Recalls · problems · safety

2013 Nissan Altima: recalls and problems

12 recalls and 2,312 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train.

12recalls
2,312complaints
63crashes reported
9fires reported
48injuries reported

Recalls

Check recalls for your exact VIN

Most common problems

  • Power Train488 · 21%
  • Air Bags434 · 19%
  • Exterior Lighting433 · 19%
  • Suspension285 · 12%
  • Unknown Or Other240 · 10%
  • Engine158 · 7%
  • Structure134 · 6%
  • Electrical System117 · 5%
  • Steering88 · 4%
  • Latches/Locks/Linkages60 · 3%

What owners report

Structure

On xxx, at approximately 5:00 a.m., my son was driving my 2013 nissan altima 2.5 sl (vin [xxx]) to work at approximately 55 mph when the hood unexpectedly flew open while the vehicle was moving. the vehicle had approximately 156,000 miles. the hood came up into his field of vision and significantly obstructed his view of the roadway, creating a serious safety hazard. fortunately, he was able to maintain control of t

Exterior Lighting

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 noti

Air Bags

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

Suspension

Driver side rear lower control arm broke/rusted through. was able to get the vehicle home prior to an catastrophic incident. see pictures attached. warning light came on the dash at the time of the brake of the control arm.

Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. They are owner reports and have not been verified.

Crash-test ratings

VersionOverallFrontalSideRollover
2013 Nissan Altima 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
2013 Nissan Altima 2 DR FWDNot ratedNot ratedNot rated★★★★★

Source: NHTSA recalls, complaints and NCAP APIs, covering Altima. Last refreshed 2026-09-29.