Nissan Altima Complaints (2013)
2,314 consumer complaints on file.
- #10559715January 13, 2014ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
ALTIMA 2.5L ENG. PROBLEM: ENGINE VIBRATIONS/CVT SHUTTERING SINCE APPROX. 3600 MILES, BUT HAS CONTINUALLY GOTTEN WORSE WITH MORE MILES (7000 MI 12/31/13). VIBRATIONS FELT AT 1500-2000 RPMS (ENOUGH TO SHAKE AND VIBRATE THE DASH COMPONENTS), THEN VIBRATION GOES AWAY. SLIGHT ACCELERATION UNDER LOAD AT 1500-2000 RPMS AND AT ANY SPEED (20-30, 40-55, 72 MPH) WILL RESULT IN DRONING/VIBRATIONS (EVERYTIME). HAD NISSAN SERVICE MGR. RIDE WITH ME, THEN HE DROVE THE VEHICLE AND CONFIRMED THE VIBRATIONS. HE SAID TO RETURN THE VEHICLE IN JAN 2014 TO FURTHER DOCUMENT THIS PROBLEM THAT NISSAN DOES NOT ADMIT EXISTS. HOWEVER, THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO NISSAN MANY TIMES OVER THIS PAST YEAR (2013). I NOW BELIEVE THIS VIBRATION IS COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND NOT FROM THE CVT SINCE I CAN FEEL VIBRATIONS 1500-2000 RPM EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED (IN PARK OR IN NEUTRAL). UPDATE: 1/08/14 NISSAN DEALER REPLACED ENGINE ALTERNATOR, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS, NO CHANGE IN VIBRATIONS. 1/10/14 NISSAN REPLACED TENSIONER AND ENGINE SERPENTINE BELT, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS, NO CHANGE IN VIBRATIONS. 1/13/14 FILED COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10559296January 10, 2014AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED AND REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V069000 (AIR BAGS). AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND AN ENGINEER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINEER RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE INTERIOR OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000....UPDATED 02/11/2014 *BF
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10559313January 10, 2014STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT QUARTER PANELS WERE PEELED AND BENT BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,0000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10559391January 10, 2014AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEATS
THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG STATUS LIGHT (PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF), ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY WITH A FULL SIZED ADULT SITTING IN THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. NISSAN CLAIMS THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN ID# PC214, DATED APRIL 2, 2013. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG STATUS LAMP IS LOCATED ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CENTER STACK. THIS INTERMITTENT CONDITION HAS OCCURRED TWICE THROUGH THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 2013. THE WARNING INDICATOR WILL TURN OFF AND OPERATE CORRECTLY AFTER I TURN OFF MY RUNNING ENGINE AND RESTART. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10559428January 10, 2014AIR BAGS
SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN JUNE I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WILL GO ON FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT WHEN SOMEONE OVER 100 LBS IS SITTING THERE. I TOOK IT IN TODAY AND THEY TESTED THE SENSOR AND RESET IT. THEY SAID THAT EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL AND IF IT DID IT AGAIN TO TURN OFF THE CAR AND HAVE THE PASSENGER SIT PROPERLY ON THE SEAT AND NOT HALF WAY. IT IS INTERMITTENT AND HAPPENS ONLY OCCASIONALLY. I KNOW THAT THE PASSENGERS ARE SITTING FULLY ON THE SEAT AND WORRY THAT THE AIR BAG IS NOT GOING TO WORK WHEN IT IS SUPPOSED TO. I SEE SEVERAL POSTINGS ON YOUTUBE ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM AND CUSTOMERS COMPLAINING THAT THEIR DEALERS CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM AND TO BRING IT IN WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON. I ALSO NOTICED A RECALL FOR OCCUPANT SENSORS ON THIS MODEL AND WONDER IF THIS PROBLEM IS RELATED. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10559195January 9, 2014AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG PASSENGER OCCUPANT SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10559267January 9, 2014AIR BAGS
THE PASSENGER FRONT AIRBAG DOES NOT DETECT ADULTS SITTING IN THE SEAT AND THEREFORE MAY NOT DEPLOY IN A CRASH. MY CAR DOES NOT FIT UNDER THE PREVIOUS RECALL. NISSAN CORPORATE SAYS IT IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. BUT CANNOT PROVIDE A DATE OF A SOFTWARE PATCH. AS A SOLUTION, I WAS TOLD TO PULL THE CAR OVER AND RESTART IT EVERY TIME IT HAPPENS. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10558943January 7, 2014SUSPENSION
THERE IS A LOUD, NOTICEABLE CREAKING/CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER AREA WHEN TRAVELING OVER BUMPS (SUCH AS A PARKING LOT SPEED BUMP). THE DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED STRUTS, SPRINGS, DROPPED THE TRANSMISSION, ETC AND AFTER 19 DAYS IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE FOR THIS NOISE. BOTH THE SERVICE MANAGER AND SOMEONE FROM NISSAN HAVE ATTEMPTED TO DIAGNOSE. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR 47 DAYS AND LESS THAN 700 MILES. SO FAR IT HAS SPENT 22 DAYS IN THE SHOP FOR A MYRIAD OF PROBLEMS; IT IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP AS THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING SUBMITTED. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10558613January 6, 2014AIR BAGS
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF LIGHT HAS BEEN ON 9 TIMES WHILE WITH 140 TO 200 LB PASSENGER SEATED. NOTIFIED NISSAN SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND I WAS INFORMED THAT IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO TROUBLE SHOOT THIS PROBLEM AS NO CODE WOULD BE GENERATED THEREFORE IT WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THE LIGHT ON FOR THEM TO TROUBLESHOOT. AND I KNOW THE LIGHT WON'T STAY ON LONG ENOUGH FOR THAT TO HAPPEN. ALSO I WAS TOLD MY CAR WAS NOT UP FOR RECALL. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10557046December 23, 2013AIR BAGS
BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW AND HAVE CONTINUAL PROBLEM WITH PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT COMING ON SAYING THE AIR BAG IS OFF WHEN A PASSENGER OF MORE THAN 125 POUNDS IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. CAR HAS BEEN TO NISSAN SERVICE SEVERAL TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THEY SAY THERE IS NO COMPUTER CODES. I'VE DOCUMENTED THIS HAPPENING 9 TIMES SINCE JULY AND I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY OF MY PASSENGERS. WHEN I SEE THE LIGHT, I STOP THE CAR, TURN CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND LIGHT GOES OUT. ONE TIME THE PASSENGER MOVING AROUND IN THE SEAT CAUSED THE LIGHT TO GO OUT. I DO NOT HAVE CONFIDENCE THE AIR BAG WILL WORK IF NEEDED. NISSAN NORTH AMERICA HAS JUST ABOUT WASHED THEIR HANDS OF TRYING TO FIX IT AND TELL ME THE SYSTEM IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. FRUSTRATED~! *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10556875December 20, 2013STEERING
NOTHING HAPPEN YET, BUT NEED TO UPDATE AND ALERT ABOUT A PROBLEM THAT CAN BE DANGEROUS.THE NISSAN ALTIMA 2013 AND 2014 HAVE A NEW DESIGN FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP(ELECTRONIC) THIS MADE A WHISPER SOUND INSIDE OF THE CABIN VERY HIGH , WHEN YOU DRIVE FROM 0-30 MILES. THIS CONTINUOUS SOUND IS IRRESISTIBLE AND MADE YOU UNCOMFORTED WHEN YOU DRIVE.THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND THE DECIBELS INSIDE OF CABIN IS TOO MUCH.ALSO MY AUTISTIC CHILD IS VERY SENSITIVE TO THIS SOUND AND REACT AGAIN.THAT CAN BE SO DANGEROUS BECAUSE THEY IRRITATED AGAIN THE SOUND(YOU CAN CONTROL) AND AFTER 30-35 IS GO.CAN YOU IMAGINE HAVE TO DRIVE ALL DAY ON THE CITY LIMITS. I SPOKE WITH NISSAN NORTH AMERICA AND THEY SAID IS NORMAL. CAN WE AWARE OF THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM THIS CAN MADE, CAN WE MADE THE NISSAN CREATE A RECALL AND TRY TO SOLVE THIS SITUATION WITH THE POWER STEERING SOUND INSIDE OF THE CABIN. THANKS *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10556390December 17, 2013AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHILE A PASSENGER WAS OCCUPYING THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION HOWEVER THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS OPERATING NORMALLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,300.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10556237December 16, 2013AIR BAGS
DRIVING WITH A PERSON IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASH ILLUMINATED TO INDICATE THE AIRBAG HAD TURNED OFF. IT DID THIS TWICE ON THE SAME DAY. THE PERSON SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS 175 LBS, WELL BIG ENOUGH THAT THE SENSORS SHOULD HAVE DETECTED. THIS APPEARS, FROM NUMEROUS ONLINE FORUMS, TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. PRIOR TO MANUFACTURE OF MY 2013 ALTIMA (06/2013) A RECALL WAS CONDUCTED FOR THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM. APPARENTLY, POST RECALL, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. MANY PEOPLE COULD BE KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED AS A RESULT OF THIS SAFETY FAILURE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10556231December 16, 2013STEERING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THERE IS A LOUD WHINING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD, DIRECTLY BEHIND THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT. THE NOISE BECAME LOUDER WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED SLIGHTLY IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE NOISE CAME INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. DEALERSHIP SAID THEY WERE ABLE TO FIX THE WHINING NOISE COMING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. HOWEVER; ALL 2013 ALTIMAS MAKE THIS NOISE UNDER THE HOOD. THE SOURCE CAN EASILY BE IDENTIFIED BY POPPING THE HOOD AND LOOKING BEHIND A SMALL PIECE OF SOUND ABSORBING MATERIAL (WHICH OBVIOUSLY DOESN'T WORK). HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS IS A "CHARACTERISTIC" OF THE NEW ELECTRIC STEERING AND ALL ALTIMAS MAKE THIS ANNOYING SOUND. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10556235December 16, 2013STRUCTURE:BODY
TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HOOD ERRONEOUSLY UNLATCHED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY ICE AND COLD TEMPERATURES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,000. RK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10555419December 10, 2013AIR BAGS
AFTER OWNING MY VEHICLE FOR LESS THAN A MONTH , AN INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS NOW DEACTIVATED EVEN THOUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED BY AN ADULT . AFTER THE VEHICLE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE LIGHT DISAPPEARED . A FEW DAYS LATER THE LIGHT ONCE AGAIN CAME ON TO INDICATE THAT THE AIR BAG WAS OFF WITH AN ADULT IN THE SEAT . I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO BE SERVICED ... AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS PROBABLY CAUSED BY THE PERSON " NOT SITTING IN THE SEAT CORRECTLY " AND PROCEEDED TO SHOW ME HOW A PASSENGER SHOULD SIT IN THE SEAT ! I EXPLAINED THAT ONCE IT WAS ON , THE LIGHT NEVER WENT BACK OFF NO MATTER HOW THE PASSENGER SAT .THE LIGHT CONTINUED TO WARN THAT THERE WAS NO ACTIVE AIRBAG ! AFTER THE DEALER INVESTIGATED THEY SAID THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE SENSORS . THEY SAID THAT" THE SENSORS TAKE A WHILE TO ADJUST " . I INQUIRED AS TO WHY NISSAN HAD JUST RECALLED THE 2013 ALTIMAS FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM ( RECALL 13V069000 )... BUT I WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN FIXED ON NEW VEHICLES LIKE MINE . THIS AIR BAG DEACTIVATED LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON AND STAY ON RANDOMLY TO THIS DATE . THE DEALER SAYS THE ONLY WAY TO DIAGNOSE IT CORRECTLY IS TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN WHILE THE AIRBAG LIGHT OFF IS ILLUMINATED . NEEDLESS TO SAY THIS IS DIFFICULT TO DO .IT IS GOING BACK IN FOR THIS PROBLEM NEXT WEEK . AT THIS POINT I AM UNSURE WHETHER OR NOT I TRULY DO HAVE ACTIVE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS ... I DON'T WANT TO HAVE THAT ANSWERED WHEN IT IS TOO LATE ! SEARCH THE INTERNET ( ALTIMA FORUMS ) AND YOU WILL SEE A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE, AS WELL AS THE SAME HOLLOW EXPLANATION ! *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10555039December 6, 2013POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY SWAYED BACK AND FORTH. THE VEHICLE WAS EASIER TO CONTROL ONCE THE SPEED DECELERATED TO 50 MPH AND BELOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10555045December 6, 2013EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT HEADLIGHTS BECAME ABNORMALLY DIM. THE FAILURE AFFECTED THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY OF THE ROADWAY WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND ALL OF THE 2013 ALTIMA MODELS HAD THE SAME ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10555074December 6, 2013AIR BAGS
PASSENGER PRESENCE DETECTION SYSTEM FAILED TO RECOGNIZE A PASSENGER AND ENABLE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG APPROXIMATELY 30% OF THE TIME. DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE CONTROLLER. SAME ERROR OCCURRED 2 MONTHS LATER. DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE CONTROLLER AND ADVISED AGAINST PLACING ANYTHING OVER ABOUT 10 LBS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AS THIS WOULD CORRUPT THE PRESENCE DETECTION ALGORITHM. BUT THE DEALER COULDN'T OFFER ANY ASSURANCE THAT THE SYSTEM WOULDN'T FAIL AGAIN. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10555134December 6, 2013ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
CAR IS VIBRATING WHEN GOING 40 MPH. VIBRATION ALSO OCCURRING AFTER LONG DRIVES AND THEN COMING TO A STOP. CAR WILL SHAKE. IT IS NOT HAPPENING ALL THE TIME, BUT IS NERVE RACKING WHEN IT DOES. INTERMITTENT ISSUE WITH THE KEY ID NOT BEING RECOGNIZED WHEN ENTERING THE CAR WHEN THE DOORS ARE LOCKED AND YOU PRESS THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE DOOR HANDLE. OR WHEN GETTING INTO AN UNLOCKED CAR THE KEY IS NOT RECOGNIZED. LOCK THE DOORS AND AUTO START THE CAR BUTTON ON THE KEY FOB NOT STARTING THE CAR. HAPPENING ON BOTH KEY FOBS. HEADLIGHTS DURING LONG TRIP WERE DIMMING, THEN WOULD BRIGHTEN. THIS DURING A 6 HOUR DRIVE. GAS MILEAGE HAS DROPPED FROM 38.4 MPG TO 33.1 MPG HIGHWAY DRIVING. SAME ISSUE WITH AROUND TOWN ABOUT 5 MPG DROP. MILEAGE SEEMS TO DIFFER WHEN FILLING UP CAR. GOES FROM OVER 600+ MILES TO AROUND 580+ MILES. NOT SURE WHY WHEN YOU FILL IT ALL THE WAY UP THE MILEAGE IS NOT THE SAME. TIRE PRESSURE SEEMS TO DIFFER. NOT SURE THAT IS RELIABLE READING. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0