Illustration2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CVT TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION WOULD TO SHUDDER AND JERK. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED ASSISTANCE WITH THE VEHICLE REPAIR. *JS
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Altima years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
620–25K
4425–50K
4650–75K
6375–100K
74100–150K
18150K+
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 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LARRY H. MILLER NISSAN HIGHLANDS RANCH (91320 PLUM VALLEY LN, HIGHLANDS RANCH, CO 80129, (720) 907-0718) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LARRY H. MILLER NISSAN HIGHLANDS RANCH (91320 PLUM VALLEY LN, HIGHLANDS RANCH, CO 80129, (720) 907-0718) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO REVERT TO LIMP MODE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A COOLING PUMP NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED TO COOL THE TRANSMISSION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.
TRANSMISSION ISSUE WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSION. WHINING WHEN ACCELERATING OR SLOWING DOWN GOING UP A HILL OR GOING DOWN. NISSAN EXTENDED WARRANTIES ON EARLIER MODELS BUT NOT THE 2012 ALTIMA.
CVT BROKE DOWN- WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. RPMS LOCKED APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM IN MAJORITY OF NISSAN ALTIMA 2011-2012 MODELS. RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR PRE2010 MODELS FOR THE SAME THING BUT NOTHING WAS DONE FOR 2011-2012 MODELS, WHICH IS THE ONE I HAVE.
CVT TRANSMISSION HAS WENT OUT. I WAS DIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR SLOWED DOWN AND WOULDN'T GO PAST 20 MPH. NISSAN STATED THAT TRANSMISSION IS GONE AND A NEW ONE IS NEEDED. $4000. SAME THING HAPPENED TO MY PREVIOUS CAR. 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA
CVT TRANSMISSION ON THE NISSAN ULTIMA 2012 HAS BEEN HAD GIVEN ME A LOT OF PROBLEMS FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS. UPON SEEING REVIEWS ON THE INTERNET IN HEARING A LOT OF COMPLAINTS DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH THE NISSAN BALTIMORE FROME YES BEFORE THE 2012 MODEL UP UNTIL NOW THAT SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM…
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CVT TRANSMISSION ON THE NISSAN ULTIMA 2012 HAS BEEN HAD GIVEN ME A LOT OF PROBLEMS FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS. UPON SEEING REVIEWS ON THE INTERNET IN HEARING A LOT OF COMPLAINTS DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH THE NISSAN BALTIMORE FROME YES BEFORE THE 2012 MODEL UP UNTIL NOW THAT SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM WITH NISSAN DEALERS TO FIX THIS BROW WITH ALL THE ALTER MOST THIS HAVING A STRONG WITH FAULTY EQUIPMENT. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE BY LOSING POWER ESPECIALLY IF YOU ONLY IN A STATE WILL CALL SEVERAL ACCIDENTS DUE TO LOSING POWER TO UPGRADE AND WANTING NOISE IS JUST CREATES A BIG PROBLEM MOON IN A STATE IF YOU DRIVE-IN IN YOUR FEWER IN A MAJOR CITY WITH THE THE VEHICLE SLOWING DOWN WITHOUT YOUR CONTROL.
LOSE OF POWER CLIMBING STEEP GRADE AT HI ALTITUDE TRANSMISSION OVER HEATING. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN.
FLASHING SEATBELT SIGN RELATING TO PASSENGER SIDE. ALSO WHEN IT RAINS BOTH FRONT AND BACK DOORS ARE FILL WITH WATER. WHEN DRIVING WATER CAN BE HEARD SWOOSHING. AFTERWARD TO RELIEVE THE NOISE, I HAVE TO PICK UP THE RUBBER AT THE BASE OF THE DOORS AND WATER WILL RAN OUT.
THE DASH IS MELTING CREATING A SHINY RESIDUE COVERING THE DASH. WHEN THE SUN OR BRIGHT LIGHTS GUYS AT NIGHT IS SHINING THE SHINY DASH REFLECTS ON THE WINDSHIELD CREATING A GLARE THAT OBSTRUCTS YOUR VISION WHILE DRIVING OR TURNING ON ANY HIGHWAY OR ROAD. THE SERVICE DEPT AT MY LOCAL DEALER TOOK PHOTOS AND SENT IT TO NISSAN ABOUT …
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THE DASH IS MELTING CREATING A SHINY RESIDUE COVERING THE DASH. WHEN THE SUN OR BRIGHT LIGHTS GUYS AT NIGHT IS SHINING THE SHINY DASH REFLECTS ON THE WINDSHIELD CREATING A GLARE THAT OBSTRUCTS YOUR VISION WHILE DRIVING OR TURNING ON ANY HIGHWAY OR ROAD. THE SERVICE DEPT AT MY LOCAL DEALER TOOK PHOTOS AND SENT IT TO NISSAN ABOUT 18 MONTHS AGO AND I HAVE HEARD NOTHING. IT IS GETTING SO BADD THAT WHILE DRIVING IT HAS STARTED OBSTRUCTING THE VISION OF THE ROADWAY.
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE I HAD MY CRUISE ON FOR AROUND 35-40 MINS, GOT OFF MY EXIT AND NOTICED EVEN IF I MASHED MY GAS MY CAR WOULD NOT PICK UP SPEED, I PULLED OVER WHILE COASTING, SHUT IT OFF FOR AROUND 10 MINUTES, TOOK OFF AGAIN AND IT DONE FINE. THIS HAS BECAME A WEEKLY THING . I'VE CALLED WITH QUESTIONS AND NO ONE CAN…
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WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE I HAD MY CRUISE ON FOR AROUND 35-40 MINS, GOT OFF MY EXIT AND NOTICED EVEN IF I MASHED MY GAS MY CAR WOULD NOT PICK UP SPEED, I PULLED OVER WHILE COASTING, SHUT IT OFF FOR AROUND 10 MINUTES, TOOK OFF AGAIN AND IT DONE FINE. THIS HAS BECAME A WEEKLY THING . I'VE CALLED WITH QUESTIONS AND NO ONE CAN HELP ME!!!!
Official recalls
412V494000 · 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
1EQ12002 · 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.