neighborhood 1 mile from my home.

- Vestal, NY, USA

problem #14

Apr 152019

Altima

  • 125,000 miles
Without warning...I was reversing into my driveway and I heard a loud pop. When I exited the vehicle to take a look, my rear control arm snapped and dislocated the wheel. I am thankful this didn't happen twenty minutes before while on the taconic state parkway driving at highway speed (55 mph). The car needed to be towed to my mechanic.

- Mahopac, NY, USA

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