CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2012 Altima has a defect trend of CVT transmission failure showing up around the 100,000 mile mark.

It's an expensive repair at nearly $2,000 average repair cost. For more information see Nissan Altima CVT defect info on NissanProblems.com.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
39,166 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Nissan Altima electrical problems

electrical problem

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2012 Nissan Altima Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #23

Apr 012017

Altima

  • 127,668 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I just recently replaced the battery in my 2012 Nissan Altima and now I am having the following problems: Gauge cluster is not working at all (engine temp, RPM, speedometer, gas). Everything else is working fine. I had all the fuses checked and all are working properly. I took to dealer, they are saying replace instrument cluster, program and retest for BCM failure(2 concerns-inst cluster no comm, power and ground present, U1000 and can system diag failed cluster can not get mileage) retest for BCM failure after install cluster is replaced (2nd concern is car is hard to turn on and off need to replace cluster and retest for possible BCM failure. My car was fine 1 week ago and passed the state safety inspection on 03/25/2017 at a certified inspection place. I have proof of all those copies it is truly manufacture ( Nissan ) problem with kind of vehicle manufacturing practice. I would never buy another Nissan in my life.

- Richardson, TX, USA

problem #22

Mar 282017

Altima

  • 113,090 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. While stationary, the vehicle would not start when prompted by the key fob. In addition, while driving various speeds, the vehicle would not stop when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact was able to place the vehicle in park to stop. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 113,090.

- Towson, MD, USA

problem #21

Nov 012016

Altima

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled several times with no warning. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who was unable to replicate and diagnose the failure. The vehicle continued to exhibit a loss of power and was taken for further inspection and diagnosis. The VIN was not available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.

- Vale, NC, USA

problem #20

Sep 212016

Altima

  • 45,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

All three passenger door lock actuators are failing. The problem occurs when the vehicle is stationary, with the engine and accessories off. When I activate the lock with the button on the outside of the driver's door, one or more doors sometimes fail to lock or unlock. The problem seems to happen more often in cold weather. The problem may happen less often when I use the remote fob to lock/unlock the doors. If the car thinks it is locked, and I open an unlocked passenger door, the alarm activates. This makes it very inconvenient for me to manually check that all of my doors are locked. If my car does not lock, my personal effects are at risk of theft. As a safety concern, if my car is not secured, I am at greater risk of being car-jacked.

- Highlands Ranch, CO, USA

problem #19

Apr 012016

Altima

  • 47,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. While in park, the vehicle failed to start and "intelligent key issue, will not start" was displayed across the message board. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but the technician was unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 47,000.

- Lake Geneva, WI, USA

problem #18

Sep 072015

Altima

  • 54,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start; however, certain electrical functions. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. The start button illuminated bright red when the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it could not be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.

- West Harrison, NY, USA

problem #17

Jun 092014

Altima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

All four doors of the "door lock actuator" failed. Need to use key only replaced two which also failed. ( 12 months warranty) concern related to the electrical integrity of the vehicle. What else may fail while driving.

- Lake Worth, FL, USA

problem #16

Jul 012012

Altima

  • 500 miles
Light in the glovebox doesnot have a switch. It turns on as soon as the headlights are turned on. My glovebox was full of some paper and I opened the glove box to fin dhte papers became very hot to touch and I felt like they would burn any moment. A switch should be included so that the light turns on only when the glove compartment is opened. Any cloth of easily flammable material can catch fire due to heat and go unnoticed.

- Aurora, IL, USA

problem #15

Feb 052014

Altima 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. While driving during inclement weather, the doors failed to lock and unlock on a couple of occasions. The failure became progressively worse over the years. The contact was locked inside and outside of the vehicle without warning numerous times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available. Updated 7/16/15

- Ipswich, MA, USA

problem #14

Dec 302014

Altima 4-cyl

  • 14,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. While in park, the vehicle failed to start. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 14,000. Updated 6/25/15

- Carrollton, TX, USA

problem #13

Apr 022015

Altima

  • 52,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. While driving approximately 35 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. After waiting for a few moments, the vehicle restarted and resumed normal operation. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 52,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Springfield, OR, USA

problem #12

Jul 182013

Altima 4-cyl

  • miles
Power locks/windows were slow. Contacted Nissan and spoke to [xxx] that told me we needed to take it to the dealer, but it was not covered because of the mileage. I didn't understand what the mileage had to do with the windows and locks. Nissan took care of the issue. In January 2013 they all went out and contacted [xxx] again. They would not pay for the work until we paid out of pocket and they reimbursed us minus the labor. Well it is almost a year later and the windows are acting up again. I can't afford the $900 to fix all the issues again. Turned out to be a lemon information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).?

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #11

Oct 012014

Altima

  • 17,100 miles
Tire pressure sensor light comes on when it is cold and stays on. Check pressure and tires are ok. Safety issues ars you never know if you have a problem. Called Nissan and they said not to worry when it get warmer the sensor light will go off, but when do you know if you really have a tire problem and a potential crash? I want the sensor replaced.

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #10

Dec 162014

Altima

  • 21,000 miles
I was at a red light and the car just shut down. I had to turn the car off and restart it! this is the second time this has happened. The first time about a year ago. I thought I had done something to make it happen the first the first time. Now I know it is the car. This is serious and scary! from reading the complaints I see this has happened to others and while they were driving!

- Pine Hill, NJ, USA

problem #9

Sep 032013

Altima

  • 30,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. While driving approximately 40 mph, the no key message suddenly displayed and the vehicle suddenly shut off. The failure occurred on multiple occasions with two different keys. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was notified, but no solution was offered. The failure mileage was 30,000.

- Kennard, TX, USA

problem #8

Jul 142014

Altima

  • 47,000 miles
On Monday night at 12:00am I was driving from California to las vegas Nevada. I was going 75 miles an hour when the car started to loose speed. The excel-orator would not move and had locked.the car speed had dropped to 40mph and would not move. There was a semi in front of me and two other vehicles to the side of me. I almost got into a big accident. I was able to pull over to the side. Terrified, I began to panic so I shut the car off. I drove the next 60 miles to vegas going 30mph the car would not go to a higher speed. When I took the car to the dealer they said it was a safety feature. I do not understand how a safety feature would deliberately jeopardize the safety of the driver. It is driving on the highway for fear that this may happen again.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #7

Nov 302013

Altima 4-cyl

  • 3,600 miles
Bought this car Nov 30 2013 from the dealer that originally owned it, it was a loaner car for their service dept. From day one that I have owned it, the passenger airbag light goes on an off at will. With nothing in the seat, it comes on and off, with a person in the seat it also comes on and off. This is a major safety issue! I took it to the dealer and they said it didn't do it while they were looking at it. Bring it back when it gets worse.... there are alot of these cars out there with this problem! there needs to be a recall on the sensor/seat/electrical system related to this. I am sure there is a short in the system. My grandmother's 2012 Altima also does this same thing. Also something is leaking onto the passenger side floorboard by the console. The dealer said it was a body panel and "fixed" it, but it is still leaking in the same spot, I have not had time to take it back to the dealer yet for the leak.

- Ocean Springs, MS, USA

problem #6

Sep 132013

Altima 4-cyl

  • 15,000 miles
When I try to start the car, the power comes on(radio comes on, dashboard lights), but the ignition doesn't start. The car has less than 15K miles on it.

- Arleta, CA, USA

problem #5

Feb 012013

Altima

  • 8,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited several electrical failures. The battery fluid would discharge and the battery was replaced once. The doors exhibited an abnormal grinding noise and the doors actuator was replaced. The remote also failed to start the engine and the dealer advised that the failure to start was caused by the anti-theft system. The failure mileage was 8,000 and the current mileage 14,000.

- Alpharetta, GA, USA

problem #4

Dec 202012

Altima

  • 18,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving 5 mph, she was trying to turn the radio on but accidentally turned the engine off because the radio and push-to-start buttons were abnormally close in proximity. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection and was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 18,000.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

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