2012 Nissan Altima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 426 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 12th highest complaint count among 26 Altima model years with reports.
Of the 2012 reports, 24 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 26 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
SteeringOct 10, 2012
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Altima vehicles manufactured from May 10, 2012, through July 26, 2012. These vehicles may have been equipped with transverse link bolts and power steering rack bolts that were not torqued to proper specification.
The affected bolts could become loose and fall out which may lead to a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the bolts to the proper torque specifications. The safety recall is expected to begin during November 2012. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 12V494000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, side/windowFeb 14, 2012
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 ALTIMA AND VERSA VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS THAT CONTAIN AN INCORRECT PROPELLANT MIXTURE FOR THE INITIATOR COMPONENT USED, RESULTING IN INSUFFICIENT OUTPUT OF COMPRESSED GAS.
THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ONE OR BOTH SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG MODULES, AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 12, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 615-725-1000.
Campaign 12V055000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, sensor/control module-inactiveAug 9, 2011
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 15, 2011, THROUGH JUNE 21, 2011 AND MODEL YEAR 2012 NISSAN NV VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 23, 2011, THROUGH JUNE 28, 2011 BECAUSE THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT (ACU) WAS ASSEMBLED INCORRECTLY.
THE AFFECTED ACU WILL NOT OPERATE AS DESIGNED AND THIS ISSUE MAY CAUSE THE AIR BAGS NOT TO INFLATE IN A CRASH WHEN THEY ARE DESIGNED TO INFLATE. THIS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY.
NISSAN WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 22, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 11V408000 on NHTSA.gov
SuspensionJul 19, 2011
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 NISSAN ALTIMA SEDAN VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 25, 2011, THROUGH JUNE 10, 2011 AT THE CANTON, MISSISSIPPI PLANT. THE TRANSVERSE LINK BOLT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TORQUED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE BOLT TO BECOME LOOSE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, CREATING A RATTLING NOISE AND VIBRATION.
IF THE BOLT COMES OUT COMPLETELY, THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
NISSAN WILL REPLACE THE TRANSVERSE LINK BOLTS AND NUTS AND TIGHTEN THEM TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATION FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 8, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 11V371000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: power train
149 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Jan 21, 2019
THE VEHICLE CVT TRANSMISSION JUST STOPPED GOING FORWARD AND REVERSE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED ACCORDING TO THE VEHICLE MAINTANCE RECOMMENDATIONS.
Power train, Jan 13, 2019
I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA WENT TO MY MECHANIC AND GAVE ME A CODE OF P1778, HE TOLD ME NISSAN TRANSMISSIONS HAVE A SPECIFIC PROBLEM WITH THEIR STEP MOTORS AND THAT NISSAN IS SUPPOSED TO FIX THEM FOR FREE. I CALLED NISSAN AND THEY ARE REFUSING TO FIX IT WHEN THEY KNOW THEIR TRANSMISSIONS ARE NOT GOOD BECAUSE THEY'RE A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND MY VEHICLE STARTED SLOWING DOWN IT STARTED LOSING SPEED THAT IS WHEN I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC, HAPPEN O THE HIGHWAY.
Power train, Dec 26, 2018
WHILE DRIVING, EITHER WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL OR WITHOUT, THE ENGINE RPMS WILL QUICKLY BOUNCE BETWEEN HIGH RPMS AND LOW RPMS THOUGH THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE DOES NOT CHANGE AT ALL. THE ENGINE IS REVVING FASTER, BUT THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE ENGAGED. THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY.
Power train, Dec 26, 2018
WHILE DRIVING, OR WANTING TO DRIVE AFTER COMING TO A STOP, THE ENGINE RPMS WILL INCREASE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED (UP TO RED LINE), BUT THE CAR TRANSMISSION DOES NOT RESPOND UNTIL, SUDDENLY, THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD. THIS CAN HAPPEN FROM A COLD START, AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, AFTER A QUICK STOP AT A BUSINESS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STILL WARM, ETC.
Power train, Dec 18, 2018
CVT TRANSMISSION WAS BUILT POORLY, THE TRANSMISSION IS SLOWLY DESTROYING ITSELF CAUSING A LOSS OF POWER, HIGH PITCHED WHINING NOISE AND EVENTUALLY FAIL. THE DATE I SELECTED FOR WHEN IT HAPPENED IS THE DATE I NOTICED THE ISSUE ON MY VEHICLE.
Power train, Dec 17, 2018
NO FORVER GEAR OR REVERSE GEAR AT ALL .AND HAVE ALOT OF CODE 720 1723 1778 0868 0715 1722 0746 0826 1701
Power train, Oct 28, 2018
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY FOR MORE THAN 1.5 HOURS THE CAR SUDDENLY LOSES POWER AND SLOWS DOWN TO 45MPH OR LESS OR NOW POWER AT ALL. BECAUSE THE CVT OVERHEATS AND SHUTS DOWN. A NISSAN DEALERSHIP INSPECTED IT AND SAID WE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION.
Power train, Oct 17, 2018
THE TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT AT 115,000 MILES, JUST BELOW OF THE CUTOFF FOR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY OF THE 2010 ALTIMAS. THE SAME TRANSMISSION RESIDES IN BOTH OF THESE CARS, WHY IS ONE COVERED BY AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND THE OTHER NOT?
Power train, Oct 7, 2018
MY SON'S 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS 99,500 MILES. THE CVT HAS BEEN ACTING UP MULTIPLE TIMES THIS YEAR. IT HAS GONE INTO THE FAIL-SAFE MODE AT LEAST FOUR TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY, CREATING AN UNSAFE AND HAZARDOUS CONDITION. WE'VE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TWICE TO THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALER AND WERE TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD NOT EMITTED FAULTS. THIS IS ISSUE SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THERE'S OBVIOUSLY AN ISSUE THAT IS CAUSING HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 6, 2018
WHEN DRIVING THE CAR FOR A LONG DISTANCE (30 MILES) THERE IS A WHINING SOUND THAT STARTS AND THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE. IF THE CAR IS ALLOWED TO SIT AND COOL DOWN THE WHINING WILL STOP BUT START BACK AS THE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION HEATS UP. DURING THIS PERIOD THE CAR WILL LOOSE POWER AND NOT EXCEED 40 MILES PER HOUR. THIS HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING THROUGHOUT THE CITY AND ON THE HIGHWAY
Power train, Oct 3, 2018
CVT TRANSMISSION CAUSING EXCESSIVE VIBRATIONS. IT SLIPS AND LURCHES CONSTANTLY. IT SHAKES WHEN ACCELERATING UNTIL 20 MPH, AND STARTS AGAIN AT 20-30 MPH. THIS HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING ON ANY ROADS BUT IT IS ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE WHEN DECELERATING WHEN EXITING THE HIGHWAY.
Power train, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Oct 2, 2018
THE MPH WOULD REGISTER AS 60 BUT I KNOW IT WAS ONLY DOING 20. GOING AROUND CURVES IT WAS ACTING LIKE IT WANT TO GO BUT DONT GO FAR. IT WILL START BUT MPH WONT MOVE, AND WONT MOVE FORWARD BUT WILL BACKUP.
Power train, Sep 13, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE SPEED REDUCED TO 50 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO EAST TENNESSEE NISSAN (5496 W ANDREW JOHNSON HWY, MORRISTOWN, TN 37814, 423-799-3561) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 132,000.
Suspension, Power train, Engine, Sep 6, 2018
CVT, THE CAR JERKS, SHUDDERS, STALLS WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS! ENGINE REVS ON ITS OWN, READ ABOUT THE HORRIBLE NISSAN CVT WILL NEVER PURCHASE A NISSAN NOR RECOMMEND TO ANYONE! TURNING IS A NIGHTMARE, DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IS QUITE SCARY. CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE NISSAN DOES NOT CARE! CLASS ACTION SUIT SHOULD BE FILED ASAP THIS IS PEOPLE LIVES YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT !
Power train, Aug 22, 2018
NHTSA TEAM, I AM FILING THIS SAFETY COMPLAINT REGARDING MY DAUGHTERS 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. HER VEHICLE HAS 94,000 MILES ON IT, AND THE CVT IS ACTING UP. THIS YEAR, THE VEHICLE'S CVT HAS GONE INTO THE FAIL-SAFE MODE AT LEAST THREE (3) TIMES WHILE ON INTERSTATE TRIPS. EACH TIME IT WAS DURING HOT WEATHER (SHE LIVES IN SOUTH CAROLINA) AND CAUSED HER TO RUN VERY SLOWLY ON THE INTERSTATE. THIS CREATED AN UNSAFE AND HAZARDOUS CONDITION. THE NISSAN DEALER IS SHARING THAT THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO INSTALL A TRANSMISSION COOLER. I THINK THIS IS MORE OF A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT IS CAUSING HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF NISSAN INTENDS TO CORRECT THIS VIA A RECALL FOR THE 2012 ALTIMA'S CVT. THANK YOU. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Power train, Aug 13, 2018
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY TRANSMISSION MISFIRED- MY VEHICLE LOST POWER AND WENT FLAT AT 60MPH. I WAS NOT ABLE TO ACCELERATE ABOVE 60MPH FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE TRIP AND THE CAR VIBRATED EXCESSIVELY QUITE A BIT.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Aug 11, 2018
COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER CLIMBING A STEEP GRADE UPHILL, ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENT SANDWICHED BETWEEN TWO 18 WHEELERS ALSO GOING UPHILL ONE OF WHICH HAD TO SWERVE SHARPLY TO AVOID HITTING US. CVT TRANSMISSION LIKELY WENT INTO FAIL-SAFE MODE, SAME THING REPEATED MULTIPLE TIMES ON STEEP WINDING CLIMBS ON MOUNTAIN HIGHWAYS. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH ENGINE CUTTING OUT AND LOSS OF POWER. NISSAN HAS ISSUED CVT RECALLS AND EXTENDED WARRANTY ON MODELS UP TO 2010 BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE IN THIS 2012 ALTIMA AND IN MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE CVT ON LATER MODELS. NHTSA SHOULD GET NISSAN TO EXTEND ITS RECALL/WARRANTY TO MODELS AFTER 2010 JUDGING BY THE MANY COMPLAINTS BEING REPORTED ABOUT THE SAME LOSS OF POWER ISSUE WITH THE CVT.
Power train, Aug 8, 2018
INITIALLY EXPERIENCED LOSS OF POWER AROUND 30,000 MILES WHILE GOING 80 MPH ON INTERSTATE. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS THE ONLY OPTION IS TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. TOOK IT TO DEALER BUT THEY COULDN'T REPLICATE OR FIND ANYTHING WRONG. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RANDOMLY LOSE POWER WHILE AT HIGH RATES OF SPEED, AS WELL AS A LOUD WHINING AND HUMMING SOUND. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP 8 DIFFERENT TIMES AND STILL COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING. WAS TOLD IF A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THAT WOULD HELP LOCATE ISSUE. CHECK ENGINE CAME ON DURING LOSS OF POWER ISSUE, AND DEALERSHIP STILL TOLD ME COULDN'T PINPOINT PROBLEM. THE MOST RECENT LOSS OF POWER IN JUNE 2018, I WAS NEARLY STRUCK FROM BEHIND BY A SEMI TRUCK TRAVELLING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED BECAUSE THERE IS NO WARNING FOR THE LOSS OF POWER AND THERE WAS NO WHERE TO PULL OFF TO. STILL AN ONGOING ISSUE, AND NISSAN REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM OR DO ANYTHING TO ASSIST.
Power train, Jul 27, 2018
I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE ENGINE OIL COOLER CHANGE TWICE WITHIN 14 MONTHS OF OTHER. AND THE ENGINE OIL SENSOR.
Power train, Jul 23, 2018
2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CVT TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION WOULD TO SHUDDER AND JERK. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED ASSISTANCE WITH THE VEHICLE REPAIR. *JS
Power train, Jul 17, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LARRY H. MILLER NISSAN HIGHLANDS RANCH (91320 PLUM VALLEY LN, HIGHLANDS RANCH, CO 80129, (720) 907-0718) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO REVERT TO LIMP MODE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A COOLING PUMP NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED TO COOL THE TRANSMISSION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.
Power train, Jul 13, 2018
TRANSMISSION ISSUE WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSION. WHINING WHEN ACCELERATING OR SLOWING DOWN GOING UP A HILL OR GOING DOWN. NISSAN EXTENDED WARRANTIES ON EARLIER MODELS BUT NOT THE 2012 ALTIMA.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Jul 6, 2018
CVT TRANSMISSION ON THE NISSAN ULTIMA 2012 HAS BEEN HAD GIVEN ME A LOT OF PROBLEMS FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS. UPON SEEING REVIEWS ON THE INTERNET IN HEARING A LOT OF COMPLAINTS DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH THE NISSAN BALTIMORE FROME YES BEFORE THE 2012 MODEL UP UNTIL NOW THAT SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM WITH NISSAN DEALERS TO FIX THIS BROW WITH ALL THE ALTER MOST THIS HAVING A STRONG WITH FAULTY EQUIPMENT. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE BY LOSING POWER ESPECIALLY IF YOU ONLY IN A STATE WILL CALL SEVERAL ACCIDENTS DUE TO LOSING POWER TO UPGRADE AND WANTING NOISE IS JUST CREATES A BIG PROBLEM MOON IN A STATE IF YOU DRIVE-IN IN YOUR FEWER IN A MAJOR CITY WITH THE THE VEHICLE SLOWING DOWN WITHOUT YOUR CONTROL.
Power train, Jul 5, 2018
LOSE OF POWER CLIMBING STEEP GRADE AT HI ALTITUDE TRANSMISSION OVER HEATING. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN.
Power train, Engine, Jun 14, 2018
I OWN A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA AND THE CAR WAS RUNNING GOOD UNTILL 70000. AFTER 70K MILE ITS STARTED MAKING TOO MUCH NOISE AND AT 80K MILES ITS LOSING POWER EVEN IF I RUN THE GAS PEDAL ALL THE WAY.THE RPM WILL STATY AT 2500 AT THIS POINT.WHEN I RESEARCHED FOUND OUT THAT THE CVT TRANSMISSIONS HAS DESIGN FALW AND MOST OF THE CVT TRANSMISSION HAS THE SAME ISSUE. I TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN DEALER AND THEY SAID I HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION.I CANT BELIEVE THAT NISSAN CARS LASTS FOR ONLY 70K MILES. THESE PROBLEMS ARE COMING WHEN I AM DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ALL OF A SUDDEN AND ITS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THIS CAR.