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SteeringPart report

2013 Nissan Altima Steering Problems

Complaints
94about this part
Share
4%of 2,314 total for the year
Median mileage
23,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 94 complaints about the steering of the 2013 Nissan Altima, 4% of the 2,314 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 23,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #11326078, filed 2020-05, 5 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.”

NHTSA complaint #11287601, filed 2019-12, 149,000 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!”

NHTSA complaint #10955472, filed 2017-02, 19,000 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!!!!!!!”

NHTSA complaint #11184586, filed 2019-03, 160,000 miles

“2013 Nissan Altima 4 door: I was driving the vehicle on a city street about 40 MPH and heard this loud crunching noise and the vehicle started fish tailing . I parked the vehicle and had it looked at and the control arm in the back on the passenger side had completely snapped. I had to order a new one and also another for the other side because I heard if you replace one you should replace the other.”

NHTSA complaint #11241541, filed 2019-08, 99,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Steering: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2024512%
202313%
2021710%
20202011%
201931%
2018125%
2017164%
2016163%
2015485%
2014585%
2013944%
2012174%
2011135%
2010205%
200985956%
2008374%
2007174%
2006152%
2005313%
2004114%
2003131%
2002151%
200153%
200032%
199922%
199832%
199711%
199633%
199511%
199411%

Other parts of the 2013 Nissan Altima

Air bags
514 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
506 complaints
Exterior lighting
442 complaints
Suspension
289 complaints
Other or unknown
241 complaints
Electrical system
159 complaints
Engine
158 complaints
Body and structure
134 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
63 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
60 complaints
Brakes
58 complaints
Fuel system
49 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2013 Nissan Altima

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology