BestCarRank
Nissan

2013 Nissan ALTIMA

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2013 Nissan ALTIMA has 2976 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 8.7x the segment average of 344. The most common issue is air bags problems (17% of all complaints), specifically: intermittently, "passenger airbag off" warning light remains on even though passenger (130 lbs) is in the front passenger (cloth) seat. *tr. There are 12 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 15 fire reports filed.

15 fire reports 78 crash reports 59 injuries

2976

Total Complaints

12

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

8.7x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

513 complaints
17%
  • • INTERMITTENTLY, "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" WARNING LIGHT REMAINS ON EVEN THOUGH PASSENGER (130 LBS) IS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER (CLOTH) SEAT. *TR
  • • THE PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS A PASSENGER SITTING IN THE SEAT THAT WAS OVER 100 POUNDS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE SINCE THERE WAS NO ERROR CODE IN THE SYSTEM. I HAD TO SHUT OFF AND RESTART THE VE
  • • PASSENGER AIRBAG "OFF" LIGHT STAYS ON EVEN WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. INTERMITTENT PROBLEM - ONGOING SINCE NEW. *TR
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 29 crashes

“INTERMITTENTLY, "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" WARNING LIGHT REMAINS ON EVEN THOUGH PASSENGER (130 LBS) IS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER (CLOTH) SEAT. *TR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Nissan ALTIMA

Based on 2,153 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 62K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
642
30-60K
370
60-100K
704
100-150K
356
150-200K
72
200K+
9

AIR BAGS

Earlier than typicalmedian 14K mi · 351 reports
0-30K
227
30-60K
52
60-100K
49
100-150K
19
150-200K
4
200K+
0

ELECTRICAL

Earlier than typicalmedian 40K mi · 117 reports
0-30K
48
30-60K
34
60-100K
25
100-150K
10
150-200K
0
200K+
0

BODY/STRUCTURE

Earlier than typicalmedian 51K mi · 104 reports
0-30K
33
30-60K
26
60-100K
30
100-150K
14
150-200K
1
200K+
0

STEERING

Earlier than typicalmedian 23K mi · 73 reports
0-30K
39
30-60K
6
60-100K
14
100-150K
12
150-200K
1
200K+
1

BRAKES

Earlier than typicalmedian 34K mi · 44 reports
0-30K
21
30-60K
12
60-100K
4
100-150K
5
150-200K
2
200K+
0

SEATS/RESTRAINTS

Earlier than typicalmedian 9K mi · 44 reports
0-30K
31
30-60K
6
60-100K
7
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (12)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL20/10/2015

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Altima and Pathfinder vehicles, 2013-2014 Nissan Sentra vehicles, 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles, 2014-2015 Infiniti QX60 vehicles and 2014 Infiniti QX60 Hybrid vehicles. The affected vehicles received an incorrect occupant classification system (OCS) control unit during a repair. These OCS control units may incorrectly classify the front passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

High theft risk

#4 most stolen in 2025

The Nissan ALTIMA was the #4 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025, with approximately 15,200 thefts reported to law enforcement.

Notes: Widely available, high resale demand

Recommended protection: engine immobilizer verification, steering wheel lock, GPS tracker, and comprehensive insurance coverage. Higher theft risk usually translates to higher comprehensive-coverage insurance premiums.

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2013 Nissan ALTIMA

Live EIA prices
Per year
$1,715
Per month
$143
Per mile
14.3¢
MPG
28
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$2,182/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$1,263/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today
Current
$4.00
5-year low
$2.78
5-year high
$5.01
Since 2021
+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Nissan ALTIMA

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,598
Full coverage / month
$133
Liability only / year
$574
vs US avg
-5%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x
× theft risk1.15x
× safety rating0.94x
× vehicle age0.92x
= Full coverage estimate$1598

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Nissan ALTIMA Service Intervals

Oil change
5K mi / 6 mo
Tire rotation
5K mi
Brake fluid
24 months
Transmission fluid
60K mi
Engine coolant
105K mi
Spark plugs
105K mi
Cabin air filter
15K mi
Engine air filter
30K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
60K mi

CVT-equipped models (Altima, Sentra, Rogue, Pathfinder) MUST use Nissan NS-3 CVT fluid, not conventional ATF. Frequent CVT service extends life significantly.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Nissan New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
3 yr / 36K mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
5 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Nissan. If you're buying a used 2013 ALTIMA, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Nissan dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Videos About the 2013 Nissan ALTIMA

Videos hosted on YouTube — embedded via official player
Here's my 2013 Nissan Altima Review on Everyman Driver
Everyman DriverAug 2018
BUY OR BUST? - 2013-18 Nissan Altima High Miles Review!
TopLineRacerJun 2024
2013 Nissan Altima 2.5SL Review, Walkaround, Exhaust, & Test Drive
Redline ReviewsJun 2014
Car Tech - 2013 Nissan Altima SL
CNETNov 2012
2013 Nissan Altima 3.5 SL - Drive Time Review with Steve Hammes | TestDriveNow
Steve Hammes New Car ReviewsJun 2013

Videos are hosted on YouTube and embedded here via YouTube's official player. BestCarRank does not host or produce these videos. Watch counts and channel information are pulled from YouTube's public Data API.

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)
$500
TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)
$500
LIGHTING(~50K mi)
$500
SUSPENSION(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 2976 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ☐
    AIR BAGS: INTERMITTENTLY, "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" WARNING LIGHT REMAINS ON EVEN THOUGH PASSENGER (130 LBS) IS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER (CLOTH) SEAT. *TR

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    TRANSMISSION: THE PROBLEM BEGAN WITH THE TRANSMISSION LOCKING UP OR SHUDDERING GOING DOWN HILL, THROWING THE VEHICLE AND ME FORWARD. EVER BEEN ON A GOLF CART GOING DOWN A HILL WHERE THE GOVERNOR THROWS YOU FORWARD? MULTIPLY THAT BY ABOUT 5 AND THAT'S WHAT YOU GET. IT HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE, TO THE POI

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    LIGHTING: BRAKE LIGHT WENT ON RIGHT AFTER TAKING IT OUT OF THE SERVICE CENTER OF NISSAN DEALER BRAKE PEDAL DROPPED TO FLOOR. *TR

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    SUSPENSION: ON AUG. 10TH WE RECD AN EMAIL FROM THE EMPIRE NISSAN FLEET MNGR [XXX]. HE STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO HAVE THE CAR BACK AND WOULD PAY OUR FIRST MTH PYMT AND GIVE US A REPLACEMENT CAR OF LIKE KIND AND QUALITY. THEY WOULD NOT TELL US WHY THE VEH NEEDED TO BE RETURNED. WE NOTIFIED CORP NISSAN CONSUMER A

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    RECALLS: Verify all 12 recalls have been completed — free at any Nissan dealer
  • ☐
    General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Nissan ALTIMA — Year Comparison

How does 2013 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

2025
10Excellent Reliability
2024
60Above Average
2023
37Excellent Reliability
2022
52Above Average
2021
108Above Average
2020
277Average
2019
344Average
2018
320Average
2017
506Below Average
2016
781Below Average
2015
1197Avoid This Year
2014
1390Avoid This Year
2013
2976Avoid This Year
2012
577Below Average
2011
320Average
2010
541Below Average
Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

At a Glance

Complaints
2976
Recalls
12
Fire reports
15
Crash reports
78
Injury reports
59
Segment avg
344

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2013 Nissan ALTIMA

Compare With

2013 Ford C-MAX231 complaints2013 Ford C-MAX ENERGI65 complaints2013 Ford C-MAX HYBRID179 complaints2013 Ford E-15029 complaints