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
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Altima years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
Power Train complaints
149 reportsWhile 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 …
Read full complaint
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.
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…
Read full complaint
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.
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…
Read full complaint
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.
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.…
Read full complaint
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
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…
Read full complaint
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.
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…
Read full complaint
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.
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…
Read full complaint
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.
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 …
Read full complaint
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.
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 …
Read full complaint
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.
Official recalls
412V494000 · 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
1EQ12002 · 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.
Illustration