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2013 Nissan Altima recalls, complaints and safety ratings

There are 12 US recalls for the 2013 Nissan Altima, and 12 in Canada. Owners filed 2,313 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags.

12US recalls
0urgent recalls
2,313owner complaints
–overall crash rating

Is your car affected?

Check by VIN to confirm the exact model and see every recall for it.

Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.

US recalls (12)

Latches/locks/linkages: hood, latch

2020-05-28 · campaign 20V315000 · 1,831,818 vehicles

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2018 Nissan Altima vehicles. If the primary hood latch is inadvertently released, there is an increased likelihood that the secondary hood latch may corrode over time.

Risk and remedy

Risk: 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.

Remedy: 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 Owner’s Manual addendum card with instructions on how to lubricate and maintain the secondary hood latch mechanism, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 30, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Note: Recall 16V-029 remains open for any unremedied 2013-2015 Altimas and this recall applies to all vehicles covered by 16V-029 even if those repairs have already been performed.

Air bags: sensor, occupant classification

2016-12-19 · campaign 16V911000 · 757 vehicles

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Altima vehicles manufactured January 3, 2013, to July 29, 2013, 2015-2016 Rogue vehicles manufactured October 14, 2014, to August 12, 2016, and 2016 Maxima vehicles manufactured June 4, 2015, to August 19, 2015. An incorrect Occupant Classification System (OCS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may have been installed in the front passenger seat. The incorrect ECU and seat combination may misclassify the front passenger seat occupant.

Risk and remedy

Risk: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Air bags: sensor, occupant classification

2016-04-26 · campaign 16V244000 · 3,296,947 vehicles

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano Hybrid, and Chevrolet City Express, 2014-2015 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, and 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles. In these vehicles, the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may be turned off and not deploy in the event of a crash.

Risk and remedy

Risk: 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.

Remedy: 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, Pathfinder, Infiniti Q50, JX35, and QX60 and Chevrolet City Express vehicles, free of charge. Interim notices were sent to owners on May 31, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669, Infiniti customer service at 1-888-833-3216 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.

Latches/locks/linkages: hood, latch

2016-01-22 · campaign 16V029000 · 846,000 vehicles

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Nissan Altima vehicles manufactured March 6, 2012, to December 31, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch may bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.

Risk and remedy

Risk: 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.

Remedy: 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 of charge. The recall began on February 17, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 14V-565 and 15V-116.

Air bags: sensor, occupant classification

2015-10-20 · campaign 15V681000 · 919 vehicles

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 and remedy

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.

Remedy: 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.

Fuel system, gasoline

2015-08-04 · campaign 15V486000 · 46,846 vehicles

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) notified the agency on July 31, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2016 Nissan Maxima vehicles manufactured February 10, 2015, to August 18, 2015. On October 14, 2015, Nissan expanded the recall to cover an additional 41,388 vehicles, including certain model year 2013-2015 Altima 3.5 vehicles equipped with a V6 engine manufactured March 30, 2012, to August 18, 2015 as well as the vehicles covered by the July 31, 2015 notification. In the affected vehicles, due to an improperly installed o-ring that may not have been seated correctly at the time of assembly, fuel may leak during a crash from the area where the fuel sending unit attaches to the fuel tank.

Risk and remedy

Risk: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Latches/locks/linkages: hood, latch

2015-02-27 · campaign 15V116000 · 625,400 vehicles

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Nissan Altima vehicles manufactured March 1, 2013, to December 31, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch may bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.

Risk and remedy

Risk: 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.

Remedy: 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 assembly will be replaced. This repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 14V-565.

Latches/locks/linkages: hood, latch

2014-09-15 · campaign 14V565000 · 220,423 vehicles

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013 Nissan Altima vehicles manufactured March 6, 2012, to February 28, 2013. In the affected vehicles, interference between the hood inner panel and the secondary latch lever, in combination with debris and corrosion, may cause the secondary hood latch to bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.

Risk and remedy

Risk: 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.

Remedy: 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 assembly will be replaced. This repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 20, 2014. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

Electrical system: software

2014-03-25 · campaign 14V138000 · 989,701 vehicles

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, and Sentra, model year 2013 NV200 (aka Taxi) and Infiniti JX35 and model year 2014 Infiniti Q50 and QX60 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the occupant classification system (OCS) software may incorrectly classify the passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult.

Risk and remedy

Risk: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire

2013-04-24 · campaign 13V158000 · 123,308 vehicles

Nissan North America is recalling certain model year 2013 Altima vehicles manufactured March 21, 2012, through March 26, 2013. The spare tires may have been significantly over- or under-inflated.

Risk and remedy

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

Remedy: 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.

Air bags

2013-03-01 · campaign 13V069000 · 82,038 vehicles

Nissan is recalling certain model year 2013 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, Sentra, and Infiniti JX35 vehicles. Sensors within the passenger Occupant Detection System (ODS) may have been manufactured out of specification. This may cause the system to malfunction and permanently suppress the passenger airbag.

Risk and remedy

Risk: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Suspension

2012-10-10 · campaign 12V494000 · 13,919 vehicles

Nissan is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Altima vehicles manufactured from May 10, 2012, through July 26, 2012. These vehicles may have been equipped with transverse link bolts and power steering rack bolts that were not torqued to proper specification.

Risk and remedy

Risk: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Canadian recalls (12)

Show 12 Canadian recalls

Structure

2020-05-29 · campaign 2020-242

Issue: Over time, corrosion could cause the secondary hood latch to stick in the open position after it is used. If this happens, and the primary hood latch is released, the hood may open suddenly while driving. Safety Risk: A hood that opens suddenly while driving could block the driver's view and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Nissan will notify owners by mail and provide an update to the owner's manual instruction for how to properly maintain the hood latch. Nissan will instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the hood release lever spring. The dealer will also install a hood latch maintenance warning label.

Airbag

2016-12-15 · campaign 2016-630 · 14 vehicles

Certain vehicles may have been fitted with an incorrect Occupant Classification System (OCS) module. An incorrect OCS module would impair the effectiveness of the OCS, potentially failing to properly classify an adult passenger seated in the front passenger seat. This could increase the risk of injury to the occupant in a crash. Correction: Dealers will replace and update the OCS module.

Seats and restraints

2016-04-25 · campaign 2016-179

On certain vehicles, a defect in the occupant classification system could allow an adult sitting in the front passenger seat to be classified as a child or an “empty seat”. This would suppress the airbag, which could increase the risk of injury in a crash. Correction: For affected Altima, Maxima, Murano, Rogue and Sentra vehicles, dealers will reprogram the airbag control unit and the occupant classification system control unit. For affected Leaf, NV200, Pathfinder, Q50 and JX35/QX60 vehicles, dealers will replace the occupant classification system electronic control unit.

Other

2016-01-21 · campaign 2016-028

On certain vehicles, the secondary hood latch may stick in the open position. As a result, the hood would only be held by the primary latch and could open suddenly if the primary latch were to be inadvertently released or improperly latched. This would compromise the driver’s ability to see the road and its users and cause damage to the windshield. These issues could result in a crash causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will replace the hood latch. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 2014-401 and 2015-083.

Airbag

2015-10-20 · campaign 2015-491 · 184 vehicles

Certain vehicles serviced as part of recall 2014-093 or which had the Occupant Classification System (OCS) module replaced during servicing may have been fitted with an incorrect replacement OCS module. An incorrect OCS module would impair the effectiveness of the OCS, potentially failing to properly classify an adult passenger seated in the front passenger seat. This could increase the risk of injury to the occupant in a crash. Correction: Dealers will reprogram the OCS module.

Fuel system

2015-10-15 · campaign 2015-471

On certain vehicles, the sealing ring between the fuel sending unit and the fuel tank may move out of position in a crash. This could increase the potential risk of a fuel leak in the event of a crash increasing the risk of fire causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will install a retainer ring between the fuel sending unit and fuel tank. Note: This recall supersedes recall 2015-341.

Structure

2015-02-25 · campaign 2015-083

On certain vehicles, if the vehicle is driven with only the secondary latch engaged, the secondary hood latch may fail to hold the hood closed. As a result, the hood could open suddenly and compromise the driver’s ability to see the road and its users, as well as cause damage to the windshield. These issues could result in a crash causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will affect repairs. Note: This is an expansion of recall 2014401.

Structure

2014-09-15 · campaign 2014-401

On certain vehicles, if the vehicle is driven with only the secondary latch engaged, the secondary hood latch may fail to hold the hood closed. As a result, the hood could open suddenly and compromise the driver’s ability to see the road and its users, as well as cause damage to the windshield. These issues could result in a crash causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will inspect, clean, lubricate, and modify the bend angle on the secondary hood latch. If significant corrosion is identified during inspection, the latch assembly will be replaced.

Airbag

2014-03-25 · campaign 2014-093

On certain vehicles, the front passenger seat occupant classification system software may incorrectly classify the passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult. If this occurs, the passenger airbag would be deactivated without the illumination of the airbag warning lamp. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the seat occupant. Correction: Dealers will reprogram the occupant classification system.

Tires

2013-04-23 · campaign 2013-130

On certain vehicles, the spare tire may have been under- or over-inflated during assembly. In some instances, the over-inflation may have been significant. High trunk compartment temperature, such as when the vehicle is parked in the sun, could cause an over-inflated tire to burst. Also, if the spare tire is installed as a road wheel, an under- or over-inflated tire could fail. These issues could result in property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will check and, as necessary, either adjust the spare tire inflation pressure or replace the spare tire.

Airbag

2013-03-14 · campaign 2013-079

On certain vehicles, sensors within the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may have been manufactured incorrectly. This may cause the system to malfunction and permanently suppress the passenger airbag. Failure of the passenger frontal airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the ODS sensors.

Steering

2012-10-09 · campaign 2012-339

On certain vehicles, two power steering rack bolts and four transverse link bolts may not have been sufficiently tightened during vehicle assembly. Should any of these bolts loosen and fall out, the driver could lose vehicle control, which could result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will tighten the affected bolts to the specified torque.

Owner complaints (2,313)

Owners filed 2,313 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Nissan Altima (63 crashes, 9 fires, 48 injuries, 1 deaths reported). Among 34 model years of this model, it ranks #1 for the most complaints (median 234).

Most-reported problemComplaints
Air bags514
Power train505
Exterior lighting442
Suspension289
Unknown or other240
Electrical system159
Engine158
Structure134

Crash test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2013 Nissan Altima.

VersionOverallFrontalSideRollover
2013 Nissan Altima 2 DR FWD–––5★
2013 Nissan Altima 4 DR FWD5★5★5★4★

Fuel economy

EPA ratings for each 2013 Nissan Altima version.

VersionCity MPGHighway MPGCombinedYearly fuel cost
Altima 2.5 L Automatic (AV-S6)273831$2,150
Altima 3.5 L Automatic (AV-S6)223025$2,700
Altima Coupe 2.5 L Automatic (AV-S6)233126$2,600
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Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada). Recalls updated 2026-10-30.