general problems of the 2013 Nissan Altima - part 1

172 problems related to air bag have been reported for the 2013 Nissan Altima. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2013 Nissan Altima based on all problems reported for the 2013 Altima.

1 Air Bag problem

Failure Date: 03/12/2026

The contact's brother owned a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while her brother was driving at an undisclosed speed from a stop sign, another vehicle in the left lane crashed into the contact's brother's front driver's side. The air bags did not deploy. No warning light was illuminated. The contact's brother received medical attention for a concussion and had back and neck pain. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and was not yet deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

2 Air Bag problem

Failure Date: 12/18/2025

Passenger airbag light on. I don’t even drive the car much. Out of no where it turned in.

3 Air Bag problem

Failure Date: 05/18/2025

Fuel system: car hesitates and cut off after pumping fuel. \n' + 'outer tie rods torn rubber, vehicle never been realigned, but tires were worn on both front sides. \n' + 'takata air bag light has been on for over 2 years. \n' + 'transmission over heats. Engine cuts back between 45 and 60 mph on the freeway. So we stop and allow it to cool off.

4 Air Bag problem

Failure Date: 04/08/2025

Air bag light is on again. This car has had other recalls / complaints for airbags before. Airbags are safety , to protect drivers and passengers. This needs to be addressed.

5 Air Bag problem

Failure Date: 02/02/2025

Air bag light comes on.

6 Air Bag problem

Failure Date: 01/16/2025

I was mailed a recall for a warning light for the passenger air bag. It covers a time period of 15 years. I had the warning light come on as described in the mailer for the recall that was sent to me ( the original owner of a 2013 Nissan Altima ) and I set up an appointment with the dealership to have it repaired. No sooner did I leave after dropping off the vehicle that the dealership called to inform me that my VIN is not part of the recall even though it is clearly on the mailer. I for the life of me cannot understand how such an important safety issue can be excluded when the exact problem they listed is now occurring.

7 Air Bag problem

Failure Date: 01/01/2025

The contact owns 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the air bag warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and was diagnosed with an air bag wiring failure. The contact was informed that the air bag wiring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

8 Air Bag problem

Failure Date: 07/22/2024

I was traveling straight and made an abrupt turn. I lost control of my car and struck a pole, then hit a brick building. None of the airbags in my vehicle deployed and I hit my nose on the steering wheel and sustained other injuries.

9 Air Bag problem

Failure Date: 06/01/2024

This car seems to have the same software issue as other Altimas but the VIN does not record a recall. When someone is in the passenger seat, there is no dashboard confirmation and we are worried that the airbag might not deploy.

10 Air Bag problem

Failure Date: 05/17/2024

Ocs system for passenger airbag is not working properly. Went to two dealerships and they said it was not covered under the recall 16v-244. I spoke with Nissan consumer affairs and they said that the recall was addressed in the past but was not able to provide when and where. The dealerships I go to for servicing do not have any history of the OCS ever being repaired which means that it was probably repaired sometime with the original owner. Assuming it was actually replaced in the past, with replacement, the part is still failing and not having reached the 15 year mark for the car or the actual recall itself is alarming.

11 Air Bag problem

Failure Date: 05/17/2024

Ocs not working, passenger airbag is off when adult is in seat. Apparently was recalled before but seeing that despite being “fixed” and the problem came back. Hard to get in contact with anyone at Nissan or the dealerships to take responsibility for it.

12 Air Bag problem

Failure Date: 02/10/2024

Headlights.

13 Air Bag problem

Failure Date: 01/15/2024

My airbag light has been illuminated for the past few months. It does not illuminate while someone is in the seat. Once reset, it stays off for a while. When checked, the mechanic informed me that the sensor in my passenger seat needs to be replaced. Due to this malfunction, the vehicle may improperly deploy airbags. This has not happened but I’m concerned that it could possibly happen.

14 Air Bag problem

Failure Date: 11/21/2023

Hello, I took my Nissan Altima into my local Nissan dealer for a hood latch recall on 11/13/2023. On 11/21/2023 at about 6:40 pm I was driving my car at a speed of maybe 45-50mph and my hood flew open hitting my windshield causing damage to my car, and scaring my son and I. I called the dealer the next morning and spoke to anthony from the service department regarding this situation, and he stated a faulty latch could have been put on my car, causing this to happen. I sent pictures to him via email, and he advised that he would contact the director and call me back with an update. I received a callback within hours advising Nissan would cover the damages but I would need to contact consumer affairs to see which location could do the repairs as they were behind by 8 month at that location in particular and could not provide me with a loaner car. After a week of waiting for an update from a dealer to confirm repairs, I had the car towed to the thomas Nissan of joliet on 12/4/2023 as the car would not accelerate anymore due to the hard brake. As of today 12/18/2023 I have spoken to the service manager there and he advised parts came in but they do not have a date for repairs or approval on the acceleration issue and for now will only repair the body. I advised that I am extremely saddened by the way I am being handled after such a traumatic ordeal that could have been deadly or life altering. This recall was supposed to prevent this issue, and it only caused it. This recall hasn't done anything to fix the cars, and neither have three other hood latch recalls for Altima cars. Altima drivers are in danger from hoods that suddenly fly open while driving, and this situation just proves a problem. Nissan doesn't know how to properly repair it, and my car and I are proof.

15 Air Bag problem

Failure Date: 09/20/2023

Air bag not function.

16 Air Bag problem

Failure Date: 09/13/2023

The 2013 Nissan Altima passenger light seatbelt dash light stayed on unless seatbelt was buckled with person in seat. Took to Nissan dealer who charged $150 to diagnose as a sensor control unit except when they cleared the codes the airbag light also came on and has stayed on. 1. Issue number one is Nissan had a recall on the sensor unit and Nissan refuses warranty. I called Nissan hotline and took back to dealer and warranty was still refused. 2. Issue number two the air bag light only showed up after the codes where cleared account to Nissan. This means that I was driving with the passenger air bag not functioning without any warning light showing not functioning air bag. I believe this is a warranty issue and also a safety issue where the car has a non-functional passenger air bag even though it does not show until the codes are cleared at a dealer. How many people are driving around not knowing Nissan is not giving a warning light?.

17 Air Bag problem

Failure Date: 08/23/2023

Front passenger air bag warning lamp is illuminating signaling that the vehicle is not detecting an occupant in the seat. This is the second time this has occurred. The first time the sensor was replaced, (pc214) nhtsa13v-069. It was covered under a safety recall in April 2013. I took the vehicle to bowie Nissan, bowie, MD and asked to have the sensor replaced at no charge as this is a safety issue. I provided the TSB from Nissan notifying the dealerships. The TSB reference number ntb19-071 September 12, 2019. I supplied the service writer a photo of the results of a diagnostic scan that stated occupant sensor was abnormal. The service advisor stated that it is a safety issue but they would have to charge a $189 diagnostic scan. If they confirmed the problem they would then make the repair and charge me the cost since it is not covered by Nissan. My car currently has mileage of 104,389 mile. I feel that this should be repaired by Nissan at no charge as this the second time this part has failed and that it is genuine safety issue. I feel that Nissan is dodging it responsibility to its customers and NHTSA.

18 Air Bag problem

Failure Date: 07/24/2023

Deer run out in front of me. Airbags did not deploy.

19 Air Bag problem

Failure Date: 07/19/2023

I had recall work done on my car was not properly repaired issue still needs addressed Nissan refuses to look into they are telling me it was addressed. But the issue still remains. To fix the issue they want me to pay for it but I MA afraid that it may not be fixed properly again . This is the third accordance with this issue.

20 Air Bag problem

Failure Date: 05/24/2023

I took my vehicle in for assessment which costs around $160 as had many warning lights, including airbag. Nissan reviewed and informed my the passenger airbag needed to be replaced as the sensor was bad. There have been four previous recalls on Nissan Altima for airbag sensor issues and mine was not addressed. Now there is an issue and I'm told to spend money I don't have for an issue Nissan should fix. In the event somebody is hurt or worse, Nissan will be held responsible. Please take action and correct this issue and hold Nissan responsible.

21 Air Bag problem

Failure Date: 05/01/2023

The airbag sensor stop working. The airbag light stayed on whether someone was sitting in or not sitting in the passenger seat. The dealership stated there was an opening in the circuit and had to be re-builded. With the airbag not working this made the vehicle unsafe to drive and they could not tell me if the defect was with the driver side or passenger side airbag.

22 Air Bag problem

Failure Date: 02/25/2023

Driver air bag light remains on. Passenger air bag was supposedly fixed per recall years ago, but now the driver air bag seems to be faulty. Car has not been in an accident. Attempts by dealer and other mechanics to reset the light have failed, indicating there is a problem. Nissan refuses to remediate and says that it is the owner's responsibility. Dealer has said that Nissan does not know what the problem is and even if airbag is replaced for a tune of $3k they do not guarantee that the problem will be fixed! there is no option for us and this is extremely unsafe.

23 Air Bag problem

Failure Date: 11/18/2022

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, he noticed a burning smell coming through the a/c vents. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that unknown frontal air bag had deployed under the hood and burned; however, the mechanic could not repair the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to another mechanic who informed the contact that they could not repair the vehicle. An unknown dealer was contacted but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.

24 Air Bag problem

Failure Date: 10/24/2022

Air bag sensors continue to come on even after repairs and reprogramming have been completed multiple times. Sensors do not recognize occupants thus causing a safety issue should there be a collision. Complaint was filed with Nissan consumer affairs and Nissan refuses to remediate even though recall was issued on this same issue several years ago. Nissan states outside of normal warranty. Nissan expects remediation costs ($800. 00 plus) to be covered by consumer. I believe the sensor and airbag system is still faulty and was not properly remediated during the initial recall.

25 Air Bag problem

Failure Date: 09/29/2022

This vehicle has never been in an accident and the driver air bag light came on. Per dealer it was the air bag modular and the who driver seat. Needed to be replaced. I called Nissan and they wouldn’t cover the replacement, because this part is only covered up to 50,000 miles. I’m very concerned and disappointed this is a safety hazard and should have been covered we are talking about air bag which saves lives. While in the dealership getting my car repaired another customer came in with the same issue. Can you please investigate Nissan before the faulty air bag modular they are placing on their cars? I can see the part going out on vehicles involved in accidents , it doesn’t make sense on non-accident vehicles.

26 Air Bag problem

Failure Date: 08/17/2022

Airbag sensors are failing and airbag warning light is on.

27 Air Bag problem

Failure Date: 07/28/2022

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a faulty driver's side air bag. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

28 Air Bag problem

Failure Date: 07/25/2022

My driver seat airbag light is on red on the dashboard. I have not had any accidents. It's a safety issue, not safe. If I have an accident, the bag will not depoly and a risk to my life. I called Nissan today and they said the air bags are only under warranty for 3 yrs or 60,000 miles. That is not acceptable as compared to other car makers and their warranties. Some car airbags last 10 years or the life of the car. Nissan customer service said, the car is not under the recall list. My car model has had several recalls. Case #46890272. Nissan consumer affairs said, sorry not covered. What if a life was lost. The cost of replacing airbag vs. Safety of customer's life seems to be not important. I took the car to Nissan dealer and in order for them to look at the air bag light on, they had me pay $189. 95 for a diagnosis to let me know the whole seat needs to be replaced. Unacceptable, I have not heard "full drivers seats replaced new. My car has no other problems. I have had for 9 years with 77,000 miles. Thank you for logging my complaint of the driver air bag.

29 Air Bag problem

Failure Date: 07/24/2022

Airbag light on displayed in dashboard suddenly . Dealer not able to find the diagnosis code so it was reset and then after a month it came back again .

30 Air Bag problem

Failure Date: 07/17/2022

The airbag light came on and I took it to the Nissan dealership and they reset it. A month later the light came back on and I took it back to the dealership now they say they can't reset it, it have to be replaced with a part that cause $2400 that I don't have. There was a recall on this problem but my VIN# is not on the list as for many more which was stated that not all VIN#'s were included at the beginning. I feel that Nissan should honor this recall especially in these trying times of our economy.

31 Air Bag problem

Failure Date: 07/14/2022

When adult sits in passenger seat, the passenger (air bag off)light is on. Which means the air bag is off and will not deploy in a accident. When a heavy weight adult sits in the seat, the light turns off. Sensor might be bad in seat. My wife is 140 lbs. Light stays on when she sits in the passenger seat .

32 Air Bag problem

Failure Date: 07/11/2022

The airbag light came on in my 2013 Nissan Altima randomly while in park. I had it checked at an official Nissan dealership on the 28th of June 2022. The service center informed me that the right back seat assembly needed to be replaced (can provide documentation). I was informed that none of the airbags would be deployed if I were to get into an accident/ my vehicle has around 130,000 miles. It is a 2013, so this should not be happening in my opinion. I have a 2006 vehicle and I have had other vehicles that I have never had this happen. The repair itself will cost close to two thousand dollars. I bought the vehicle for this the safety features. I had airbag protection on all sides of each door to include the traditional airbag in dashboard and steering wheel. This problem is unacceptable for an over $20,000 vehicle. I have contacted to the manufacturer, and they refereed me to your website for further investigation. I hope that you find this, if applicable to be a nationwide recall on the airbags. Please urge them to recall this vehicle for this defective item, my safety is at risk. The airbag system is a must in a vehicle. Please contact me regarding this matter and I will submit documents or answer questions. Respectfully, r. A.

33 Air Bag problem

Failure Date: 06/27/2022

Prior passenger airbag recalls on this year and model vehicle which have previously been “fixed”. However for the past 4 weeks, “passenger airbag off” light remains illuminated regardless of passenger being seated with vehicle seat belt latched. As well, the airbag red light is illuminated on driver dashboard continuously which results in none of the vehicles’ airbags being deployed in the event of a collision or serious collision. This is a huge safety concern for myself as a driver and all occupants of the vehicle.

34 Air Bag problem

Failure Date: 06/13/2022

My 2013 Nissan Altima had a malfunctioning air bag which "could or could not" deploy correctly, and at any time. I had to pay $2800. 00 for replacement of this serious safety issue, and Nissan will not reimburse me. This air bag had simply stopped operating correctly, it had never been deployed. At the time of replacement the car had 86,000. I had no choice about replacing it unless I wanted my passenger to be at a serious safety risk.

35 Air Bag problem

Failure Date: 05/13/2022

1) driver’s side airbag warning light is on all the time, constant red. 2) transmission shift lever would not move out of park and had to be replaced @ 115,000 at a cost of $954. 3) the transmission failed and had to be replaced at 118,000 at a cost of $4,500. When I contacted Nissan about these issues, I was told that there was nothing they could do.



Altima Service Bulletins
Altima Safety Recalls
Altima Defect Investigations