Problems · NHTSA complaints

2013 Nissan Altima problems

Owners filed 2,315 complaints about the 2013 Nissan Altima with NHTSA between Aug 2012 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (514).

Complaints
2,315
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
63
Reported by owners
Fires
9
Reported by owners
Injuries
48
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Air bags514
  2. Power train506
  3. Exterior lighting442
  4. Suspension290
  5. Electrical system159
  6. Engine158
  7. Structure134
  8. Steering94
  9. Latches/locks/linkages60
  10. Service brakes54
  11. Visibility/wiper52
  12. Vehicle speed control48
  13. Fuel/propulsion system44
  14. Seats37

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
201223
2013202
2014176
2015155
2016201
2017173
2018252
2019484
2020238
2021165
202299
202364
202437
202526
202620

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Air bags

514 reports29 crashes4 related recalls
“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. The contact's brother received medical attention for a concussion and had back and neck pain. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and was not yet deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 12, 2026Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11723832

Power train

506 reports8 crashes1 fire
“The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked; however, while attempting to move the gear shifter, the gear shifter failed to shift as intended. The contact stated that the failure was a known failure with the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed sensor. The contact was informed that the sensor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 168,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 27, 2026Power trainODI 11774057

Exterior lighting

442 reports9 crashes
“The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the headlights were very dim, making it difficult to see while driving at night. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with deteriorating headlight assemblies, causing the low-beam headlights to fail to properly illuminate the roadway while driving at night. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 173,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 18, 2026Exterior lightingODI 11765305

Suspension

290 reports2 crashes
“On the morning of October 8, 2026, while driving at approximately 15-20 mph, the traction control warning light illuminated on my 2013 Nissan Altima (approximately 80,000 miles). I drove the short distance home, and upon inspection found the right-rear wheel visibly tilted inward with noticeably lower ride height than the left-rear wheel, consistent with a fractured right-rear lower suspension link (lower control arm). The component shows signs of corrosion. The vehicle was originally purchased in California, was later registered and operated for approximately five years in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, where winter road-salt exposure is routine, and was subsequently returned to California. The vehicle was parked immediately and has not been driven since; it is available for inspection upon request. Safety was put at risk because the failure occurred while the vehicle was in motion on a public road. A separated rear lower link allows the wheel to move out of alignment, which can cause sudden loss of vehicle control, particularly at higher speeds. The failure ha not yet been confirmed by a dealer or independent service center; the vehicle is awaiting tow to a…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 31, 2026SuspensionODI 11774905

Electrical system

159 reports8 crashes4 fires1 related recall
“Front passenger door lock actuator fails to unlock door when driver's, passengers or key fob to unlock is activated. All other doors (3) work as they should. This creates a safety issue as the door must manually be unlocked which during a panic situation may not be easily accomplished. I am in the process of having the mechanism inspected & repaired. Part failed with no notice. It may have failed earlier, but July '26 was the 1st I noticed.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 1, 2026Electrical systemODI 11754114

Engine

158 reports3 crashes5 fires
“The contact's friend owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that when the vehicle was parked, the check engine warning light illuminated and remained illuminated for an extended period. The vehicle was taken to two independent mechanic shops, where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, where the check engine warning light was no longer illuminated, and the failure could not be replicated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 9, 2026EngineODI 11749375
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.