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2013 Nissan Altima

The Verdict

5 Total Klunk

The 2013 Nissan Altima has 2,308 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are electrical (960 complaints) and body (668 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 5/100, it earns a "Total Klunk" rating. If you're shopping for a Nissan Altima, consider the 2025 model year which has 99% fewer complaints.

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The 2025 has 99% fewer complaints

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5

Klunk Score: Total Klunk

Among the most complained-about vehicle years on record. Strongly consider alternatives.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Recalls 2

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

13V158000 TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE

Nissan North America is recalling certain model year 2013 Altima vehicles manufactured March 21, 2012, through March 26, 2013. The spare tires may have been significantly over- or under-inflated.

Risk

Tires that are significantly over- or under-inflated may fail without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and adjust the spare tire pressure, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 29, 2013. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

Reported Apr 11, 2026

14V565000 LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013 Nissan Altima vehicles manufactured March 6, 2012, to February 28, 2013. In the affected vehicles, interference between the...

Risk

If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will be instructed to modify the bend angle of the hood actuation lever to eliminate potential interference with the hood inner panel. In addition, dealers w...

Reported Apr 11, 2026

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
20005012426210
200158535695
20021872710871723
200317589059020
20047983414411
20054553110441982
2006300197037163
200719871928750
2008593851878972
20098063749312586
201014126985957
20118212414760
2012112168982127
201366838960199443
20142982151097183
20152592245286136
20161339117103192
2017108199956110
20187944651622
2019862949618
20206717404512
202120212072
202263452
2023104961
2024263363
202531111

By Category

Electrical
960
Body
668
Transmission
443
Engine
199
Brakes
38

By Severity

1
1163
2
1065
3
9
4
70
5
1

Worst Problems

Compare Against

See how the 2013 Nissan Altima stacks up against rivals.

Complaints

Body 2

I own a 2013 Nissan Altima 2.5 SV with approximately 130,000 miles. My vehicle has a serious water leak affecting both sides of the interior. Rainwater enters around both sun visors, soaks the headliner, and runs down the windshield pillars even when the vehicle is parked. I believe the sunroof drainage system may be defective. I understand the vehicle is outside its original warranty, but I would like Nissan to review this issue for goodwill assistance and consider covering the diagnostic and repair costs.I am concerned about water damage, mold, and possible damage to electrical components near the windshield pillars. There is already signs of mold on the headliner. That is huge health concern. For myself and my family Could you please open a case and let me know whether Nissan can authorize assistance through a dealership? Thank you

16d ago
Body 1

On XXX, at approximately 5:00 a.m., my son was driving my 2013 Nissan Altima 2.5 SL (VIN [XXX]) to work at approximately 55 mph when the hood unexpectedly flew open while the vehicle was moving. The vehicle had approximately 156,000 miles. The hood came up into his field of vision and significantly obstructed his view of the roadway, creating a serious safety hazard. Fortunately, he was able to maintain control of the vehicle. The incident caused substantial damage. The hood is bent, the frame/roof area around the windshield is bent, the sunroof is broken, and the interior overhead console containing the sunroof controls and lights is damaged and hanging down. After the incident, I learned that Nissan previously issued safety recalls involving the secondary hood latch on 2013 Nissan Altimas because the hood could open while the vehicle was being driven. My VIN currently does not show an open hood-latch recall on the NHTSA website. I am concerned that this vehicle may have been included in a previous hood-latch recall or may have previously received a recall repair. I am requesting that NHTSA review this incident and the recall history for this VIN and investigate whether this hood-latch failure is related to the previously identified Nissan Altima hood-latch defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

1mo ago
Electrical 2

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the headlights were very dim, making it difficult to see while driving at night. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with deteriorating headlight assemblies, causing the low-beam headlights to fail to properly illuminate the roadway while driving at night. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 173,000.

1mo ago
Electrical 2

Airbag and seat belt warning lights won't turn off one each on instrument cluster RED, and one ORANGEYELLOW center of dash next to hazard lights button

1mo ago
Body 1

Driver side rear lower control arm broke/rusted through. Was able to get the vehicle home prior to an catastrophic incident. See pictures attached. Warning light came on the dash at the time of the brake of the control arm.

2mo ago
Body 1

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed with the cruise control activated, the vehicle unexpectedly decelerated. During the failure, there were no warning lights illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and the local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 281,000.

2mo ago
Electrical 1

The headlight housings metallic coatings for reflectivity are failing and reduce the efficacy of the headlights. There has been a class action lawsuit against Nissan for this but many, like myself, were not notified. The headlights are very dim and create a safety hazzard when driving in an area where high beams can't be used. NTSHA really needs to do what is right here and force a recall.

2mo ago
Electrical 1

Front passenger door lock actuator fails to unlock door when driver's, passengers or key fob to unlock is activated. All other doors (3) work as they should. This creates a safety issue as the door must manually be unlocked which during a panic situation may not be easily accomplished. I am in the process of having the mechanism inspected & repaired. Part failed with no notice. It may have failed earlier, but July '26 was the 1st I noticed.

2mo ago
Body 1

Rear left wheel busted off of car while driving. Flew up into the back end of car totaling the vehicle. We were very lucky no one was hurt.

3mo ago
Engine 2

The contact's friend owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that when the vehicle was parked, the check engine warning light illuminated and remained illuminated for an extended period. The vehicle was taken to two independent mechanic shops, where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, where the check engine warning light was no longer illuminated, and the failure could not be replicated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

3mo ago
Electrical 1

Headlights are extremely dim almost always have to drive with my high beams on at night since the lights are so dark. Have tried replacing bulbs on my own but lights are still dim. No warning or anything were ever shown

4mo ago
Transmission 1

The car feels unbalanced and shifting is bad

6mo ago
Transmission 1

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from a stop sign, the vehicle accelerated to approximately 15 MPH and then unexpectedly decelerated. The contact attempted to depress the accelerator; however, the vehicle lost automotive power and stalled. The vehicle was towed to the residence. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

7mo ago
Electrical 2

The vehicle is a Nissan Altima experiencing a low-beam headlight failure. The headlights have become extremely dim and no longer provide adequate illumination of the roadway at night. Visibility is severely reduced, making it difficult to see lane markings, pedestrians, and obstacles ahead. The vehicle and headlight assemblies are available for inspection upon request. This condition creates a serious safety risk because nighttime driving visibility is significantly compromised. The headlights are so dim that safe operation of the vehicle after dark is difficult, increasing the risk of a crash involving pedestrians, other vehicles, or road hazards. The vehicle was inspected by a Nissan dealership, which confirmed the headlight problem. However, the dealer has refused to repair the issue under the applicable safety recall due to a missed deadline (March 2022). We first became aware of the recall in March 2023 and have been attempting to resolve the issue since that time. The vehicle has been inspected by the dealership but has not been inspected by police or insurance representatives. There were no warning lights, dashboard messages, or other alerts indicating a headlight system problem prior to the failure. The primary symptom has been the gradual dimming of the low-beam headlights over time until they became too dim to safely illuminate the road.

7mo ago
Electrical 4

The contact's brother owned a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while her brother was driving at an undisclosed speed from a stop sign, another vehicle in the left lane crashed into the contact's brother's front driver's side. The air bags did not deploy. No warning light was illuminated. The contact's brother received medical attention for a concussion and had back and neck pain. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and was not yet deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

7mo ago
Body 2

Right side rear lower control arm failed while driving due to excessive corrosion. I nearly lost control of the vehicle as the right rear wheel is no longer properly aligned. If this had happened on the highway it could have killed us. Dealer service dept, Nissan service campaign department and nissan consumer affairs department all insisted my VIN does not qualify for repairs detailed under nhtsa reference P9324 and all refused to look up the reference number. The bulletin seems clear that Nissan has responsibility to address my issue.

8mo ago
Electrical 1

Passenger airbag light on. I don’t even drive the car much. Out of no where it turned in.

9mo ago
Body 2

My 2013 Nissan Altima SV is subject to NHTSA safety recall 16V-244 for a defective hood latch that can corrode, bind, or fail. I brought my vehicle to a Nissan dealership to have the recall performed. The dealership refused to complete the recall repair and attempted to charge me, stating they could not access the hood because the hood release cable is broken. The hood release cable failed as a result of the defective hood latch binding, which is the subject of the recall. Because the recall defect prevents normal hood operation, the dealer claims the recall cannot be performed unless I pay for repairs. Nissan Consumer Affairs and a regional specialist are relying solely on the dealership’s statement and have declined to authorize recall-related repair, effectively leaving the safety recall unremedied. This is a safety recall, and I believe Nissan is failing to provide the required no-cost remedy and is refusing to perform the recall due to a condition caused by the recalled part.

9mo ago
Electrical 2

Tire Pressure light is on but no issues with air pressure.

11mo ago
Electrical 1

Shifter Lock does not release when brake is pressed. Unable to shift out of Park. Need to manually press the shift relesae override to shift.

12mo ago

2308 total

1/ 116
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