2013–2018 L33 (5th generation)
2013–2018 Nissan Altima Common Problems and Years to Avoid
5 documented problems with the 2013–2018 Nissan Altima, with symptoms, affected years, and typical repair costs. 2 of them are serious. 4 carry a recall or TSB number.
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2013–2018 Nissan Altima recalls and service bulletins
| Recall / TSB | Issue | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Class settlements (bbbprograms.org 'Nissan CVT' / Martinez v. Nissan); multiple judder TSBs | CVT judder, overheating and failure, warranty extended by class actions | major |
| NHTSA 20V-315 (supersedes 14V-566, 15V-846, 16V-244) | Hood can fly open while driving, repeated hood latch recalls | major |
| NHTSA 14V-138 | Passenger airbag deactivates with an adult seated (OCS recall) | moderate |
| Class settlement, altimaheadlightsettlement.com | Halogen headlights grow dim over time (class-action settlement) | moderate |
Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the vehicle's age, mileage, or how many owners it has had. Check your VIN against the NHTSA database to see what is still outstanding on your specific vehicle, a recall listed here may already have been performed.
CVT judder, overheating and failure, warranty extended by class actions
majorThe defining problem of this generation: the Jatco CVT can shudder or 'judder' on light acceleration, whine, overheat into limp mode on long hot climbs, and ultimately fail, often between 60,000 and 120,000 miles. Nissan issued judder/TCM-reprogram TSBs and replaced thousands of units. Class-action settlements extended the powertrain warranty on the transmission from 60 months/60,000 miles to 84 months/84,000 miles for 2013–2016 cars (2020 settlement) and 2017–2018 cars (Martinez v. Nissan, effective 2022), with reimbursement for prior repairs. Those windows have now closed for most cars, so buy used examples with a documented fluid history and drive them before purchase.
Hood can fly open while driving, repeated hood latch recalls
majorDust and corrosion can bind the secondary hood latch so it stays unlatched; if the primary latch is accidentally released, the hood can fly up at speed. Nissan recalled these cars four times for the same issue, culminating in a June 2020 recall of about 1.8 million 2013–2018 Altimas. Dealers modify or replace the hood latch free. Check your VIN, because many cars never had the final fix done.
Passenger airbag deactivates with an adult seated (OCS recall)
moderateThe occupant classification system can misread an adult front passenger as a child or empty seat and switch the passenger airbag off (the OFF light stays lit with someone seated). Part of a ~990,000-vehicle Nissan recall; dealers reprogram or replace OCS components free.
Halogen headlights grow dim over time (class-action settlement)
moderateThe halogen projector low beams on 2013–2018 Altimas dim badly as the reflector coating degrades from heat, leaving poor night visibility even with new bulbs. There was no NHTSA recall, but a class-action settlement (effective January 2022) provided extended headlamp warranty coverage and reimbursement for replacements. Out of pocket, the fix is new headlamp assemblies, not bulbs.
QR25DE whine/rattle and mounts
minorHigh-mileage 2.5s commonly develop a cold-start rattle (timing chain tensioner) and clunky engine mounts that transmit vibration at idle in gear. Both are wear items rather than defects; mounts are the usual culprit when the cabin buzzes at a stoplight.
Problems listed here are compiled from NHTSA complaints, recalls, technical service bulletins, and widely documented owner reports for the 2013–2018 Nissan Altima. Not every vehicle will experience these issues.
Which Nissan Altima model years does this cover?
These problems and recalls specifications apply to every Nissan Altima built from 2013 through 2018 — the L33 (5th generation), mid-size sedan. Nothing in this specification changes between those model years. Pick your year for the engines it offered, what changed that year, and the problems recorded against it.
What changed during the 2013–2018 Nissan Altima
- 2013Generation launch: new platform, 0W-20 oil and NS-3 CVT fluid for the 2.5, 27/38 mpg
- 2016Mid-cycle refresh begins: new exterior styling and fascias, updated features; SR sport trim introduced (2.5 and 3.5)
- 2016–2018Major facelift: new fascias and hood, SR sport trim added (2.5 and 3.5), available Predictive Forward Collision Warning and Emergency Braking. Mechanical service specs (oil, filters, wipers, battery) carry over.
- 2017Carries over unchanged from 2016; a mid-year trim-lineup shuffle follows partway through the model year
- 2018Final year for the L33 and for the 3.5L V6 Altima
2013–2018 Nissan Altima problems and recalls: common questions
What are the most common problems with the 2013–2018 Nissan Altima?
- The recurring ones are: cvt judder, overheating and failure, warranty extended by class actions; hood can fly open while driving, repeated hood latch recalls; passenger airbag deactivates with an adult seated (ocs recall); halogen headlights grow dim over time (class-action settlement); qr25de whine/rattle and mounts. Each is detailed above with symptoms, affected years, and typical cost.
Which 2013–2018 Nissan Altima years should you avoid?
- The years to be most careful with are those affected by cvt judder, overheating and failure, warranty extended by class actions (2013–2018 (2013–2014 worst)) and hood can fly open while driving, repeated hood latch recalls (2013–2018). A documented problem is not automatically a reason to walk away. Service records showing the repair was done change the picture entirely.
Are there recalls on the 2013–2018 Nissan Altima?
- 4 of the issues listed carry a recall or technical service bulletin: Class settlements (bbbprograms.org 'Nissan CVT' / Martinez v. Nissan); multiple judder TSBs (cvt judder, overheating and failure, warranty extended by class actions), NHTSA 20V-315 (supersedes 14V-566, 15V-846, 16V-244) (hood can fly open while driving, repeated hood latch recalls), NHTSA 14V-138 (passenger airbag deactivates with an adult seated (ocs recall)), Class settlement, altimaheadlightsettlement.com (halogen headlights grow dim over time (class-action settlement)). Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of age or mileage. Check your VIN on the NHTSA site to see what is outstanding.
How much do 2013–2018 Nissan Altima repairs typically cost?
- Typical figures for the issues above: cvt judder, overheating and failure, warranty extended by class actions, $3,500–$5,000 (replacement CVT installed) out of warranty; free/reimbursed under the extended-warranty settlements; hood can fly open while driving, repeated hood latch recalls, Free under recall; passenger airbag deactivates with an adult seated (ocs recall), Free under recall; halogen headlights grow dim over time (class-action settlement), $250–$700 for a pair of aftermarket assemblies installed.
Sources
- AMSOIL product lookup, 2013 Altima 2.5L QR25DE (0W-20, 4.9 qt)
- Nissan parts, 15208-65F0E oil filter fitment (parts.nissanusa.com)
- Nissan OEM parts, 22401-JA01B spark plug fitment
- NHTSA recall 20V-315, hood latch (2013–2018 Altima)
- NHTSA recall 14V-138, occupant classification system
- BBB AUTO LINE, Nissan CVT / Martinez class-action warranty extensions
- Nissan Altima headlight settlement (2013–2018 halogen dimming)
- 2013 Nissan Altima Sedan specifications (Nissan USA Newsroom)
- TirePressure.org, 2013 Nissan Altima placard pressures
- fueleconomy.gov, 2013 Nissan Altima EPA ratings
- HID Nation, 2015 Nissan Altima bulb sizes (H11 low / 9005 high)