Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (door latches, locks, hood and tailgate latches).
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 that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the hood inadvertently opened. The contact lost control of the vehicle but was able to pull over, close the hood, and continued driving. There were no warning lights illuminated. Additionally, while driving, the headlights failed to produce adequate lighting. The contact used the high beam headlights while driving. The contact stated that it was difficult to see people and objects on the roadway. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V315000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the hood slightly opened and was flapping. The contact pulled into a gas station. The vehicle was taken back to NTB Tire & Service Center, where the hood was forcefully pushed closed. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V315000 (Latches/Locks/linkages). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 68,420.
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while merging onto the freeway at approximately 35 MPH, the hood latch became inoperable, and the hood inadvertently unlatched, raised up, and struck the windshield, causing the windshield to shatter. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with a defective hood latch. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V315000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the hood opened independently. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign: 20V315000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the manufacturer had received the notification and the manufacturer informed the contact that the recall repair had been completed by the previous owner in 2016. The failure mileage was approximately 151,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the hood erroneously opened and slammed into the body and windshield and causing damage to the body of the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted regarding the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was included in the NHTSA campaign number 20V315000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 100,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V315000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer had been notified of the recall however, the contact was informed repeatedly that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer had not been notified of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the hood failed to open as needed. The vehicle was also leaking anti-freeze. The contact was unable to open the hood to check or add coolant. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer however, the contact was as unaware of the repair performed on the vehicle. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V315000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while her daughter was driving approximately 70 mph, the hood disengaged without warning. The windshield was damaged. The hood was secured by the driver. There were no reported injuries. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact stated she failed to receive notification of NHTSA campaign number 20V315000 (Latches, Locks, and Linkages.The failure mileage was unknown.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. While driving 50 MPH, the hood detached. As a result, the contact crashed into concrete barricades. The contact was not injured and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V565000 and 16V029000 (latches/locks/linkages). The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 46,000.
Related recalls
Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › Latch
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.
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…
Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › Latch
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.
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.
Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › Latch
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.
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.
Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › Latch
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…
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.
Door Lock & Latch complaints in other Altima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are door lock & latch problems on the 2013 Nissan Altima?
NHTSA has 60 complaints about the locks & latches of the 2013 Nissan Altima, 3% of the model year's 2,313 complaints. The component named most often is hood › latch (36 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Nissan Altima door lock & latch problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 20V-315 (latch, May 28, 2020); NHTSA recall 16V-029 (latch, Jan 22, 2016); NHTSA recall 15V-116 (latch, Feb 27, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2013 Nissan Altima door lock & latch problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 57,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 3 injuries to locks & latches 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.