The 2013 Altima is plagued by catastrophic CVT transmission failures and excessive oil consumption in the 2.5L engine requiring complete rebuilds. These aren't wear items — they're design flaws that hit owners hard between 60k-120k miles.
CVT Transmission Failure (Jatco CVT7)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: shuddering or juddering during acceleration, whining or grinding noises, hesitation when accelerating from stop, transmission overheating warnings, sudden loss of power or failure to move
Fix: CVT replacement or rebuild required. Cooler line failures dump fluid into radiator. This is not a serviceable unit when it fails — you're looking at a reman or used replacement. 8-12 labor hours for R&R.
Estimated cost: $3,500-5,500
Excessive Oil Consumption / Piston Ring Failure (2.5L QR25DE)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 70,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: burning 1+ quart per 1,000 miles, blue smoke from exhaust on startup, fouled spark plugs, check engine light with misfire codes P0300-P0304, oil smell in cabin
Fix: Requires engine rebuild with new piston rings, sometimes pistons, and cylinder honing. Half-measures don't work. 18-24 labor hours for tear-down, machine work, and reassembly. Some shops opt for short block replacement instead.
Estimated cost: $3,800-6,500
Hood Latch Failure (Secondary Latch)
Common · medium severity
Symptoms: hood pops open while driving, secondary latch doesn't engage, visible corrosion on latch mechanism, hood warning light or message
Fix: Multiple recalls issued but not all VINs covered. Replacement of secondary hood latch assembly. 0.5-1.0 labor hours. Check recall history before buying — some owners still driving with failed latches unaware.
Estimated cost: $150-300
Crankshaft and Main Bearing Failure (2.5L)
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: severe knocking noise from lower engine, metallic tapping that increases with RPM, sudden drop in oil pressure, engine seizure in extreme cases
Fix: Often follows oil consumption issues or deferred maintenance, but some units fail prematurely. Requires complete lower end rebuild or short block replacement. 20-28 labor hours including removal, machine work, and installation.
Estimated cost: $4,500-7,000
Transmission Mount Failure
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: clunking when shifting from park to drive, excessive engine movement visible under hood, vibration felt through floorboard, transmission noise seems louder than normal
Fix: Hydraulic transmission mount collapses. Simple replacement but often overlooked until it causes secondary vibration damage. 1.5-2.5 labor hours depending on access.
Fix: Sensor mat in passenger seat fails or loses calibration. Recalls issued but not comprehensive coverage. Requires seat removal and sensor mat replacement with recalibration. 2-3 labor hours.
Estimated cost: $400-800
Owner tips
Check CVT fluid every 30k miles regardless of 'lifetime fluid' claims — catching shimmer or debris early can prevent total failure
Monitor oil consumption religiously on 2.5L engines; if burning more than 1qt per 3k miles, start budgeting for rebuild
Run VIN through Nissan recall checker — hood latch and airbag sensor recalls are critical safety items
Avoid extended idle times and heavy city driving with CVT — heat is the killer
If buying used, get pre-purchase inspection focused on CVT operation (test drive must include 30+ minutes) and compression test on 2.5L
Hard pass unless you find one with documented CVT and engine replacement under warranty — these are ticking time bombs that cost more to fix than the car's worth.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Fitment notes: Standard engine bay location for 3.5L V6; smaller Group 35 compared to 4-cylinder models which may use larger Group 24F
As an Amazon Associate and Autel/ANCEL partner, OLP earns from qualifying purchases — how we link. This never changes the specs we publish.
Every control module on the 2013-2017 Nissan Altima — where it lives, replacement time, and what it takes to program a replacement. Modules marked dealer / factory tool won't work after a part swap alone — budget for programming.
📍 Integrated within BCM; physical BCM location behind driver side lower dash panel
🔧 CONSULT-III Plus (2013-2015) or CONSULT-IV (2016-2017) with NTIS subscription
⚠️ NATS immobilizer integrated with BCM; all keys must be re-registered if BCM replaced; requires security PIN from Nissan
Body Control Module (BCM)1.5 hr R&Rdealer / factory tool +1.2 hr▸ programming details
📍 Behind driver side lower dash panel, above fuse box, left of steering column
🔧 CONSULT-III Plus (2013-2015) or CONSULT-IV (2016-2017) with NTIS subscription
⚠️ VIN programming and Intelligent Key registration required; controls interior lighting, power windows, door locks, and integrates CAN gateway functions
🔧 CONSULT-III Plus (2013-2015) or CONSULT-IV (2016-2017) with NTIS subscription
⚠️ Mileage programming required by law; VIN must be written to replacement unit; 2016+ models feature TFT display
Aftermarket tool coverage varies by software version and vehicle build — treat "aftermarket tool" rows as "usually possible" and verify against your tool maker's coverage list before promising a customer. Spot a wrong location or hour? Tell us — corrections ship fast here.
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.
Consequence: 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 Owners 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 · 16V911000
2016-12-19
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.
Consequence: 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 · 16V244000
2016-04-26 · EA15004
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.
Consequence: 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 · 16V029000
2016-01-22
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.
Consequence: 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:FRONTAL · 15V681000
2015-10-20 · EA15004
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.
Consequence: 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 · 15V486000
2015-08-04
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.
Consequence: 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 · 15V116000
2015-02-27
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.
Consequence: 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 · 14V565000
2014-09-15
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.
Consequence: 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 · 14V138000
2014-03-25
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.
Consequence: 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 · 13V158000
2013-04-24
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.
Consequence: 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 · 13V069000
2013-03-01
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.
Consequence: 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.
STEERING · 12V494000
2012-10-10
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.
Consequence: 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.
Performance
Horsepower
270hp
Torque
251lb-ft
Fuel economy (EPA)
City
22mpg
Highway
30mpg
Combined
25mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
Capability & size
Seating
5seats
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Wiper blades
2013-2018 Altima (L33) generation, sedan body style, no rear wiper
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2013 Nissan Altima 3.5L V6 VQ35DE and can vary by trim.
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years.