2013 Nissan Altima electrical system problems

Related recalls

• Recall 14V138000Mar 25, 2014989,701 vehicles
  AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

  Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, and Sentra, model year 2013 NV200 (aka Taxi) and Infiniti JX35 and model year 2014 Infiniti Q50 and QX60 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the occupant classification system (OCS) software may incorrectly classify the passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult.

  Risk: If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger airbag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the passenger.

  Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2014. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

What owners say

1. Filed Aug 1, 2026PAElectrical System

   Front passenger door lock actuator fails to unlock door when driver's, passengers or key fob to unlock is activated. All other doors (3) work as they should. This creates a safety issue as the door must manually be unlocked which during a panic situation may not be easily accomplished. I am in the process of having the mechanism inspected & repaired. Part failed with no notice. It may have failed earlier, but July '26 was the 1st I noticed.

   NHTSA complaint #11754114 · source
2. Filed Oct 29, 2025ILElectrical System

   Shifter Lock does not release when brake is pressed. Unable to shift out of Park. Need to manually press the shift relesae override to shift.

   NHTSA complaint #11696486 · source
3. Filed Aug 1, 2024CAElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   Sometimes when I'm driving the car starts idling as if I'm going fast that's how it sounds and I'm making a turn and it's sounds like it's accelerated but it won't go as much as I step on the gas it will not go so I got to pull over to the side wait for a little bit turn off the car and let it sit and then I'll go back tomorrow and it's every time this light turns on the dashboard with a car with the swively lines

   NHTSA complaint #11605990 · source
4. Filed May 17, 2024TXAirbagsElectrical System

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11589325 · source
5. Filed Mar 22, 2023KYElectrical System

   The headlights on low beam do not put out enough light to see what is in front of the car and I still have them. It is unsafe to drive a care with inadequate low beam lighting. Yes, dealer confirmed it but said 4/25/2022 was the last date to report the problem to have it replaced as part of the settlement. The dealerships are well aware of this problem. No warning, the lights just gradually got dimmer over time.

   NHTSA complaint #11513268 · source
6. Filed Feb 1, 2022NCAirbagsElectrical System

   The airbag light came on the dash and stays on without the vehicle being involved in a crash. I took it to a shop to have it repaired and they stated it was a faulty airbag sensor.

   NHTSA complaint #11449671 · source
7. Filed Jan 30, 2022CAAirbagsElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   Unknown, but the issue is beneath the passenger seat where it seems a wire has shorted out and even became disconnected and i am unsure but pretty positive that it has something to do with the passenger side airbags because shortly after a diagnostic scan shows several airbag fault codes. Also since then my car’s performance has changed and now i am receiving diagnostic trouble codes for different electrical components such as mas air flow sensor low voltage and its causing…

   NHTSA complaint #11449494 · source
8. Filed Nov 27, 2021CAElectrical SystemLightingOther / Unknown

   My 2013 Nissan Altima has serious electrical problems and continues to drain my battery, leaving me seeking alternative transportation to and from home, work, etc. The headlight low and high beams are dangerously dim! I have replaced the bulbs several times and the problems continues to get worse. I have seen litigation online with numerous people involved. I thought NTSB would have acted by now? I have also had numerous problems with the AC not working? I am getting…

   NHTSA complaint #11441789 · source
9. Filed Oct 5, 2021CAAirbagsElectrical SystemSeats & Seat Belts

   When a passenger sits in the front seat the airbag light on the dashboard indicates the airbag isn't armed. I have had a Nissan dealer "fix" it three times and it starts again in a few weeks. First time dealer said a connection came loose when the seat was adjusted. Same thing the second time and the third time they said they secured the connection. the light came on in a matter of weeks again . I will take the car back for a fourth time soon. I asked the dealer service rep…

   NHTSA complaint #11435583 · source
10. Filed Apr 1, 202184,000 miAEElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

    Unable to shift into gear when engaging foot brake when starting vehicle. Shift is stuck in park. Have to use tool in shift lock release to move between gears to drive car. I was driving and was stopped at a railway crossing. Put car in park. Once train had passed i tried to put car in drive position and was unable to do so. After reading manual i discovered that if a fault occurs you must use a tool on the shift lock button release to move vehicle. Very dangerous.

    NHTSA complaint #11405963 · source
11. Filed Feb 20, 202165,000 miILElectrical SystemLighting

    Replaced both headlight assemblies due to deterioration of reflectors. Common failure on this model. No nissan recall. Safety issue with faulty lights. Since replacing both assemblies, have had to replace a bulb twice. Going to the dealer again because of light failure.

    NHTSA complaint #11397126 · source
12. Filed Feb 13, 202110,000 miMDAirbagsElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

    Transmission on nissan are easily damaged my car start but dont drive i just paid my car off in starting to have problems

    NHTSA complaint #11396121 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology