STRUT AND SHOCK ABSORBER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES 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 suspension problems
moderate 257 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $900 · see suspension across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
257
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
2crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 257 suspension complaints filed for the 2013 Nissan Altima, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 125,000-150,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 14 model years of Nissan Altima we track for suspension problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 257.
Owners have filed 257 suspension 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.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering suspension 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.
Rear Lower Suspension Link Warranty Extension Dealer Notification In October 2019, Nissan launched a Voluntary Service Campaign (P9324) on MY2013 Nissan Altima vehicles registered in high road-salt-usage states (Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia and Wisconsin). In the interest of customer satisfaction, Nissan is providing a warranty extension to certain MY2013 Nissan Altima vehicles that were not included in P9324 and certain MY2014-2018 Nissan Altima and MY2016-2018 Nissan Maxima vehicl
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013-2018 ALTIMA AND 2016-2018 MAXIMA; REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK IF YOU CONFIRM The customer experiences a knocking or rattling noise from the rear of the vehicle, Or The rear wheel and tire assemblies have a large amount of positive camber. ACTION Replace both rear lower links.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗STRUT AND SHOCK ABSORBER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Rear Lower Link Salt States Voluntary Service Campaign ***** Campaign Summary***** Nissan is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign on certain Model Year 2013 Nissan Altima vehicles in USA (high road salt usage states) and Model Year 2013 and 2014 Nissan Altima vehicles in Canada to replace the rear suspension lower link. On some affected vehicles, one of the rear lower suspension links may corrode and separate at the bushing joint area. Customers may notice a knocking or rattling noise from the rear of the vehicle or observe wheel misalignment on the rear wheel(s) if the link separates. Out of an abundance of caution, Nissan will conduct a proactive field action on vehicles currently or fo
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2013 Nissan Altima has a systemic problem with rear lower control arm corrosion and fracture, concentrated in states that use road salt for winter maintenance. Owners describe sudden loud pops or clunking noises, loss of steering control, and rear wheels tilting inward into the wheel well—sometimes while driving at highway speeds. The arm fractures typically occur at the weld joint or through the body of the part itself, and multiple owners note that once one side fails, the other side is already heavily corroded and close to failing.
The failure pattern is consistent: vehicles between 6 and 9 years old, with mileage ranging from 47,000 to 191,000 miles, predominantly in Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa, New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. Owners report traction control and stability warning lights, vehicle sway, and in several cases, near-loss-of-control incidents on highways that could have resulted in collisions or rollovers.
Nissan issued service campaign P9324 in late 2019 for 2013 Altimas in high-salt states, but many owners report their VINs are excluded from coverage despite meeting the geographic and model-year criteria. Dealers and Nissan consumer affairs have consistently denied repair reimbursement claims, citing VIN exclusion or out-of-warranty status. Repair costs range from $800 to over $2,200 when both arms, shocks, subframe bolts, and related suspension parts are replaced. Owners note that the rear subframe itself is often severely rusted, suggesting a design flaw that allows water and salt intrusion.
Same Nissan Altima suspension reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Rear lower control arm corrosion and fracture
Rear lower control arms corrode and crack at the weld or bushing joints, eventually fracturing and separating from the subframe. The corrosion occurs from exposure to road salt in cold-weather states. Fractures occur at the weld penetration point or through the arm body itself, causing sudden loss of structural support for the rear wheel.
When: Typically 6–9 years of ownership; mileage ranges from 47,000 to 191,000 miles; salt-belt states (Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, etc.)
Symptoms owners cite: Loud clunking or popping noise from rear, especially over bumps; Vehicle sway or loss of steering control while driving; Rear wheel tilting inward at top (into wheel well); Traction control or stability control warning lights; Vehicle shaking or vibration, especially at highway speeds; Tire wearing unevenly or rapidly
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of both rear lower control arms recommended; parts cost ~$200–$600 per side; labor and associated suspension work (shocks, sway bar links, eccentric bolts) can add $800–$2,220 total. Some owners report dealers must replace both sides because part was redesigned.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service Campaign P9324 (Nissan Technical Service Bulletin NTB19-082B, Classification RA19-002B, issued December 2019) targets 2013 Altimas in high road-salt states, but VIN eligibility is limited and many owners in covered states report denial. Extended warranty claims denied for corrosion-related damage. Nissan states part failures are out-of-warranty wear and not a safety defect or recall.
Rear lower control arm weld failure (brittle fracture)
Weld joints on rear lower control arms exhibit poor penetration and brittle failure characteristics. Fractures occur cleanly at the weld with internal corrosion, or exhibit partial-penetration welds that fail under normal driving loads. Some owners and mechanics suggest substandard steel or welding quality.
When: 6–8 years of vehicle age; typically 72,000–134,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud snap or crack sound during turning or low-speed maneuver; Sudden loss of steering control; Rear wheel displacement (up or inward); Dynamic stability warning light or traction control light
Repairs/costs cited: Both control arms typically replaced; cost $1,200–$2,220 depending on shop and associated damage to subframe, shocks, and bolts.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan denies recall status; states welds and material are within specification. Some dealers acknowledge seeing multiple similar failures but cannot explain the pattern. Campaign P9324 denies coverage to many VINs.
Rear subframe corrosion and structural compromise
The rear subframe itself corrodes severely, developing holes and loss of structural integrity. In some cases, the subframe corrosion is so extensive it compromises the mounting points for lower control arms, exacerbating arm failure.
When: 6–9 years; particularly in salt-belt regions
Symptoms owners cite: Visible rust holes and corrosion on subframe; Loss of control or instability; Rear wheel misalignment
Repairs/costs cited: Subframe repair or replacement is costly and not typically covered under service campaigns. Owners report quotes in the $800–$2,000+ range for comprehensive suspension and subframe work.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan does not address subframe corrosion in service campaigns; considers it maintenance or environmental damage, not a defect.
Shock absorber leakage
Rear shocks leak hydraulic fluid, reducing damping and ride quality. Issue emerges early (around 1 year of ownership on some vehicles) but is not consistently noted at service visits.
When: As early as 1–2 years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Rough ride quality; Delayed braking response; Leaking fluid visible on shocks
Repairs/costs cited: Shock replacement cost not explicitly stated in narratives; owners report being told replacement is not covered under any warranty.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not covered under warranty; no recall or service campaign issued.
Synthesized from 257 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
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 Nissan of canton (42175 michigan ave, canton, mi 48188, (734) 392-8248) where it was diagnosed that the rear passenger…
I was driving my vehicle in town (35 MPH) and was going under a underpass. All of a sudden I noticed my anti slip light came on, steering wheel became hard to steer, and a loud banging coming from the back of the car. I pulled over and looked around the back of the car, seeing nothing out of the ordinary. I continued on, thinking it was possibly something wrong electrically, maybe with the anti…
Had suspension 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 suspension problem on the 2013 Nissan Altima?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 257 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $900 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Across the 198 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most suspension failures cluster between 85,000 and 125,000 miles, with the median around 104,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 85,000; a quarter make it past 125,000. 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 $900 for suspension 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 suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension 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.