159 of the
2,981 complaints about the 2013 Nissan Altima are about the
electrical system — 5% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
39,924 miles.
Front passenger door lock actuator fails to unlock door when driver's, passengers or key fob to unlock is activated. All other doors (3) work as they should. This creates a safety issue as the door must manually be unlocked which during a panic situation may not be easily accomplished. I am in the process of having the mechanism inspected & repaired. Part failed with no notice. It may have failed earlier, but July '26 was the 1st I noticed.
NHTSA complaint #11754114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Tire Pressure light is on but no issues with air pressure.
NHTSA complaint #11697285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bartlett, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Shifter Lock does not release when brake is pressed. Unable to shift out of Park. Need to manually press the shift relesae override to shift.
NHTSA complaint #11696486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
El Cajon, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Sometimes when I'm driving the car starts idling as if I'm going fast that's how it sounds and I'm making a turn and it's sounds like it's accelerated but it won't go as much as I step on the gas it will not go so I got to pull over to the side wait for a little bit turn off the car and let it sit and then I'll go back tomorrow and it's every time this light turns on the dashboard with a car with the swively lines
NHTSA complaint #11605990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Allen, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
OCS System for Passenger Airbag is not working properly. Went to two dealerships and they said it was not covered under the recall 16V-244. I spoke with Nissan Consumer Affairs and they said that the recall was addressed in the past but was not able to provide when and where. The dealerships I go to for servicing do not have any history of the OCS ever being repaired which means that it was probably repaired sometime with the original owner. Assuming it was actually replaced in the past, with replacement, the part is still failing and not having reached the 15 year mark for the car or the actual recall itself is alarming.
NHTSA complaint #11589325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Westampton, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Headlights
NHTSA complaint #11571198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lexington, KY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The headlights on low beam do not put out enough light to see what is in front of the car and I still have them. It is unsafe to drive a care with inadequate low beam lighting. Yes, dealer confirmed it but said 4/25/2022 was the last date to report the problem to have it replaced as part of the settlement. The dealerships are well aware of this problem. No warning, the lights just gradually got dimmer over time.
NHTSA complaint #11513268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rogers, AR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE CAR STARTS GOOD ENGINE SOUNDS GOOD BUT WHEN YOU PUT IT IN DRIVE OR REVERSE THE CAR TURNS OFF
NHTSA complaint #11456333 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greensboro, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The airbag light came on the dash and stays on without the vehicle being involved in a crash. I took it to a shop to have it repaired and they stated it was a faulty airbag sensor.
NHTSA complaint #11449671 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Unknown, but the issue is beneath the passenger seat where it seems a wire has shorted out and even became disconnected and i am unsure but pretty positive that it has something to do with the passenger side airbags because shortly after a diagnostic scan shows several airbag fault codes. Also since then my car’s performance has changed and now i am receiving diagnostic trouble codes for different electrical components such as mas air flow sensor low voltage and its causing my car to stall at random times while driving and even on freeways. It also has caused my car to slow down while fully accelerating on the pedal. Very big safety concern as im driving on the freeway with my family in the car as well.
NHTSA complaint #11449494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bakersfield, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My 2013 Nissan Altima has serious electrical problems and continues to drain my battery, leaving me seeking alternative transportation to and from home, work, etc. The headlight low and high beams are dangerously dim! I have replaced the bulbs several times and the problems continues to get worse. I have seen litigation online with numerous people involved. I thought NTSB would have acted by now? I have also had numerous problems with the AC not working? I am getting estimates currently looking at a $2,000 problem. This car seems very unsafe and any action form your agency would be greatly appreciated! Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11441789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newbury Park, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
When a passenger sits in the front seat the airbag light on the dashboard indicates the airbag isn't armed. I have had a Nissan dealer "fix" it three times and it starts again in a few weeks. First time dealer said a connection came loose when the seat was adjusted. Same thing the second time and the third time they said they secured the connection. the light came on in a matter of weeks again . I will take the car back for a fourth time soon. I asked the dealer service rep if there were any service bulletins regarding this problem, he said there weren't any, I feel that I can't have the only car with this problem. Whenever there is a passenger in the front seat I worry about being involved in an accident and their airbag not deploying.
NHTSA complaint #11435583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 84,000 milesAPO, AE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO GEAR WHEN ENGAGING FOOT BRAKE WHEN STARTING VEHICLE. SHIFT IS STUCK IN PARK. HAVE TO USE TOOL IN SHIFT LOCK RELEASE TO MOVE BETWEEN GEARS TO DRIVE CAR. I WAS DRIVING AND WAS STOPPED AT A RAILWAY CROSSING. PUT CAR IN PARK. ONCE TRAIN HAD PASSED I TRIED TO PUT CAR IN DRIVE POSITION AND WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. AFTER READING MANUAL I DISCOVERED THAT IF A FAULT OCCURS YOU MUST USE A TOOL ON THE SHIFT LOCK BUTTON RELEASE TO MOVE VEHICLE. VERY DANGEROUS.
NHTSA complaint #11405963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesNormal, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
REPLACED BOTH HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES DUE TO DETERIORATION OF REFLECTORS. COMMON FAILURE ON THIS MODEL. NO NISSAN RECALL. SAFETY ISSUE WITH FAULTY LIGHTS. SINCE REPLACING BOTH ASSEMBLIES, HAVE HAD TO REPLACE A BULB TWICE. GOING TO THE DEALER AGAIN BECAUSE OF LIGHT FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #11397126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesBaltimore, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TRANSMISSION ON NISSAN ARE EASILY DAMAGED MY CAR START BUT DONT DRIVE I JUST PAID MY CAR OFF IN STARTING TO HAVE PROBLEMS
NHTSA complaint #11396121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 46,000 milesOmaha, NE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS DO NOT WORK.(SPEEDOMETER, GAS LEVEL, MILAGE, HOT/COLD LEVEL, ETC.) MY STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS DO NOT WORK (VOLUME BUTTON, MENU BUTTON, SOURCE BUTTON,CRUISE CONTROL, ETC.) MY AIR CONDITION/HEAT TEMPERATURE DISPLAY DOES NOT LIGHT UP. ALL THE FUSES HAVE BEEN CHECKED AND THEY ARE ALL GOOD. THE CONNECTION TO THE BATTERY HAD BEEN CHECKED AND THEY ARE GOOD.
NHTSA complaint #11389623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dublin, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THIS. I FOUND OUT TODAY
NHTSA complaint #11389475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 134,000 milesWhites Creek, TN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO USE DURING THE DARK AND TRIPLE THE CONCERN WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT AND IT'S RAINING. THIS USED TO NOT BE THE CASE. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD!!! THIS HAPPENS WHETHER STREET DRIVING OR HIGHWAY DRIVING AND ESSENTIALLY MAKES ME HAVE TO USE THE BRIGHT LIGHTS WHEN THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO OTHER NATURAL LIGHTING TO HELP
NHTSA complaint #11384750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,000 milesBudd Lake, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE RED AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON DASHBOARDS IS SOLID LIT WITHOUT A ADULT PASSENGER ON PASSENGER SEAT. THE LIGHT GOES OFF WHEN THERE IS A ADULT PASSENGER ON THE PASSENGER SEAT
NHTSA complaint #11384582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tampa, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN IN THE PARKED POSITION AND IDLE, THE PRESSING OF THE SHIFT TRIGGER ON THE SHIFTER WILL NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO SHIFT FROM PARKED TO ANY OTHER POSITION (IT IS STUCK) DUE TO THE FAILURE OF A SELENOID SENSOR NOT ACTIVATING FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL AFTER PRESSING THE BRAKE IN ORDER TO ALLOW THE SHIFTING TO TAKE PLACE. PLEASE SEE THE LINK OF THE YOUTUBE VIDEO TO EXPLAIN THE ISSUE/RESOLUTION: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=EU7VM2Y-7LY
NHTSA complaint #11375417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tampa, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
A/C WAS BLOWING HOT AIR WHILE DRIVING AND HOT AIR WHEN I CAME TO STOPS AND IDLED. IT'S ONLY FOR SOME CARS THAT HAVE AUTO CLIMATE CONTROL APPARENTLY. THE ISSUE IS THE AC COMPRESSOR CONTROL VALVE FAILING. PLEASE SEE THE YOUTUBE LINK FOR A BETTER EXPLANATION OF THE ISSUE/RESOLUTION: HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/IDWEDXJENKO
NHTSA complaint #11375426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 milesMassapequa Park, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAR STALLING AT IDLE OR STOPPING. CAR STARTS THEN CUTS OUT, WON'T RUN. CAR HAS BEEN IN SHOP FOR 3 DAYS NOW PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND CAN'T SEEM TO PIN POINT EVEN WITH FIXD OR OTHER DEVICES.
NHTSA complaint #11338288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesFort Walton Beach, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WARNING LIGHT SHOWS FAULTY AIRBAG ON DRIVER'S SIDE, VERIFIED BY DEALER. PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG REPAIRED UNDER RECALL. DRIVER'S SIDE CODE APPEARED RIGHT AFTER THE FIRST REPAIR WAS MADE BUT WAS ADVISED THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER FIRST RECALL. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE 2 YEARS AGO, AND I'M NOT PAYING UPWARDS OF $5,000 FOR YOUR ELECTRICAL FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #11327359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesFort Walton Beach, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT INDICATES FAULTY ELECTRONICS. BEGAN ABOUT 50,000 MILES. THIS IS NOT DUE TO MISUSE. IT'S COMPANION TO EARLIER RECALL FOR A FAULTY AIRBAG, WHICH WAS CORRECTED. REPORTED TO DEALER. COST ESTIMATE TO REPAIR FROM $800 TO $5,000 DEPENDING THE LEVEL OF DEFECT. OWNER BELIEVES THIS SHOULD BE NISSAN'S RESPONSIBILITY, AS IT'S NOT DUE TO NEGLIGENCE.
NHTSA complaint #11327212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 111,800 milesChattanooga, TN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE VEHICLE GEAR SHIFT WOULD NOT MOVE FROM THE PARK (P) POSITION WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN SHIFT LOCK ISSUE BASED ON SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE AS WELL AS NISSAN OWNER TESTIMONIES. THE FAULT AS IT WAS EXPLAINED BY A NISSAN TECHNICIAN WAS THE SHIFTER SHORTS-OUT THE SHIFT LOCK SOLENOID WHICH ENGAGES THE UNLOCK FOR THE SHIFTER WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. COST TO REPAIR THE ISSUE IS ROUGHLY $800 BY REPLACING THE SHIFT HANDLE ASSEMBLY AND THIS "REPAIR" IS DUE TO A FAILURE OF A LOW COST SOLENOID SWITCH. THE CONSUMER SHOULD NOT BE ACCOUNTABLE OF FAULTY DESIGN. ACCORDING TO NISSAN, THIS IS NOT A SAFETY OR DESIGN ISSUE, BUT WEAR AND TEAR OF THE VEHICLE. HOPEFULLY NHTSA WILL REVIEW THE FACTS OF THESE COMMON OCCURRENCES AND DETERMINE IF IT IS INDEED WORTHY OF RECALL REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #11322382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,398 milesGulf Breeze, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
UPON STARTING THE CAR, THE GEAR SHIFTER WILL NOT MOVE OUT OF PARK. THE SHIFT LOCK SEEMS TO BE STUCK. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF POSTS ONLINE ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE WITH THIS YEAR AND OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL AND MAKE.
NHTSA complaint #11321493 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 107,600 milesLexington, KY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PURCHASED MY CAR IN 2014 WITH 36000 MILES. AROUND 55,000 MILES THE GEAR SHIFTER COMPLETELY WENT OUT. NOW I'M AT 107,000 MILES AND MY CAR IS STALLING WHEN STOPPED. THE CAR IS NOT READING ANYTHING ON THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTS AT THE DEALERSHIP AND NO ONE IS ABLE TO TELL ME WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. I LIVE IN A HIGH TRAFFIC AREA SO THIS IS A VERY BIG DEAL.
NHTSA complaint #11311341 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 117,000 milesHenderson, KY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND IT STARTED STUTTERING AND IT CUT RIGHT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING .I THEN RESTARTED MY CAR AND IT DID THE SAME THING. THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME RIGHT ON AND ENGINE LIGHT AS WELL. I PARKED IT AS BEST AS I COULD , AND I TRIED STARTING IT A 3RD TIME IT STARTED AND I PUT IT IN REVERSE AND IT CUT RIGHT OFF.
NHTSA complaint #11297814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesDowners Grove, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA SL VIN: [XXX] IS NOT ALLOWING ME TO SHIFT WHEN PUSHING THE BRAKE PEDAL. I HAVE TO USE A PENCIL/ETC IN THE SHIFT LOCK RELEASE BYPASS AREA EVERYTIME. SEARCHING THE WEB AND IT SEEMS THAT MANY CARS ARE HOBBLED BY A THIN PIECE OF METAL ON A CHEAP $3 MICRO SWITCH IN THE SHIFTER. BENDING THE SMALL METAL TAB ON THE MICRO SWITCH APPARENTLY CAN FIX THE ISSUE SO IT MAKES CONTACT AGAIN. DEALERS WANT $700 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY WHICH IS OUTRAGEOUS. YOUTUBE LINK: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=EU7VM2Y-7LY AND PART FIX AT 8 MINUTE MARK. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11291315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 93,500 milesBrooklyn, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FACTORY LIGHTING IS DIM, CANNOT SEE AT NIGHT. THE PROJECTION IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH FOR NYC NIGHT TIME. I NEED TO USE HIGH BEAMS AND THOSE ARENT EVEN THAT GOOD. IT IS NOT THE LIGHT BULB
NHTSA complaint #11280362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.