2013 Nissan Altima: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Apr 8, 2025 · Suspension · OH

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.

Filed Jun 26, 2024 · Suspension · MI

Front lower control arm bushings appear worn out with progressive clunking and severe shaking leading to unstable steering and unevenly worn tires

Filed Oct 14, 2021 · Transmission · 70,000 miles · NJ

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.

Filed Aug 21, 2020 · Suspension · 118,150 miles · WI

A clunky noise started/noticed in right rear when driven over bumps (e.g. Pot holes, dips in roads, or entry parking lot curbs). Took our 2013 nissan altima into auto shop to have inspected, which we had learned the rear lower links are rusted, and the right side is cracked. We were told it is strongly recommended to not be driving the vehicle for safety concerns. We were then informed there is a recall for this exact issue on our vehicle for the same year, make and model. This was quite alarming to learn of this recall, and to know it is not safe to be driving the vehicle. We immediately took our vehicle to gandrud nissan, green bay wi only to learn this specific recall campaign for 2013 altima sedan; rear lower link (reference # ntb19-082b, date of issue: december 6, 2019, classification# ra19-002b, campaign id# p9324) did not apply to our VIN#. To learn there is a recall for the exact problem on the exact year and model of our nissan altima where our safety is comprised if driven, then to be told it doesn't apply is very asinine. This is a known safety defect on 2013 nissan altimas and it should not apply only to a select few as obviously it is a problem and a valid safety/defect here and should be addressed across the board for not only my family's safety for all whom own a 2013 nissan altima and others traveling on the road/interstates.

Filed Jul 24, 2019 · Suspension · 110,000 miles · IL

I was driving through a parking lot when I heard a loud clunk noise and the car felt like it wasn't driving right so I pulled over and noticed the back passenger tire was caved inward. I looked under the car and the control arm that attached the tire to car was completely severed due to corrosion

Filed Jul 23, 2019 · Suspension · 90,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 nissan altima. While driving various speeds, a clunking type noise was present coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who discovered that both the driver and passenger side rear control arms had cracked due to corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. Dorschel nissan (3817 w. Henrietta rd, rochester, ny) was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Jul 1, 2019 · Suspension · 97,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 nissan altima. While driving at a slow speed, a loud clunking noise was heard from the rear of the vehicle. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the rear wheel was pushed inward. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rear driver side control arm was fractured due to rust and corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 97,000.

Filed May 17, 2019 · Steering · 120,000 miles · OH

Vehicle was in motion on a straight flat stretch of county road traveling at approximately 40 MPH. Vehicle started to "shimmy" and steering wheel response became sluggish/erratic, and skid control indicator light came on. Vehicle was slowed to approximately 20 MPH and turned into a gas station lot and parked. Vehicle was turned off then restarted in case skid lamp could reset. Vehicle was slowly backed about a foot when a loud "clunk" was heard. Vehicle was stopped and rear tire on driver side inspected. At first, tire appeared to be coming off rotor until closer inspection showed that the driver's side rear control arm snapped at the weld near to where it connects to the frame. Flatbed tow truck was called and vehicle towed to the dealership where car is awaiting repair. Tow truck operator indicated that he has seen this problem multiple times before on same model car. Research on internet post incident indicates similar make/model year cars having same issue.

Filed May 3, 2019 · Driver assistance, Suspension · 88,700 miles · NY

I was driving my vehicle about 25 MPH leaving work when I heard a thud/clunk from the passenger side rear of the car. The traction control light came on, I pulled over and looked at the car. I though I had a flat because the car had been handling 'oddly' for about 30 feet. I didn't see a flat, drove the remaining mile home and when I saw the car in the driveway the passenger rear tire was at an angle to the car. It was pointed to the right, while the other tires were aligned straight forward. I called my local nissan dealership and they told me to not drive the vehicle, as they had one in last week with similar conditions (same year, same model) roughly same mileage. They arranged for a tow truck to pick up the vehicle and drag it onto the bed of the truck. They diagnosed that the right rear control arm had failed, causing the tire to disconnect from the control arm while I was driving. I requested that they check remaining control arm suspension components and they confirmed that the driver's side until was also cracked, but not completely broken through as yet. The nissan manufacturer rep visited the dealership and stated that the repairs were due to rust, causing both control arms to fail, therefore not covered under warranty in place. The vehicle had fewer than 89,000 miles on it when the components failed, there were no indications of any problems previously, and the car was in the dealership three week's prior due to a transmission replacement. This is my sixth and last nissan vehicle I have had no prior events like this with my other nissan vehicles. This part failed without any warning, luckily at low speed in my own neighborhood 1 mile from my home.

Filed Feb 28, 2019 · Steering, Suspension · 76,000 miles · PA

While driving at high speeds 55mph a clunk was heard while in a turn, and the lower right end of the car sank down. The steering went completely crazy and out of control. I had to slow down to 20mph for the entire 30 mile trip home. This was the second time this happened in the last 2 months. The first time was back in january 2019 when the left one broke and almost caused me to wreck again! And now I see there is a federal investigation about this exact thing.

Filed Sep 26, 2016 · Airbags, Brakes · 771,800 miles · IL · crash · 4 injuries

I was in an accident and the air bags did not deploy. My children and I were injured. I serviced my car at nissan for the airbag recall twice. I received a recall from the federal safety agency and nissan wouldn't comply. Every time I've taken my car for the brake pads to be serviced I only need rotors never brake pads! The driver side door handle broke for no reason what so ever this car is a clunker!

Filed Sep 23, 2014 · Electrical, Transmission · 37,000 miles · MS

I purchased a 2013 nissan altima in july 2014 with 36,000 miles. About 3 weeks after purchasing this vehicle, the check engine light came on. I took it into the local nissan dealer to determine the cause. I was told that they couldn't find the source and it would require further diagnostic testing for $80. I disagreed and left. Two days later, my daughter and I were traveling along interstate 10 when suddenly the car wouldn't accelerate. As I merged over to the left lane, every light on the dash came on and the engine went dead just as I made it to the shoulder. I put the car in park and waited 10 minutes before I attempted to start it up again. The following day, I took the car back to my local nissan dealer. At that point, they told me there was an electrical malfunction that was covered under warranty but they would need to order a replacement part. I was without a vehicle for 3 days when I received a call that the car was ready. I sent my mother to pick up the car because I was at work. They didn't provide any repair summary to show what repairs were made. Fast forward three weeks...my family was traveling to mobile, alabama to depart for our annual walt disney world trip, when you guessed it...the car wouldn't accelerate although my foot was literally on the ground. I pulled over once again and didn't try to start the engine again for about 20 minutes. The service engine light has been on every since. I have constantly fought with the seller (bob tyler toyota) about returning this vehicle. I sold a 2006 honda accord ex-l with 176,000 miles to purchase this lemon. It is an absolute clunker. Will someone please suggest other options for me???