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ProblemsByVinFile / 2013-NISSAN-ALTIMANHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Nissan
2013 Nissan Altima problems
The 2013 Nissan Altima has 2,305 NHTSA owner complaints on file — not a small number. 12 active recall campaigns.
The 2013 Nissan Altima has 2,305 NHTSA owner complaints and 12 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 490 complaints, typically surfacing around 70,756 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
The problems owners report most, open recalls, and the mileage where failures cluster — straight from the NHTSA record, in seconds.
Reliability score
4.0 / 10
Below average for the segment. Multiple systems have recurring complaints.
0
Critical
12
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2013 Altima?
High-risk ownership
Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open.
Electrical system: 127 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 18,499–75,000 mi
Body: 99 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 25,000–85,000 mi
Reliability score 4.0/10 — below the segment average
12 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
5 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★5/5
Frontal crash★★★★★5/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★4/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2013 Nissan Altima 4 DR FWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2013 Nissan Altima? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
powertrain — 490 owner reports
· tends to show around 70,756 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
airbags — 433 owner reports
· tends to show around 37,835 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
lighting — 420 owner reports
· tends to show around 87,310 mi · ~$250 to fix
suspension — 257 owner reports
· tends to show around 106,647 mi · ~$900 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 37,835 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 12 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 4.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2013 Altima· suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Nissan altima. While driving 70 MPH, the vehicle began to shake without warning. The contact pulled over, exited the vehicle, looked under the vehicle, and noticed that the rear passenger lower control arm was fractured. The vehicle was towed to…
The low beams are at the point where it almost looks like they are not on. I have replaced the bulbs, didn't help at all. I adjusted the 2 different adjustment pieces, one is under the hood and the other is behind the inner fender. That didn't correct it.I called Nissan and they…
The lights are so dim it is like I don't have them on at night. Very hard to see driving at night. *dt the VIN provided has no displayable records. *jb
This car seems to have the same software issue as other altimas but the VIN does not record a recall. When someone is in the passenger seat, there is no dashboard confirmation and we are worried that the airbag might not deploy.
Had a problem with your 2013 Nissan Altima?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Corrosion to the secondary latch may cause it to bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed. If the primary latch is inadvertently released again and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will install a stronger release spring in the hood release lever, a warning label near the secondary hood latch, and an Owners Manual addendum card with instructions on how to lubricate and maintain the secondary hood latch mechanism, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 30, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Note: Recall 16V-029 remains open for any unremedied 2013-2015 Altimas and this recall applies to all vehicles covered by 16V-029 even if those repairs have already been performed.
If the front passenger seat occupant is misclassified, the air bag may deploy incorrectly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ECU and update the OCS software free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors. Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in Altima, Maxima, Murano, Rogue, and Sentra vehicles, and replace the OCS ECU in LEAF, NV200, NV200 Taxi, Pathfinder, Infiniti Q50, JX35, and QX60 and Chevrolet City Express vehicles, free of charge. Interim notices were sent to owners on May 31, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669, Infiniti customer service at 1-888-833-3216 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 4.0 out of 10 based on 2,305 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Nissan Altima has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2013 Nissan Altima?
The 2013 Nissan Altima is a higher-risk ownership prospect. Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open. The record behind that call: Electrical system: 127 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 18,499–75,000 mi; Body: 99 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 25,000–85,000 mi; Reliability score 4.0/10 — below the segment average; 12 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2013 Nissan Altima?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 490 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 70,756 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2013 Nissan Altima a good used car to buy?
It scores 4.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 2,305 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 70,756 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2013 Nissan Altima?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 490 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 70,756 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 70,756 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Nissan Altima has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 Nissan Altima?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 2,305 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Nissan/Altima.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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