Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Nissan Altima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the brake pedal went to the floorboard when depressed and failed to stop the vehicle in a timely manner. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to her residence and then had it towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle with rear brakes and caliper failure. The rear brakes and calipers were replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 153,242.
ODI#11431173.....Bought the car may 19 2021 picked it up on may 22.2021 brought it back with issue's 3 days later unprofessional argument place because their blaming me trying to say the car was good until I took possession of it. I broke it therefore I'm responsible, i brought the vehicle back to the them in 3 days because the powersteering fluid leak out n there's a winding and grinding noise n the back tire area their mechanic told me i need bearing on the rear passenger n brakes on rear driver side after addressing the bearing n ordering the right powersteering fluid for the car the owner says i gotta pay half an the mechanic got amnesia quick he didn't tell me i needed brakes anyways car lights traction and brakes come on June 4th notified them they made appointment for the 9th the car lost complete brakes 6/7/2021 tried to speak to the owner again it's my fault so I towed the …
While driving my vehicle when trying to accelerate it wouldn't go above 20mph had to hit the brakes then vehicle would just accelerate real fast I was in traffic with my kids thank god we wasn't hurt Nissan needs to recall this situation it's affecting a lot of 2013 and up
I was driving northbound on maxwell road north of hyne road in brighton, mi. In preparation to make a 90 right hand turn to stay on maxfield, I applied the brakes well in advance of the turn. After doing so, the ABS brakes pulsed the brake pressure repeatedly rendering the brakes useless. I tried to complete the turn and halfway through the turn, I realized I was heading at ~45 right into a tree. I took my foot off of the brake and cut the wheel as hard as I could to the left. The front right bumper and fender hit the tree. I had considered writing a complaint regarding the ABS and traction control on this vehicle previously as there have been several instances where I have feared for my safety as the vehicle does not stop in a reasonable distance and I have almost slid into a busy intersection several times. …
Purchased car May of 2013, pre-owned certified and only 21000miles. From onset of ownership, brakes made noises, "cyclop brake light in rear window would blink constantly, dash lights would go from dim to bright all the time. The car would hesitate when leaving stop position, pushing electronic start button would not work often. Dealership always said that the situation could not be duplicated. On dec. 2nd, 2015 while driving home I was approaching a stopped car in the middle of the road and tried to slow below the 20mph I was driving and the brake pedal went all the way to the floor and all dash lights went blank and the car stalled resulting in a collision. The car would not start for over 2 hours. The dealership asked about the key fob location and battery condition and the batteries were good and key fob was on front seat where it always was. …
Driving at the rate of 45 miles per hour. My 2013 Nissan Altima 3.5 sl start surging going faster than the speed limit. I applied on brakes pushing them down to the floor my car hit a 2013 durango SUV on the driver side knocking the rear wheel completely off. My car still surging faster on a congested high-way to avoid causing any fatalities my car spend around three times. Before coming to a stop. No air bag deployed on my driver's side occupant seat was unoccupied. My Nissan Altima 3.5 sl was a total loss, a-frame severely damage beyond repair. The seat beast on the driver side turn my large intestine, several feature bilateral pelvic bone, whip lash, neurological disturbance, (l) torn rotator cuff, spinal cord injury where partial paralysis have start to set in my legs. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the transmission shifted from drive into the neutral position independently and an abnormal noise emitted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but the mechanic was unable to duplicate or locate the failure. The contact experienced multiple unrelated failures with the vehicle that included the exterior door failing to unlock or lock with the key fob until after several attempts. A burning odor emitted from the air vents when the air conditioner or heater was activated. There were no flames present. Also, the brakes squeaked intermittently when depressed. The contact stated there was concern regarding a potential health hazard with the push button starter causing cancer. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 10,600.
January the 8th I was driving from work to home my job is about 30 miles from my home. I was driving no faster than 50-45 miles an hour due to construction in the areas on my way home. There are cameras at the lights in a city 7 miles before my city. If you go over the line a bit they take pictures of your license plate and send you a picture and ticket in the mail with an image of you going over the line indicating you've run a red light. So I pressed on the breaks to slow down as the light turned yellow to assure I did not go over the line. As I slowed down my car jerked I had a 2011 Altima that did the same thing so I was thinking its nothing its how the transmission runs. But within a 12-15 feet distance I stopped as I completely came to a stop my car jerked forward, the brakes locked up, hazard lights on the dash showed up, and the engine shut off. …
In less than three years and just over 36,000 miles we have serviced the transmission 3-4 times (I've lost count), had it brought in for brake noise (screeching) at least 4 times, and just this week the bearings in both rear wheels had to be replaced. The brakes screech is ear splitting. They reconditioned the surface of the rotors, re-shimmed the pads and replaced the pads 9 months ago. I warned them then that I knew this was only a temporary fix and that I was concerned that they would get noisy again once the warranty expires and that is exactly what has happened. A few months before that they shimmed the pads which made it better temporarily. I told them shims were a band aid for a design flaw and that it wouldn't last. Several weeks later it was back in the shop. The tranny has the shakes. …
On April 2018, I visit the Nissan del oeste at aguadilla pr to report noise in the power steering noise, no action was taken, they just said that was normal with all Nissan power steering pump. February 25, 2021 I contact Nissan del oeste at aguadilla pr and notify about the issue of the power steering noise and transmission noise. Appointment for March 2 2021 was set and I notify them with problem. They told me there was not any recall for power steering pump and CVT transmission. I did mention the recalls for 2013 Nissan Altima iaw NHTSA with ref.: st12-009b, ref:ntbb-0176 andtsb ntb12-081. They inform at the voucher the mileage in and out, they did not took the car for a run of 6 miles like it says on voucher 48133s. The main concern is that the car could have any situation with one of those parts just mentioned during a drive and cause any accident with out having the control. …
Brake complaints in other Altima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2013 Nissan Altima?
NHTSA has 58 complaints about the brakes of the 2013 Nissan Altima, 3% of the model year's 2,313 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2013 Nissan Altima brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2013 Nissan Altima, though it has 12 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2013 Nissan Altima brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 34,000 miles, and 39% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 1 fire and 5 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.