repaired · 2023 Q1
Hood: latch
Risk. Corrosion to the secondary latch may cause it to bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.
2013 Nissan AltimaProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 2,315 owner complaints about the 2013 Nissan Altima, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 12 safety recalls, and for recall 20V-315 the manufacturer reports only 40% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 31, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2013 Nissan Altima has problems
2,315 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
514Air bags30 crash/fire/injury
506Power train9 crash/fire/injury
442Exterior lighting9 crash/fire/injury
290Suspension2 crash/fire/injury
159Electrical system
158Engine
134Structure
94Steering
60Latches/locks/linkages
37818 other systems26 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 514 | 30 |
| Power train | 506 | 9 |
| Exterior lighting | 442 | 9 |
| Suspension | 290 | 2 |
| Electrical system | 159 | 14 |
| Engine | 158 | 8 |
| Structure | 134 | 14 |
| Steering | 94 | 5 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 60 | 6 |
| 18 other systems | 378 | 26 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
12 recalls
2013 Nissan Altima recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2018 Q2
Sensor: occupant classification
Risk. If the front passenger seat occupant is misclassified, the air bag may deploy incorrectly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
repaired · 2017 Q3
Sensor: occupant classification
Risk. If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
repaired · 2017 Q2
Hood: latch
Risk. If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a…
Show 8 more recalls
repaired · 2017 Q1
Air bags: frontal
Risk. If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger air bag would be deactivated.
repaired · 2016 Q4
Fuel system, gasoline
Risk. If fuel leaks from between the fuel sending unit and the tank, it may increase the risk of a fire in the event of a crash.
repaired · 2016 Q2
Hood: latch
Risk. If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a…
repaired · 2016 Q1
Hood: latch
Risk. If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a…
repaired · 2015 Q3
Air bags: frontal
Risk. If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger airbag would be deactivated.
no report yet
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire
Risk. Tires that are significantly over- or under-inflated may fail without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
no report yet
Air bags
Risk. If the vehicle is involved in a crash necessitating airbag deployment and the passenger airbag is suppressed, there may be an increased risk of personal injury.
no report yet
Steering
Risk. The affected bolts could become loose and fall out which may lead to a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Nissan.
Mileage at failure
When do air bags problems start?
14kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 351 air bags complaints. 93% were reported before 100,000 miles.
227under 30k miles328under 100k miles23100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Exterior lighting
51 owners mentioned a cost$1,000median
Middle half: $1,000 – $1,294
Power train
47 owners mentioned a cost$3,800median
Middle half: $2,657 – $4,350
Air bags
29 owners mentioned a cost$930median
Middle half: $189 – $2,800
Suspension
17 owners mentioned a cost$1,000median
Middle half: $800 – $1,535
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2013 vs. every other Altima year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Altima median. How we score
12210618092108123871601591,0478832761,0918244711,0311,5473812424262,3151,1149565553952262351627132304471
'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2013 Nissan Altima safety ratings
2013 Nissan Altima 4 DR FWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side barrier★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
- Rollover: 4 stars (10.3% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
5 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2013 Nissan Altima, and the recalls they led to.
- Occupant Classification System FailureLed to recall 16V-242
- Rear Suspension Control Arm FailureNo recall
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
- Rear Suspension Control Arm FailureNo recall
- Occupant Classification System FailureNo recall
In owners' words
What Altima owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
Airbag and seat belt warning lights won't turn off one each on instrument cluster RED, and one ORANGEYELLOW center of dash next to hazard lights button
The contact's brother owned a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while her brother was driving at an undisclosed speed from a stop sign, another vehicle in the left lane crashed into the contact's brother's front driver's side. The air bags did not deploy. No warning light was illuminated.…
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…
Own a 2013 Altima?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.