ALTIMA AND ROGUE; ENGINE TURNS OFF OR HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP DURING HOT AMBIENT TEMPERATURES (+100°F) This bulletin has been amended. The APPLIED VEHICLES section and Table A on pages 5 and 6 have been revised. No other changes have been made. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Nissan Altima cruise control problems
moderate 22 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
22
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering cruise control on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
IF YOU CONFIRM All "hands free" functions of the Intelligent Key (I-Key) do not work. For example, the doors will not lock or unlock when pressing either front door request switch. NOTE: - The issue of all I-Key "hands free" functions not working may occur intermittently or all the time. - The message "No Key Detected" or similar may show on the Vehicle Information Display (located in the combination meter). - All I-Key remote button functions (door lock/unlock, etc.) WILL work normally when all I-Key "hands free" functions are NOT working. ACTION 1. Inspect the I-Key?s battery on its negative contact side. 2. If excessive scratching is found, replace the battery. 3. Verify all I-Key functio
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE INFORMATION If the door mirror corner finisher of either front door has to be removed or replaced for any reason, make sure to remove it as noted in the picture (see bulletin). NOTE: The front door finisher must be removed prior to door mirror corner finisher removal. Refer to the L DRIVER CONTROLS>MIR Mirrors section of the Electronic Service Manual (ESM). See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗IF YOU CONFIRM: The front lower corner of either front door, when opened or closed, rubs the center mud guard AND There is no body damage causing this issue. ACTION: Replace the center mud guard(s) with the one(s) listed in PARTS INFORMATION. - Replace only the center mud guard with the condition stated above. - DO NOT attempt to adjust the front door or any other body parts for this issue, if it should occur. - This bulletin does not apply if the center mud guard is the new style part. See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗IF YOU CONFIRM: A buzz or rattle type noise is coming from either front door ONLY when operating the audio system with a lot of bass. - The noise stops when applying pressure to the top of the front door power window and door lock switch finisher(s). - ANY noises heard from any other area under the same conditions are not related to this incident. ACTION: Replace both front door power window and door lock switch finishers. CAUTION: The pull handle outer finisher must be removed before removing each front door power window and door lock switch. - Do not replace the front door power window and door lock switches OR speakers for this incident, if it should occur. - Do not remove the front door
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2013 Nissan Altimas complain most loudly about delayed or missing acceleration—the engine won't respond when they press the gas, sometimes for several seconds, forcing them to pump the pedal repeatedly. This happens especially at traffic lights and highway merges, creating multiple near-collision situations. Some report the power suddenly hits hard once it engages, lurching the car forward abruptly.
The CVT transmission is another major headache. Owners describe violent jerking between 20–40 mph, shuddering at low RPM, and rough engagement that feels like the car is in the wrong gear. Dealership software updates haven't stopped the problem, and some vehicles required full transmission replacement—even then, the same diagnostic codes came back.
Stalling without warning is the third pattern: cars die at red lights, in traffic, or when shifted into gear. Some restart immediately; others stall repeatedly. Dealers couldn't diagnose the root cause in several cases.
Other reported failures include RPM spiking wildly (especially downhill) without the car actually accelerating, engine sputtering that worsens over time, and random brake activation while driving. One owner's car jumped a curb while parked and wouldn't restart.
Repair costs ran steep—$3,800 quoted for CVT work—and multiple trips to dealers often failed to fix the problem permanently. Owners mention symptoms reappearing within days of pickup.
Same Nissan Altima cruise control reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Delayed or no-response acceleration
Engine fails to respond promptly or at all when driver presses accelerator. Owners report having to floor the pedal multiple times, with 2–10 second delays before power engages. Often occurs at traffic lights or when merging.
When: Early in ownership (within months to 2 years); can recur multiple times during a single drive
Symptoms owners cite: Hesitation or lag when pressing throttle pedal; Multiple pedal presses required to make engine respond; Vehicle lurches or jerks forward once power engages; Loss of acceleration response on highways (max 20–30 mph); Near-collisions due to inability to move when green light appears
Codes mentioned: Check Engine Light (unspecified codes), P-codes related to transmission/engine control (not detailed in narratives)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers performed alternator replacement, throttle chamber replacement, CVT transmission reprogramming, full CVT replacement. Costs cited: $3,800 (CVT repair). Repairs often did not resolve issue on first attempt; owners reported same failure recurring within days or weeks after repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan warranty coverage applied in some cases but denied in others; one owner asked to pay $240 despite active warranty. No manufacturer recall mentioned by owners for this specific symptom.
CVT transmission shuddering, jerking, and hesitation
Transmission vibrates, shudders, or jerks when accelerating, decelerating, or shifting gears. Vehicle exhibits rough engagement, especially between 1,200–1,800 RPM. Some owners report violent jerking as if car is in wrong gear.
When: Within first few weeks to months of ownership; progressive in some cases
Symptoms owners cite: Violent jerking between 20–40 mph during acceleration; Shuddering at low RPM (1,200–1,800); Noticeable delay in gear engagement; Rough or delayed response when shifting gears; Trembling at traffic lights
Codes mentioned: Fluid pressure sensor code (transmission), CVT-related diagnostic codes (not fully specified)
Repairs/costs cited: Software update to transmission performed at dealership (unsuccessful in multiple cases). Replaced original transmission with used unit; code recurred. Replaced again with rebuilt transmission; same code persisted. No successful resolution documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan dealership performed transmission software update. Service manager acknowledged jerking but classified it as within normal limits despite owner safety concerns. No recalls mentioned; owner notes CVT defects are well-documented in these vehicles.
Vehicle stalling or shutdown under load
Engine stalls or dies without warning while driving, often when accelerating or in traffic. Vehicle may restart after brief delay but fail again. Some units stall multiple times during a short drive.
When: Variable; can occur early or after months of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden stall while idle or at traffic light; Engine dies when placed in gear; Repeated stalling cycles; dies then restarts, dies again; Stall with no dashboard warning lights; Vehicle loses all power and must be towed
Codes mentioned: No diagnostic codes retrieved in most reports; some mention electrical/computer-related failure suspected
Repairs/costs cited: No successful repairs documented in narratives. Dealership unable to diagnose root cause. Suspected alternator, transmission, or computer issue but not confirmed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan dealership kept vehicle for extended periods (2+ weeks) with no resolution. Manufacturer notified in at least one case but no remedy offered.
RPM surging without corresponding acceleration or speed gain
Engine RPM spikes sharply and increases rapidly, especially downhill, but vehicle does not accelerate or gain speed. Tachometer behavior disconnected from actual vehicle motion.
When: Recurring; described as happening downhill and during acceleration attempts
Symptoms owners cite: Sharp RPM spike when accelerating or coasting downhill; No speed gain despite elevated RPM; Loud engine noise resembling highway merge attempt; Burning smell from engine (possible overheating)
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented. Owner concerned about overheating due to burning smell.
Sputter or misfire on acceleration and deceleration
Engine sputters, misfires, or runs rough when accelerating or decelerating. Issue began within days of ownership and progressively worsened across multiple units (even replacement vehicles showed same fault).
When: Onset within days to weeks; worsens with mileage (noticed at 2,000 miles, severe by 14,000 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Sputtering when accelerating; Sputtering when decelerating; Rough running, hard to feel initial cause; Burning smell when exiting vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: No documentation of successful repair. Owner scheduled dealership service but no resolution confirmed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership replaced one vehicle with another under goodwill; replacement unit developed same fault by 2,000 miles.
Unwanted brake engagement and stability system malfunction
Vehicle brakes activate on their own while driving at any speed. Stability light illuminates unexpectedly. Brake lights remain on even after engine is turned off.
When: Recurring; owner took vehicle to dealer four times for this issue
Symptoms owners cite: Braking system activates without driver input; Stability light activates randomly; Brake lights stay on with engine off; Loss of accelerator pressure while driving at 45–60 mph
Codes mentioned: Stability control codes (unspecified)
Repairs/costs cited: Owner charged $93 for computer diagnostic scan, which was purged. No resolution achieved.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer told owner to wait for Check Engine Light to activate before using extended warranty coverage.
Unintended vehicle motion while in park
Vehicle jumped curb and landed on median while parked with brakes depressed, then stalled and could not be restarted. Extremely dangerous autonomous motion.
When: Early in vehicle's life (7,445 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle moves forward without driver input while in park; Vehicle jumps curb onto median; Engine stalls after unintended motion
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was not repaired; dealer could not diagnose.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified but no recall or remedy documented.
Synthesized from 22 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had cruise control trouble with your 2013 Nissan Altima?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2013 Nissan Altima?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 22 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $600 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 29,920 and 88,904 miles, with the median around 60,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 29,920; a quarter make it past 88,904. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Nissan/Altima.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.