2013 Nissan Altima Transmission Problems

Which parts fail

• Automatic transmission
  6
• Automatic transmission › Torque converter
  1

Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  7618%
• 25k–50k
  6315%
• 50k–75k
  11126%
• 75k–100k
  11126%
• 100k–150k
  5513%
• 150k+
  164%

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 his son was driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle was shuddering significantly and the parking brake engaged independently, which locked the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times the same day. The son was able to restart the vehicle on each occasion. However, the failure persisted and the contact's son could no longer start the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) software needed to be updated. However, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) module was replaced. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who reprogrammed the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) module. However, the failure persisted. …

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, while slowing the vehicle for traffic ahead, the vehicle started to shake with the steering wheel jerking to the left and the right. The contact was able to slow the vehicle however, the vehicle was shaking abnormally. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle failure occurred constantly. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the CVT transmission and front and rear suspension needed to be replaced. Additionally, the contact was informed that the drive train and bearing needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000.

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while at a red traffic light, the vehicle stalled and vibrated, and then lost motive power. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact then restarted the vehicle and drove to her destination; however, the vehicle lost motive power again. The vehicle remained at the location for a day; the contact then returned and noticed the transmission fluid had drained out onto the ground. The local mechanic confirmed the transmission fluid leak. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer out of town and diagnosed with transmission failure; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the transmission was repaired by another mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 74,000.

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from a stop sign, the vehicle accelerated to approximately 15 MPH and then unexpectedly decelerated. The contact attempted to depress the accelerator; however, the vehicle lost automotive power and stalled. The vehicle was towed to the residence. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while attempting to shift from park(P) to drive(D), the gear shift lever failed to move as needed. The contact stated that the gear shifter also failed to shift to reverse(R). The contact stated that she had to move the shifter back and forth until the gear shifter responded. The contact stated that the failure had become a recurring failure. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the shifter assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 91,756.

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that an unknown component needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired and was also serviced under two unrelated recalls; however, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was sputtering and jerking while depressing the accelerator pedal. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was then taken back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the CVT controller needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH and approaching a stop light, the vehicle started shaking violently. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the mechanic replaced the wheel bearing, performed an alignment, and replaced the tires; however, the failure persisted. On another occasion, while accelerating, the vehicle hesitated before accelerating. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle started operating normally. The vehicle was taken to any independent mechanic, but no failure was found. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 100,000.

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that upon coming to a complete stop, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that soon after the restart, the vehicle again stalled without warning. She also stated that the vehicle would hesitate while in reverse with an abnormal, clunking sound coming from the engine. The contact then took the vehicle to a dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and informed her that there were no recalls on the vehicle and that the warranty had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while at a stop sign, the vehicle began to hesitate and jerk upon the depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. The contact also stated that an abnormal whining sound would emit from the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure persisted until she started driving above 40 MPH. The contact called an independent mechanic who informed her that the failure appeared to be related to the transmission. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed her that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, he heard abnormally loud sounds coming from the transmission. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road, turned off, and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle responded as needed and the contact continued driving. However, the contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.

Transmission complaints in other Altima years