NISSAN ALTIMA · model year

2013 NISSAN ALTIMA

2969 NHTSA complaints, 103 crash reports, and 12 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

5 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2013NISSANALTIMA carries 2969 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 103 crashes, 19 fires, 91 injuries, and 2 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 5/5 rating, with 5/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2013 ALTIMA is air bags with 511 filings, followed by power train (496) and exterior lighting (416). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 12 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 5 investigation files overlapping the 2013 ALTIMA. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

2969
Complaints
103
Crashes
19
Fires
91
Injuries
2
Deaths
2013 NISSAN ALTIMA — NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. Overall composite: 5.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 5.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 5.0 ★
  • Side Crash 5.0 ★
  • Rollover 4.0 ★
NHTSA overall 5.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

2969 filings

Crashes Reported

103 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 5/5 — Top NCAP rating · Front: 5/5 · Side: 5/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS511
POWER TRAIN496
EXTERIOR LIGHTING416
SUSPENSION275
UNKNOWN OR OTHER240
ENGINE157
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM154
STRUCTURE:BODY104
STEERING94
SERVICE BRAKES54
VISIBILITY/WIPER52
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL47
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM44
SEATS36
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH36

Recalls (12)

20V31500028/05/2020

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2018 Nissan Altima vehicles. If the primary hood latch is inadvertently released, there is an increased likelihood that the secondary hood latch may corrode over time.

15V11600027/02/2015

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Nissan Altima vehicles manufactured March 1, 2013, to December 31, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch may bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.

16V24400026/04/2016

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano

14V13800025/03/2014

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, and Sentra, model year 2013 NV200 (aka Taxi) and Infiniti JX35 and model year 2014 Infiniti Q50 and QX60 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the occupant classification system (OCS) software may

13V15800024/04/2013

TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE

Nissan North America is recalling certain model year 2013 Altima vehicles manufactured March 21, 2012, through March 26, 2013. The spare tires may have been significantly over- or under-inflated.

16V02900022/01/2016

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Nissan Altima vehicles manufactured March 6, 2012, to December 31, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch may bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.

15V68100020/10/2015

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Altima and Pathfinder vehicles, 2013-2014 Nissan Sentra vehicles, 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles, 2014-2015 Infiniti QX60 vehicles and 2014 Infiniti QX60 Hybrid vehicles. The affected vehicles received an incorrect occupant

16V91100019/12/2016

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Altima vehicles manufactured January 3, 2013, to July 29, 2013, 2015-2016 Rogue vehicles manufactured October 14, 2014, to August 12, 2016, and 2016 Maxima vehicles manufactured June 4, 2015, to August 19, 2015. An incorr

14V56500015/09/2014

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013 Nissan Altima vehicles manufactured March 6, 2012, to February 28, 2013. In the affected vehicles, interference between the hood inner panel and the secondary latch lever, in combination with debris and corrosion, may cause th

12V49400010/10/2012

STEERING

Nissan is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Altima vehicles manufactured from May 10, 2012, through July 26, 2012. These vehicles may have been equipped with transverse link bolts and power steering rack bolts that were not torqued to proper specification.

15V48600004/08/2015

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) notified the agency on July 31, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2016 Nissan Maxima vehicles manufactured February 10, 2015, to August 18, 2015. On October 14, 2015, Nissan expanded the recall to cover an additional 41,388 vehicles, including cert

13V06900001/03/2013

AIR BAGS

Nissan is recalling certain model year 2013 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, Sentra, and Infiniti JX35 vehicles. Sensors within the passenger Occupant Detection System (ODS) may have been manufactured out of specification. This may cause the system to malfunction and permanently suppress the passenger ai

Recent Complaints

20260124AIR BAGS

Passenger airbag light on. I don’t even drive the car much. Out of no where it turned in.

20260117STRUCTURE:BODY

My 2013 Nissan Altima SV is subject to NHTSA safety recall 16V-244 for a defective hood latch that can corrode, bind, or fail. I brought my vehicle to a Nissan dealership to have the recall performed. The dealership refused to complete the recall repair and attempted to charge me, stating they could not access the hood because the hood release cable is broken. The hood release cable failed as a result of the defective hood latch binding, which is the subject of the recall. Because the recall defect prevents normal hood operation, the dealer claims the recall cannot be performed unless I pay for repairs. Nissan Consumer Affairs and a regional specialist are relying solely on the dealership’s statement and have declined to authorize recall-related repair, effectively leaving the safety recall unremedied. This is a safety recall, and I believe Nissan is failing to provide the required no-cost remedy and is refusing to perform the recall due to a condition caused by the recalled part

20251103WHEELS

Tire Pressure light is on but no issues with air pressure.

20251103ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Tire Pressure light is on but no issues with air pressure.

20251029ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Shifter Lock does not release when brake is pressed. Unable to shift out of Park. Need to manually press the shift relesae override to shift.

20251003VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from a stop, the RPM became elevated, and the vehicle started accelerating unintendedly. The contact immediately depressed the brake pedal and entered a parking lot where the vehicle lost automotive power, and the engine shut off. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 52,073.

Mileage: 52,073

20251003POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from a stop, the RPM became elevated, and the vehicle started accelerating unintendedly. The contact immediately depressed the brake pedal and entered a parking lot where the vehicle lost automotive power, and the engine shut off. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 52,073.

Mileage: 52,073

20250925UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Rear suspension links rusted out. Repair place says there is a lot of rust issues that will take a lot of work to fix. Excessive rust seems to be issues with Nissan.

20250825EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The exterior lighting is extremely dim. It is an issue driving at night. I’ve had to pull over to make sure the lights were actually on. Please, please issue a recall to help prevent possible fatal crashes. I see that there are numerous complaints regarding this issue and it should be addressed as quickly as possible.

20250824SUSPENSION

Heard a loud pop noise from the rear of the car while backing up, steering was unstable while driving. Looked under the car and discover the right rear control arm is broken.

Mileage: 211,000

20250824STEERING

Heard a loud pop noise from the rear of the car while backing up, steering was unstable while driving. Looked under the car and discover the right rear control arm is broken.

Mileage: 211,000

20250824WHEELS

Heard a loud pop noise from the rear of the car while backing up, steering was unstable while driving. Looked under the car and discover the right rear control arm is broken.

Mileage: 211,000

20250822AIR BAGS

Fuel System: Car hesitates and cut off after pumping fuel.\n' + 'Outer Tie rods torn rubber, vehicle never been realigned, but tires were worn on both front sides. \n' + 'Takata Air bag light has been on for over 2 years.\n' + 'Transmission over heats. Engine cuts back between 45 and 60 mph on the freeway. So we stop and allow it to cool off.

20250822STEERING

Fuel System: Car hesitates and cut off after pumping fuel.\n' + 'Outer Tie rods torn rubber, vehicle never been realigned, but tires were worn on both front sides. \n' + 'Takata Air bag light has been on for over 2 years.\n' + 'Transmission over heats. Engine cuts back between 45 and 60 mph on the freeway. So we stop and allow it to cool off.

20250822FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Fuel System: Car hesitates and cut off after pumping fuel.\n' + 'Outer Tie rods torn rubber, vehicle never been realigned, but tires were worn on both front sides. \n' + 'Takata Air bag light has been on for over 2 years.\n' + 'Transmission over heats. Engine cuts back between 45 and 60 mph on the freeway. So we stop and allow it to cool off.

20250822SUSPENSION

Both of my rear lower control arms on my 2013 Nissan ALTIMA sedan have rusted thru and cracked. It has been reported on Nissan Service Campaign P9324, dated October 25, 2019. Unfortunately, I have been told my VIN is not included in the P9324 campaign. But both of my lower control arms are rusted through and cracked and I do live in New Hampshire, one of the salt states listed in the campaign. My car is at the dealer and I have been told that I cannot drive it anymore until it has been repaired.

20250805STRUCTURE:BODY

The hood flew open upon entering the freeway. Could not see anymore going 60 mph. Had to pull over and bend the fenders back to close the hood. Afraid this will happen again. The latch was recalled before this happened and the dealer sprayed it and said it was safe to drive which it was not. They said nissan would not cover any repairs that are now needed to the hood and fenders.

20250805UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The hood flew open upon entering the freeway. Could not see anymore going 60 mph. Had to pull over and bend the fenders back to close the hood. Afraid this will happen again. The latch was recalled before this happened and the dealer sprayed it and said it was safe to drive which it was not. They said nissan would not cover any repairs that are now needed to the hood and fenders.

20250703SUSPENSION

Front end suspension need replacing confirmed by Nissan Dealership when rear suspension recall was done. Loud noise when in reverse or backing out with or without acceleration, transmission mount defect.

20250703ENGINE

Front end suspension need replacing confirmed by Nissan Dealership when rear suspension recall was done. Loud noise when in reverse or backing out with or without acceleration, transmission mount defect.

Compare 2013NISSANALTIMA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA have?
The 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA has 2969 NHTSA complaints, 103 crashes, 19 fires, 91 injuries, and 2 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA?
The 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 5/5, front crash rating of 5/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA?
Yes, the 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA has 12 recall(s). The most common affected component is LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA?
The most-complained component for the 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA is AIR BAGS with 511 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN and EXTERIOR LIGHTING.
Is the 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA has an NHTSA safety rating of 5/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.