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Inspections & Reports / Nissan Altima / 2013
Model-Year Guide2013 · Nissan Altima

Pre Purchase Inspection for 2013 Nissan Altima

CVT judder and failure, hood latch recall, and oil use. We check the known trouble spots before you pay.

Get this Altima inspectedRequest online ↓

Buying a 2013 Nissan Altima? Smart move to check it first. The engine it has changes what matters most.

Transmission: CVT. First year of this body, and the most recalled. Check the hood latch.

Engines for 2013
  • 2.5L 4-cyl
  • 3.5L V6
Known problem areas — what we check
Costly Safety Common Verify
CVT judder and failureCostly

The CVT can shudder, whine, or slip, and a replacement is a very large bill — often close to the value of the car.

WE CHECK We road test it cold and hot, feel for judder under light throttle, and scan the transmission.

CVT overheat on hillsCostly

The CVT can overheat and go into a reduced-power mode on long grades or in traffic.

WE CHECK We drive it long enough to get heat in it, not just around the block.

Hood latch recallSafety

Some 2013–2015 cars were recalled because the hood could open while driving.

WE CHECK We check the VIN for the recall and test the secondary latch by hand.

Oil consumptionVerify

Some 2.5 engines use more oil than owners expect between changes.

WE CHECK We check the oil level and ask what it takes between services.

Wheel bearings and strutsCommon

Bearings can hum and front struts can knock over bumps.

WE CHECK We listen on the road test and check the front end.

Transmission service historyVerify

CVTs need fluid on time. Most owners never do it.

WE CHECK We ask for records and check the fluid condition.

Before you look at a 2013 Altima
  • Road test the CVT long enough to get it hot
  • Feel for judder at light throttle around 30–45 mph
  • Ask for CVT fluid service records
  • Check the hood latch recall
  • Check oil level and ask about top-offs
Safety record (live from NHTSA)
2013 Nissan Altima · Federal RecordsSource: NHTSA.gov
12
Recalls
2307
Complaints
561
Service Bulletins
Loading the latest federal safety records…
Common service bulletins (TSBs)

A TSB is a note the maker sends to dealers about a known fix. They are not recalls. We check the bulletins so we know what to look for:

Engine & Drivability75

Cold-start noise, drivability, and idle issues for this vehicle. We test for each.

Power Train · Automatic109

Shift quality and transmission fluid updates. We drive every gear.

Electrical & Body377

Locks, wipers, infotainment, and trim items. Small, but good to know.

Counts are pulled from NHTSA's public Manufacturer Communications file. Full bulletins stay with the maker — we use the summaries to guide the inspection.

Common questions
Is the Altima CVT really that bad?
It's the known weak point on these years. A good one is fine; a tired one is a huge bill. That's why we test it hot, not cold.
How much is a CVT replacement?
It's often thousands — sometimes close to what the car is worth. Worth knowing before you pay, not after.
Where do you inspect?
All 48 states.
Do you pull recalls?
Yes, plus service bulletins.
Buying this one?

We'll check it first

Pre-tagged for the 2013 Nissan Altima. One call and a tech is on it.

951-267-8500Call now
Other Altima years
2014 Altima CVT complaints are hea…2015 Altima Last year before the f…2016 Altima Facelifted body and a …2017 Altima SR trim adds a firmer …2018 Altima Last year of this body…

Request a 2013 Altima inspection

Pre-tagged for the 2013 Nissan Altima.

Details

No payment now · We confirm scheduling before any work

Buying a 2013 Altima? Let us check it first.

Engine-specific checks, a live recall pull, and a clear report.

Call 951-267-8500