Common problems on a 2013–2018 Nissan Altima before you buy

Updated August 14, 2026 · If you're looking at a used Altima from these years, read this first. There's one issue that matters more than all the others combined.

The big one: the CVT transmission

This generation's Altima uses a Jatco continuously variable transmission (CVT), and it's the reason to be careful. Owners widely report shuddering, hesitation, a whining or droning noise, and overheating, sometimes leading to early failure. Nissan repeatedly extended the CVT warranty on these cars, which tells you how common it was. A replacement runs roughly $3,000–$4,000 — enough to erase any deal. The public paper trail backs it up: on NHTSA's complaint database (pulled August 2026), the 2013 Altima alone shows 2,304 owner complaints, 364 of them powertrain — raw complaint volume, not a failure rate, but you can read them yourself at nhtsa.gov.

How to check it before you buy

  • Test-drive at highway speed and steady city speeds — feel for shudder or hesitation, especially once the car is warm.
  • Listen for a whine or drone that rises with speed.
  • Ask for CVT fluid service history — regular fluid changes are a good sign.
  • Run the VIN to see if the transmission or valve body was already replaced, and whether any extended coverage applies.

Everything else

Outside the CVT, it's an ordinary, cheap-to-run midsize sedan. Watch for the usual midsize-sedan items — brakes, suspension bushings, and normal wear — but none of them are dealmakers the way the transmission is. Buy on the CVT's condition, not the price tag.

Check this Altima's history by VIN — free →

VetMyVin's free check decodes the VIN and checks it against open recalls and documented model patterns; the full report ($4.99, no subscription) adds NMVTIS-backed title-brand and odometer records plus the public NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Documented model patterns are general guidance, not a diagnosis of a specific car — always get a pre-purchase inspection.