2013 Nissan Altima — should you buy one?

Why people love the 2013 Nissan Altima

The 2013 Altima's 2.5-liter four-cylinder paired with the Xtronic CVT feels smooth during highway cruising, which is why so many owners kept them past 150k miles. The sedan sits low enough to feel planted but tall enough that a 5'2" driver can see over the hood, and the back seat folds flat for moving a dorm room's worth of furniture. Gas mileage hovers around 32 mpg on the highway when the transmission isn't hunting for gears.

Common complaints and known issues

The Xtronic CVT transmission in 2013 models started showing hesitation and shuddering around 90k–120k miles, a widespread issue that Nissan never fully fixed in this generation. Paint peeling on the hood and roof shows up by 80k miles, especially on black and silver cars parked in sun. Dashboard cracking across the top seam is almost guaranteed by 100k miles; the plastic seems to expand and split like old vinyl.

Typical asking price

Under 80k miles: $10,500–$13,500. 80k–130k: $7,500–$10,500. Over 130k: $5,000–$8,000. CVT history and accident reports swing prices the most; a clean-title car with service records commands $2,000–$3,000 more than one with transmission noise or multiple owners.

Ranges are typical 2026 asking prices, not appraisals. The actual fair offer depends on this specific car's title history, accident record, and open recalls — which is what EstimateProof tells you.