NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
68 reportsClear category filter46,000 miles · Nov 27, 2017
Electrical SystemEngineFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT HOME WITH THE ENGINE TURNED OFF, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FLAMES COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE BETWEEN THE HOOD AND WINDSHIELD. PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT HOME WITH THE ENGINE TURNED OFF, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FLAMES COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE BETWEEN THE HOOD AND WINDSHIELD. PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH A WATER HOSE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE AUTO INSURANCE COMPANY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DEEMED IT A TOTAL LOSS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSURANCE INSPECTOR WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE AS THE WIRES BEHIND THE ENGINE BLOCK WERE MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 46,000.
NHTSA ODI #11048556
77,800 miles · Sep 6, 2017
EngineVehicle Speed ControlCrash
WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING PLACE AT A RESTAURANT ALL OF A SUDDEN MY WIFE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND SURGE FROM THE ENGINE PROPELLING THE CAR FORWARD AND OVER AN EMBANKMENT FORTUNATELY FOR A FEW TREES AND GOD'S HELP MY WIFE IS THANKFULLY STILL ALIVE THE EMBANKMENT HAD APPROXIMATELY 100' DROP THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE THE SOUND…
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WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING PLACE AT A RESTAURANT ALL OF A SUDDEN MY WIFE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND SURGE FROM THE ENGINE PROPELLING THE CAR FORWARD AND OVER AN EMBANKMENT FORTUNATELY FOR A FEW TREES AND GOD'S HELP MY WIFE IS THANKFULLY STILL ALIVE THE EMBANKMENT HAD APPROXIMATELY 100' DROP THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE THE SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE SHE STILL HEARS, NOT SURE ONCE THE CAR IS FIXED IF WE BUY ANOTHER NISSAN ALTIMA OR EVEN CONTINUE TO DRIVE THIS ONE, SOMETHING CAUSED THIS CAR TO SURGE AND IT DEFINITELY WAS NOT HER FOOT,
NHTSA ODI #11021810
80,000 miles · Jul 10, 2017
EnginePower Train
AFTER DRIVING VEHICLE FOR 1 HOUR OR MORE, VEHICLE GOES INTO FAIL-SAFE MODE, MEANING THE RPMS WILL NOT GO OVER 2500. SO, IF ONE IS ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 70 MPH, THEN ARRIVES AT A HILL, THEN THE VEHICLE SPEED COULD DECREASE TO 40 MPH. ACCORDING TO MECHANIC, THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND NISSAN HAS A SERVICE KIT FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE. …
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AFTER DRIVING VEHICLE FOR 1 HOUR OR MORE, VEHICLE GOES INTO FAIL-SAFE MODE, MEANING THE RPMS WILL NOT GO OVER 2500. SO, IF ONE IS ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 70 MPH, THEN ARRIVES AT A HILL, THEN THE VEHICLE SPEED COULD DECREASE TO 40 MPH. ACCORDING TO MECHANIC, THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND NISSAN HAS A SERVICE KIT FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE. I AM NOT SURE WHY IT IS NOT A RECALL...
NHTSA ODI #11004169
91,800 miles · Jul 1, 2017
Engine
ENIGINE/TRANSMISSION ISSUES ON OUR WAY OUT OF TOWN, NOT 45 MINUTES INTO OUR TRIP AND WITHOUT WARNING THE CAR GOES FROM 65 MILES TO LESS. THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE. WITH A TWO LANE HIGHWAY AND TRUCKS BEHIND US. I AM VERY CONCERNED OF GETTING STRANDED IN THE DESERT, KILLED OR SEVERELY INJURED. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME. IT'…
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ENIGINE/TRANSMISSION ISSUES ON OUR WAY OUT OF TOWN, NOT 45 MINUTES INTO OUR TRIP AND WITHOUT WARNING THE CAR GOES FROM 65 MILES TO LESS. THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE. WITH A TWO LANE HIGHWAY AND TRUCKS BEHIND US. I AM VERY CONCERNED OF GETTING STRANDED IN THE DESERT, KILLED OR SEVERELY INJURED. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME. IT'S OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. OUR DEALER PEORIA NISSAN IN AZ SAID, THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG EVEN AFTER WE INSISTED. SOMETHING'S WRONG, I SWEAR IT'S A FAULTY TRANSMISSION ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #11002655
91,500 miles · Jun 15, 2017
EnginePower Train
MY VEHICLE IS 5 YEARS OLD AND I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION. THERE ARE OVER 700 COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THE NHTSA AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER TWICE FOR THIS ISSUE AND THIS ONGOING ISSUE IS GOING TO HURT OR EVEN KILL SOMEONE. NISSAN IS FULLY AWARE OF THE C…
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MY VEHICLE IS 5 YEARS OLD AND I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION. THERE ARE OVER 700 COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THE NHTSA AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER TWICE FOR THIS ISSUE AND THIS ONGOING ISSUE IS GOING TO HURT OR EVEN KILL SOMEONE. NISSAN IS FULLY AWARE OF THE CVT ISSUES AND THIS NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED. THIS RECENTLY HAPPENED THIS PAST WEEKEND (2ND TIME NOW). WE TRAVELED MAYBE 35 MILES, WHEN THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO WHINE JUST BEFORE WE REACHED THE EXIT, I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. NO LIGHTS, NO WARNINGS, NOTHING STATING THERE WAS AN ISSUE. MY CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO A LOCAL AUTO SHOP, WHERE THEY STATED THEY COULD NOT ADDRESS THE PROBLEM AS IT IS MOST LIKELY THE TRANSMISSION. IT WAS THEN, AGAIN TOWED TO THE DEALER. KEN GARFF NISSAN. WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT MY 5 YEAR OLD CAR NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION! A YEAR TO DATE I HAD TO REPLACE MY RADIATOR, WATER PUMP, SERPENTINE BELT ECT! THIS IS NOT OKAY AND NOT ACCEPTABLE. SHOULD I HAVE HAD MY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR AND LOST ACCELERATION ON THE FREEWAY, I CANT EVENT FATHOM. THIS ISSUE TRANSMISSION DEFECT HAS SUBSTANTIALLY IMPAIRED THE USE, MARKET VALUE AND MOST OF ALL THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. MY FAMILY IS WORTH MORE THAN THIS DEFECTIVE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN MORE THAN HELPFUL AND THEY AGREED A 5 YEAR OLD CAR SHOULD NOT BE HAVING ALL THESE ISSUES. I AM ASKING THAT NISSAN DO THE RIGHT THING AND FIX THIS PROBLEM AND CARE ABOUT THE CONSUMER. I TRULY WANT TO BELIEVE THAT NISSAN CARES ABOUT THEIR CONSUMERS AND I REALLY HOPE THAT THEY REVIEW THIS COMPLAINT AND ACT UPON IT, DOING THE RIGHT THING AND RECALL THESE ENGINES. I WAS BLOWN AWAY BY HOW MANY NISSAN OWNERS EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE AND FILED COMPLAINTS WITH THE BBB, CARGURU, NISSAN AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS. PLEASE, HAVE THIS LOOKED INTO. I KNOW NISSAN IS FULLY AWARE AND THIS NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED.
NHTSA ODI #10995383
141,895 miles · Jun 8, 2017
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE STATIONARY, THE OIL COOLERS IN THE VEHICLE FRACTURED AND LEAKED ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED AN ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIR WORK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE F…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE STATIONARY, THE OIL COOLERS IN THE VEHICLE FRACTURED AND LEAKED ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED AN ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIR WORK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,895.
NHTSA ODI #10993932
47,655 miles · May 24, 2017
Engine
POOO18 CRANKSHAFT/CAMSHAFT SENSOR ENGINE DIES LOSS OF BRAKES AND STEERING THANK GOD COMING UP TO HOUSE SLOWING TO PARK, CITY STREET. RESTART ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE RUNNING ON 3 CYLINDERS. TURNED OFF START AGAIN, PULL CODE AND ERASE. IT RUNS LIKE NOTHING EVER HAPPENED. CALLED NISSAN AND THEY TOLD ME THAT SINCE I ERASED THE CODE T…
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POOO18 CRANKSHAFT/CAMSHAFT SENSOR ENGINE DIES LOSS OF BRAKES AND STEERING THANK GOD COMING UP TO HOUSE SLOWING TO PARK, CITY STREET. RESTART ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE RUNNING ON 3 CYLINDERS. TURNED OFF START AGAIN, PULL CODE AND ERASE. IT RUNS LIKE NOTHING EVER HAPPENED. CALLED NISSAN AND THEY TOLD ME THAT SINCE I ERASED THE CODE THEY CAN DO NOTHING. GOOGLE 2012 ALTIMA ENGINE STALL AND PREPARE TO SPEND THE REST OF YOUR AFTERNOON READING STORIES
NHTSA ODI #10991444
80,000 miles · Apr 8, 2017
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or OtherFire
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR DOWN THE ROAD HEADING TO GET SOMETHING TO EAT. IT WAS A SUNDAY NIGHT, IT JUST STARTED MISTING RAIN. I DROVE ON MY USUAL CURVY 2 LANE PAVED HIGHWAY AND THEN PROCEED ONTO MY USUAL 4 LANE PAVED HIGHWAY TO MCDONALD'S WHERE I GOT FOOD INSIDE AND THEN UPON LEAVING DECIDED TO GO THROUGH DRIVE THROUGH FOR ANOTHE…
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I WAS DRIVING MY CAR DOWN THE ROAD HEADING TO GET SOMETHING TO EAT. IT WAS A SUNDAY NIGHT, IT JUST STARTED MISTING RAIN. I DROVE ON MY USUAL CURVY 2 LANE PAVED HIGHWAY AND THEN PROCEED ONTO MY USUAL 4 LANE PAVED HIGHWAY TO MCDONALD'S WHERE I GOT FOOD INSIDE AND THEN UPON LEAVING DECIDED TO GO THROUGH DRIVE THROUGH FOR ANOTHER ITEM. I LEFT AND HEADED APPROXIMATELY 3 MILES BACK ON THE SAME ROAD I TRAVELED TO TOWN ON. AS I WAS ON THE 2 LANE ITHE ALL OF A SUDDEN APPEARED TO BE RAINING HEAVIER AND I COULD TELL BY THE RAIN CROSSING OVER MY HEADLIGHTS. SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAN NORMAL CAUGHT MY EYE, IT LOOKED LIKE ORANGE RAIN, I ASSUMED JUST THE APPEARANCE FROM ONE OF THE BULBS. UNSURE THOUGH, I CONTINUED DRIVING BUT SCOOTED TO THE EDGE OF MY SEAT AND SET UP TALL TO GETTA BETTER LOOK, AT THAT TIME I SEEN FLAMES. THE CAR WAS ON FIRE, I COULDN'T PULL OFF SIDE OF ROAD AS IT HAS NO DITCHES JUST RAVINES SO I SLOWED DOWN AND TRIED UNLOCKING MY DOOR TO OPEN IT WOULDN'T AND MY WINDOW WOULDN'T ROLL DOWN, TERRIFIED I PROCEEDED TO CALL 911 AND INFORM THEM MY CAR WAS ON FIRE AND I WAS IN IT DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND WAS HOPING TO GET TO NEXT ROAD I KNEW I COULD PULL OFF. THE ENTIRE TIME NEVER DID ANYTHING WARNING LIGHTS OR GAUGES COME ON NOR DID THE TEMPERATURE RISE. I FINALLY WAS ABLE TO EXIST THE CAR FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND FIRE DEPARTMENT FINALLY ARRIVED. THEYOU GOT IT PUT OUT BUT IT WAS COMPLETE LOSS. I HAVE NO IDEA AS TO WHY THIS FIRE HAPPENED I TOOK WELL CARE OF MY CAR, MAINTAINING IT REGULARLY AS RECOMMENDED AND ALWAYS CAUTIOUSLY DRIVING IT. I HAVE ANOTHER NISSAN ALTIMA THAT'S STILL RUNNING STRONG WITH 300,000.00 MILES ON IT, SO THIS SHOULD SHOW I CARE FOR MY VEHICLES ABOVE WHAT'S RECOMMENDED.
NHTSA ODI #10971264
113,090 miles · Mar 29, 2017
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN PROMPTED BY THE KEY FOB. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN PARK TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN PROMPTED BY THE KEY FOB. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN PARK TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,090.
NHTSA ODI #10969266
61,000 miles · Aug 29, 2016
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE FAILURE WENT AWAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE FAILURE WENT AWAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.
NHTSA ODI #10899258
Official recalls
4Oct 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.
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.
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.
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 ↗