Having problems with a 2013 Nissan Altima? You're not alone. This model has gathered 2,157 complaints, 12 recalls, and five investigations—two of which are still ongoing—by the

National Highway Traffic Safety Association

(NHTSA).

Jerry

—the

super app

for

car insurance

—has researched everything you need to know about the most common 2013 Nissan Altima problems. We’ll go over the biggest complaints, official recalls, and how to lower your

Nissan insurance costs

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The most common 2013 Nissan Altima problems

The reliability of Nissan vehicles can be hit or miss, and some models are only as good as the year they were made.

Unfortunately, the Altima is one of them. According to Consumer Reports, the 2013 model year had low owner satisfaction and a high rate of major problems. Many owners report issues with the airbags, powertrain, exterior lighting, suspension, and electrical system.

In the case of the front-passenger airbags, which were found to erroneously deactivate, five recalls were issued. Solutions ranged from software updates to sensor replacements at the dealership. The other seven recalls dealt with faulty fuel-sending units, faulty car hood latches, loose bolts, and improperly-inflated spare tires.

Here’s a summary of all the problems found on the 2013 Nissan Altima’s NHTSA page:

Parts affected	Issues mentioned	Number of complaints	Recalls issued
Airbags	Warning light stuck on, failure to detect passengers, faulty sensors, airbags deactivated	483	5
Powertrain	Shaking, shuddering, stalling, failed transmission, failed ignition	479	0
Exterior lighting	Dull low-beam headlights, dim low-beam headlights	410	0
Suspension	Unexpected swerving, broken rear lower suspension, shaking, broken lower control arm	257	1
Electrical system	Airbags deactivated, faulty airbag sensors, dim headlights, faulty lights, faulty dashboard gauges, engine stalling, faulty transmission	152	1

Not all of the parts named in the most common 2013 Nissan Altima problems have received a recall. In response to a

class action lawsuit related to 2013 Nissan Altima headlights

appearing dim or dull, Nissan reached a settlement in 2021 that required any affected drivers to initiate repairs on their own. The front airbags are once again under investigation, this time to determine if their inflators are corroded by moisture.

And finally, the owners affected by suspension problems are still waiting on the results of an open investigation.

Initially, it was thought that since most broken rear suspension complaints came from “salt belt” states, the salt used on icy roads could be to blame for any corrosion. Further complaints prompted a second, ongoing investigation in 2019.

Nissan has since acknowledged that a manufacturing defect could cause a break in an estimated 0.003% of rear lower control arms and implemented design changes in 2018 It remains to be seen whether a recall will be issued.

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Is the 2013 Nissan Altima reliable?

Despite its problems, Consumer Reports gave the 2013 Nissan Altima an average (3/5) reliability rating. Quality & Reliability were also rated 76/100 by J.D. Power. In contrast, RepairPal gave the Altima an above-average reliability rating (4/5), but this applies to all model years.

Unless you encounter any major issues like those described above, maintaining a 2013 Altima is estimated to cost $587 annually.

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How to solve your Nissan car insurance problems

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