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Engine & cooling

2013 Nissan Altima Engine problems

Owners have filed 166 complaints about the 2013 Nissan Altima's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 7% of all its complaints, most recently on July 9, 2026. They describe 3 crashes, 5 fires and 1 injury. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Complaints
166
Recalls
0
Crashes
3
Fires
5
Injuries
1
Deaths
0

Engine complaints

Engine & cooling

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.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11749375
SuspensionEngine & cooling

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.

Filed Incident Suspension · EngineNHTSA 11671046
Electrical systemEngine & coolingFuel system

Sometimes when I'm driving the car starts idling as if I'm going fast that's how it sounds and I'm making a turn and it's sounds like it's accelerated but it won't go as much as I step on the gas it will not go so I got to pull over to the side wait for a little bit turn off the car and let it sit and then I'll go back tomorrow and it's every time this light turns on the dashboard with a car with the swively lines

Filed Incident Electrical system · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11605990
Engine & cooling

Passenger airbag safety light does not light up as it should, shows passenger isn't wearing seat belt when they are. Airbag might not deploy under these conditions. There was a recall for this, took to dealership, was not corrected. Transmission stalls and studders, will not accelerate due to faulty CVT. Causes near miss accidents. Shift lock occasionally prevents car from changing from park, reverse, drive.

Filed Incident Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11578855
Engine & coolingFuel system

Delayed acceleration after making a stop, high RPMs when accelerating after making a stop. All above conditions appears to happen randomly.

Filed Incident Unknown or other · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11574824
Engine & cooling

I feel like my 2013 Nissan Altima 2.5 SL sedan is/was Part of the Transmission Recall. I purchased my vehicle in 2017/2018... Since then I already replaced all the solenoids in 2020 for the transmission and it drove fine for 2 years. Then in October/November of 2023 the transmission code P0776 came on and it was taken to a Nissan dealership in Maine and was informed that the whole transmission was no good and needed to be replaced. I since bought a new Nissan Altima transmission that was never used before so, the...

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transmission has 0 miles on it and had my personal mechanic place it in and now in early 2024 the transmission went from Driving 65mph on the highway and suddenly dropped to 30mph still on highway with no dashboard light notice at all... so now I have a vehicle that is broken and I don't know what to do next!!! Please advise. I was wondering if my Vin# was one that had the original Recall and was taken care of anlready before I bought it? And if I can get any help with this new transmission that is now no good?

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11566184
Engine & cooling

Steady Check Engine light came on April 25, 2023. Just had oil change/filter done day before. Had tune-up done May 25, 2023. Had mechanic who replaced my catalytic converter and (2) O2 sensors a year ago check my car. Found that the inside of the catalytic converter was melted. They checked for a fuel leak in engine, none found. Replaced catalytic converter and front O2 sensor. As of today, no Steady Check Engine light has come back on. I think a Flashing Check Engine light should have displayed for something as...

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serious as a fuel leak. What if my car caught fire while driving? Also, I was told several years ago by a local Nissan dealer that my driver side airbag would need replacing - that indicator light never came back on the dash board either. Faulty sensors? I notified Nissan in TN by mail.

Filed Incident Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11533952
Engine & coolingBody, doors & structure

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the hood failed to open as needed. The vehicle was also leaking anti-freeze. The contact was unable to open the hood to check or add coolant. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer however, the contact was as unaware of the repair performed on the vehicle. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V315000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Latches / locks / linkagesNHTSA 11532725
AirbagsEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, he noticed a burning smell coming through the A/C vents. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that unknown frontal air bag had deployed under the hood and burned; however, the mechanic could not repair the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to another mechanic who informed the contact that they could not repair the vehicle. An unknown dealer was contacted but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.

Filed Incident Air bags · EngineNHTSA 11517828
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

doing 55 or 60 the car goes into limp mode and wont let me go more then 35 to 45 at times its a safety hazard as cars almost ran right into the back of my car if nissan dont fix the issue i will hire a lawyer and sue nissan its not worth losing my life or the life of others in my car GET THIS ISSUE TAKEN CARE OF NOW....i have called nissan in mansfield about this issue 3 different times ive emailed nissan and still to this day they have not reached out to me

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 11502313
Engine & cooling

Unable to engage automatic gear shift from park to drive or reverse. Must use small object, (screwdriver) with brake to place in drive.

Filed Incident Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11490249
AirbagsEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving on the highway at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the roadway and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that an unknown warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the air bag module and ECU module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Incident Air bags · Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 11471189
Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle started hesitating. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact parked on the side of the street for approximately 10 minutes before continuing driving to her destination. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and had an unknown component tied; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11436557
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

car over heats passanger door latch suspention in front is messed up when they did the computer update as a recall my car tranny slips and jerks it sucks more gas

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 11430825
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

my car over heats passanger door wont open from the inside its a latch issue ive told the dealer ship in mansfield and they done nothing about it front suspenction has issues still dealer does nothing about it every since they did the recall update with programing my car its like my tranny slips and jerks

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 11430824
Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was serviced by the dealer in 2016, for a recall repair for the mass airflow sensor however, the failure recurred. The contact had her nephew replace the mass airflow sensor on three separate occasions. The mass airflow sensor was also replaced once by an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that recall repair was only performed one time free of charge. The failure mileage was 108,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11427523
Transmission & drivetrainAcceleration & cruise controlEngine & cooling

The original transmission on this car failed and I had it replaced at a Nissan Dealership. In less than two years, the new transmission also failed. I was driving on the highway and transmission gave up and the vehicle would not accelerate putting my Life and others' life in danger/unsafe. I contacted Nissan consumer/customer service and the case manager was not helpful and literally, stonewalled my concerns. Gross negligence by Nissan about the vehicle owners and their safety. The Nissan Altima cars that were manufactured between 2013-2015 are pure LEMONS.

Filed Incident Power train · Vehicle speed control · EngineNHTSA 11424519
Engine & cooling

Car stalled on highway in 1st lane. Car jerking, stalling, not starting. Found recall on cvt transmissions on car. Nissan consumer affairs refuse to honor recall. States recall closed. Car not drivable. Being fixed at Firestone repair. Begged Nissan consumer affairs because of my safety to please fix. Spoke with 2 managers who would not honor closed past campaign!!! Told them I am a 60 yr old woman now to scarred to drive car. Had no choice but to have it fixed which I cannot afford.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11423696
Seats & seat beltsEngine & coolingFuel system

When pushing the gas on the highway or the streets it feels like the power of the car is holding back. Feels like the gears are messing up. And there's problem with catalyst converter. It's always showing check engine light even after I have tried other solutions on fixing that and the gas odometer is not reading the gas levels right either. Plus the passenger seat buckle is stuck and doesn't latch to the seat belt for a hold from a car accident. Like you have to really push hard for the seat belt to hold on.

Filed Incident Seat belts · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11404376
Engine & cooling

Check engine light came on because of manufacturer defect with sensor circuit (noted in nissan bulletin 16-030). Manufacturer special policy adjustment programs listed on dealer invoice states services regarding this defect will be at no charge to owner. However, dealer refuses to honor policy and charged for service.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11384824
Transmission & drivetrainBrakesEngine & cooling

While driving the vehicle on open highways the vehicle will experience a loss of power and engine shuts off resulting in loss of steering and breaking. Vehicle will also experience the same issues while driving in the city streets. When coming to a stop the vehicle will lose power and breaks will not work. This has been occurring since november 2019

Filed Incident Power train · Service brakes · EngineNHTSA 11331613
Engine & cooling

Complete transmission failure at nearly 122,000 miles in the middle of a major interstate wherein the vehicle could not turn back on. Prior to the failure, there were weeks of jerky shifting, the car was unable to coast, quickly accelerate, or come to a stop without jerking the car until stopped. The idle of the car was unusually high near the day of full transmission failure. After completely replacing the transmission with a brand new one, the car still is having trouble shifting smoothly.

Filed Incident Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11329924
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 nissan altima. The contact stated that while attempting to shift gears, there was a lag in between when the vehicle responded and the rpm at the time the transmission shifted to the next gear. The contact stated that with the vehicle on cruise control the vehicle revved up with the transmission slipping. The contact stated that while making a left turn at approximately 10 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was push to the side of the road. Additionally, while driving,...

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the accelerator pedal was depressed to the floorboard however, the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 96,045.

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 11329304
SuspensionSeats & seat beltsEngine & cooling

When I bought the car I had to replace the transmission 2 times in one year, the suspension is giving up and the driver seat is always braking

Filed Incident Suspension · Seats · EngineNHTSA 11317645
Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine & cooling

Purchased my car in 2014 with 36000 miles. Around 55,000 miles the gear shifter completely went out. Now I'm at 107,000 miles and my car is stalling when stopped. The car is not reading anything on the diagnostic tests at the dealership and no one is able to tell me what is wrong with the car. I live in a high traffic area so this is a very big deal.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11311341

Nissan Altima engine complaints by year

Altima engine problems, every year

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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