2013-2016 ALTIMA AND SENTRA; REAR OXYGEN SENSOR VOLTAGE INSPECTION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Nissan Altima engine problems
severe Owners of the 2013 Nissan Altima have filed 51 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 70,525 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
51
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Altima | 40 |
| 2010 Altima | 20 |
| 2011 Altima | 22 |
| 2012 Altima | 31 |
| 2013 Altima (this page) | 51 |
| 2014 Altima | 28 |
| 2015 Altima | 21 |
| 2016 Altima | 19 |
| 2017 Altima | 18 |
3fires
What stands out
Owners have filed 51 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine 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.
CAN COMMUNICATION â NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013-2016 ALTIMA AND SENTRA; REAR OXYGEN SENSOR VOLTAGE INSPECTION SERVICE INFORMATION Nissan is committed to providing the highest levels of product quality and customer satisfaction. Therefore, Nissan is extending the emission warranty on the Rear Oxygen Sensor in the case of a short-to-ground condition to 20 Years or 200,000 miles, whichever occurs first. All other warranty terms, limitations, and conditions remain unchanged. During the warranty extension period, customers are eligible for annual Rear Oxygen Sensor voltage checks, upon request, to determine if a Rear Oxygen Sensor short-toground condition exists. If a Rear Oxygen Sensor short-to-ground condition does exist, Nissan will in
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗EVAP LEAK DTC P0442, P0455, P0456 INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗DTC P0456 CAUSED BY EVAP LEAK AT VENT CONTROL VALVE O-RING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report a pattern of engine and powertrain defects starting immediately after purchase. Early catalytic converter ruptures spill internal material directly into the engine, contaminating oil and requiring full engine replacement—Nissan acknowledged this occurred on multiple units but fought replacement demands.
Abnormal vibrations at 1500–2000 RPM plague many vehicles from very low mileage, severe enough to shake dash components. Belt and tensioner swaps provide only temporary relief.
Intermittent stalling dominates complaints across all mileages. The engine shuts off without warning at traffic lights, on highways, and in intersections, sometimes repeatedly. Vehicles stall when put into Drive or Reverse, and steering lock-up occurs when stalled. Dealers cannot duplicate the fault and offer no fixes—some speculate about CVT transmission or software issues without confirmation.
CVT transmission shuddering and jerking appear throughout the complaint set, with reports of sudden power loss at highway speeds and complete shutdowns. Owners allege Nissan denies transmission faults while under warranty, then diagnoses them once warranty expires and owners face full repair costs ($1,300–$5,000). One owner replaced a new transmission that failed within months.
Mass airflow sensors fail repeatedly; one owner had four replacements despite a dealer recall service. Nissan will not honor additional repairs.
Engine fires occurred in two cases, destroying vehicles completely. Valve cover gasket leaks spill oil onto hot surfaces, creating fire hazards. Hard starting in cold/wet conditions and rough running complicate early ownership. Various abnormal noises—rumbling, whining, knocking, whistling—are common and often dismissed by dealers as normal, despite owners noting dissimilarity to other vehicles they've owned.
Same Nissan Altima engine reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Catalytic converter rupture and internal spillage
Catalytic converter internals rupture and spill into the engine, contaminating the oil and causing catastrophic engine damage. Nissan acknowledged this occurred on multiple vehicles and offered engine replacement as remedy.
When: Very early in vehicle life (under 200 miles reported)
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine warning light; Engine contamination from spilled converter material
Repairs/costs cited: Nissan offered engine replacement; owners report dealer acknowledged the defect was known
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan issued engine replacement on warranty for known catalytic converter defect affecting multiple units
Engine vibration and shuddering at low RPM
Abnormal engine vibrations and shuddering occur at 1500–2000 RPM during acceleration from stops or at various speeds, severe enough to shake dashboard components. Problem persists even after serpentine belt and tensioner replacement.
When: Early life (reported between 100 and 7000 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Rumbling or lugging sound from engine compartment; Vibration on gas pedal and steering wheel; Violent vibrations at 1500–2000 RPM; Fractional improvement only after belt/tensioner swap, then recurrence
Repairs/costs cited: Belt and tensioner replaced; no lasting fix. One owner suspects engine design issue rather than transmission
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan acknowledged the problem to at least one dealer and indicated belt/tensioner swap was a temporary solution
Intermittent stalling without warning
Engine cuts off unexpectedly during driving or at traffic lights, sometimes repeatedly in a single trip. Vehicle often requires multiple restart attempts and may fail to restart immediately. Occurs at various speeds and driving conditions; dealers unable to duplicate fault or identify cause.
When: Reported from just after purchase through 125,000 miles; common patterns at 36,000–81,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off without warning while driving or at stops; Violent shaking/shuddering immediately before stall; Difficulty restarting; excessive gas pedal pressure needed; Car jerks or lurches during restart; Check engine light may illuminate
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed at dealers in most cases; dealers unable to duplicate. One owner reported dealer held car 30 days exploring software upgrade or transmission replacement—neither confirmed. One dealer replaced PC valve; failure recurred three days later.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan told owners no recalls exist; one case assigned a regional specialist but no resolution documented. Dealers speculated about CVT transmission or software issues without confirmation.
CVT transmission shuddering and loss of power
Continuous Variable Transmission exhibits violent shuddering, jerking, and juddering during acceleration and gear transitions. Vehicle may lose power, drop to very low speeds without explanation, or shut off entirely. Multiple reports suggest Nissan delays or denies warranty coverage until out of warranty period.
When: Reported throughout vehicle life; some failure patterns at 36,000–65,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shudder or vibration while driving; Transmission jerking and stuttering during acceleration; Loss of power or unexpected downshift to low speeds on highway; Engine stalls when vehicle put in Drive or Reverse; Gears lock in place; loss of steering control when stalled
Codes mentioned: P0776
Repairs/costs cited: Nissan replaced solenoids (2020); one owner reported new transmission at 0 miles failed within months on highway. Costs cited: $1300 to $5000 for transmission repair/replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Extended CVT warranty offered to 100,000 miles (acknowledged by one owner as indication of known defect). At least one owner reports Nissan denies transmission fault until vehicle out of warranty, then diagnoses problem owners must pay for. Recalls cited by mechanics but Nissan denies coverage.
Mass airflow (MAF) sensor repeated failure
Mass airflow sensor fails repeatedly, illuminating check engine light. Owners report multiple replacements—three by owner, one by independent mechanic, and dealer recall service in 2016—yet failure recurs.
When: Reported at 108,000 miles; recall service performed in 2016
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine warning light illumination
Repairs/costs cited: Sensor replaced four times total; Nissan recall service performed once (2016). Failure recurred post-recall.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan recall repair (NTB) performed once; Nissan stated recall repair only covered one free replacement and will not honor additional replacements or acknowledge pattern of failure
Hard starting when cold or wet; rough running
Engine difficult to start in cold or wet conditions, sometimes grinding for extended periods before cranking over. Engine runs rough initially. Check engine light illuminates.
When: Reported at around 50,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Hard/difficult starting when cold or wet; Grinding sound lasting ~3 minutes during cranking; Rough idle after starting; Check engine light illumination
Repairs/costs cited: Owner suspects crank or cam sensor; no repair documented
Engine fire and burnout
Two separate reports of engine fires resulting in complete vehicle destruction. One fire occurred immediately after oil change (white smoke, then flames). Second involved all warning lights on dash, burning odor, and smoke emission.
When: Reported at ~61,808 miles and 70,600 miles
Symptoms owners cite: White smoke from engine compartment; Flames erupting from engine; All warning lights illuminated on dashboard; Burning odor; Smoke emission from vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles deemed destroyed; police report filed in one case
Valve cover gasket oil leak with burning smell
Valve cover gasket leaks oil onto hot engine surfaces, creating strong burning smell that enters cabin via air vents. Coils and plugs sit in pooled oil.
When: Timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Strong burning smell in cabin and outside vehicle; Smoke from exhaust when oil hits hot surfaces; Oil pooling around coils and spark plugs
Repairs/costs cited: Valve cover gasket replacement and coil/plug service required; owner expressed fire hazard concern
Engine noise: rumbling, whining, knocking, whistling
Multiple types of abnormal engine noises reported including rumbling on acceleration, high-pitched whining, loud knocking on hills, and loud whistling from engine bay. Some noises shake dash components. Dealers often dismiss as normal.
When: Reported across various mileages, including as early as 200 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud rumbling on acceleration; High-pitched whining audible in cabin at all speeds under 30–35 MPH; Faint-to-loud knocking on hills or under load; Loud whistling from engine compartment; Vibrations enough to shake dashboard components
Repairs/costs cited: Alternator replaced in one case with no change; dealer called one noise 'normal.' Most remain unrepaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers claim noises are normal; no recalls or service bulletins documented for this issue
Check engine light—multiple sensor and circuit faults
Check engine light illuminates for various sensor failures including oxygen sensor, fuel ratio sensor, and unspecified sensor circuit defects. In one case, Nissan issued a service bulletin (16-030) for sensor circuit defect but dealers charge owners despite manufacturer special policy stating repairs are no-charge.
When: Reported across vehicle life
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination
Codes mentioned: P0420, P0430, oxygen sensor codes
Repairs/costs cited: Oxygen sensor replaced; fuel ratio sensor and ECU software update ordered in one case. One owner reports dealer charged for sensor circuit repair despite Nissan bulletin 16-030 special policy coverage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan service bulletin 16-030 issued for sensor circuit defect with special policy for no-charge repair; dealers not consistently honoring
Loss of power/inability to accelerate
Engine revs but vehicle fails to respond to accelerator pedal input. Vehicle either does not move or moves slowly with no way to increase speed even with hard pedal application. Occurs most often after stopping or during slow-speed driving.
When: Reported at various mileages including 45 MPH, in intersections, and on highways
Symptoms owners cite: Engine revs but no vehicle response; No acceleration despite pressing gas pedal; Inability to climb hills or accelerate away from stop
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented; one mechanic tied an unknown component with no lasting success
Engine hesitation or stumbling
Engine hesitates or stumbles during acceleration or driving at various speeds. Vehicle may resume normal operation after a brief period or continue hesitating intermittently.
When: Reported at ~67,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine hesitation during acceleration; Stumbling or lack of smooth power delivery; No warning lights in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: Unknown component replacement attempted by independent mechanic with no lasting effect
Engine mount wear and vibration
Engine mounts deteriorate, causing excessive vibration at highway speeds, typically around 40 MPH.
When: Mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Vibrating sound at approximately 40 MPH; Excessive engine vibration
Repairs/costs cited: Engine mounts replaced
Synthesized from 51 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
The auto present a failure in transmission in my vehicle that its in a excellent maintenance. A failure at the highway may cause a safety precaution. The Nissan says that its cost is by $5000. I will end my car payment on next june. I saw a lot of persons complaints about the same.
Had engine 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 engine problem on the 2013 Nissan Altima?
It's a meaningful issue. 51 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 37 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 53,000 and 90,000 miles, with the median around 70,525. A quarter of owners report trouble before 53,000; a quarter make it past 90,000. 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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.