2013 Nissan Altima Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2013 Altima most often describe low-beam headlights that light the road poorly at night, and rear control arms that corroded or broke. Transmission complaints (CVT judder, hesitation, loss of drive) and hood latches that let the hood open while driving also appear often, mostly at mileages between about 50,000 and 150,000 miles.

1. 1
   Exterior lighting

   Dim low-beam headlights at night

   • 387 complaints (17%)
   • median 80,000 mi at 6.4 yrs old (221 state mileage)
   • 10 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 47 quotes)
   • filed 2013–2026

   Owners describe low beams that give little road illumination, so some switch to high beams or avoid night driving. Many link it to the reflective coating in the headlamp housing or projector wearing away, and say new bulbs did not improve it. According to the complaints, dealers sometimes said the headlamp assembly or reflector needed replacement, and some owners were told the work was not covered. Reported at very low to more than 150,000 miles, but most reports fall between about 50,000 and 130,000 miles, and drivers often describe it on night or wet-road trips.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: On a dark road, check whether the low beams light the road adequately. Ask whether the halogen headlamp voluntary service campaign (PC861) was ever performed, and look for hazy or peeling coating inside the headlamp housings.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The low beams for my 2013 Altima sl have become too dim for me to see at night. I have had to start using the high beams to see at night which could cause problems for other drivers, but if I didn't use them I could crash due to poor visibility.”

   NHTSA complaint #11373620, filed 2020-11, 121,000 miles

   “The headlight slowly lost their ability to reflect light from the bulb. They started bright when I owned the car but slowly became more dim as time went on. I realize that halogen bulbs will do that, but this wasn't the result of the bulb. The reflective coating inside of the low beam projector had started to come off and the projector was not projecting light as it should. It became so dim that I could barely see at night, if the roads were not lit up. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11372531, filed 2020-11, 117,000 miles
2. 2
   Suspension

   Rear control arm corrosion and fracture

   • 338 complaints (15%)
   • median 97,000 mi at 6.8 yrs old (263 state mileage)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,200 (median of 27 quotes)
   • filed 2013–2026

   Owners describe a rear lower control arm that rusted or cracked and broke, often with popping or clunking noises first. Drivers report the rear wheel tilting, the car sliding or pulling, and loss of steering control at speed. According to the complaints, dealers and independent shops found corrosion at the arm pivot, and some owners said the manufacturer did not offer help or said the vehicle was not covered by a recall. Mostly reported between about 70,000 and 160,000 miles, and several owners in salt-belt or humid areas say they were told rust was the problem.

   What to check: Ask whether the rear control arms have been inspected for rust and cracks, especially in salt-belt states. Look under the rear of the car for corrosion at the arm mounting points, and ask for any service records of suspension work.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Suggested that I replace control arms on my 2013 Nissan Altima at 79,000 miles. I saw there was a service alert not recall by Nissan to replace these in salt states . I live in florida near the water, and there is water in the air here. Arms are cracking, corroding. Would like Nissan to pay for the replacement. Maas bros. Nissan in new port richey fl suggested the repair...over $1000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11337917, filed 2020-07, 79,000 miles

   “While driving on a highway, my Nissan Altima starting making noise from the rear and the car feel going to the left by itself. After I stopped I found the rear control arm which holds the spring part broke apart. This is very dangerous.”

   NHTSA complaint #11331884, filed 2020-07, 92,500 miles
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   CVT judder, hesitation and loss of drive

   • 478 complaints (21%)
   • median 70,000 mi at 5.3 yrs old (403 state mileage)
   • 13 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $3,800 (median of 54 quotes)
   • filed 2012–2026

   Owners describe shuddering or jerking when pulling away or stopping, delayed or lost acceleration, and in some cases the car stalling or stopping moving. Some report a P17F0 or P17F1 code from a mechanic. According to the complaints, dealers often said the transmission needed replacement, and some owners said the manufacturer did not offer assistance. Reported mostly between about 50,000 and 155,000 miles, most often at low speeds, when stopping, or when pulling away after a stop.

   5 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test-drive from a stop and at low speed, watching for shudder or hesitation. Ask whether the CVT judder and P17F0/P17F1 bulletins were applied and whether any stored codes or transmission repairs are on record.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving the car completely stopped moving, transmission locked up. My repair shop couldn't fix it or figure out what was wrong with it. Car has been sitting for weeks while trying to get in contact with Nissan who has told me that there was a recall on my vehicles CVT transmission and they had never sent out a recall notice to me and I've been the register owner for years.”

   NHTSA complaint #11384865, filed 2020-12, 113,900 miles

   “While driving in traffic, the car began jerking back and forth before completely shutting off. I was with my small child in the middle of an intersection when this happened. This happened several times whenever I'd put the car in reverse or drive. I'm one of hundreds, if not thousands of people affected by this issue, which is known to specifically affect 2013 models. My child and I nearly got in an accident when this happened.”

   NHTSA complaint #11318052, filed 2020-03, 94,000 miles
4. 4
   Body and structure

   Hood flies open or does not stay latched

   • 125 complaints (5%)
   • median 53,500 mi at 3.6 yrs old (84 state mileage)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,700 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 2013–2026

   Owners describe the hood opening while driving, sometimes slamming into the windshield, or lifting or flapping at speed. Some say the secondary hood latch was stuck or corroded. According to the complaints, some dealers were not notified and some owners were not aware of an open recall. Reported at mileages from about 20,000 to about 150,000 miles, often at highway speeds.

   Recall 20V315000Recall 16V029000Recall 15V116000Recall 14V565000

   What to check: Confirm that the hood latch recall (for example 20V315000) has been completed. Close the hood, then check that it stays latched and that the secondary latch engages and is not corroded.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving down the road and my hood flew open and hit my windshield very hard. I was unable to see due to hood flying up and almost caused me to crash. It damaged my side fenders due to impact. I was going about 20mph on a side road in gahanna oh. It happened on 12/28/2020. I was never notified of open recalls via mail nor email. I am highly upset at the fact it could have harmed me or someone else. I would like to be contacted regarding this matter as soon as possible.”

   NHTSA complaint #11385398, filed 2020-12, 148,000 miles

   “Driving on highway, absolutely no warning at all, hood flies open suddenly slamming into windshield while driving!!! After screaming of course, tried to keep vehicle straight, slowed, pulled over to right to safety. Unbelievably no other vehicles hit/involved, no crash - my vehicle has damage to hood, roof, both front fenders, interior overhead controls dropped out of the ceiling. Nissan not yet committing to paying for it 100% !!!!!! …”

   NHTSA complaint #11341785, filed 2020-07, 85,000 miles
5. 5
   Engine

   Sudden stalling or loss of power while driving

   • 116 complaints (5%)
   • median 56,830 mi at 4.6 yrs old (96 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2012–2024

   Owners describe the engine stalling at idle or while stopping, hesitating, or suddenly losing power and slowing down without warning. Some report a surge in engine speed followed by a stall. Warning lights were often not illuminated, and complaints say the reason was not determined by the dealer or independent shop. Reported at mileages from about 45,000 to about 125,000 miles, and often with no prior warning.

   What to check: Ask the seller whether any stall or power-loss events were recorded, and ask for repair records. Check for stored fault codes with a scan tool before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 2013 Nissan Altima sl keeps stalling on me without any warning. The decoder stated it was the max air flow sensor, I replaced it, I'm still having the same problem. I had a tune up done even though I have low miles. No engine light is on. I read some reviews and I'm not the only person with the the same car or year having this issue. You take it to the dealer and they tell me nothing is wrong with it.”

   NHTSA complaint #11363802, filed 2020-10, 69,153 miles

   “While driving on street, the gas pedal will no longer provide power to the car and begin to slow itself down. I will push on the breaks briefly and try the gas pedal to see if it works and it will take a few times before it does. While on the freeway the vehicle again, gas pedal would no longer provide power to the car and begin to slow itself down. This has now happened 8 separate times to the car. It will work for a few days and then do it again, with out notice. No check engine light goes on. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11337427, filed 2020-07, 123,204 miles

Buying note. Check the low-beam headlights at night, the rear control arms for rust, and the hood latch recall status before buying. Ask for records showing whether transmission bulletins were applied and whether the car has had any stalling or power-loss repairs.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 80 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.