Problems · by component

2013 Nissan Altima power train problems

506 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2013 Nissan Altima cite power train, 22% of all 2,315 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
506
22% of all complaints
Crashes
8
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from a stop sign, the vehicle accelerated to approximately 15 MPH and then unexpectedly decelerated. The contact attempted to depress the accelerator; however, the vehicle lost automotive power and stalled. The vehicle was towed to the residence. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 26, 2026Power trainODI 11727165
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 3, 2025Power train, Vehicle speed controlODI 11691235
“I have been told by Nissan dealership and Christian brothers Automobile and Midas my CVS transmission is defective- factory defective. It often slips and gets hot and emits an odor I now have transmission flushed and serviced every 30,000 miles per dealer suggestions- no one thinks this was good and I’d factory defective— help me I bought this to be my last car serviced as suggested I’m told Nissan knows it but refuses to do a recall ????? Please told nothing I can do surely Nissan recognizes this and will recall it”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 10, 2025Power trainODI 11660118
“The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving approximately 50-55 MPH, the transmission suddenly failed, and the vehicle started losing power while decelerating. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road from an off-ramp. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic, but the cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 25, 2025Power trainODI 11650435
“I bought this car from Auto Auction Group Inc in Los Angeles, Ca. When I bought the vehicle it read 103,158 miles on the odometer, however I learned recently through a car fax, that when the car was received by auto auction group it had 222,854. They rolled back the odometer committing fraud and putting me at risk and selling me a lemon that was basically on its way to break down sooner rather than later. I also learned they had erased the check engine warning so it seemed like the car was fine.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 17, 2025Power train, Unknown or otherODI 11643068

Showing 6 of 506 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

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