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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

What owners actually said

425 reports
130,000 miles · Oct 1, 2019
Unknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

2012 NISSAN ALTIMA CVT TRANSMISSION ISSUES. ALTIMA HAS RECALLED FROM 2007-2010 AND THEN AGAIN AFTER 2012 FOR THE CVT TRANSMISSIONS. MINE IS DOING THE SAME THINGS AND NISSAN DOESN'T HAVE A WAY FOR ME TO CHECK THE FLUIDS. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY CAN FIX THE PROBLEM FOR OVER $7000. I'M IN THE DEALERSHIP RIGHT NOW AND HE SAYS A…

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2012 NISSAN ALTIMA CVT TRANSMISSION ISSUES. ALTIMA HAS RECALLED FROM 2007-2010 AND THEN AGAIN AFTER 2012 FOR THE CVT TRANSMISSIONS. MINE IS DOING THE SAME THINGS AND NISSAN DOESN'T HAVE A WAY FOR ME TO CHECK THE FLUIDS. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY CAN FIX THE PROBLEM FOR OVER $7000. I'M IN THE DEALERSHIP RIGHT NOW AND HE SAYS AGAIN THAT HE CAN'T CHECK THE FLUIDS BUT THAT I CAN REPLACE IT IF I WANT BUT THAT IT MIGHT MAKE IT WORSE. THE VEHICLE SOMETIMES DOESN'T SHIFT AND ENGINE REVS WITHOUT ACCELERATION AT ANY SPEED. PULLING INTO TRAFFIC IS VERY DIFFICULT AND IF I AM UNABLE TO PASS IF NEEDED BECAUSE SOMETIMES IT ACCELERATES AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T.

NHTSA ODI #11265347

72,000 miles · Sep 28, 2019
Unknown Or Other

STICKY, SHINY DASHBOARD WHICH IMPAIRS VISIBILITY DUE TO GLARE AND IS GROSS TO THE TOUCH.

NHTSA ODI #11258729

126,854 miles · Sep 25, 2019
Power Train

NISSAN ALTIMA 2012 S HAS A BUG ON THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE TALKED TO A DEALERSHIP LATELY ABOUT HOW I CAN MAINTAIN MY TRANSMISSION TO AVOID THE PROBLEM HE TOLD ME TO CHANGE THE FLUID AFTER 60K MILES. WHICH I DID RIGHT AWAY BECAUSE I WAS THE SECOND OWNER. I'M SUPPRISE AT 127K MILES, MY TRANSMISSION BROKEN DOWN. AND ALL MECHANICS I…

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NISSAN ALTIMA 2012 S HAS A BUG ON THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE TALKED TO A DEALERSHIP LATELY ABOUT HOW I CAN MAINTAIN MY TRANSMISSION TO AVOID THE PROBLEM HE TOLD ME TO CHANGE THE FLUID AFTER 60K MILES. WHICH I DID RIGHT AWAY BECAUSE I WAS THE SECOND OWNER. I'M SUPPRISE AT 127K MILES, MY TRANSMISSION BROKEN DOWN. AND ALL MECHANICS I BE BEEN TO TELL ME IS A FACTORY ISSUE AND NISSAN KNOWS IT. THEY SAID THE CVT TRANSMISSION MOSTLY COME TO FAIL ON THAT NISSAN AFTER YOU PASS THE 100K MILES. (FACTORY ISSUE WITH THAT CVT TECHNOLOGY THEY SAID). I CALL NISSAN TO SUBMIT THE PROBLEM, BUT UNFORTUNATELY THEY TOLD THEY CAN'T DO NOTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE OF THE HIGH MILEAGE. THE BAD TRANSMISSION IS VERY DANGEROUS ON THE PUBLIC ROAD, I HAVE BEEN IN THE SITUATION ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WHERE I COULDN'T PASS THE 18 WHEELER AND ALMOST CAUSE A CRASH BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY.

NHTSA ODI #11258215

95,000 miles · Sep 12, 2019
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY FOR OVER AN HOUR AT SPEEDS 60+ MPH THE TRANSMISSION WILL BEGIN TO WHINE, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME THE RPMS WILL SKYROCKET. THE CAR WILL RAPIDLY DECELERATE WHILE THIS IS HAPPENING. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES ON ROAD TRIPS WHEN THE CAR WAS AT 20K MILES AND CONTINUES TO HAPPEN MORE OFTEN NOW THAT …

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY FOR OVER AN HOUR AT SPEEDS 60+ MPH THE TRANSMISSION WILL BEGIN TO WHINE, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME THE RPMS WILL SKYROCKET. THE CAR WILL RAPIDLY DECELERATE WHILE THIS IS HAPPENING. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES ON ROAD TRIPS WHEN THE CAR WAS AT 20K MILES AND CONTINUES TO HAPPEN MORE OFTEN NOW THAT THE CAR IS NEARING 100K MILES.

NHTSA ODI #11255067

Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

THE POWER OUTLET IN THE CENTER CONSOLE HAD GONE BAD SO MY HUSBAND CHANGED THE FUSE AND AS SOON AS I STARTED TO DRIVE, MY CAR STARTED JUMPING AND WOULD NOT GO OVER 15MPH. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD BOTH COME ON. I TURNED THE CAR OFF FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS THEN CRANKED IT AGAIN, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT …

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THE POWER OUTLET IN THE CENTER CONSOLE HAD GONE BAD SO MY HUSBAND CHANGED THE FUSE AND AS SOON AS I STARTED TO DRIVE, MY CAR STARTED JUMPING AND WOULD NOT GO OVER 15MPH. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD BOTH COME ON. I TURNED THE CAR OFF FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS THEN CRANKED IT AGAIN, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WAS OFF AND THE CAR DROVE FINE. NOW AT RANDOM TIMES, USUALLY IF THE CAR IS LEFT IDLING, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WILL COME BACK ON AND THE SAME THING HAPPENS BUT IF I TURN THE CAR OFF FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS THEN CRANK IT AGAIN, THE LIGHT IS OFF AND THE CAR RUNS FINE AGAIN. THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS REPLACED IN 2017 BUT THAT IS THE CODE WE KEEP GETTING WHEN IT IS HOOKED TO A COMPUTER. THE TRANSMISSION WAS ALSO REPLACED IN 2017, NO ISSUES WITH IT SO FAR... NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON WITH MY CAR BUT IT'S PRETTY SCARY WHEN I'M DRIVING WITH MY 3 KIDS AND THE CAR DECIDES TO LOSE POWER, JUMP ALL OVER THE ROAD AND ONLY DRIVE 15MPH. THIS HAPPENS AT LEAST 3 TIMES A DAY AND SINCE THIS IS MY PRIMARY WAY OF TRANSPORTATION, I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THIS ISSUE SO IT CAN BE FIXED AND I CAN SAFELY TRANSPORT MY CHILDREN AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11254592

Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2019
Seat Belts

NO MATTER WAT SIDE I OUT MY DAUGHTER CAR SEAT THE CAR SEAT SEEMS TO ALWAYS TURN SIDEWAYS WITH THE SEATBELT STRAP TO IT AND IT'S VERY UNSAFE FOR MY DAUGHTER TO SIT IN THE SEAT. *DT *TR

NHTSA ODI #11254437

120,000 miles · Sep 3, 2019
Vehicle Speed Control

WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY VEHICLE WILL DEACCELERATE GOING FROM 70 MILES TO 45 MILES, EVEN THOUGH MY PEDAL IS FLUSH TO THE FLOOR. THIS HAPPENS SFTER I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 AND 1/2 HOURS. I HAVE HAD THIS CHECKED OUT BY AUTO REPAIR AND HAVE NOT FOUND A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. WHEN THIS FIRST HAPPENED I WA…

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WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY VEHICLE WILL DEACCELERATE GOING FROM 70 MILES TO 45 MILES, EVEN THOUGH MY PEDAL IS FLUSH TO THE FLOOR. THIS HAPPENS SFTER I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 AND 1/2 HOURS. I HAVE HAD THIS CHECKED OUT BY AUTO REPAIR AND HAVE NOT FOUND A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. WHEN THIS FIRST HAPPENED I WAS IN THE FAST LANE AND WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER. THE SECOND TIME I HAD MY GRANDCHILDREN WITH ME AND WE WERE BASICALLY STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD 2 AND A HALF HOURS FROM HOME WITH NO WAY TO GET ANYWHERE FOR HELP.

NHTSA ODI #11253014

30 miles · Sep 3, 2019
Power Train

HELLO TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, I'M POSTING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE OF AN ISSUE THIS VEHICLE HAS AND I'VE HEARD MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. ABOUT AN HOUR OR TWO OF DRIVING THE CAR OR GOING UP A PRETTY STEEP HILL ON A HOT DAY THE CAR LOOSES POWER COMPLETELY AND WILL HAVE TROUBLE TO GO OVER 45MPH AND WHAT I'VE READ UP ON T…

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HELLO TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, I'M POSTING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE OF AN ISSUE THIS VEHICLE HAS AND I'VE HEARD MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. ABOUT AN HOUR OR TWO OF DRIVING THE CAR OR GOING UP A PRETTY STEEP HILL ON A HOT DAY THE CAR LOOSES POWER COMPLETELY AND WILL HAVE TROUBLE TO GO OVER 45MPH AND WHAT I'VE READ UP ON THIS ISSUE THE VEHICLE COME WITH A SENSOR THAT MAKES THE CAR GO INTO A SAFETY MODE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION GETS TOO HOT AND IT'S DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION NOT HAVING A FLUID COOLER. I'VE HAD A COUPLE CLOSE CALLS IN THE FREEWAY WHERE CARS HAVE CAME REALLY CLOSE TO REAR ENDING ME IN THE FREEWAY WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND I FEAR FOR THE SAFETY OF MY AS WELL AS OTHERS AND WOULDN'T WANT ANYONE GETTING SUED DUE TO AN ISSUE NISSAN HAS WITH THEIR VEHICLE

NHTSA ODI #11252903

100,000 miles · Sep 2, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control

THIS WAS A USED PRE-CERTIFIED CAR, PURCHASED FROM THE DEALER IN WHICH DID NOT HAVE ANY ISSUES UNTIL ITS WARRANTY WAS PRACTICALLY NO LONGER VALID. THE CARS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM STARTED TO HAVE ISSUES. THE ISSUES WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM STARTED WITH THE USB PORT CONNECTION TO A CELLULAR DEVICE. SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL RECOGNIZE …

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THIS WAS A USED PRE-CERTIFIED CAR, PURCHASED FROM THE DEALER IN WHICH DID NOT HAVE ANY ISSUES UNTIL ITS WARRANTY WAS PRACTICALLY NO LONGER VALID. THE CARS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM STARTED TO HAVE ISSUES. THE ISSUES WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM STARTED WITH THE USB PORT CONNECTION TO A CELLULAR DEVICE. SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL RECOGNIZE THE PHONE, OTHER TIMES I HAVE TO DISCONNECT THE USB TO PHONE CONNECTION, TURN THE USB CORD AROUND AND RECONNECT A FEW TIMES FOR THE RADIO TO RECOGNIZE THE PHONE. AFTER THIS ISSUES, ONE SPEAKER WENT OUT. LATER ON, A SECOND SPEAKER WENT OUT. I REPLACED BOTH SPEAKERS TO FIND OUT THAT IT IS POSSIBLE THE IN-CAR AMPLIFIER BLEW. AFTER THIS, THE RADIO UNIT WOULD AT TIMES GO COMPLETELY BLACK, CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON. AFTER THIS, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR NO LONGER LOCKS ELECTRONICALLY, I HAVE TO LOCK AND UNLOCK DRIVER SIDE DOOR MANUALLY BUT THE PASSENGER SIDE DOES INDEED WORK. AFTER THESE ISSUES, I NOTICED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON FOR A MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR. I CLEANED THE SENSOR, AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT AWAY. ABOUT 300 MILES LATER, IT CAME BACK ON AND THE CAR HESITATES/BUCKS CONSISTENTLY WITH A LOSS OF POWER ONCE THE SPEED HITS ABOUT 60 MPH. I-75 HILLS, I CAN NO LONGER ACCELERATE TO MAINTAIN SPEEDS. I REPLACED THE MAF SENSOR, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON. I HAD IT CLEARED FROM O'REILLY'S SINCE THE SAME CODE WAS APPEARING ON THE CAR. AFTER 10 MILES SITTING IN IDLE, THE TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR APPEARED. 10 MILES AFTERWARDS THIS ON I-75, THE CAR WILL NOT CLIMB HILLS, DROPS POWER, BUCKS AND JERKS THE CAR FORWARD AND BACK. I STOPPED AT A PART STORE, TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON. TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR GOES AWAY, ENGINE LIGHT COMES BACK ON WITH SAME CODE READING. I CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON. I'VE READ A LOT OF ARTICLES ABOUT THIS, NO ONE HAS FIGURED OUT HOW TO FIX THIS.

NHTSA ODI #11252717

70,000 miles · Aug 29, 2019
StructureVisibility/wiper

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA THE DRIVER EXPERIENCED SUN GLARE WHILE DRIVING A VISIBILITY HAZARD WAS PRESENT THE GLARE WAS CAUSED BY THE MELTING DASHBOARD THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD HAD MELTED CAUSING A SUN GLARE AND VISIBILITY HAZARD WHILE DRIVING. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA THE DRIVER EXPERIENCED SUN GLARE WHILE DRIVING A VISIBILITY HAZARD WAS PRESENT THE GLARE WAS CAUSED BY THE MELTING DASHBOARD THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD HAD MELTED CAUSING A SUN GLARE AND VISIBILITY HAZARD WHILE DRIVING. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER(UNKNOWN) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #11252177

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.

Go deeper into Nissan Altima problems