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, 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?
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 8, 2018
SECURITY PROMPT TO" PRESS BRAKE TO START" IN VECHICLE INFORMATION DISPLAY FAILED CAUSING CONFUSION ON PROPER STARTING PROCEDURE FOR THE VECHICLE. INFORMATION TO START VECHICLE IS BLANK IN THE SCREEN,THIS PROBLEM STARTED WITH EARLY 2007 MODELS AND HAS SHOWED UP IN MY 2012 ALTIMA. THIS VECHICLE IS STORE NORMALLY HAS 32K MILES ON IT AS OF 10/9/2018 AND SHOULDNT HAVE HAD THIS KIND OF FAILURE. WHAT ELSE IS GOING TO FAIL IN THIS INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WHILE DRIVING, IT SAFETY ISSUE. THIS DISPLAY WENT OUT WHEN STOPPED AND TURNED OFF. THIS FAILURE CAUSED LOSS OF WARNING INFORMATION ABOUT THE VECHICLE OPERATION.SEE PHOTOS OF NORMAL OPERATION SUPPLIED BY THIS DISPLAY.
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.
Vehicle speed control, Oct 1, 2018
WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE USING CRUISE CONTROL AT 70MPH. THE RPMS SUDDENLY INCREASED TO AROUND 6,000. AFTER THAT HAPPENED, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD TROUBLE ACCELERATING AND THE RPMS WERE NEVER ABLE TO GET OVER 3,000, EVEN WITH THE GAS PEDAL PRESSED ALL THE WAY. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO GET ANY ACCELERATION AND THE CAR WOULD MAKE A WHINING NOISE WHENEVER PRESSING ON THE GAS.
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 !
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Sep 6, 2018
THE TRACTION(SLIP) SYMBOL HAS BEEN ON FOR MONTHS CAUSING MY BRAKES TO SQUEAL REGARDLESS OF BEING ON THE BRAKES. TRANSMISSION HAS STARTED KICKING INTO LOWER GEARS WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE SPEED.
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
Structure, Aug 16, 2018
ALL 4 OF MY DOOR ACTUATORS ARE SUDDENLY NOT WORKING. THIS IS SAFETY HAZARD. NISSAN NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE WITH A POSSIBLE RECALL. ALL 4 SHOULD NOT GO BAD AT ONCE.
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.
Engine, Jul 12, 2018
CVT BROKE DOWN- WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. RPMS LOCKED APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM IN MAJORITY OF NISSAN ALTIMA 2011-2012 MODELS. RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR PRE2010 MODELS FOR THE SAME THING BUT NOTHING WAS DONE FOR 2011-2012 MODELS, WHICH IS THE ONE I HAVE.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 11, 2018
CVT TRANSMISSION HAS WENT OUT. I WAS DIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR SLOWED DOWN AND WOULDN'T GO PAST 20 MPH. NISSAN STATED THAT TRANSMISSION IS GONE AND A NEW ONE IS NEEDED. $4000. SAME THING HAPPENED TO MY PREVIOUS CAR. 2010 NISSAN 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.
Air bags, Structure, Jun 30, 2018
FLASHING SEATBELT SIGN RELATING TO PASSENGER SIDE. ALSO WHEN IT RAINS BOTH FRONT AND BACK DOORS ARE FILL WITH WATER. WHEN DRIVING WATER CAN BE HEARD SWOOSHING. AFTERWARD TO RELIEVE THE NOISE, I HAVE TO PICK UP THE RUBBER AT THE BASE OF THE DOORS AND WATER WILL RAN OUT.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jun 24, 2018
THE DASH IS MELTING CREATING A SHINY RESIDUE COVERING THE DASH. WHEN THE SUN OR BRIGHT LIGHTS GUYS AT NIGHT IS SHINING THE SHINY DASH REFLECTS ON THE WINDSHIELD CREATING A GLARE THAT OBSTRUCTS YOUR VISION WHILE DRIVING OR TURNING ON ANY HIGHWAY OR ROAD. THE SERVICE DEPT AT MY LOCAL DEALER TOOK PHOTOS AND SENT IT TO NISSAN ABOUT 18 MONTHS AGO AND I HAVE HEARD NOTHING. IT IS GETTING SO BADD THAT WHILE DRIVING IT HAS STARTED OBSTRUCTING THE VISION OF THE ROADWAY.