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2012 Nissan Altima

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Nissan Altima do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 231.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

307 reports with mileage · 118 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 149 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 68 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 57 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

24 crash reports2 fire reports16 injury reports

Power Train complaints

149 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 2022
Power Train

Had transmission fluid changed now starts bit doesn't go in gear took it to shop and was told I need a new transmission don't understand why new fluid would cause this and have heard nissan has had numerous problems with cat transmission

NHTSA ODI #11448089

Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2021
Power Train

While driving the car stopped accelerating. Thankfully this happened on a 2 lane road while no other vehicles were around and there was a driveway to pull into. My husband and child were also in the car when this happened. No warning lights/noises alarmed before this happened. We had to have the car towed home. It will turn on …

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While driving the car stopped accelerating. Thankfully this happened on a 2 lane road while no other vehicles were around and there was a driveway to pull into. My husband and child were also in the car when this happened. No warning lights/noises alarmed before this happened. We had to have the car towed home. It will turn on but will not drive. This car is notorious for transmission issues. Now we have a car that we can't drive but still owe way more than it's worth to fix. We are unable to trade/sale either. It has been very frustrating situation. We will never own another Nissan.

NHTSA ODI #11436830

Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2021
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

3 times car has decelerated when driving on interstate for 1 to 2 hours. Last time speed dropped to 20 mph when most cars were doing 70 to 80 mph. This creates a very dangerous situation that could result in loss of life if not corrected. Nissan refuses to address the matter and problem is well documented on the internet and law…

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3 times car has decelerated when driving on interstate for 1 to 2 hours. Last time speed dropped to 20 mph when most cars were doing 70 to 80 mph. This creates a very dangerous situation that could result in loss of life if not corrected. Nissan refuses to address the matter and problem is well documented on the internet and lawsuits. Nissan should have issued a recall covering the defective CVT. My college age grandson is driving the car as he has no other option but he is putting his life and friends at risk each time he goes on an extended trip. Nissan should at minimum replace the transmission as a safety issue but have denied our claim. Your help would be greatly appreciated.

NHTSA ODI #11434009

Mileage unknown · Sep 7, 2021
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

We had a near fatal accident on the highway because the car suddenly lost speed drastically and later on a few incidents won't move up on the slope. My daughter had a hard time reaching home but somehow managed. A quick online research showed many people sharing similar issues due to faulty transmission and sensors. It seems…

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We had a near fatal accident on the highway because the car suddenly lost speed drastically and later on a few incidents won't move up on the slope. My daughter had a hard time reaching home but somehow managed. A quick online research showed many people sharing similar issues due to faulty transmission and sensors. It seems that Nissan is simply hiding behind its 60,000 mile Warranty and not addressing and fixing this issue for the consumers and thereby putting lives at risk.

NHTSA ODI #11432036

Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 2021
Power Train

Transmission lost power (reduced power) after 65000 miles. Initially I was not aware of the Nissan 2012 Altima having transmission issues. Now the repair rather replacement cost is about $5000 as per estimats Iave approached local NISSAN dealerships and national customer service hot line and there has bee ZERO help from them.…

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Transmission lost power (reduced power) after 65000 miles. Initially I was not aware of the Nissan 2012 Altima having transmission issues. Now the repair rather replacement cost is about $5000 as per estimats Iave approached local NISSAN dealerships and national customer service hot line and there has bee ZERO help from them. 2012 is know to have CVT transmission and its related performance and repair issues. Still that year, 2012 , NIssan is not covered under warranty beyond 60K nor there is help for customers who purchased this vehicle

NHTSA ODI #11422605

Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2021
Power Train

In mid-May 2021, noticed that the Altima (at 105,000 mls) had little power when accelerating. At one point, pulled out from from a stop at an intersection and basically "crawled" through. Barley made it up to the top of our driveway. "Check Engine" light came on. Not safe to accelerate in traffic. Local AAMCO, a…

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In mid-May 2021, noticed that the Altima (at 105,000 mls) had little power when accelerating. At one point, pulled out from from a stop at an intersection and basically "crawled" through. Barley made it up to the top of our driveway. "Check Engine" light came on. Not safe to accelerate in traffic. Local AAMCO, and local Nissan dealer, both diagnosed transmission failure. Have learned that apparently Nissan knew of this problem.

NHTSA ODI #11421061

Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2021
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

THREE HOURS INTO MY DRIVE, I WAS GOING ABOUT 70 MPH AND NOTICED MY CAR STARTED TO SLOW DOWN AND WAS MAKING A NOISE. I PULLED OVER, GOT OUT, CHECKED MY POWER STEERING FLUID. IT WAS FINE SO I DROVE OFF AND AS I WAS ENTERING THE FREEWAY, I NOTICED THE CAR WASN'T PICKING UP SPEED AGAIN. I DROVE TO THE NEXT EXIT AND GOT OFF. I LITERA…

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THREE HOURS INTO MY DRIVE, I WAS GOING ABOUT 70 MPH AND NOTICED MY CAR STARTED TO SLOW DOWN AND WAS MAKING A NOISE. I PULLED OVER, GOT OUT, CHECKED MY POWER STEERING FLUID. IT WAS FINE SO I DROVE OFF AND AS I WAS ENTERING THE FREEWAY, I NOTICED THE CAR WASN'T PICKING UP SPEED AGAIN. I DROVE TO THE NEXT EXIT AND GOT OFF. I LITERALLY COASTED TO A PARKING LOT OF AN INDUSTRIAL BUILDING. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AT TRYING TO LEAVE THE PARKING LOT, I NOTICED I COULDN'T GO UP THE HILL. I WAITED ABOUT 30 MINUTES, PICKED UP SPEED AND MADE IT UP THE HILL AND ONTO A 2 LANE ROAD. I DROVE TO A HOTEL ABOUT 4 MILES AWAY, GOING ABOUT 40 MPH. I REALIZED THAT AS LONG AS I DIDN'T STOP, I WOULD BE FINE. THE NEXT MORNING I FOUND A MECHANIC SHOP, CALLED AND DROVE THERE WITH MINIMAL PROBLEMS. HE TOLD ME THE YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL OF MY CAR HAD BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSION. HE HOOKED A MACHINE UP AND IT GAVE HIM THESE CODES: P0746, P0826, P1778 STEP MOTOR, P0868. HE TOLD ME TO CHECK FOR RECALLS. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR 3 HOURS BACK TO MY HOUSE IN WOODBRIDGE.

NHTSA ODI #11403260

83,000 miles · Feb 19, 2021
Power Train

THE CAR STARTED SLOWING DOWN IN THE FREEWAY AND IT LOST POWER WHILE I WAS IN THE CARPOOL SO I DROVE CAREFULLY TO THE EMERGENCY LANES ON THE SIDE RISKING GETTING HIT BY A CAR CAUSE IT DIDN'T HAVE ANY POWER OR SHIFTING. I THOUGH THE TRANSMISSION WENT BAD. I TURN OFF THE CAR FOR FIVE MINUTES AND STARTED IT AGAIN AND I TRY TO MOVE T…

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THE CAR STARTED SLOWING DOWN IN THE FREEWAY AND IT LOST POWER WHILE I WAS IN THE CARPOOL SO I DROVE CAREFULLY TO THE EMERGENCY LANES ON THE SIDE RISKING GETTING HIT BY A CAR CAUSE IT DIDN'T HAVE ANY POWER OR SHIFTING. I THOUGH THE TRANSMISSION WENT BAD. I TURN OFF THE CAR FOR FIVE MINUTES AND STARTED IT AGAIN AND I TRY TO MOVE THE CAR AGAIN AND IT WENT WELL. AFTER COUPLE DAYS OR WEEKS I DON'T RECALL I CALL THE DEALER REQUESTING A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE WHICH THEY ASK ME HOW MANY MILES IT HAD I TOLD THEM 83,000 MILES AND THEY TOLD ME I DON'T QUALIFY TO GET THE TRANSMISSION REPLACE CAUSE IT HAS OVER 80,000 MILES ALREADY. IT SEEMS THAT NISSAN MAKES FAULTY CVT TRANSMISSION MANUFACTURED BY JATCO. I WANTED TO KNOW IF I QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL FOR THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN I RESET THE CAR ON THE FREEWAY FOR FIVE MINUTES IT RAN AND HASN'T HAPPENED AGAIN BUT IT'S SUPER SLUGGISH. THE CAR SHOULD HAVE A RECALL NO MATTER THE MILEAGE. FORGOT TO MENTION THEY SAID I DON'T QUALIFY ALSO CAUSE THE CAR IS SALVAGE AND IT VOIDS EVERY RECALL WHATSOEVER.

NHTSA ODI #11397041

95,000 miles · Jan 14, 2021
Power Train

NOW I KNOW...AS IN ALMOST ALL NISSAN ALTIMA'S THAT HAVE THE CVT TRANSMISSION FAILS. NO PREWARNING FROM THE VEHICLE AND ESPECIALLY NISSAN CORPORATION OR DEALERSHIP. MY TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED. IT IS APPARENTLY A HORRIBLE UNJUST SERIOUS PROBLEM THE NISSAN PEOPLE ARE NOT ADDRESSING OR TRYING ANY AT ALL TO HELP. THEY JUST KEEP …

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NOW I KNOW...AS IN ALMOST ALL NISSAN ALTIMA'S THAT HAVE THE CVT TRANSMISSION FAILS. NO PREWARNING FROM THE VEHICLE AND ESPECIALLY NISSAN CORPORATION OR DEALERSHIP. MY TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED. IT IS APPARENTLY A HORRIBLE UNJUST SERIOUS PROBLEM THE NISSAN PEOPLE ARE NOT ADDRESSING OR TRYING ANY AT ALL TO HELP. THEY JUST KEEP STICKING IT TO THE IGNORANT PUBLIC CUSTOMERS WHO THOUGHT THEY COULD TRUST NISSAN. YEAH THATS ME.

NHTSA ODI #11387978

Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 2020
Power Train

PURCHASED CAR AUGUST 8, 2020. WAS DRIVING IN THE CITY WHEN ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON 08/24. TOOK THE CAR TO NEBORHOOD TIRE PRO'S IN DECATUR, GA. HAD A DIAGNOSTIC DONE. CAR RECEIVED 3 CODES. ONE CODE WAS P1718. WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION WAS BAD. TOOK IT BACK TO NISSAN STONE MOUNTAIN. HEALTH WAGES THE SERVICE MANGER AFFIRMED IT …

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PURCHASED CAR AUGUST 8, 2020. WAS DRIVING IN THE CITY WHEN ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON 08/24. TOOK THE CAR TO NEBORHOOD TIRE PRO'S IN DECATUR, GA. HAD A DIAGNOSTIC DONE. CAR RECEIVED 3 CODES. ONE CODE WAS P1718. WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION WAS BAD. TOOK IT BACK TO NISSAN STONE MOUNTAIN. HEALTH WAGES THE SERVICE MANGER AFFIRMED IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ODI #11360490

Official recalls

4

12V494000 · Steering; Suspension

Oct 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Suspension

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Steering

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

12V055000 · Air Bags:side/window

Feb 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy: 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.

11V408000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

Aug 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

11V371000 · Suspension

Jul 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE BOLT COMES OUT COMPLETELY, THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EQ12002 · Autoliv Air Bag Propellant Mixture

Opened Feb 14, 2012 · Closed May 8, 2012

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:side/window

The summary for this investigation, labeled EQ12-002 Autoliv Closing Resume, can be found attached separately to this resume.This EQ is closed.

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