Two problems related to timing tensioner 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.
Altima 2. 5l eng. Problem: engine vibrations/cvt shuttering since approx. 3600 miles, but has continually gotten worse with more miles (7000 mi 12/31/13). Vibrations felt at 1500-2000 rpms (enough to shake and vibrate the dash components), then vibration goes away. Slight acceleration under load at 1500-2000 rpms and at any speed (20-30, 40-55, 72 mph) will result in droning/vibrations (everytime). Had Nissan service mgr. Ride with me, then he drove the vehicle and confirmed the vibrations. He said to return the vehicle in Jan 2014 to further document this problem that Nissan does not admit exists. However, this problem has been reported to Nissan many times over this past year (2013). I now believe this vibration is coming from the engine and not from the cvt since I can feel vibrations 1500-2000 rpm even when the vehicle is stopped (in park or in neutral). Update: 1/08/14 Nissan dealer replaced engine alternator, problem still exists, no change in vibrations. 1/10/14 Nissan replaced tensioner and engine serpentine belt, problem still exists, no change in vibrations. 1/13/14 filed complaint with Nissan consumer affairs.
I took possession of my new 2013 Altima sv 2. 5l 4 cylinder on 11/17/2012. A short time later I started hearing a rumbling, "lugging", sound coming from the engine compartment and feeling a vibration on the gas pedal and steering wheel, on light acceleration from a stop at around 1500 rpm. On 12/13/2012 I took the vehicle back to my dealer and drove around with my salesman and a senior technician, who both stated they heard the rumbling noise. My salesman and I went on a drive on another Nissan Altima 2. 5 l similar to my car and neither of us heard the rumbling sound my car makes. No work was performed during this visit. On 12/19/2012, I took the car back to the dealer and reported the same problem. This time the service dept. Ordered a serpentine belt and belt tensioner for my car and installed a piece of insulation on the a/c low pressure line. The work on the a/c line did not have an effect on the noise and vibration level. Meanwhile, I filed a complaint with Nissan customer care and was assigned a case number and a "regional specialist to handle my case. On 12/21/2012, I returned to the dealer with the same problem. On this visit the serpentine belt and tensioner on my car were replaced by new ones. I was informed by the dealer that Nissan was aware of the problem and the belt and tensioner swap was just a temporary solution. I did noticed a fractional decrease in noise and vibration level after the swap. As of today,01/04/2013, the noise and vibration are back. This issue has become very annoying and distracting, to the point where the ability to concentrate fully on my driving is being affected. I rarely use the car radio while operating my vehicle for exactly this safety reason. I'm concerned the impact of the noise and vibration on my ability to concentrate fully on my driving could lead to an accident and possible injury. I have not heard back from Nissan.