NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
425 reports106,000 miles · Oct 1, 2018
Vehicle Speed Control
WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE USING CRUISE CONTROL AT 70MPH. THE RPMS SUDDENLY INCREASED TO AROUND 6,000. AFTER THAT HAPPENED, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD TROUBLE ACCELERATING AND THE RPMS WERE NEVER ABLE TO GET OVER 3,000, EVEN WITH THE GAS PEDAL PRESSED ALL THE WAY. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO GET ANY ACCELERATION AND …
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WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE USING CRUISE CONTROL AT 70MPH. THE RPMS SUDDENLY INCREASED TO AROUND 6,000. AFTER THAT HAPPENED, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD TROUBLE ACCELERATING AND THE RPMS WERE NEVER ABLE TO GET OVER 3,000, EVEN WITH THE GAS PEDAL PRESSED ALL THE WAY. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO GET ANY ACCELERATION AND THE CAR WOULD MAKE A WHINING NOISE WHENEVER PRESSING ON THE GAS.
NHTSA ODI #11132732
132,000 miles · Sep 13, 2018
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE SPEED REDUCED TO 50 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO EAST TENNESSEE NISSAN (5496 W ANDREW JOHNSON HWY, MORRISTOWN, TN 37814, 423-799-3561) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE SPEED REDUCED TO 50 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO EAST TENNESSEE NISSAN (5496 W ANDREW JOHNSON HWY, MORRISTOWN, TN 37814, 423-799-3561) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 132,000.
NHTSA ODI #11129334
Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2018
EnginePower TrainSuspension
CVT, THE CAR JERKS, SHUDDERS, STALLS WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS! ENGINE REVS ON ITS OWN, READ ABOUT THE HORRIBLE NISSAN CVT WILL NEVER PURCHASE A NISSAN NOR RECOMMEND TO ANYONE! TURNING IS A NIGHTMARE, DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IS QUITE SCARY. CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE NISSAN DOES NOT CARE! CLASS ACTION SUIT SHOULD BE FILE…
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CVT, THE CAR JERKS, SHUDDERS, STALLS WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS! ENGINE REVS ON ITS OWN, READ ABOUT THE HORRIBLE NISSAN CVT WILL NEVER PURCHASE A NISSAN NOR RECOMMEND TO ANYONE! TURNING IS A NIGHTMARE, DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IS QUITE SCARY. CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE NISSAN DOES NOT CARE! CLASS ACTION SUIT SHOULD BE FILED ASAP THIS IS PEOPLE LIVES YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT !
NHTSA ODI #11127950
117,000 miles · Sep 6, 2018
Service BrakesUnknown Or Other
THE TRACTION(SLIP) SYMBOL HAS BEEN ON FOR MONTHS CAUSING MY BRAKES TO SQUEAL REGARDLESS OF BEING ON THE BRAKES. TRANSMISSION HAS STARTED KICKING INTO LOWER GEARS WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE SPEED.
NHTSA ODI #11124719
94,000 miles · Aug 22, 2018
Power Train
NHTSA TEAM, I AM FILING THIS SAFETY COMPLAINT REGARDING MY DAUGHTERS 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. HER VEHICLE HAS 94,000 MILES ON IT, AND THE CVT IS ACTING UP. THIS YEAR, THE VEHICLE'S CVT HAS GONE INTO THE FAIL-SAFE MODE AT LEAST THREE (3) TIMES WHILE ON INTERSTATE TRIPS. EACH TIME IT WAS DURING HOT WEATHER (SHE LIVES IN SOUTH CAROL…
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NHTSA TEAM, I AM FILING THIS SAFETY COMPLAINT REGARDING MY DAUGHTERS 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. HER VEHICLE HAS 94,000 MILES ON IT, AND THE CVT IS ACTING UP. THIS YEAR, THE VEHICLE'S CVT HAS GONE INTO THE FAIL-SAFE MODE AT LEAST THREE (3) TIMES WHILE ON INTERSTATE TRIPS. EACH TIME IT WAS DURING HOT WEATHER (SHE LIVES IN SOUTH CAROLINA) AND CAUSED HER TO RUN VERY SLOWLY ON THE INTERSTATE. THIS CREATED AN UNSAFE AND HAZARDOUS CONDITION. THE NISSAN DEALER IS SHARING THAT THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO INSTALL A TRANSMISSION COOLER. I THINK THIS IS MORE OF A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT IS CAUSING HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF NISSAN INTENDS TO CORRECT THIS VIA A RECALL FOR THE 2012 ALTIMA'S CVT. THANK YOU. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #11121571
134,100 miles · Aug 16, 2018
Structure
ALL 4 OF MY DOOR ACTUATORS ARE SUDDENLY NOT WORKING. THIS IS SAFETY HAZARD. NISSAN NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE WITH A POSSIBLE RECALL. ALL 4 SHOULD NOT GO BAD AT ONCE.
NHTSA ODI #11120243
96,800 miles · Aug 13, 2018
Power Train
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY TRANSMISSION MISFIRED- MY VEHICLE LOST POWER AND WENT FLAT AT 60MPH. I WAS NOT ABLE TO ACCELERATE ABOVE 60MPH FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE TRIP AND THE CAR VIBRATED EXCESSIVELY QUITE A BIT.
NHTSA ODI #11119689
60,000 miles · Aug 11, 2018
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER CLIMBING A STEEP GRADE UPHILL, ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENT SANDWICHED BETWEEN TWO 18 WHEELERS ALSO GOING UPHILL ONE OF WHICH HAD TO SWERVE SHARPLY TO AVOID HITTING US. CVT TRANSMISSION LIKELY WENT INTO FAIL-SAFE MODE, SAME THING REPEATED MULTIPLE TIMES ON STEEP WINDING CLIMBS ON MOUNTAIN HIGHWAYS. VERY DANGER…
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COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER CLIMBING A STEEP GRADE UPHILL, ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENT SANDWICHED BETWEEN TWO 18 WHEELERS ALSO GOING UPHILL ONE OF WHICH HAD TO SWERVE SHARPLY TO AVOID HITTING US. CVT TRANSMISSION LIKELY WENT INTO FAIL-SAFE MODE, SAME THING REPEATED MULTIPLE TIMES ON STEEP WINDING CLIMBS ON MOUNTAIN HIGHWAYS. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH ENGINE CUTTING OUT AND LOSS OF POWER. NISSAN HAS ISSUED CVT RECALLS AND EXTENDED WARRANTY ON MODELS UP TO 2010 BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE IN THIS 2012 ALTIMA AND IN MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE CVT ON LATER MODELS. NHTSA SHOULD GET NISSAN TO EXTEND ITS RECALL/WARRANTY TO MODELS AFTER 2010 JUDGING BY THE MANY COMPLAINTS BEING REPORTED ABOUT THE SAME LOSS OF POWER ISSUE WITH THE CVT.
NHTSA ODI #11119357
30,000 miles · Aug 8, 2018
Power Train
INITIALLY EXPERIENCED LOSS OF POWER AROUND 30,000 MILES WHILE GOING 80 MPH ON INTERSTATE. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS THE ONLY OPTION IS TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. TOOK IT TO DEALER BUT THEY COULDN'T REPLICATE OR FIND ANYTHING WRONG. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RANDOMLY LOSE POWER WHILE AT HIGH RATES OF SPEED, AS WELL AS…
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INITIALLY EXPERIENCED LOSS OF POWER AROUND 30,000 MILES WHILE GOING 80 MPH ON INTERSTATE. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS THE ONLY OPTION IS TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. TOOK IT TO DEALER BUT THEY COULDN'T REPLICATE OR FIND ANYTHING WRONG. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RANDOMLY LOSE POWER WHILE AT HIGH RATES OF SPEED, AS WELL AS A LOUD WHINING AND HUMMING SOUND. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP 8 DIFFERENT TIMES AND STILL COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING. WAS TOLD IF A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THAT WOULD HELP LOCATE ISSUE. CHECK ENGINE CAME ON DURING LOSS OF POWER ISSUE, AND DEALERSHIP STILL TOLD ME COULDN'T PINPOINT PROBLEM. THE MOST RECENT LOSS OF POWER IN JUNE 2018, I WAS NEARLY STRUCK FROM BEHIND BY A SEMI TRUCK TRAVELLING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED BECAUSE THERE IS NO WARNING FOR THE LOSS OF POWER AND THERE WAS NO WHERE TO PULL OFF TO. STILL AN ONGOING ISSUE, AND NISSAN REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM OR DO ANYTHING TO ASSIST.
NHTSA ODI #11118545
158,000 miles · Jul 27, 2018
Power Train
I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE ENGINE OIL COOLER CHANGE TWICE WITHIN 14 MONTHS OF OTHER. AND THE ENGINE OIL SENSOR.
NHTSA ODI #11114140
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 ↗