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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.

About this comparison →

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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93,000 miles · Jul 25, 2019
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY AND AFTER TWO AND HALF HOURS OF DRIVING COULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 45-50 MILES AN HOUR AND STUCK ON THIS SPEED EVEN WITH THE GAS PEDAL BEING PRESSED DOWN TO ACCELERATE. I HAD SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES WITH THIS ON THE HIGHWAY IN REGARDS TO ASCENDING HILLS AND HAD NEAR SERIOUS ENCOUNTERS WITH TRUCK…

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VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY AND AFTER TWO AND HALF HOURS OF DRIVING COULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 45-50 MILES AN HOUR AND STUCK ON THIS SPEED EVEN WITH THE GAS PEDAL BEING PRESSED DOWN TO ACCELERATE. I HAD SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES WITH THIS ON THE HIGHWAY IN REGARDS TO ASCENDING HILLS AND HAD NEAR SERIOUS ENCOUNTERS WITH TRUCKS AND OTHER VEHICLES ON ALL INCIDENTS I HAVE HAD TO DRIVE MORE THAN THAT DURATION. I AM ON A WEBSITE CALLED CARGURUS AND HAVE A LOT OF NISSAN 2012 ALTIMA OWNERS WITH THE SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL HAVING EXACTLY THE SAME TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE. I HAVE CALLED NISSAN ABOUT THIS AND THAT THEY SHOULD DO A QA OF THEIR CALL LOGS AND CHECK OTHER COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER CUSTOMERS AND ALL THEY COULD SAY IS "THERE IS CURRENTLY NO RECALL ON YOUR VIN". INFORMED THEM ABOUT MEDICINE AFTER DEATH NOT POSSIBLE AND PROBLEMS LIKE THIS WITH FREQUENT COMPLAINTS BY CUSTOMERS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AND NOT IGNORED TILL PEOPLE START DYING BEFORE THERE IS A NEED TO FIX THIS OR ISSUE A RECALL. THE GEAR BOX AND CV AXLE BASED ON WHAT I HAVE READ MAY BE THE CAUSE OF THIS. I AM NOT A TECHNICIAN BUT THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. EVERY TIME YOU ARE IN A CAR ON THE HIGHWAY ON LONG DISTANCE JOURNEY WITH THIS CAR YOUR LIFE IS ON A LIVE WIRE BECAUSE OF THIS GEAR BOX ISSUE. I HAVE ALSO BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP IN SOUTH HOLLAND IL FOR THIS AND WAS TOLD TO CALL NISSAN AND COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS WHICH I HAVE DONE. I WILL APPRECIATE YOUR LOOKING INTO THIS PLEASE! THANKS.

NHTSA ODI #11234675

190,000 miles · Jul 11, 2019
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE VEHICLE SHIFTED TO LIMP MODE WHILE DRIVING THE COMPLAINANT WAS STRANDED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE CVT TRANSMISSION COOLING SYSTEM INADEQUATE TO COOL FLUIDS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO SAFE DRIVING/LIMP MODE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING FOR 45 MINUTES TO ONE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE VEHICLE SHIFTED TO LIMP MODE WHILE DRIVING THE COMPLAINANT WAS STRANDED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE CVT TRANSMISSION COOLING SYSTEM INADEQUATE TO COOL FLUIDS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO SAFE DRIVING/LIMP MODE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING FOR 45 MINUTES TO ONE HOUR,THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO LIMP MODE. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DECELERATED FROM 70 MPH DOWN TO 20-30 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EVEN WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARD, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MILLER AUTO PLAZA LOCATED AT 2900 2ND ST S, ST CLOUD, MN 56301, (320) 200-2472, TO BE DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON A DAILY BASIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE, CASE NUMBER: 36304669. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.PIIR=Y. AH

NHTSA ODI #11231028

Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 2019
Power Train

CVT PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION DELAY PROBLEM GOING UP HILL VERY SCARY NEED TRANSMISSION LOOKED AT I GUESS PROBLEM VERY COMMON THIS IS A BIG SAFETY PROBLEM ALMOST GOT HIT BY CAR ACTING UP SLOWING DOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11218725

130 miles · May 20, 2019
Power TrainUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

I HAVE A AUTOMATIC 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA W. 130K MILES. WHILE DRIVING, MY CAR AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL AND IN ORDER FOR ME TO STOP, I HAD TO PLACE MY EMERGENCY BRAKES ON. THE GEAR WAS STUCK IN BETWEEN NEUTRAL AND REVERSE AND UNABLE TO MOVE. THOUGHT IT WAS A SHIFTER CONSOLE, BUT TURNS OUT IT WAS MY TRANSMISSION. IN THIS MODE…

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I HAVE A AUTOMATIC 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA W. 130K MILES. WHILE DRIVING, MY CAR AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL AND IN ORDER FOR ME TO STOP, I HAD TO PLACE MY EMERGENCY BRAKES ON. THE GEAR WAS STUCK IN BETWEEN NEUTRAL AND REVERSE AND UNABLE TO MOVE. THOUGHT IT WAS A SHIFTER CONSOLE, BUT TURNS OUT IT WAS MY TRANSMISSION. IN THIS MODEL CAR, THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT AGAINST NISSAN FOR FAILING CVT TRANSMISSIONS/ENGINES. MY FAILURE HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. DUE TO THE MILES, I AM OUT OF WARRANTY AND I DO BELIEVE THAT NISSAN SHOULD BE AT FAULT SEEING THAT THERE IS A SUIT PENDING.

NHTSA ODI #11208673

126,000 miles · May 11, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

AFTER A FEW HOURS OF DRIVING, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND WENT INTO "LIMP MODE" ON AN 8 LANE HIGHWAY. AFTER RESEARCH, NISSANS HAVE A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION THAT HAS YET TO HE ADDRESSED

NHTSA ODI #11206962

122,776 miles · Apr 22, 2019
Power Train

CVT VEHICLE LOSES POWER WHEN DRIVING ON INCLINE ON HIGHWAY

NHTSA ODI #11202839

Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2019
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

18HOZ-1DIAG C CHECK & DIAGNOS (TECH 561) COMPLAINT: SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS ON ALSO C/S THEY WERE DRIVING ON FREEWAY IN TRAFFIC WHILE RPMS WERE AROUND LOW 1,OOO VEHICLE WOULD BUCK FROM SLOW SPEEDS TRYING TO ACCELERATE ALSO WHEN VEHICLE WAS ON A HILL AT A STOP VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS ONC…

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18HOZ-1DIAG C CHECK & DIAGNOS (TECH 561) COMPLAINT: SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS ON ALSO C/S THEY WERE DRIVING ON FREEWAY IN TRAFFIC WHILE RPMS WERE AROUND LOW 1,OOO VEHICLE WOULD BUCK FROM SLOW SPEEDS TRYING TO ACCELERATE ALSO WHEN VEHICLE WAS ON A HILL AT A STOP VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS ONCE VEHICLE GAINED MOMENTUM VEHICLE STARTED MOVING PLEASE CHECK AND ADVISE. CAUSE: VERIFIED CUSTOMERS CONCERN. "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED. CHECKED FOR DTCS AND FOUND MULTIPLE DTCS (DTC WRITTEN ON RO). CLEARED DTCS AND NONE RETURNED AFTER TEST DRIVE. VEHICLE DID FEEL A BIT SLUGGISH ON FIRST TEST DRIVE. CHECKED FLUID LEVELS AND FOUND OIL LEVEL A BIT LOW. ALSO NOTICED DRIVES FLOOR MAT TUCKED UNDER GAS PEDAL. REMOVED FLOOR MAT AND TEST DROVE AGAIN. VEHICLES ACCELERATION FEELS NORMAL. WENT TO STEEP HILL TO DUPLICATE CUSTOMERS CONCERN. COULD NOT VERIFY CUSTOMERS CONCERN. AGAIN, CORRECTION: REPLACED BOTH CAM POSITION SENSORS AS WELL AS THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR. CLEARED ALL DTCS AND TEST DROVE VEHICLE NO DTCS RETURNED. VEHICLE DRIVES FINE WITH NO ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI #11192671

57,000 miles · Feb 8, 2019
Power Train

TAKATA RECALL MY 2012 ALTIMA HAS BEEN HAVING SOME SHIFTING ISSUES WHILE I AM DRIVING. MIND YOU THIS CALL HAS 58,000 MILES ON IT (YES 2012 WITH 58,000). IT IS OVER THE 5 YEAR POWER TRAIN WARRANTY BUT UNDER THE MILEAGE. NISSAN DOES NOT CARE. THERE SHOULD BE ZERO REASONS WHY A CAR WITH LESS THAN 60,000 MILES SHOULD BE HAVING ANY TY…

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TAKATA RECALL MY 2012 ALTIMA HAS BEEN HAVING SOME SHIFTING ISSUES WHILE I AM DRIVING. MIND YOU THIS CALL HAS 58,000 MILES ON IT (YES 2012 WITH 58,000). IT IS OVER THE 5 YEAR POWER TRAIN WARRANTY BUT UNDER THE MILEAGE. NISSAN DOES NOT CARE. THERE SHOULD BE ZERO REASONS WHY A CAR WITH LESS THAN 60,000 MILES SHOULD BE HAVING ANY TYPE OF TRANSMISSION ISSUES. NISSAN NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11175194

160,000 miles · Jan 24, 2019
Power Train

DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AND THEN NO ACCELERATION W A HIGH PITCH SOUND...CAN ONLY DRIVE IT 20 MPH IF AT ALL..HAD IT TOWED AND A MECHANIC SAID IT IS MY TRANSMISSION..AS I AM RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM I AM FINDING A LOT OF COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR AND NISSAN HAS TO KNOW THEY HAVE A DESIGN ISSUE OR PROBLEM

NHTSA ODI #11171967

Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 2019
Power Train

I PURCHASED THE 2012 NISSAN IN 2015 WITH ONLY 22,000 AND SOMETHING MILES. ONCE THE CAR GOT TO ABOUT 76,000 SOMETHING MILES A WHINING NOISE STARTED. SO NOW WITH THE CAR AT ONLY 83,074 MILES THE TRANSMISSION ISN'T GETTING ANY POWER. SO I TURN TO READ REVIEWS AND TALK TO PEOPLE ONLY TO FIND OUT THE CVT'S AREN'T WORTH ANYTHING AND T…

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I PURCHASED THE 2012 NISSAN IN 2015 WITH ONLY 22,000 AND SOMETHING MILES. ONCE THE CAR GOT TO ABOUT 76,000 SOMETHING MILES A WHINING NOISE STARTED. SO NOW WITH THE CAR AT ONLY 83,074 MILES THE TRANSMISSION ISN'T GETTING ANY POWER. SO I TURN TO READ REVIEWS AND TALK TO PEOPLE ONLY TO FIND OUT THE CVT'S AREN'T WORTH ANYTHING AND TO GET THEM REPLACED THE PRICE IS RIDICULOUS AND I CAN'T AFFORD IT. BUT YOU WOULD THINK WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT NISSAN WOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. I WOULD NOT TELL ANYONE TO PURCHASE A NISSAN EVER. ALSO WHEN THE WHINING WOULD TAKE PLACE THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN ON CITY STREETS OR MAJOR HIGHWAYS

NHTSA ODI #11171704

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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