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2013 Nissan Altima

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2013 Altima.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2013 Nissan Altima is a passenger car built on Nissan's proven midsize platform, equipped with a powertrain that requires 4.9 quarts of 5W-30 API-grade motor oil for proper maintenance. This model year recorded 2,304 owner complaints—the highest in the Altima's complaint history spanning from 1993 to 2025—with exterior lighting issues representing the most frequently cited problem area, while the vehicle was also subject to 12 recalls during its production cycle. The combination of elevated consumer complaints and a substantial recall count positions the 2013 Altima as a notably problematic year within the model's reliability trajectory, suggesting that prospective owners or researchers should exercise particular scrutiny when evaluating this specific model year relative to other iterations.

Model year2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2013

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.9 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque72-87 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 550 CCA battery, OE oil filter 1520865F0E. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 550 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP215-60R16OEM · verified

Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	1520865F0E
Engine air filter	165460Z000 alt 165463TA0J
Spark plug	22401EW61C alt 224013TA1B
Battery	244103JA2A alt 24410JA10A
Front wiper blades	288903TA1B alt 288903TA0D
Serpentine belt	117206TA0A alt 117203TA0C
Thermostat	21200EA000 alt 212306N20A
Cabin air filter	272773JC1C

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	191.7 in
Overall width	72 in
Overall height	57.9 in
Wheelbase	109.4 in
Curb weight	3131 lb
Track (front / rear)	62.6 / 62.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	60/40

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Altima of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.1–7.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.10 sec — 2013 3.5 SV

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2013	3.5 SV 3.5L V6	6.10 sec	14.60 sec	270 hp	FWD
2013	2.5 SL 2.5L I-4	7.40 sec	15.70 sec	182 hp	FWD
2013	2.5 SV 2.5L I-4	7.60 sec	16.00 sec	182 hp	FWD
2013	2.5 SL 2.5L I-4	7.70 sec	16.10 sec	182 hp	FWD
2013	2.5 SL 2.5L I-4	7.70 sec	15.90 sec	182 hp	FWD
2013	2.5 SV 2.5L I-4	7.70 sec	15.90 sec	182 hp	FWD
2013	2.5 SL 2.5L I-4	7.90 sec	16.10 sec	182 hp	FWD
2016	2.5 SV 2.5L I-4	7.80 sec	16.00 sec	182 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.9 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, ATF in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 72-87 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 22.0-26.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Differential Gear Oil	ATF
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	0 Pints
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.9 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	5.1 qt

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts	65 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	31 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	23 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	22.0-26.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	5 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	5 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts

72-87 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	50 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance	Except 0 or Between terminals 1 and 2 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	Except 0 Between terminals 1 and 3

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.10-1.70 lbs
Oil Type	NISSAN A/C System Oil Type S or equivalent
Oil Capacity	5.00-5.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	550 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	550 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	Coupe, 18-22 psi; Sedan, 17-20 psi.
Thermostat Opening Temperature	177-182 °F
Injector Primary Resistance	11.1-14.3 Coupe ohms
Injector Primary Resistance	11.1-14.5 ohms
Engine Oil Pressure	43 psi @ 2000 rpm, 57 psi @ 57 rpm psi
Engine Oil Pressure	43 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM	2000 rpm

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	32 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	62 ft-lbs
Brake Application	WITH FN3 (16 inch) CALIPER PR NOS. 1LH/1ZG
Torque Caliper to Bracket	20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	107 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.039 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages

1.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 4.3 ft. lbs., Step 3: 7.0

1.4 ft. lbs

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages

1.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 4.3 ft. lbs., Step 3: 7.0

1.4 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

22 ft. lbs., Step 2: Back off 360 degrees, Step 3: 14 ft. lbs., Step 4: 90

22 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

14-15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 95

14–15 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

31 ft. lbs., step 2: 60

31 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

32 ft. lbs., step 2: 84-90

32 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages

1	37 ft. lbs.	37 ft. lbs
2	60 degrees	60 degrees
3	completely loosen bolts in reverse order
4	29 ft. lbs.	29 ft. lbs
5	75 degrees	75 degrees
6	75 degrees; Check diameter of bolts at two points, 12 mm and 55 mm from the end. Whenever the difference between these two points exceeds the limit of 0.23 mm, replace bolts. Apply new engine oil to threads and seating surface of mounting bolts.	75 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

1	72 ft. lbs.	72 ft. lbs
2	loosen all bolts in reverse order
3	29 ft. lbs.	29 ft. lbs
4	103 degrees	103 degrees
5	103 degrees; Check diameter of bolts at two points, 11 mm and 48 mm from the end. Whenever the difference between these two points exceeds the limit of 0.11 mm, replace bolts.	103 degrees

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

bolts 1-6 upper intake bolts sedan model

18 ft. lbs

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

Bolts 1-10

29 ft. lbs

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

24-28 ft. lbs., Step 2: 95

24–28 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant at 105,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 105,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 mi	Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Drive Belt (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
At 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 105,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 180,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2013 Nissan Altima is a dramatic outlier in the federal record, with 2,304 complaints—more than five times the 423 logged for 2012 and the highest complaint total of any year in the dataset. Its 12 recalls tie 2002 for the generation’s peak, and its 5 investigations represent a sharp increase from the single investigation in 2012. The leading complaint categories were Exterior Lighting (388), Air Bags (372), Power Train (364), and Suspension (214), though the data does not specify root causes. Relative to the surrounding years, 2013 sits at the crest of a trouble arc: activity dropped to 1,110 complaints and 8 recalls in 2014, then continued declining through 2015 and beyond. The year also produced 63 crash-related complaints and 9 fire complaints, indicating elevated safety-related reporting. Given its record-high complaints, recall count, and investigation activity, the 2013 Altima is not a good year to buy compared with the models immediately before and after it.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

369

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

2,304

Owner complaints

63 involved a crash · 9 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12’13’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 2,304 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Exterior Lighting388

Air Bags372

Power Train364

Suspension214

Unknown Or Other143

Structure79

Latches/Locks/Linkages51

Engine44

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 12 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

15V681000Air Bags:FrontalReported 20/10/2015

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Altima and Pathfinder vehicles, 2013-2014 Nissan Sentra vehicles, 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles, 2014-2015 Infiniti QX60 vehicles and 2014… Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on November 30, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

16V911000Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant ClassificationReported 19/12/2016

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Altima vehicles manufactured January 3, 2013, to July 29, 2013, 2015-2016 Rogue vehicles manufactured October 14, 2014, to August 12, 2016… Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ECU and update the OCS software free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 369 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
NTB09-131C	2026-04-13	Structure	CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB09-131C	2026-04-13	Structure	CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB12-103I	2024-06-06	Power Train	CVT/TCM CALIBRATION DATA “WRITE” PROCEDURE This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT…
NTB13-107G	2024-05-20	Electrical System	VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been…
NTB13-027D	2024-05-20	Electrical System	CAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Altima. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 35 battery Vehicles taking 4.9 qt Engine oil filter 1520865F0E Engine air filter 165460Z000 Spark plug 22401EW61C Battery 244103JA2A

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2013 Altima take?

4.9 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2013 Altima have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 12 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.