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.
Vehicle speed control, Jun 18, 2018
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE I HAD MY CRUISE ON FOR AROUND 35-40 MINS, GOT OFF MY EXIT AND NOTICED EVEN IF I MASHED MY GAS MY CAR WOULD NOT PICK UP SPEED, I PULLED OVER WHILE COASTING, SHUT IT OFF FOR AROUND 10 MINUTES, TOOK OFF AGAIN AND IT DONE FINE. THIS HAS BECAME A WEEKLY THING . I'VE CALLED WITH QUESTIONS AND NO ONE CAN HELP ME!!!!
Vehicle speed control, Jun 17, 2018
WHEN I TOOK THE CAR UP TO 85 MILES PER HOUR AND I DROP SPEED AND I TRIED TO PICK SPEED BACK UP IT WOULDN'T LET ME GO OVER 40 MILES PER HOUR I HAD TO PULL OVER CUT THE CAR OFF AND THEN STARTED BACK UP AND THEN IT LET ME PROCEED TO GO WHERE I NEED TO GO AND IT ACTED NORMAL THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS IS 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.
Power train, Jun 9, 2018, crash
WHEN I WAS DRIVING THE CVT STARTS MAKING NOISE, THE RPM GO UP TO 6,000 RPM THEN I LOOSE ENGINE POWER SUDDENLY SO THE CAR SPEED STUCK ON 40 MPH SUDDENLY AND DECREASE THE SPEED EVEN WHEN I PRESS THE GAS PEDAL, WHEN I PRESS THE GAS PEDAL IT JUST MAKES NOISE AND INCREASE THE RPM AND THE NOISE BUT THE SPEED DON'T INCREASE, SO A CAR BEHIND ME CRASH TAILGATING MY CAR, I'M NOW WITH SERIOUSLY INJURIES, THE NISSAN CVT IS DEFECTIVE AND DANGEROUS, MY CAR ONLY HAS 96,000 MILES.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jun 8, 2018
MY CAR STARTED MAKING A WHINING NOISE WHILE DRIVING IT. GOING UP THE HILL MY CAR ON A HIGHWAY IN THE DESERT WHEN THE SPEED DECLINED IT'S FROM 70MPH TO 45MPH, WHICH I TRIED TO ACCELERATE AND IT WAS STUCK ON 45MPH, AND ALMOST CAUSED THE CAR BEHIND ME TO CRASH INTO ME WITH MY THREE YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT. A LOT OF COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN MADE AND NOTHING'S HAS BEEN DONE. WHAT DOES IT TAKE A LIFE TO BE TAKEN IN ORDER FOR A RECALL. THE TRANSMISSIONS ON THESE CARS ARE CRAP. EVERY TIME SOMEONE WALKS INTO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SEEM TO BE WELL AWARE BUT NO RECALL HE BEEN DONE.
Seats, Jun 4, 2018
THE DRIVER SEAT DOESNT STAY IN POSITION. IT SITS LOW AND DOESNT STAY LIFTED
Other or unspecified, May 23, 2018
I HAVE A STICKY, SHINY, MELTED, REFLECTIVE DASHBOARD CAUSING A PROBLEM WITH SAFELY OPERATING THE VEHICLE BECAUSE I CANNOT SEE OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD DUE TO THE REFLECTIVE GLARE. THIS IS HAD A GRADUAL ONSET AND IS GRADUALLY WORSENING. NISSAN TOOK RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DEFECT IN 2007-2009 MODELS BUT IN MY CASE NISSAN REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DEFECT IN MY CAR.
Power train, May 9, 2018
O HILLS AND ON WARM DAYS THE CAR LOSSES POWER AND WONT GO OVER 60 MPH THIS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY AND ALMOST CUASED A WRECK. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CODE SAID IT WAS LOW ON FLUID. IT WAS CHECKED AND WAS GOOD.
Power train, May 7, 2018
WHEN DRIVING IN WARM WEATHER FOR 1.5 HOURS OR MORE CVT TRANSMISSION LOSES POWER AND MAKES A WHINING NOISE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE REGARDING THESE TRANSMISSIONS AND NISSAN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON VEHICLES UP TO 2010 BECAUSE OF IT. TRANSMISSION SAYS IT IS OVERHEATING AND PUTS ITSELF INTO "SAFE MODE" THEREBY LOSING ALL POWER AND ABILITY TO ACCELERATE ON HILLS, ETC. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED DUE TO THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND ACCELERATION.
Power train, Apr 30, 2018
CVT TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED. 6 YEARS OLD. LESS THAN 120,000 MILES. STOPPED AT REDLIGHT, COULD NOT PULL OUT OR REVERSE, CAR WOULD ONLY GO 3-5MPH. CAR ENGINE RUNS FINE.
Power train, Apr 26, 2018
DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, TURNING ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND CAR WON'T GO ABOVE 20 MPH AND WHINES TERRIBLY.
Air bags, Apr 16, 2018
TAKATA RECALL - THE LIGHT ON MY AIR BAGS POPS UP RANDOMLY WHEN I DRIVE IT. THERE COULD BE NOTHING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND IT WILL STILL LIGHT UP. I HAVE ASKED THE SERVICE MEN AT THE NISSAN SERVICE IN WOODBRIDGE, VA TO CHECK THIS PROBLEM WHEN I HAVE TAKEN IT IN FOR SERVICING BUT THEY SAID IT WAS NOTHING. THEY WILL NOT FIX IT. I AM A WOMAN AND I DON'T KNOW THESE THINGS UNTIL A "RECALL" IS SENT OUT. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Visibility/wiper, Apr 16, 2018
I HAVE HAD SEVERAL WIPER BLADES ON MY CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT A FEW YEARS AGO. THE LEFT (DRIVER'S SIDE) WIPER BLADE HAS CAME OFF THE WIPER ARM SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING. THE OUTER PART OF THE BLADE JUMPS ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD AS IT WIPES. THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN WIPERS ARE IN USE.
Power train, Apr 11, 2018
THE VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR WITH ITS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
Power train, Apr 10, 2018
IN WARM OR HOT WEATHER, 75 DEGREES F OR ABOVE, THE TRANSMISSION GETS HOT AND FAILS TO PULL. IT GOES INTO SOME TYPE OF MODE THAT SEEMS TO TEMPORARILY RESET THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER ALTIMA OWNERS AND IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. AFTER ABOUT TEN MINUTES OF LETTING THE CAR SIT WITH NOTHING ON. THE CAR WILL CONTINUE FOR A WHILE. IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME APPROXIMATELY TEN TIMES. THE TRIPS THAT IT HAPPENS ON ARE OVER 75-80 MILES. PLEASE REPLY WITH A POSSIBLE REMEDY. THANKS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Power train, Apr 6, 2018
THE CVT TRANSMISSION WILL LOSE POWER WHEN DRIVING OVER AN HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY CAUSING THE CAR TO DROP SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY OUT OF THE BLUE.
Other or unspecified, Mar 28, 2018
CAR DASH COVER MELTING
Power train, Mar 27, 2018
CUT TRANSMISSION SLIPPING CAUSING CAR TO OVER TEN WITH LITTLE TO NO ACCELERATION.
Power train, Mar 21, 2018
I HAVE 135,000 MILES ON MY 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. AND I STARTED HEARING A WHINING NOISE AND ASKED THE DEALERSHIP TO CHECK IT OUT ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO. THEY SAID THAT'S JUST HOW THE ALTIMA SOUNDS. NOW I AM HAVING TO REPLACE A TRANSMISSION THAT'S GOING TO COST ME 4,000.00. I RESEARCHED TRANSMISSION ISSUES ON THE INTERNET AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. GOING UP A HILL THE CAR WOULD WHINE OR WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE. THE CAR STARTED TO JERK UPON PULLING OFF AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE UNTIL I LET OFF THE BRAKE THEN TRIED TO ACCELERATE AGAIN.
Power train, Mar 14, 2018
MY CAR IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. JUST UNDER 7 YEARS OLD AND MY TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING AND RPM 'S WERE HIGH WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY.
Power train, Mar 14, 2018
CVT TRANSMISSION ARE NOT , NOT CARS! THERE WAS A RECALL UP TO 2010, BUT THEY CONTINUED TO MAKE THEM WITH CVT! OFTEN WHEN DRIVING MY CAR IT LOSE ALL ACCELERATION! I WENT TO NISSAN AND THERE WAS NO ISSUE ON THE DIAGNOSTIC TOOL AND THEY SAID THAT DUE TO THIS BEING THE MAIN JOB OF THE CHT, THEY SAID A COOLING KIT CAN BE INSTALLED, WHICH IT WAS. 2 YEARS LATER, MY CAR AGAIN SLIPS INTO NEUTRAL. MY GEAR SHIFT MOVES SOMETIMES AND OTHER TIMES, JUST NO ACCELERATION THIS HAS HAPPENED NOW OVER 10 TIMES IN 2 DAYS!!!!!! BECAUSE THE ISSUE IS NOT SHOWING ON DIAGNOSTIC, THEY WILL NOT LOOK AT THE CARS TRANSMISSION, TRANS FLUID, OR THE GEAR SHIFT. THEY WOULDN'T DO A THING TO MY CAR! THIS IS FORCING ME TO DRIVE WITH UNSAFE CONDITIONS! I AM TAKING INTO A REAL AND HONEST MECHANIC!! NISSAN KNOWS THERE IS AN ISSUE AND THAT MANY DRIVERS ARE DRIVING DANGEROUSLY, AS THEY REFUSE TO DO THE RIGHT THING!!! THERE IS NO DIPSTICK TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION FLUID OR ELSE I WOULD DO IT MYSELF. DO THE RIGHT THING AND SAVE MANY PEOPLE FROM GETTING INTO ACCIDENTS AND POTENTIALLY LOSING THEIR LIVES!!! COMING OFF AN OFF RAMP, NO ACCELERATION; DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY NO ACCELERATION, PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AFTER WARMING MY CAR UP NON ACCELERATION. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND ILLEGAL!!!!! THIS ISSUE BEGAN 2-3 YEARS AGO, WAS TEMPORARILY FIXED WIT THE COOLING KIT THAT I HAD TO PAY FOR OUT OF POCKET, AND HAS BEEN HAPPENING CONSISTENTLY FOR THE LAST 5 DAYS!!!! GOOGLE THIS ISSUE AND THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND NISSAN OFFERING NO HELP NOR EVEN A SIMPLE MECHANIC ONCE OVER LOOK!!!! I AM A SOCIAL WORKER WHO WORKS WITH CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE, OFTEN TRANPORTING THEM FROM UNSAFE CONDITIONS TO SITUATIONS THAT I AM PROMISING ARE MORE SAFE AND COMFORTABLE! I CAN NO LONGER PROMISE THEM THIS IF MY CAR IS UNSAFE!! I HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN A MINIMUM OF 5 ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE! DEALERSHIP NO HELP!!
Other or unspecified, Mar 14, 2018
MY TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 112,000MILES IN SEPT 2017. NOW TODAY I FIND OUT THAT I MAY POTENTIALLY HAVE TRANSMISSION ISSUES AGAIN, DATE BEING (3/14/2018). CODES ARE : BCM; TRANSMISSIONS FAULT 4; IPDM E/R FAULT 3. THIS IS RIDICULOUS, I WILL BE TAKING IT INTO FORT WORTH NISSAN ON SATURDAY 3/17/2018 TO DETERMINE IF IT IS FAILING AGAIN, IT BEING ONLY 9,000 MILES LATER.
Power train, Feb 24, 2018
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY DOING SPEED 70 TO 80MPH, VEHICLE BEGINS TO REDUCE SPEED AND GOES INTO LIKE A SAFE MODE. VERY UNSAFE ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. WHILE SEARCHING ON GOOGLE FIND OUT CVT TRANSMISSION VECHILE ONLY HAS 81823 MILES ON IT. NISSAN NEEDS TO COVER THE WARRANTY TO FIX THE VECHILE.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Feb 21, 2018
TAKATA RECALL. I WAS TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE, IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, WHEN MY CAR BEGAN TO SLOW IT REFUSED TO MAINTAIN MY SPEED OR ACCELERATE AT ALL. I HAD TO PULL INTO THE MEDIAN TO AVOID BEING HIT BY AN 18 WHEELER. I HAD MY SISTER AND TWO OF OUR LITTLE KIDS IN THE CAR WITH ME. THIS IS NOT THE ONLY TIME IT HAS DONE THIS IT HAS DONE IT SEVERAL TIMES NOW AND THE MECHANICS CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I HAVE READ SEVERAL PLACES WHERE OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE.... I BELIEVE THEIR IS A MANUFACTURER DEFAULT WITH EITHER THE ACCELERATION OR TRANSMISSION.... IT JUST REVS UP SOUNDS LIKE IT'S DOING SOMETHING BUT NOT INCREASING SPEED. I HAVE NOTICED THAT IT OCCURS MOSTLY AFTER I HAVE BEEN TRAVELING A WHILE...LIKE ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF OR SO
Electrical system, Feb 21, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RECOGNIZE THE FOB KEY EVEN AFTER THE FOB KEY BATTERY WAS CHANGED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE MANUALLY OPERATED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.