2013 Nissan Altima body problems

The primary hood latch opens either accidentally (when driver pulls fuel door release located nearby) or spontaneously, and the secondary latch under the hood fails to engage, allowing the hood to fly open at any speed. Impact with windshield causes hood, fender, roof, and windshield damage; interior overhead components fall. Owners report Nissan issued multiple recalls (2014, 2015, 2016, 2020, 2022 interim) for this defect across 2013–2018 models.

When: Most incidents occur 10–75 mph; some at highway speeds. Failures reported across vehicle lifespan from early ownership through 125k+ miles. One incident occurred ~2 months after purchase; another after recall repair was allegedly performed in Aug 2021.

Symptoms owners cite: Hood flies open suddenly without warning while driving; No warning lights or messages precede the failure; Hood slams into windshield, obstructing driver view completely or partially; Primary hood latch lever pulled accidentally instead of fuel door release due to proximity of levers; Secondary hood latch stuck in open position or fails to hold hood when primary is released; Hood hinges sprung or weakened; Repeated failures even after dealer repair or recall remedy

Repairs/costs cited: Owners cite replacement of hood latch spring, hood latch assembly, hinges, fenders, and windshield. Repair costs range $2,100–$6,000+ (estimate $5,234.58 cited in one case). Some dealers replaced parts at no cost; others charged labor. One owner's insurance adjuster tested hood and reported it failed 9 out of 9 times in unscientific test.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA recall 16V-029 (Aug 2021), 14V-565000 (Sept 2014), plus 2014, 2015, 2016, 2020, 2022 interim recalls. Nissan issued interim notifications reminding owners to properly close and engage primary latch. Some dealers refused to complete recall if hood release cable was broken (due to the latch defect itself) without additional payment. Multiple owners report Nissan denying liability and refusing to pay for collision damage from hood failures. Remedy plan was 'under development' as of 2020 recall 20A7.

Sunroof glass spontaneously explodes or shatters while vehicle is in motion, with no external impact reported. Glass fragments scatter across roof, trunk, and rear spoiler. One case involved sunroof blown completely out of vehicle during highway driving.

When: One incident at 10–15 mph; another at ~75 mph; one at 65 mph. Reported at 49k miles; timing of others not specified. No pattern of failure timing evident.

Symptoms owners cite: Loud pop or gunshot-like sound from roof area; Sunroof glass explodes or shatters; large chunks or entire glass panel ejected; Glass bulged outward before failure (pressure from inside); Sunroof sliding cover closed at time of failure; Glass fragments scatter on roof, trunk, rear spoiler, causing paint damage; No evidence of external impact; Ceiling light/sunglass console dislodged by hood impact in one hood-related incident

Repairs/costs cited: Sunroof replacement covered under warranty as 'good will' in at least one case; paint damage from glass impact was not covered. One repair paid for entire sunroof replacement at no charge but owner had to cover paint damage to trunk and spoiler.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers and Nissan could not provide explanation for cause. One case covered under warranty as good-will gesture for sunroof replacement only, not secondary damage. No recall issued; manufacturer stated no prior history of similar failures known to them.

Interior plastic door handle fractures, breaks, or becomes disconnected, preventing door from opening from inside the vehicle. Affects driver side, passenger side, or multiple doors on same vehicle. Owners must roll down window and use outside handle or crawl over to opposite door. Replacement parts are identical OEM parts (suggesting design defect rather than manufacturing anomaly).

When: Reported at ~30k miles, 40k miles, 51k miles, 70k miles, 73k miles, 108k miles. One case involved both front driver and rear passenger doors failing within approximately one year.

Symptoms owners cite: Interior door handle will not open door when pulled; Handle moves but has no mechanical connection to door latch; Plastic component of handle fractures or breaks; Failure occurs without unusual force or extreme wear; Affects one or multiple doors on same vehicle; No warning before failure

Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of door handle assembly needed. Repair costs cited as $180 (parts and labor). Dealers replaced handles with identical OEM parts, leading to repeat failures in at least one case. Some repairs were done at reduced cost; others were refused after warranty expired.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan declined to cover repair, stating no recall exists. Dealers attributed failures to owner pulling too hard rather than defective part design. No manufacturer assistance provided; owners directed to pay for repairs out-of-pocket.

Passenger side or driver side rear lower control arm corrodes severely and fractures in half, causing rear suspension to collapse while driving. Metal bar visible as corroded and broken. Rear tire bends outward; vehicle swerves. Corrosion occurs despite garage storage and underside rinsing with fresh water.

When: Reported at 124k miles and 125k miles. One owner states corrosion and breakage has been an issue for years across multiple model years (2005 and older mentioned). Another occurred at low mileage but owner notes widespread corrosion on underside.

Symptoms owners cite: Rear end swerves or tilts as if on ice despite dry road and correct tire pressure; Right or left rear end suddenly collapses; Rear tire bent outward; Metal control arm bar cracked or broken in half; Massive corrosion visible on control arm; Dragging noise heard when departure attempted; Entire underside of vehicle heavily rusted despite garage storage and salt-water rinsing

Repairs/costs cited: Passenger side rear lower control arm requires replacement. Mechanic advised that driver side control arm would also soon need replacement due to corrosion. One owner noted widespread rust on frame and underside, requiring undercarriage treatment and potential structural repairs.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan has not issued a recall for this defect despite multiple complaints spanning years (2005 to present mentioned). Dealer stated 'no recalls or service action in place.' Manufacturer made aware but provided no assistance. Owner notes 238,000 vehicles recalled for hood latch but none for corrosion issue despite safety risk.

Black plastic dashboard becomes sticky, shiny, and oily during warm weather. A plasticizer or degradation product migrates to surface, creating glare on windshield and haze that impairs visibility. Substance cannot be removed by cleaning; appears to be continuing material breakdown. Occurs most in hot climates (Florida, Southern California mentioned). Residue also condenses on inside of windshield as milky haze.

When: Occurs during summer or warm weather; most prevalent in hot environments. One complaint received after vehicle in hot climate; timeline not specified for others.

Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard surface becomes sticky and shiny; Oily, plasticizer-like substance coats dashboard surface; Extreme glare on windshield impairs visibility, especially in sunlight; Milky haze condenses on inside of windshield; Residue cannot be removed by cleaning; Rear deck plastic affected similarly; Substance off-gases inside cabin; potential health hazard

Repairs/costs cited: No repair solution offered by manufacturer or dealers. One owner concerned about potential impact on airbag deployment if left untreated. No parts or labor costs cited because no repair was authorized.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan Consumer Affairs and dealerships refused to address the problem. Manufacturer acknowledged awareness of the defect but stated no fix or solution is forthcoming. No recall issued.

Sunroof or panel assembly produces rattling noise from right side when driving over bumps, especially at low speeds. Dealer replaces headliner (NHTSA recall 13V-158 noted) but noise persists. On third service visit, dealer breaks pillar covers while attempting repair; covers no longer sit properly. Missing insulation noted by second dealer. Second dealer eventually fixes issue by replacing pillars.

When: Noticed ~2 months after purchase (car purchased new in June 2013). Multiple service appointments June–July 2013. Issues compounded by low tire pressure warnings occurring during service period.

Symptoms owners cite: Rattling noise from right side of sunroof area; Noise more pronounced when driving over small bumps at low speeds; Headliner replacement does not resolve noise; Dealer breaks pillar covers during repair attempts; Pillar covers no longer sit properly, creating safety hazard; Missing insulation discovered; Low tire pressure warnings on left front and rear tires (separate issue)

Codes mentioned: NHTSA recall 13V-158

Repairs/costs cited: New headliner ordered and installed but ineffective. Second opinion obtained at different dealer; Ramsey Nissan verified noise issue and ordered new pillars. Broken pillar covers and missing insulation addressed in second repair.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA recall 13V-158 performed but did not resolve rattle. Nissan Consumer Affairs suggested getting second opinion.

Water accumulates in rear driver side floorboard when it rains, with unclear source of entry. Vehicle has been to dealership twice for investigation and repair but issue persists.

When: First noticed ~2 months before complaint; returned to shop second time after recurring issue.

Symptoms owners cite: Water pooling in rear driver side floorboard after rain; Source of water entry unknown; Recurring issue despite prior service attempt

Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle at Nissan dealership for diagnosis; no repair details provided in complaint.

Bolt holding bracket for hood and fuel door cables found loose (halfway out), with corresponding bolt object found near gas pedal, suggesting it fell. Owner concerned about cable security and safety.

When: Discovered after returning home from store; no mileage or timeline provided.

Symptoms owners cite: Bolt holding hood and fuel door cable bracket found loose; Object found near gas pedal (appears to be loose bolt or clip); Missing or loose hardware suggests poor quality control

Repairs/costs cited: No repair details provided; owner concerned about performing repair themselves due to safety implications.