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 reports
95,000 miles · Jun 26, 2017
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE TASTA NISSAN WHERE IT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BASE OF THE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE TASTA NISSAN WHERE IT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BASE OF THE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 27162570 AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT AT THE TIME THE MANUFACTURER USED A DIFFERENT AIR BAG THAN THE AIR BAGS ON RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
NHTSA ODI #11001471
120,000 miles · Jun 26, 2017
Power Train
TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING. CAR STOPPED MOVING.
NHTSA ODI #11001402
130,000 miles · Jun 22, 2017
Power Train
AFTER I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MY CAR FOR 45 MIN ON THE FREEWAY GOING AROUND 70-85 MPH THE CAR LOSES POWER AND ALMOST FEELS LIKE IT IS GOING TO STALL. ONCE I WAS OFF THE FREEWAY AT THE INTERSECTION WHEN I ACCELERATED MY CAR WOULD BARELY MOVE. THIS SEEMS LIKE A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE HEARD OF OTHERS ALMOST BEING REAR ENDED BECAUS…
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AFTER I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MY CAR FOR 45 MIN ON THE FREEWAY GOING AROUND 70-85 MPH THE CAR LOSES POWER AND ALMOST FEELS LIKE IT IS GOING TO STALL. ONCE I WAS OFF THE FREEWAY AT THE INTERSECTION WHEN I ACCELERATED MY CAR WOULD BARELY MOVE. THIS SEEMS LIKE A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE HEARD OF OTHERS ALMOST BEING REAR ENDED BECAUSE OF THIS SAME ISSUE. THEY SAY ITS DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING AND GOING INTO SAFE MODE IN HOT TEMPERATURES. MY VEHICLE WAS DOING THIS WHEN IT WAS 65 DEGREES OUTSIDE. I THINK SINCE THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AND WITH THE SAFETY BEING A CONCERN NISSAN SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
NHTSA ODI #11000652
110,000 miles · Jun 21, 2017
Power Train
1ST INCIDENT: DRIVING ON HWY 5 IN CA ON A HOT DAY AT FREEWAY SPEED CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND DROPPED BELOW 30 MPH. PULLED OFF OF HWY AND SHUT VEHICLE OFF FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES AND NO LONGER EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE. 2ND INCIDENT: DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 80 IN CA IN 95-100 DEGREE WEATHER. GOT OFF FREEWAY AND CAR LOST POWER AGAI…
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1ST INCIDENT: DRIVING ON HWY 5 IN CA ON A HOT DAY AT FREEWAY SPEED CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND DROPPED BELOW 30 MPH. PULLED OFF OF HWY AND SHUT VEHICLE OFF FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES AND NO LONGER EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE. 2ND INCIDENT: DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 80 IN CA IN 95-100 DEGREE WEATHER. GOT OFF FREEWAY AND CAR LOST POWER AGAIN THIS TIME NOT GOING OVER 5 MPH. TOOK VEHICLE TO NISSAN DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE PROBLEM WHEN DRIVING BUT "MILEAGE IN" WAS THE SAME AS "MILEAGE OUT" WHICH TELLS ME THEY DIDN'T DRIVE VERY FAR IF AT ALL. THEY PUT IT ON DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE AND GOT A CODE SAYING "CVT A AT 4" AND "CVT B AT 7" CVT HAS BEEN OVERHEATED. RECOMMEND REPLACE VALVE BODY AND INSTALL EXTERNAL COOLER FOR CONCERN. I'VE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT SAME ISSUE WITH NISSAN CVT TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA ODI #11000549
150,000 miles · Jun 19, 2017
Power Train
IN WARM WEATHER, CAR CONSISTENTLY GOES INTO LIMP MODE. IT WILL ONLY ACHIEVE SPEEDS OF AROUND 30MPH EVEN THOUGH RPMS ARE ACCELERATING. I HAVE TO STOP THE CAR AND WAIT FOR 20 MINUTES IN ORDER TO DRIVE IT AGAIN. DOESN'T SEEM TO HAPPEN WHEN OUTDOOR TEMPERATURES ARE COOLER. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND IS APPARE…
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IN WARM WEATHER, CAR CONSISTENTLY GOES INTO LIMP MODE. IT WILL ONLY ACHIEVE SPEEDS OF AROUND 30MPH EVEN THOUGH RPMS ARE ACCELERATING. I HAVE TO STOP THE CAR AND WAIT FOR 20 MINUTES IN ORDER TO DRIVE IT AGAIN. DOESN'T SEEM TO HAPPEN WHEN OUTDOOR TEMPERATURES ARE COOLER. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND IS APPARENTLY A WELL-DOCUMENTED ISSUE WITH OTHER NISSAN ALTIMA OWNERS.
NHTSA ODI #10995853
Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 2017
Power Train
I HAVE 78K MILES AND MY CAR IS LOOSING POWER WHEN I AM DRIVING. LOOSES POWER AFTER SITTING AT A LIGHT, WHILE DRIVING THE CAR BUCKS AS IF ITS GETTING STUCK IN IT'S GEARS AND WHEN I GET UP TO A CERTAIN SPEED THE CAR MAKES A SQUEALING NOISE.
NHTSA ODI #10995539
91,500 miles · Jun 15, 2017
EnginePower Train
MY VEHICLE IS 5 YEARS OLD AND I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION. THERE ARE OVER 700 COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THE NHTSA AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER TWICE FOR THIS ISSUE AND THIS ONGOING ISSUE IS GOING TO HURT OR EVEN KILL SOMEONE. NISSAN IS FULLY AWARE OF THE C…
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MY VEHICLE IS 5 YEARS OLD AND I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION. THERE ARE OVER 700 COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THE NHTSA AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER TWICE FOR THIS ISSUE AND THIS ONGOING ISSUE IS GOING TO HURT OR EVEN KILL SOMEONE. NISSAN IS FULLY AWARE OF THE CVT ISSUES AND THIS NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED. THIS RECENTLY HAPPENED THIS PAST WEEKEND (2ND TIME NOW). WE TRAVELED MAYBE 35 MILES, WHEN THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO WHINE JUST BEFORE WE REACHED THE EXIT, I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. NO LIGHTS, NO WARNINGS, NOTHING STATING THERE WAS AN ISSUE. MY CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO A LOCAL AUTO SHOP, WHERE THEY STATED THEY COULD NOT ADDRESS THE PROBLEM AS IT IS MOST LIKELY THE TRANSMISSION. IT WAS THEN, AGAIN TOWED TO THE DEALER. KEN GARFF NISSAN. WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT MY 5 YEAR OLD CAR NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION! A YEAR TO DATE I HAD TO REPLACE MY RADIATOR, WATER PUMP, SERPENTINE BELT ECT! THIS IS NOT OKAY AND NOT ACCEPTABLE. SHOULD I HAVE HAD MY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR AND LOST ACCELERATION ON THE FREEWAY, I CANT EVENT FATHOM. THIS ISSUE TRANSMISSION DEFECT HAS SUBSTANTIALLY IMPAIRED THE USE, MARKET VALUE AND MOST OF ALL THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. MY FAMILY IS WORTH MORE THAN THIS DEFECTIVE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN MORE THAN HELPFUL AND THEY AGREED A 5 YEAR OLD CAR SHOULD NOT BE HAVING ALL THESE ISSUES. I AM ASKING THAT NISSAN DO THE RIGHT THING AND FIX THIS PROBLEM AND CARE ABOUT THE CONSUMER. I TRULY WANT TO BELIEVE THAT NISSAN CARES ABOUT THEIR CONSUMERS AND I REALLY HOPE THAT THEY REVIEW THIS COMPLAINT AND ACT UPON IT, DOING THE RIGHT THING AND RECALL THESE ENGINES. I WAS BLOWN AWAY BY HOW MANY NISSAN OWNERS EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE AND FILED COMPLAINTS WITH THE BBB, CARGURU, NISSAN AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS. PLEASE, HAVE THIS LOOKED INTO. I KNOW NISSAN IS FULLY AWARE AND THIS NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED.
NHTSA ODI #10995383
141,895 miles · Jun 8, 2017
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE STATIONARY, THE OIL COOLERS IN THE VEHICLE FRACTURED AND LEAKED ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED AN ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIR WORK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE F…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE STATIONARY, THE OIL COOLERS IN THE VEHICLE FRACTURED AND LEAKED ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED AN ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIR WORK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,895.
NHTSA ODI #10993932
Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 2017
Unknown Or Other
THE DASHBOARD IS COMPLETELY MELTING AND IT IS GETTING STICKY AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. IT PRODUCES A GLARE AND IT OBSTRUCTS THE VIEW. THE GLARE IS STOPPING ME FROM SEEING THE CARS AND OBJECTS IN FRONT OF ME. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.
NHTSA ODI #10993862
47,655 miles · May 24, 2017
Engine
POOO18 CRANKSHAFT/CAMSHAFT SENSOR ENGINE DIES LOSS OF BRAKES AND STEERING THANK GOD COMING UP TO HOUSE SLOWING TO PARK, CITY STREET. RESTART ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE RUNNING ON 3 CYLINDERS. TURNED OFF START AGAIN, PULL CODE AND ERASE. IT RUNS LIKE NOTHING EVER HAPPENED. CALLED NISSAN AND THEY TOLD ME THAT SINCE I ERASED THE CODE T…
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POOO18 CRANKSHAFT/CAMSHAFT SENSOR ENGINE DIES LOSS OF BRAKES AND STEERING THANK GOD COMING UP TO HOUSE SLOWING TO PARK, CITY STREET. RESTART ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE RUNNING ON 3 CYLINDERS. TURNED OFF START AGAIN, PULL CODE AND ERASE. IT RUNS LIKE NOTHING EVER HAPPENED. CALLED NISSAN AND THEY TOLD ME THAT SINCE I ERASED THE CODE THEY CAN DO NOTHING. GOOGLE 2012 ALTIMA ENGINE STALL AND PREPARE TO SPEND THE REST OF YOUR AFTERNOON READING STORIES
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.
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.
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.
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.