NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
425 reports122,000 miles · Nov 7, 2018
Engine
WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT IT I HEARD A WHISTLING SOUND AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NOTHING. I TRAVEL A LOT AND WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE I WENT FROM GOING 75 MPH TO 30 AND IT WOULDN'T ACCELERATE. I WOULD PULL OVER AND WAIT ABOUT 10 MINUTES UNTIL I COULD ACCELERATE. INITIALLY I THOUGHT IT WAS THE FUEL LINE SO I PUT FUEL INJECTOR IN IT AND IT A C…
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WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT IT I HEARD A WHISTLING SOUND AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NOTHING. I TRAVEL A LOT AND WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE I WENT FROM GOING 75 MPH TO 30 AND IT WOULDN'T ACCELERATE. I WOULD PULL OVER AND WAIT ABOUT 10 MINUTES UNTIL I COULD ACCELERATE. INITIALLY I THOUGHT IT WAS THE FUEL LINE SO I PUT FUEL INJECTOR IN IT AND IT A COUPLE DAYS LATER IT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME AT LEAST 5 TIMES. I CAN'T EVEN DRIVE IT ON THE INTERSTATE. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE MULTIPLE MECHANICS I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION AND IT WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA ODI #11149881
94,000 miles · Oct 31, 2018
Tires
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA EQUIPPED WITH SUMITOMO TOURING LST TIRES, TIRE SIZE: 215/60R16, AND UNKNOWN DOT NUMBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE STARTED VIBRATING UNCONTROLLABLY. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TIRE WAS BULGED AND THEN EXPLODED. THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA EQUIPPED WITH SUMITOMO TOURING LST TIRES, TIRE SIZE: 215/60R16, AND UNKNOWN DOT NUMBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE STARTED VIBRATING UNCONTROLLABLY. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TIRE WAS BULGED AND THEN EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.
NHTSA ODI #11144440
Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 2018
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY FOR MORE THAN 1.5 HOURS THE CAR SUDDENLY LOSES POWER AND SLOWS DOWN TO 45MPH OR LESS OR NOW POWER AT ALL. BECAUSE THE CVT OVERHEATS AND SHUTS DOWN. A NISSAN DEALERSHIP INSPECTED IT AND SAID WE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA ODI #11143584
106,450 miles · Oct 20, 2018
Unknown Or Other
2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. CVT TRANSMISSION. CAR LOST POWER AND COULDN'T DRIVE OVER 50 MPH. A WEEK LATER, CAR WON'T EVEN ACCELERATE. 107,000 MILES CURRENTLY ON VEHICLE. CURRENTLY WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET WHEN IT LOST TOTAL POWER. NO ACCELERATION IN REVERSE OR IN DRIVE.
NHTSA ODI #11141625
116,000 miles · Oct 17, 2018
Power Train
THE TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT AT 115,000 MILES, JUST BELOW OF THE CUTOFF FOR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY OF THE 2010 ALTIMAS. THE SAME TRANSMISSION RESIDES IN BOTH OF THESE CARS, WHY IS ONE COVERED BY AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND THE OTHER NOT?
NHTSA ODI #11141012
32,000 miles · Oct 8, 2018
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
SECURITY PROMPT TO" PRESS BRAKE TO START" IN VECHICLE INFORMATION DISPLAY FAILED CAUSING CONFUSION ON PROPER STARTING PROCEDURE FOR THE VECHICLE. INFORMATION TO START VECHICLE IS BLANK IN THE SCREEN,THIS PROBLEM STARTED WITH EARLY 2007 MODELS AND HAS SHOWED UP IN MY 2012 ALTIMA. THIS VECHICLE IS STORE NORMALLY HAS 32K MILES ON …
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SECURITY PROMPT TO" PRESS BRAKE TO START" IN VECHICLE INFORMATION DISPLAY FAILED CAUSING CONFUSION ON PROPER STARTING PROCEDURE FOR THE VECHICLE. INFORMATION TO START VECHICLE IS BLANK IN THE SCREEN,THIS PROBLEM STARTED WITH EARLY 2007 MODELS AND HAS SHOWED UP IN MY 2012 ALTIMA. THIS VECHICLE IS STORE NORMALLY HAS 32K MILES ON IT AS OF 10/9/2018 AND SHOULDNT HAVE HAD THIS KIND OF FAILURE. WHAT ELSE IS GOING TO FAIL IN THIS INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WHILE DRIVING, IT SAFETY ISSUE. THIS DISPLAY WENT OUT WHEN STOPPED AND TURNED OFF. THIS FAILURE CAUSED LOSS OF WARNING INFORMATION ABOUT THE VECHICLE OPERATION.SEE PHOTOS OF NORMAL OPERATION SUPPLIED BY THIS DISPLAY.
NHTSA ODI #11139124
99,500 miles · Oct 7, 2018
Power Train
MY SON'S 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS 99,500 MILES. THE CVT HAS BEEN ACTING UP MULTIPLE TIMES THIS YEAR. IT HAS GONE INTO THE FAIL-SAFE MODE AT LEAST FOUR TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY, CREATING AN UNSAFE AND HAZARDOUS CONDITION. WE'VE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TWICE TO THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALER AND WERE TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD NOT EMITTED FAULTS…
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MY SON'S 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS 99,500 MILES. THE CVT HAS BEEN ACTING UP MULTIPLE TIMES THIS YEAR. IT HAS GONE INTO THE FAIL-SAFE MODE AT LEAST FOUR TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY, CREATING AN UNSAFE AND HAZARDOUS CONDITION. WE'VE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TWICE TO THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALER AND WERE TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD NOT EMITTED FAULTS. THIS IS ISSUE SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THERE'S OBVIOUSLY AN ISSUE THAT IS CAUSING HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS.
NHTSA ODI #11138862
115,000 miles · Oct 6, 2018
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
WHEN DRIVING THE CAR FOR A LONG DISTANCE (30 MILES) THERE IS A WHINING SOUND THAT STARTS AND THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE. IF THE CAR IS ALLOWED TO SIT AND COOL DOWN THE WHINING WILL STOP BUT START BACK AS THE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION HEATS UP. DURING THIS PERIOD THE CAR WILL LOOSE POWER AND NOT EXCEED 40 MILES PER HOUR. THIS HAPPENS …
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WHEN DRIVING THE CAR FOR A LONG DISTANCE (30 MILES) THERE IS A WHINING SOUND THAT STARTS AND THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE. IF THE CAR IS ALLOWED TO SIT AND COOL DOWN THE WHINING WILL STOP BUT START BACK AS THE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION HEATS UP. DURING THIS PERIOD THE CAR WILL LOOSE POWER AND NOT EXCEED 40 MILES PER HOUR. THIS HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING THROUGHOUT THE CITY AND ON THE HIGHWAY
NHTSA ODI #11138806
95,000 miles · Oct 3, 2018
Power Train
CVT TRANSMISSION CAUSING EXCESSIVE VIBRATIONS. IT SLIPS AND LURCHES CONSTANTLY. IT SHAKES WHEN ACCELERATING UNTIL 20 MPH, AND STARTS AGAIN AT 20-30 MPH. THIS HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING ON ANY ROADS BUT IT IS ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE WHEN DECELERATING WHEN EXITING THE HIGHWAY.
NHTSA ODI #11133196
Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 2018
Air BagsPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
THE MPH WOULD REGISTER AS 60 BUT I KNOW IT WAS ONLY DOING 20. GOING AROUND CURVES IT WAS ACTING LIKE IT WANT TO GO BUT DONT GO FAR. IT WILL START BUT MPH WONT MOVE, AND WONT MOVE FORWARD BUT WILL BACKUP.
NHTSA ODI #11132887
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 ↗
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