IllustrationWHEN 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
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
620–25K
4425–50K
4650–75K
6375–100K
74100–150K
18150K+
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
What owners actually said
425 reportsI 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 TRANS…
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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.
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 B…
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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.
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 COMPLAIN…
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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.
THE DRIVER SEAT DOESNT STAY IN POSITION. IT SITS LOW AND DOESNT STAY LIFTED
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…
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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.
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.
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 ABIL…
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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.
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.
DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, TURNING ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND CAR WON'T GO ABOVE 20 MPH AND WHINES TERRIBLY.
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.