In today's high-priced car market, many car shoppers have been buying "older" vehicles that have aged well as a way to save money. Is the 2013 Altima such a vehicle?
Unfortunately, history seems to have proven that, no, its reliability record has been quite shakey and inconsistent. While it's true that many owners have been satisfied and have had a good long-term experience with only regular maintenance, many others have run into more significant problems and inconvenience.
According to Consumer Reports, the 2013 Altima has had low overall owner satisfaction and a higher-than-average rate of major problems.
So here, ...
- We'll take a look at the 2013 Altima's reliability history and as well as it's more commonly reported mechanical problems.
- And then we'll review its general pros and cons.
More On The Altima's Reliability
For more detailed information on the reliability of the Altima, visit our Used Nissan Altima Reliability Guide, a more comprehensive look at the model years, engines, common problems, maintenance costs, expected lifespan, and the best years to buy or those to avoid.
2013 Nissan Altima Reliability
The 2013 Nissan Altima delivers excellent fuel economy, a comfortable ride, and a spacious interior, but its long-term reliability is only average. While the 2.5-liter four-cylinder and 3.5-liter V6 engines are generally durable, the continuously variable transmission (CVT) is the vehicle's biggest reliability concern and can lead to expensive repairs as mileage increases.
A well-maintained 2013 Altima can easily exceed 200,000 miles, but only if routine maintenance has been performed and the transmission operates smoothly. Buyers should pay close attention to service records and spend extra time evaluating the CVT during the test drive.
Overall, the 2013 Altima can still be a good used family sedan, especially if it has a documented maintenance history and shows no signs of transmission problems. A pre-purchase inspection is strongly recommended before buying.
Buyer Tip: The best 2013 Altimas are those with smooth CVT operation, complete maintenance records, and no warning lights. Avoid vehicles that hesitate, shudder, or surge during acceleration.
And I can't stress this enough:
Multiple dealers → compete for your business → you save
2013 Nissan Altima Common Problems
This Altima has a number of Known issues that buyers should inspect carefully before purchasing.
- CVT transmission problems: The most common complaint involves the continuously variable transmission. Symptoms include shuddering, hesitation, delayed acceleration, whining noises, or slipping. Transmission replacement can be costly.
- Steering and suspension wear: Worn control arm bushings, tie rods, and struts may cause clunking noises, uneven tire wear, or loose steering feel.
- Air conditioning failures: Compressors, condensers, and blend-door actuators may require repair as the vehicle ages.
- Electrical and Electronics: A few drivers reported issues with various electrical components, such as malfunctioning sensors, faulty displays, or problems with the vehicle's keyless entry system.
- Power door lock and window issues: Some owners report failing door lock actuators or power window switches after several years of use.
- Premature brake wear: Front brake pads and rotors may wear faster than expected, particularly on vehicles driven primarily in city traffic.
- Oil leaks: Higher-mileage engines may develop leaks from the valve cover gasket or other engine seals.
- Recalls: It's had 12 recalls, a much higher rate than most other vehicles in its class the same age. They've included airbags, an occupant detection system, a leaking fuel-sending unit (increased fire risk), loose steering and suspension bolts, spare tires, and a hood latch.
- Dim Headlights: The headlight components wear down and reduce the light output, potentially leading to dangerous situations. In a class-action lawsuit, Nissan agreed to replace them and reimburse the owners.
Buyer Tip: During the test drive, accelerate from a stop several times, cruise at highway speeds, and pay close attention to how the CVT behaves. Any hesitation, vibration, or unusual noises should be considered a warning sign and inspected before purchase.
Also, if you may be buying soon, I'd highly recommend reading my most effective negotiation method for used cars, which details a quick way to identify the dealerships most motivated to "deal", no matter how busy they may seem, and how to follow up once you've found them. This can be the difference between getting a good price and getting a great one. And a variation of it is my top method for new cars, if you are also exploring that market.
You can see them here at used cars and new cars.
2013 Altima Pros
Cost Savings: Used cars generally come at a lower price compared to new ones. Given the current high-priced car market, opting for a 2013 Altima could save a significant amount of money upfront. However, this then has to be weighed against the risk of possibly above-average future maintenance and repair costs.
Good Safety Ratings: It scored well in safety tests, offering peace of mind to drivers and passengers.
Spacious Interior: The Altima has a roomy cabin with comfortable seating, providing ample space for passengers.
Capable and Composed Handling: The Altima already had an excellent reputation as one of the best handling family sedans. Even so, this area was improved still further with a revised steering system as well as a retuned rear suspension. This improved athleticism hasn't sacrificed overall ride quality either as the driving experience remains smooth and comfortable.
Good Fuel Economy: The four-cylinder's EPA-estimated gas mileage of 27 mpg city and 38 mpg on the highway is best in class. And even though the new Altima 3.5 can sprint from a standstill to 60 mph in just 6.2 seconds, making it one of the fastest family sedans, its gas mileage performance is still very good for a V6, coming in at 22 mpg city and 31 mpg highway.
Strong Brakes: In performance tests, the 2013 Altima 3.5 came to a stop from 60 mph in an impressive 114 feet, 10 fewer than the average family sedan.
Comfortable, Attractive and Well-Built Cabin: The newly redesigned interior is edgier and more attractive, with more comfortable seating as well as softer-touch materials. Its overall look and feel is decidedly more upscale, while the materials quality has also been upgraded (there are still some hard plastics remaining, but no more than what is typical in this segment).
2013 Altima Cons
CVT Issues: Some owners have reported issues with the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), which might lead to jerky acceleration or reliability concerns. There were also a significant number of failures. Nissan extended the warranty on the transmission to 10 years or 120,000 miles to cover the high failure rate. If it hasn't occurred yet, most, if not all, are now out of warranty.
Outdated Technology: The 2013 Altima's technology might feel outdated compared to newer models. Infotainment systems, safety features, and convenience tech have seen significant improvements in newer vehicles.
Ongoing Maintenance: As any car ages, it might require more frequent maintenance and repairs, leading to additional expenses compared to a newer vehicle.
Interior Quality: While the cabin is spacious, the quality of materials used might not be as high as in some rival vehicles.
Limited Trunk Space: The trunk space, while adequate, might be considered smaller than what some competitors offer in this segment.
Tight Rear Headroom: Despite its many interior improvements, rear headroom can be tight for taller passengers due to its sleek, but downsloping, roof line. The result is modest headroom as well as average legroom.
Four-Cylinder Noise: While Altima's equipped with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces a fairly lively 182-horsepower and 180-pound-feet of torque, engine noise is elevated when accerating hard. This likely isn't a deal breaker for most shoppers, but some may find it bothersome. This is not an issue with the V6 due to its higher torque.
And another con ... even a good price on the vehicle doesn't necessarily mean you're getting a good deal.
There are other numbers besides price that can significantly affect the final out-the-door cost. A well-negotiated selling price can quickly lose its advantage if the dealer makes up for the concession with a below-market trade-in offer. Also, dealer fees and add-ons can further increase the final cost, making it important to learn which fees you must pay, can negotiate, or should avoid.
To become better informed about these important but often-confusing parts of the deal, be sure to see my articles on trade-ins and dealer fees.
Also, More On Nissan Reliability
If you'd like to compare different Nissan models, or years, be sure to read our Nissan Reliability & Problems: Best Used Nissans & Years Guide. It compares their popular models, highlights the best years to buy, common problems, and helps you choose the right vehicle for your needs.
Rivals:
Segment leaders worth a look include the perennial class leaders: the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. Other strong choices to compare it to would include the Kia Optima, the Hyundai Sonata, the Mazda6 and the Volkswagen Passat.