"How reliable is the 2013 Nissan Altima?"

"Based on 2970 NHTSA complaints, the 2013 Nissan Altima has a median complaint mileage of 62000 miles. The most common issue is Air Bags."

"What are common problems with the 2013 Nissan Altima?"

"The most frequently reported component in NHTSA complaints for the 2013 Nissan Altima is Air Bags, accounting for a significant portion of the 2970 total complaints filed."

2013 Nissan Altima: Reliability Data

Source: NHTSA — 2970 complaints

2970

Total Complaints

62,000mi

Median Mileage

Air Bags

Top Issue

104

Crash Reports

When Do Complaints Happen?

Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.

20,050 25th Percentile

62,000 Median Mileage

91,756 75th Percentile

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

Air Bags

511

Power Train

497

Exterior Lighting

417

Suspension

276

Unknown Or Other

240

Engine

156

Electrical System

153

Body

104

Steering

Service Brakes

Severity Assessment

104

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"I BOUGHT A NEW 2013 ALTIMA 2.5 SL ON 7/26/12, WITH 104 MILES ON IT SINCE IT WAS DELIVERED FROM ANOTHER DEALER. ON 7/29/12 A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE OWNER'S MANUAL SAID THAT POSSIBLY THE GAS CAP WAS NOT TIGHT. THIS WAS NOT THE CASE. MANUAL SAID THAT IF THE LIGHT WAS NOT FLASHING, THEN IT WOU..."

"ON INTERSTATES CAR WANDERS ALL OVER ROAD REQUIRING BOTH HANDS ON WHEEL MAKING CONSTANT CORRECTIONS TO STAY IN LANE AND IS SEVERELY BUFFETED BY PASSING TRUCKS AND BUSSES. AT LOWER SPEEDS CONSTANT CORRECTIONS ARE STILL REQUIRED TO AVOID RUNNING OFF ROAD. *TR"

"TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SURGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC AND SERVICE MANAGER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND FELT THE SURGE HOWEVER STATED THAT WHEN INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE FAIL..."

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

When Were Complaints Filed?

Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.

When Does Each Component Fail?

Median mileage at complaint for top components.

Air Bags 511 complaints

25th: 1,500 mi Median: 14,000 mi 75th: 48,342 mi

Power Train 497 complaints

25th: 37,250 mi Median: 68,415 mi 75th: 88,475 mi

Exterior Lighting 417 complaints

25th: 55,400 mi Median: 80,000 mi 75th: 112,000 mi

Suspension 276 complaints

25th: 78,540 mi Median: 100,000 mi 75th: 122,250 mi

Unknown Or Other 240 complaints

25th: 48,000 mi Median: 70,000 mi 75th: 89,250 mi

Where Are Complaints Coming From?

Top states by complaint count.

FL: 236 CA: 230 TX: 227 NY: 197 OH: 151 IL: 149 GA: 144 VA: 125 PA: 123 NC: 119

Who Files Complaints?

1.5%

Original Owners

98.5%

Second+ Owners

Nissan Altima — Other Years

See how this model compares across different model years.

Year	Complaints	Median Mileage	Top Issue	Crashes
1993	150	122,000	Frontal	25
1994	120	126,000	Frontal	37
1995	216	110,500	Frontal	49
1996	117	83,075	Frontal	27
1997	141	120,000	Air Bags	40
1998	141	120,000	Frontal	20
1999	110	88,500	Frontal	29
2000	199	84,000	Engine And Engine Cooling	34
2001	201	69,500	Engine And Engine Cooling	29
2002	1321	87,000	Engine And Engine Cooling	41
2003	1099	86,300	Engine And Engine Cooling	61
2004	334	71,000	Engine And Engine Cooling	18
2005	1358	85,000	Body	71
2006	1043	90,000	Body	58
2007	597	65,000	Suspension	39
2008	1373	71,000	Structure	73
2009	2149	78,000	Steering	55
2010	538	51,603	Unknown Or Other	40
2011	317	72,000	Power Train	18
2012	575	75,000	Power Train	39
2014	1376	62,500	Exterior Lighting	74
2015	1188	51,000	Exterior Lighting	61
2016	778	57,692	Power Train	43
2017	498	55,000	Power Train	32
2018	314	36,000	Unknown Or Other	16
2019	326	14,000	Electrical System	40
2020	266	21,171	Electrical System	27
2021	96	41,000	Electrical System	11
2022	50	-	Unknown Or Other	8
2023	33	5,300	Electrical System	8
2024	55	-	Unknown Or Other	13

Active Recalls (12)

Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.

Frontal

Campaign 15V681000 | 20/10/2015

If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger air bag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the passenger.

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on November 30, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

Occupant Classification

Campaign 16V911000 | 19/12/2016

If the front passenger seat occupant is misclassified, the air bag may deploy incorrectly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ECU and update the OCS software free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

Fuel System, Gasoline

Campaign 15V486000 | 04/08/2015

If fuel leaks from between the fuel sending unit and the tank, it may increase the risk of a fire in the event of a crash.

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer ring between the fuel tank and the fuel sending unit. The recall began on September 28, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

Software

Campaign 14V138000 | 25/03/2014

If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger airbag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the passenger.

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2014. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

Occupant Classification

Campaign 16V244000 | 26/04/2016

If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.

Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors. Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in Altima, Maxima, Murano, Rogue, and Sentra vehicles, and replace the OCS ECU in LEAF, NV200, NV200 Taxi,

Latch

Campaign 16V029000 | 22/01/2016

If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

These vehicles were previously included in recalls 14V-565 and 15V-116, however the previous remedy plan may not have been performed consistently to remove the safety risk. To correct this issue, Nissan will re-notify all affected owners and dealers will replace the hood latch with a new one, free

Latch

Campaign 14V565000 | 15/09/2014

If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will be instructed to modify the bend angle of the hood actuation lever to eliminate potential interference with the hood inner panel. In addition, dealers will clean and lubricate the latch joint as needed. If significant corrosion is observed, the latch ass

Latch

Campaign 15V116000 | 27/02/2015

If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Air Bags

Campaign 13V069000 | 01/03/2013

If the vehicle is involved in a crash necessitating airbag deployment and the passenger airbag is suppressed, there may be an increased risk of personal injury.

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ODS sensors and replace them as neccessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 6, 2013. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1-800-647-7261.

Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire

Campaign 13V158000 | 24/04/2013

Tires that are significantly over- or under-inflated may fail without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and adjust the spare tire pressure, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 29, 2013. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

Steering

Campaign 12V494000 | 10/10/2012

The affected bolts could become loose and fall out which may lead to a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the bolts to the proper torque specifications. The safety recall is expected to begin during November 2012. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1-800-647-7261.

Latch

Campaign 20V315000 | 28/05/2020

Corrosion to the secondary latch may cause it to bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed. If the primary latch is inadvertently released again and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will install a stronger release spring in the hood release lever, a warning label near the secondary hood latch, and an Owners Manual addendum card with instructions on how to lubricate and maintain the secondary hood latch mechanism, free of charge. Owner no

Airbag Safety

Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.

Check for open airbag recalls at NHTSA.gov using your VIN
Never ignore the airbag warning light — get it diagnosed immediately
Don't install aftermarket steering wheel covers that block the airbag
Keep the area around airbag deployment zones clear of accessories

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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28