The Lemon Index
Subscribe

All cars · Nissan Altima

2013 Nissan Altima.

The 2013 Nissan Altima is worse than average by owner complaints: 757 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 194, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about airbags, it has 12 recalls, and it gets 25 to 31 mpg combined. The best Nissan Altima year is 2022.

194Lemon Index · 100 = average car

Worse than average. 1.9× the average car's complaints.

Best year 2022

Nissan Altima
Photo shows a 2020 Nissan Altima. Mr.choppers, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0 · background removed

Before you buy. What matters most for this car.

Most common problemAirbags41% of owner complaintsRecalls12Free fix at any dealerBetter year to buy20226.2× fewer complaints than averageGovernment investigation1 openOwners reported enough to trigger one
Owner complaints757first 3 years
Fuel economy25–31 mpgcombined, EPA
Crash test★★★★★NHTSA overall

Fixes owners look up most.

From 100 YouTube videos about the 2013–2018 Nissan Altima, 17.2M views. The 2013 is the same generation.

  1. Transmission & shifter1.9M views
    2013 Nissan Altima CVT Transmission Failure - (Pt. 1) Breakdown and Failure2013 Nissan Altima CVT Transmission Failure - (Pt. 1) Breakdown and FailureNissan CVT Fail · 502K views · 8 videos
  2. Gauges, lights & wiring1.1M views
    2014 Nissan Altima 2.5 S Headlight Aim2014 Nissan Altima 2.5 S Headlight AimJames Niece · 298K views · 7 videos
  3. Brakes & ABS857K views
    Nissan Altima Front Brake Pads Replacement 2014-2017 - 3 Minute DIY VideoNissan Altima Front Brake Pads Replacement 2014-2017 - 3 Minute DIY VideoMINUTE DIY VIDEOS · 467K views · 4 videos
  4. Infotainment, battery & electrical842K views
    How to Install a 9in Touch Screen Radio for a Nissan Altima (2013-2017)How to Install a 9in Touch Screen Radio for a Nissan Altima (2013-2017)Mcgurr Entertainment · 306K views · 5 videos
Show 4 more
  1. Oil changes & service688K views
    Nissan Altima Oil & Oil Filter Change 2013-2017Nissan Altima Oil & Oil Filter Change 2013-2017MINUTE DIY VIDEOS · 421K views · 2 videos
  2. No-start: theft light, key & ignition611K views
    Nissan Won't Start Push Button Start 2018 Altima SR and Other Makes and Models Part 1 of 2Nissan Won't Start Push Button Start 2018 Altima SR and Other Makes and Models Part 1 of 2Al Young Cuda · 247K views · 4 videos
  3. Starter, alternator & belts321K views
    2013-2018 Nissan Altima Belt Replacement [2.5L QR25DE]2013-2018 Nissan Altima Belt Replacement [2.5L QR25DE]BeeCee Built · 196K views · 2 videos
  4. Intake, EGR & engine sensors293K views
    How to Replace Upstream O2 Oxygen Sensor 2012-2018 Nissan AltimaHow to Replace Upstream O2 Oxygen Sensor 2012-2018 Nissan AltimaTRQ · 118K views · 3 videos

Before you buy, watch

Top 5 Problems Nissan Altima Sedan 2012-2018 5th GenerationTop 5 Problems Nissan Altima Sedan 2012-2018 5th Generation1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 283K views2013 Nissan Altima CVT Transmission Braking Slipping Failure Not Shifting Right Problems FIXED2013 Nissan Altima CVT Transmission Braking Slipping Failure Not Shifting Right Problems FIXEDZimaleta Motors Mobile Mechanic · 237K views2013 Nissan Altima vs Maxima 0-60 MPH Mashup Review2013 Nissan Altima vs Maxima 0-60 MPH Mashup ReviewThe Fast Lane Car · 783K views

Views show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.

How serious. Out of 2,313 owner complaints, owners reported:

63crashes
36injuries
9fires
76tows
Under government investigation370 repair notes from Nissan

Every Nissan Altima year. 2013 is highlighted. Lower is better.

2000452.2× fewer complaints2001432.3× fewer complaints20021231.2× the complaints20031161.2× the complaints2004362.8× fewer complaints20051231.2× the complaints2006108about average2007521.9× fewer complaints2008651.5× fewer complaints2009861.2× fewer complaints2010333× fewer complaints2011175.9× fewer complaints2012342.9× fewer complaints20131941.9× the complaints201490about average2015861.2× fewer complaints2016661.5× fewer complaints2017521.9× fewer complaints2018631.6× fewer complaints2019502× fewer complaints2020512× fewer complaints2021303.3× fewer complaints2022166.2× fewer complaints202319early read · 5.3× fewer complaints202440early read · 2.5× fewer complaints2025–few complaints

What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.

airbags41%
transmission & drivetrain22%
electrical11%
engine10%
steering7%

Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.

Transmission problems in every Nissan Altima year →

When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.

half by 64K
0K50K100K150K200K

Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 24K to 93K miles on the car (1,670 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.

  • airbags complaints mostly came at 1K–50K miles
  • transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 38K–89K miles
  • lights complaints mostly came at 55K–112K miles

Recalls 12

  • latches/locks/linkages 2020

    If the primary hood latch is inadvertently released, there is an increased likelihood that the secondary hood latch may corrode over time.

  • airbags 2016

    An incorrect Occupant Classification System (OCS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may have been installed in the front passenger seat.

  • airbags 2016

    In these vehicles, the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied.

Show all 12 recalls
  • latches/locks/linkages 2016

    In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch may bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.

  • airbags 2015

    The affected vehicles received an incorrect occupant classification system (OCS) control unit during a repair.

  • fuel system, gasoline 2015

    On October 14, 2015, Nissan expanded the recall to cover an additional 41,388 vehicles, including certain model year 2013-2015 Altima 3.5 vehicles equipped with a V6 engine manufactured March 30, 2012, to August 18, 2015…

  • latches/locks/linkages 2015

    In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch may bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.

  • latches/locks/linkages 2014

    In the affected vehicles, interference between the hood inner panel and the secondary latch lever, in combination with debris and corrosion, may cause the secondary hood latch to bind and remain in the unlatched position…

  • electrical 2014

    In the affected vehicles, the occupant classification system (OCS) software may incorrectly classify the passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult.

  • tires 2013

    The spare tires may have been significantly over- or under-inflated.

  • airbags 2013

    Sensors within the passenger Occupant Detection System (ODS) may have been manufactured out of specification.

  • steering 2012

    These vehicles may have been equipped with transverse link bolts and power steering rack bolts that were not torqued to proper specification.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.

Check a VIN for open recalls

Problems Nissan told dealers about

Nissan sent dealers 370 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:

  • Shudder from the torque converter lock-up clutch engagement
  • Service information on the removal and installation of service parts, on certain vehicles, for
  • 2013-2015 ALTIMA; WHINE NOISE FROM CVT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS This bulletin applies only to…

Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.

Government investigations

  • OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
  • ClosedRear suspension control arm failure2019–2025
  • ClosedRear suspension control arm failure2018–2019
  • ClosedOccupant classification system failure2015–2017

NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.

Safety

Stability controlStandard
Collision warningNot offered
Lane departure warningNot offered
NHTSA front crash test of the 2013 Nissan Altima
Front crash test · NHTSA
Crash test details
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Nissan Altima 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆
Nissan Altima 2 DR FWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★★
Fuel cost and engines

About $2050–2550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.

In owners' words

When accelerating gently or decelerating you can heard a rumbling and vibration noise.

2013 Nissan Altima owner · NHTSA complaint 10492417
More owner reports

The vehicle surges at around 25mph. It cuts out, slows down for a couple seconds, then jerks forward. When it jerks forward, it slam hard like it is doing damage to the transmission.

NHTSA complaint 10479974

I have experienced several incidents where the airbag off light was on even though an adult passenger was riding in the passenger seat with their seat belt fastened.

NHTSA complaint 10585379

Quick answers

Is the 2013 Nissan Altima reliable?

No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.9× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 194; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Nissan Altima year by this measure is 2022.

What are the most common 2013 Nissan Altima problems?

In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (41%), transmission & drivetrain (22%) and electrical (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.

How many recalls does the 2013 Nissan Altima have?

12 safety recalls (latest: latches/locks/linkages). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2013 Nissan Altima get?

25 to 31 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).

Is the 2013 Nissan Altima safe?

NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.

At what mileage do 2013 Nissan Altima problems start?

Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 24,000 and 93,000 miles. The middle report was at 64,800 miles, from 1,670 complaints.

Does the 2013 Nissan Altima have transmission problems?

Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 22% of its owner complaints.

How much does the 2013 Nissan Altima cost in fuel a year?

About $2050 to $2550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.

What engines does the 2013 Nissan Altima have?

2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.

What Nissan Altima year is better than the 2013?

By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2011 and 2021.

Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data