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
426 reports, newest first.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Mar 30, 2019
18HOZ-1DIAG C CHECK & DIAGNOS (TECH 561) COMPLAINT: SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS ON ALSO C/S THEY WERE DRIVING ON FREEWAY IN TRAFFIC WHILE RPMS WERE AROUND LOW 1,OOO VEHICLE WOULD BUCK FROM SLOW SPEEDS TRYING TO ACCELERATE ALSO WHEN VEHICLE WAS ON A HILL AT A STOP VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS ONCE VEHICLE GAINED MOMENTUM VEHICLE STARTED MOVING PLEASE CHECK AND ADVISE. CAUSE: VERIFIED CUSTOMERS CONCERN. "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED. CHECKED FOR DTCS AND FOUND MULTIPLE DTCS (DTC WRITTEN ON RO). CLEARED DTCS AND NONE RETURNED AFTER TEST DRIVE. VEHICLE DID FEEL A BIT SLUGGISH ON FIRST TEST DRIVE. CHECKED FLUID LEVELS AND FOUND OIL LEVEL A BIT LOW. ALSO NOTICED DRIVES FLOOR MAT TUCKED UNDER GAS PEDAL. REMOVED FLOOR MAT AND TEST DROVE AGAIN. VEHICLES ACCELERATION FEELS NORMAL. WENT TO STEEP HILL TO DUPLICATE CUSTOMERS CONCERN. COULD NOT VERIFY CUSTOMERS CONCERN. AGAIN, CORRECTION: REPLACED BOTH CAM POSITION SENSORS AS WELL AS THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR. CLEARED ALL DTCS AND TEST DROVE VEHICLE NO DTCS RETURNED. VEHICLE DRIVES FINE WITH NO ISSUES.
Other or unspecified, Mar 19, 2019
MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AND I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND THEY SAID IT IS GONNA COST 3,400 TO FIX IT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION I WAS COMING HOME FROM WORK AND AND THE TRANSMISSION JUST STOPED WORKING BEARELY MADE IT HOME
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Mar 14, 2019
MY VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING WILL NOT THROTTLE CORRECTLY SO I HAVE TO PULL OVER ON THE ROAD AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND THAN TURN IT BACK ON. AFTER TURNING THE CAR BACK ON I WOULD RUB THE ENGINE TO MAKE SURE IT WOULD THROTTLE PASS 3. LATELY THOUGH MY CAR HAS BEEN TURNING OFF WHILE DRIVING WHICH IS A BIG SAFETY FOR MY SELF AND OTHER DRIVERS. BECAUSE I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OF AND ON QUICKLY ESPECIALLY IF IM ON THE FREEWAY.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 12, 2019
THE VEHICLES ENGINE IS BURNING OIL VERY RAPIDLY AND WHEN I SPOKE WITH SEVERAL MECHANICS TO GET A OTHER OPINIONS, AND I WAS TOLD IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE DASHBOARD IS ALSO VERY STICKY AND IS MELTING WAS TOLD THAT THAT HAPPENS TO THE VEHICLES AS WELL.
Engine, Feb 12, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO SAFE MODE AND LOST POWER. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE LACKED THE FAN TO COOL THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO OVERHEAT. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
Power train, Feb 8, 2019
TAKATA RECALL MY 2012 ALTIMA HAS BEEN HAVING SOME SHIFTING ISSUES WHILE I AM DRIVING. MIND YOU THIS CALL HAS 58,000 MILES ON IT (YES 2012 WITH 58,000). IT IS OVER THE 5 YEAR POWER TRAIN WARRANTY BUT UNDER THE MILEAGE. NISSAN DOES NOT CARE. THERE SHOULD BE ZERO REASONS WHY A CAR WITH LESS THAN 60,000 MILES SHOULD BE HAVING ANY TYPE OF TRANSMISSION ISSUES. NISSAN NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.
Suspension, Jan 25, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING OVER 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY UNSTABLE AND SWAYED TO THE RIGHT AND LEFT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER (MOUNTAIN VIEW NISSAN, 2100 MARKET ST, CHATTANOOGA, TN) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000.
Exterior lighting, Jan 25, 2019
THE LED HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH FOR NIGHT DRIVING OR DRIVING IN THE RAIN. IT OCCURES WILL IN MOTION AND AT A STANDSTILL
Power train, Jan 24, 2019
DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AND THEN NO ACCELERATION W A HIGH PITCH SOUND...CAN ONLY DRIVE IT 20 MPH IF AT ALL..HAD IT TOWED AND A MECHANIC SAID IT IS MY TRANSMISSION..AS I AM RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM I AM FINDING A LOT OF COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR AND NISSAN HAS TO KNOW THEY HAVE A DESIGN ISSUE OR PROBLEM
Power train, Jan 23, 2019
I PURCHASED THE 2012 NISSAN IN 2015 WITH ONLY 22,000 AND SOMETHING MILES. ONCE THE CAR GOT TO ABOUT 76,000 SOMETHING MILES A WHINING NOISE STARTED. SO NOW WITH THE CAR AT ONLY 83,074 MILES THE TRANSMISSION ISN'T GETTING ANY POWER. SO I TURN TO READ REVIEWS AND TALK TO PEOPLE ONLY TO FIND OUT THE CVT'S AREN'T WORTH ANYTHING AND TO GET THEM REPLACED THE PRICE IS RIDICULOUS AND I CAN'T AFFORD IT. BUT YOU WOULD THINK WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT NISSAN WOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. I WOULD NOT TELL ANYONE TO PURCHASE A NISSAN EVER. ALSO WHEN THE WHINING WOULD TAKE PLACE THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN ON CITY STREETS OR MAJOR HIGHWAYS
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.
Structure, Jan 16, 2019
MY DASHBOARD APPEARS TO BE MELTING AND IS STICKY TO THE TOUCH. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN THEY SHOW NO CONCERN AS TO THE DASH BOARD MELTING OR ANY RESOLVE TO REMEDY THE ISSUE. IT CAUSES A BAD GLARE ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING INTO THE SUNLIGHT. I FEEL THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN MATERIALS.
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.
Air bags, Jan 1, 2019
FLASHING SEAT BELT SIGN RELATING TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG KEEPS BLINKING AND NO ONE SITS IN THE SEAT. WILL THE AIRBAG ACTUALLY WORK IF IN A ACCIDENT? WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL ON THIS AIR BAG SENSOR?
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
Air bags, Dec 6, 2018
MY AIR BAG LIGHT ISFLASHING, WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID NISSAN SHOULD HAVE PAY FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE AIR BAG SHOULD NOT GIVE ANY PROBLEM UNLESS THE CAR INVOLVE IN AN ACCIDENT. I DECIDE TO FILE A COMPLAINT, MAYBE THERE'S OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA
Other or unspecified, Dec 3, 2018
ONE 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS MY VEHICLE HAS COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE FIRST TIME WAS WHILE I WAS SITTING A RED, THE SECOND TIME I WAS ACTUALLY DRIVING THROUGH TRAFFIC AND THE CAR LOST ALL POWER I WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED IT TOOK ABOUT A HOUR BEFORE THE CAR WOULD START AGAIN, LUCKILY THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR WITHIN A FEW MINUTES. I HAVE READ A FEW STORIES AND COMPLAINTS ON CAR GURUS THAT OTHER NISSAN OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH THEIR VEHICLE. I TRULY FEEL UNSAFE IN THIS VEHICLE AND THIS MATTER NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO IMMEDIATELY BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED. IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME.
Engine, Nov 17, 2018
THERE IS A CVT AND CVT COOLANT ISSUE IN THIS MAKE MODEL AND YEAR AND THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE OF PRIOR YEARS WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND NISSAN WILL NOT REPLACE IT. IT MAKES THE CAR SLUGGISH AND GO VERY SLOW UPHILL. IT IS NOT A DEFECTIVE CVT BUT THE CVT IN THE ORIGINAL MODEL. WE BOUGHT THIS CAR USED SO WE MAY HAVE GONE TO TRY TO GET THE RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE EARLIER BUT NISSAN IS SAYING THEY WON'T HONOR THE RECALL NOW BECAUSE IT HAS EXPIRED.
Engine, Nov 7, 2018
WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT IT I HEARD A WHISTLING SOUND AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NOTHING. I TRAVEL A LOT AND WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE I WENT FROM GOING 75 MPH TO 30 AND IT WOULDN'T ACCELERATE. I WOULD PULL OVER AND WAIT ABOUT 10 MINUTES UNTIL I COULD ACCELERATE. INITIALLY I THOUGHT IT WAS THE FUEL LINE SO I PUT FUEL INJECTOR IN IT AND IT A COUPLE DAYS LATER IT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME AT LEAST 5 TIMES. I CAN'T EVEN DRIVE IT ON THE INTERSTATE. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE MULTIPLE MECHANICS I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION AND IT WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED.
Tires, Oct 31, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA EQUIPPED WITH SUMITOMO TOURING LST TIRES, TIRE SIZE: 215/60R16, AND UNKNOWN DOT NUMBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE STARTED VIBRATING UNCONTROLLABLY. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TIRE WAS BULGED AND THEN EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.
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.
Other or unspecified, Oct 20, 2018
2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. CVT TRANSMISSION. CAR LOST POWER AND COULDN'T DRIVE OVER 50 MPH. A WEEK LATER, CAR WON'T EVEN ACCELERATE. 107,000 MILES CURRENTLY ON VEHICLE. CURRENTLY WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET WHEN IT LOST TOTAL POWER. NO ACCELERATION IN REVERSE OR IN DRIVE.