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Nissan · Known Issues

2023 Nissan Altima Problems: 4 Known Issues

2023 model year · 4,920+ owner reports · Updated September 2026

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Issue summary

According to Au7o's analysis of 4,920+ owner reports, the 2023 Nissan Altima has 4 documented known issues, with 2 rated critical. The most serious are CVT Transmission Failure/Shudder ($300-$5,000 repair) and Forward Emergency Braking (FEB/AEB) Phantom Braking — System Brakes Hard With No Obstacle ($0-$600 repair). The most commonly reported issue is CVT Transmission Failure/Shudder with 4,500 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $300 to $5,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.

In This Article

  • Altima Transmission1
  • Altima Safety/Recalls1
  • Altima Electrical1
  • Altima Exterior1
  • Recalls10
  • FAQ
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In This Article

  • Transmission1
  • Safety/Recalls1
  • Electrical1
  • Exterior1
  • Recalls10

All 4 Known Issues

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Community reported
4,500 owners

On the 2013-2023 Nissan Altima, the CVT transmission is known for reliability issues including shuddering, jerking, and complete failure. Nissan extended the CVT warranty on some model years to 10 years/120,000 miles due to widespread problems. High-mileage CVTs are particularly at risk.

This issue also affects: Infiniti QX55, Infiniti QX60, Nissan Armada

Common Symptoms

  • Shuddering during acceleration
  • Jerky or hesitant response
  • Delayed engagement from stop
  • Whining noise from transmission
  • Complete loss of power
  • Check engine light

How to Fix

Change CVT fluid regularly with Nissan NS-3. Check if vehicle is covered by Nissan extended CVT warranty. If shuddering, may need valve body or complete CVT replacement. Avoid aggressive driving to prolong CVT life.

What you need to fix it

Only diagnosis- and fitment-reviewed repair parts are linked here.

  • OEM 2013-2018 Altima 2.5L CVT service kit

    2013-2018 Nissan Altima 2.5L QR25DE CVT; select exact year. Maintenance/contamination service only, not a cure for internal CVT damage.

    Z1 Motorsports
  • OEM 2013-2018 Altima 3.5L CVT service kit

    Service cannot repair confirmed mechanical judder or belt/pulley damage.

    Z1 Motorsports
  • OEM 2019-2023 Altima 2.5L CVT service kit

    Confirm year, drivetrain and VIN.

    Z1 Motorsports
  • OEM 2019-2023 Altima 2.0T CVT service kit

    2019-2023 Nissan Altima 2.0T KR20DDET CVT for this card; verify exact year/VIN. Not for the 2.5L engine.

    Z1 Motorsports

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases; other part links may also earn au7o a commission. Confirm fitment by VIN before buying.

Owner tips & cautions

  • TipChange CVT fluid regularly with Nissan NS-3.
  • WarningThis is a high-severity issue - ignoring it can lead to costly repairs or safety concerns. Address it promptly.
  • TipGet a proper diagnosis before replacing parts - similar symptoms can have different causes
Typical repair cost:$300 - $5,000

Research This Issue

Based on 4,500 owner reports

GoogleRedditYouTubeNHTSA
Community Reported
High Confidence4,500 owner reportsLast reported by owners Feb 2024Reviewed Feb 2026

On the 2019-2023 Nissan Altima, altimas equipped with Nissan's standard Forward Emergency Braking / Automatic Emergency Braking (part of the Safety Shield 360 / Forward Collision suite) are widely reported to activate suddenly when no collision is imminent — so-called 'phantom braking.' Owners and NHTSA complaints describe the brakes locking up or slamming on while crossing railroad tracks, on bridges, approaching parking-garage ramps, at intersections, and at highway speed (e.g., a 2019 Altima owner reporting random activation), creating rear-end and loss-of-control collision risk. The defect is the subject of multiple class-action lawsuits naming the Altima (model years 2015 and newer) alleging the AEB/FEB system was 'not road ready.' NHTSA's related Nissan AEB probe found hundreds of complaints and several crashes.

Common Symptoms

  • Sudden hard braking with no obstacle present
  • Brakes lock up on railroad tracks, bridges, or ramps
  • Unexpected deceleration at highway speed
  • Forward emergency braking / collision warning false alerts

How to Fix

Dealers may apply ADAS/forward-camera software updates or recalibrate the front radar/camera; persistent cases may require sensor or module replacement. Keeping the windshield, front camera, and grille radar area clean and free of obstructions can reduce false triggers. The system can be temporarily disabled via the vehicle settings, but it re-enables on each restart. Owners experiencing repeated phantom braking should file an NHTSA complaint and document incidents.

Typical repair cost:$0 - $600

Research This Issue

GoogleRedditYouTubeNHTSA
Community Reported
High ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Jun 2026
Community reported
420 owners

On the 2019-2023 Nissan Altima, the infotainment system can experience freezing, lag, and connectivity issues. Bluetooth pairing problems and CarPlay/Android Auto disconnections are common. The touchscreen may become unresponsive.

This issue also affects: Nissan Rogue

Common Symptoms

  • Screen freezes
  • Bluetooth disconnects
  • CarPlay/Android Auto issues
  • Touchscreen lag
  • Random reboots

How to Fix

Update infotainment software. Perform system reset by holding power button. Delete paired devices and re-pair. If persistent, head unit may need replacement. Check for Nissan service bulletins.

Owner tips & cautions

  • TipGet a proper diagnosis before replacing parts - similar symptoms can have different causes
  • TipSearch Nissan Altima forums and owner groups for real-world experiences and DIY guides
  • TipGet multiple quotes from independent mechanics - dealer prices can be 2-3x higher for the same repair
Typical repair cost:$0 - $800

Research This Issue

Based on 420 owner reports

GoogleRedditYouTubeNHTSA
Community Reported
High Confidence420 owner reportsLast reported by owners Feb 2024Reviewed Feb 2026

On the 2013-2023 Nissan Altima, owners report widespread clearcoat/paint peeling and flaking, with the hood and roof typically the worst-affected horizontal panels, sometimes coming off in large jagged strips. A class-action lawsuit (filed Nov 2023) alleges a defective/insufficient primer on 2017-present Nissan vehicles, claiming some colors received less primer and paint, so the finish peels in roughly half the 10-15 years a factory paint job should last. Numerous earlier 2013-2016 complaints exist on CarComplaints. Nissan recalled/addressed paint on some Rogue and Infiniti models but not the Altima, which has frustrated owners.

This issue also affects: Nissan Rogue, Nissan Sentra

Common Symptoms

  • Clearcoat peeling/flaking on hood and roof
  • Paint coming off in strips, sometimes after washing/waxing
  • Dull, chalky, or primer-exposed patches
  • Chipping on bumpers and edges

How to Fix

There is no Altima recall, so repair is typically a body-shop respray of the affected panels (and ideally the full roof/hood) down to good primer; cost depends on panel count. Owners may pursue goodwill assistance through Nissan or join the pending paint class action. Document early with photos. Panel repaint commonly runs a few hundred dollars per panel up to several thousand for multiple panels.

Typical repair cost:$300 - $3,000

Research This Issue

GoogleRedditYouTubeNHTSA
Community Reported
Medium ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Jun 2026
NHTSA Recalls10 recalls

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Altima and 2020-2021 Sentra vehicles. Damage to the camera harness can cause distortion or loss of the rearview camera display image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Campaign #23V62800008/09/2023

TIRES

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Altima and 2018-2021 Titan vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.

Campaign #21V16900011/03/2021

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Nissan Altima vehicles. The tie rod ball joint fastener was not tightened properly, which could result in the tie rod ball joint detaching from the steering knuckle.

Campaign #21V13800004/03/2021
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Other Nissan Models

Nissan Rogue46Nissan Sentra32Nissan Frontier30Nissan Pathfinder24Nissan Murano22Nissan Maxima18

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Nissan Altima problems?

According to Au7o's analysis of 4,920+ owner reports, the 2023 Nissan Altima has 4 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: CVT Transmission Failure/Shudder, Forward Emergency Braking (FEB/AEB) Phantom Braking — System Brakes Hard With No Obstacle, Infotainment System Glitches. Of these, 2 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the Nissan Altima reliable?

The 2023 Nissan Altima has 4 known issues documented across 4,920+ owner reports. 2 issues are rated critical: CVT Transmission Failure/Shudder and Forward Emergency Braking (FEB/AEB) Phantom Braking — System Brakes Hard With No Obstacle. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

How much does it cost to fix common Nissan Altima problems?

Repair costs for known Nissan Altima issues range from $0 to $5,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, CVT Transmission Failure/Shudder, typically costs $300-$5,000 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

What is the 2013-2023 Nissan Altima CVT Transmission Failure/Shudder?

The CVT transmission is known for reliability issues including shuddering, jerking, and complete failure. Nissan extended the CVT warranty on some model years to 10 years/120,000 miles due to widespread problems. High-mileage CVTs are particularly at risk. Repairs typically run $300-$5,000. Severity: high.

What is the 2019-2023 Nissan Altima Forward Emergency Braking (FEB/AEB) Phantom Braking — System Brakes Hard With No Obstacle?

Altimas equipped with Nissan's standard Forward Emergency Braking / Automatic Emergency Braking (part of the Safety Shield 360 / Forward Collision suite) are widely reported to activate suddenly when no collision is imminent — so-called 'phantom braking.' Owners and NHTSA complai… Repairs typically run $0-$600. Severity: high.

Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.

Data sourced from 4,920+ owner reports, NHTSA recalls, TSBs, and automotive forums.

FAQ

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Altima, Maxima and Leaf vehicles. The rear window glass may not remain properly secured to the vehicle.

Campaign #20V57000022/09/2020

TIRES

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Altima S grade vehicles equipped with Continental ProContact TX tires, size 215/60 R16 H, with TIN date code 3320 and Mold ID S-419149. The tires may have been over cured.

Campaign #20V68500005/11/2020

+ 5 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov

Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check recalls specific to your vehicle.

What is the 2019-2023 Nissan Altima Infotainment System Glitches?

The infotainment system can experience freezing, lag, and connectivity issues. Bluetooth pairing problems and CarPlay/Android Auto disconnections are common. The touchscreen may become unresponsive. Repairs typically run $0-$800. Severity: low.

What is the 2013-2023 Nissan Altima Defective Paint Primer Causing Clearcoat Peeling and Flaking (Class-Action Alleged)?

Owners report widespread clearcoat/paint peeling and flaking, with the hood and roof typically the worst-affected horizontal panels, sometimes coming off in large jagged strips. A class-action lawsuit (filed Nov 2023) alleges a defective/insufficient primer on 2017-present Nissan… Repairs typically run $300-$3,000. Severity: low.