On the morning of XXX, while driving at approximately 15-20 mph, the traction control warning light illuminated on my 2013 Nissan Altima (approximately 80,000 miles). I drove the short distance home, and upon inspection found the right-rear wheel visibly tilted inward with noticeably lower ride height than the left-rear wheel, consistent with a fractured right-rear lower suspension link (lower control arm). The component shows signs of corrosion. The vehicle was originally purchased in [XXX], was later registered and operated for approximately five years in [XXX], where winter road-salt exposure is routine, and was subsequently returned to [XXX]. The vehicle was parked immediately and has not been driven since; it is available for inspection upon request. Safety was put at risk because the failure occurred while the vehicle was in motion on a public road. A separated rear lower link allows the wheel to move out of alignment, which can cause sudden loss of vehicle control, particularly at higher speeds. The failure ha not yet been confirmed by a dealer or independent service center; the vehicle is awaiting tow to a repair facility. No warning lamps, messages, or symptoms appeared prior to the morning of XXX. I contacted Nissan USA Consumer Affairs regarding this failure. They checked the VIN, stated that service campaign P9324 is not open on this vehicle in their [XXX] system, performed no inspection or repair, and referred the matter to Nissan Canada. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2013 Nissan Altima suspension problems
290 complaints (13% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 100,350. 2 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 290
- of this car's complaints
- 13%
- typical mileage
- 100,350
- crashes
- 2
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Rear7
- Front: control arm: lower arm2
- Front: control arm2
- Subframe/mounting bracket1
- Rear: shock absorber1
- Rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Nissan Altima suspension problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2013 Nissan Altima suspension
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Suspension
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 12V494000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure
On July 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened EA19002 to investigate instances of alleged rear lower control arm failures in 2013-2018 Nissan Altima and 2016-2018 Nissan Maxima vehicles. At the time the investigation was opened ODI had 91 consumer complaints alleging rear lower control arm failures in the subject vehicles.ODI was concerned about these complaints because many of them alleged an increased steering effort or loss of vehicle control.At the time these complaints were received, ODI was also aware of a proactive service campaign addressing 2013 Nissan Altima in salt-belt states for a similar concern. Since opening the investigation, ODI has confirmed, based on consumer complaints, warranty data, and testing conducted by Nissan and ODI, that owners of the subject vehicles are experiencing a corroded bushing at one of three mounting points of the control arm to the rear subframe.ODI has also confirmed that drivers become aware of the problem because of sound and abnormal vibrations. In addition, the failure mileage is typically over 113,000 miles at the time of failure.In conjunction with Nissan and VRTC, ODI participated in testing to assess the potential safety consequence of a bushing failure.It was found the Vehicle Dynamic Control system allows the driver to maintain vehicle control in the event of a bushing failure.With between 7 to 13 years of field exposure, ODI is aware of only one low speed crash allegation describing minor contact with another vehicle’s trailer hitch. Nissan acknowledges that a crack can develop in affected control arms due to stress loading from normal use and that salts commonly used for roadway snow and ice treatment may result in corrosion that exacerbates the progression of the crack.Nissan implemented a design change in January of 2018 to improve the durability of the lower control arm.Affected vehicles have either been repaired with the countermeasure part under a customer satisfaction campaign or been provided a warranty extension from 3 years/36,000 miles to 10 year/unlimited mileage. Through testing and analysis of the information obtained to date, ODI has not identified a defect representing an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety involving corrosion of the subject rear lower control arm at this time.With a declining trend of reports and Nissan’s actions to implement a countermeasure and extended warranty coverage, further investigation of the issue does not appear to be warranted at this time.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to A detailed discussion of the investigation and related complaint numbers can be viewed in the attached closing report.
EA19002
Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure
PE18-013 was opened on December 1, 2018, with 4 complaints to ODI alleging incidents of the lower control arm fracturing at a connection point to the vehicle chassis due to corrosion. ODI has received an additional 87 complaints since the PE was opened. During PE18-013, Nissan indicated model years 2013-2018 shared a common rear lower control arm design. Nissan provided complaint and warranty data regarding 48 incidents of the subject failure. The majority of the complaints are from vehicles registered in salt belt states. There have been no crashes, injuries, or fatalities confirmed as of this date. Nissan advised that it has conducted testing to assess safety risk. Nissan states that due to low incident rate, high detectability, and low risk of adverse vehicle dynamics, it does not believe the subject lower control arm failure poses an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety.This preliminary evaluation has been upgraded to Engineering Analysis (EA) 19-002. During the EA, ODI will continue to collect and analyze complaint and field data in its efforts to fully assess the scope and frequency of the alleged defect. More importantly, ODI will also seek additional information and data regarding the potential safety consequences of rear lower control arm failure, both from evidence collected from field failures and through more rigorous and comprehensive vehicle testing to be conducted by either Nissan and/or the federal safety agency.The ODI reports (VOQs) cited above can be viewed at under the following reference numbers: 11234334, 11234232, 11234189, 11233771, 11233234, 11232381, 11231589, 11230323, 11230184, 11229023, 11229003, 11228730, 11228651, 11228631, 11228625, 11223086, 11222602, 11222427, 11222303, 11221802, 11219943, 11217980, 11217542, 11217505, 11217290, 11210699, 11209647, 11208580, 11208274, 11207545, 11206310, 11205711, 11205461, 11203864, 11203005, 11195416, 11193545, 11193020, 11192269, 11192066, 11191270, 11191207, 11191185, 11191042, 11190360, 11190323, 11187334, 11187157, 11186747, 11186195, 11185664, 11185632, 11185589, 11183799, 11183295, 11183198, 11182705,11182528, 11182265, 11182137, 11182088, 11181373, 11181223, 11181155, 11181009, 11180126, 11176565, 11176261, 11176135, 11175821, 11172604, 11172200, 11172065, 11170019, 11169930, 11165194, 11163833, 11163489, 11162559, 11162195, 11161956, 11161497, 11161117, 11157323, 11157234, 11156772, 11141169, 11139516, 11129476, 11122829, 11114374.
PE18013
What 2013 Nissan Altima owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Driver side rear lower control arm broke/rusted through. Was able to get the vehicle home prior to an catastrophic incident. See pictures attached. Warning light came on the dash at the time of the brake of the control arm.
The car feels unbalanced and shifting is bad
Right side rear lower control arm failed while driving due to excessive corrosion. I nearly lost control of the vehicle as the right rear wheel is no longer properly aligned. If this had happened on the highway it could have killed us. Dealer service dept, Nissan service campaign department and nissan consumer affairs department all insisted my VIN does not qualify for repairs detailed under the federal safety agency reference P9324 and all refused to look up the reference number. The bulletin seems clear that Nissan has responsibility to address my issue.
Heard a loud pop noise from the rear of the car while backing up, steering was unstable while driving. Looked under the car and discover the right rear control arm is broken.
Both of my rear lower control arms on my 2013 Nissan ALTIMA sedan have rusted thru and cracked. It has been reported on Nissan Service Campaign P9324, dated October 25, 2019. Unfortunately, I have been told my VIN is not included in the P9324 campaign. But both of my lower control arms are rusted through and cracked and I do live in New Hampshire, one of the salt states listed in the campaign. My car is at the dealer and I have been told that I cannot drive it anymore until it has been repaired.
Front end suspension need replacing confirmed by Nissan Dealership when rear suspension recall was done. Loud noise when in reverse or backing out with or without acceleration, transmission mount defect.
When I was driving on the road my rear control arm broke. I didn’t realize at first what was actually broken until I looked under the car later on and it looked like my control arm eroded over time and just snapped my wheel was shaking so bad my vertigo started. I do have a recall on the lower suspension link. As well as two other things that are not shown here. ALTIMA HOOD LATCH NTB21-055 ALTIMA LOWER LINK NTB19-082 ALT RGE CVT P0776 NTB16-121
Nissan needs to do a recall on their rear suspensions. My 2013 Nissan Altima suspension has had some issue AFTER Nissan service bulletin for rear suspension was checked. I believe that the service bulletin that Nissan “did” or “checked“ was replaced with the same faulty parts or not checked correctly. Giving the same issue with the suspension. Prior to the rear suspension bulletin services, l had a control arm snap in half while driving. There was no knocking/ clunking sounds. Just one day it snapped and broke. While my car was being serviced to be fixed, it was at this time I was informed about the rear suspension links. After leaving Nissan that day, my car has STILL not been right to drive. Loose sterling , pulling, drifting- making it impossible to control vehicle. The rear suspension- links/ control arm/ ball joints need to be recalled and replaced.
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the dealer had previously repaired the vehicle under Voluntary Service Campaign: P9324 (Rear Lower Link); however, the failure recurred after the repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became loose. The contact experienced a loss of vehicle control, causing the vehicle to sway from left to right. Additionally, there was a knocking sound coming from the rear of the vehicle while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but no cause of failure was found. The vehicle was then taken to several independent mechanics who replaced the U-joint, steering column, calipers, shocks, and rear brakes, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.
Questions about the 2013 Nissan Altima suspension
Does the 2013 Nissan Altima have suspension problems?
Owners have filed 290 complaints about the suspension of the 2013 Nissan Altima, 13% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2013 Nissan Altima suspension problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 100,350 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2013 Nissan Altima suspension?
Yes, 1 recall: 12V494000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Nissan Altima have bad suspension?
The Nissan Altima model years with the most suspension complaints are 2013 (290 complaints), 2014 (132 complaints) and 2007 (121 complaints).
Other 2013 Nissan Altima problems
Airbags 514Transmission 506Lights 442Engine 166Electrical 159Body 134Steering 94Visibility 63Locks 60Brakes 58Fuel system 49Acceleration 48Seats 37Driver assistance 36Wheels 36Seat belts 29Tires 3
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