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:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
67,474 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Nissan Altima Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #27

Mar 142019

Altima

  • 172,479 miles

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

My vehicle when driving will not throttle correctly so I have to pull over on the road and turn the car off and than turn it back on. After turning the car back on I would rub the engine to make sure it would throttle pass 3. lately though my car has been turning off while driving which is a big safety for my self and other drivers. Because I have to turn the car of and on quickly especially if im on the freeway.

- San Leandro, CA, USA

problem #26

Sep 262018

Altima

  • 115,000 miles
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

- Hephzibah, GA, USA

problem #25

Sep 272018

Altima

  • miles
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.

- Bladenboro, NC, USA

problem #24

Sep 302018

Altima

  • 106,000 miles

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

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.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #23

Aug 062018

Altima

  • 60,000 miles
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.

- Bellingham, WA, USA

problem #22

Jun 132018

Altima

  • 137,000 miles
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.

- Fredericksburg, VA, USA

problem #21

Jun 172018

Altima

  • 114,540 miles

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

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!!!!

- Summershade, KY, USA

problem #20

Jun 162018

Altima

  • miles
When I took the car up to 85 miles per hour and I drop speed and I tried to pick speed back up it wouldn't let me go over 40 miles per hour I had to pull over cut the car off and then started back up and then it let me proceed to go where I need to go and it acted normal this is the second time this is happen

- Tupelo, MS, USA

problem #19

Jun 022018

Altima

  • 94,100 miles
My car started making a whining noise while driving it. Going up the hill my car on a highway in the desert when the speed declined it's from 70mph to 45mph, which I tried to accelerate and it was stuck on 45mph, and almost caused the car behind me to crash into me with my three young children in the back seat. A lot of complaints have been made and nothing's has been done. What does it take a life to be taken in order for a recall. The transmissions on these cars are crap. Every time someone walks into the dealership they seem to be well aware but no recall he been done.

- Rialto, CA, USA

problem #18

Feb 192018

Altima

  • 60 miles
Takata recall. I was traveling on the interstate, in heavy traffic, when my car began to slow it refused to maintain my speed or accelerate at all. I had to pull into the median to avoid being hit by an 18 wheeler. I had my sister and two of our little kids in the car with me. This is not the only time it has done this it has done it several times now and the mechanics can't find anything wrong. I have read several places where others have had this same issue.... I believe their is a manufacturer default with either the acceleration or transmission.... it just revs up sounds like it's doing something but not increasing speed. I have noticed that it occurs mostly after I have been traveling a while...like about an hour and a half or

- Foxwrth, MS, USA

problem #17

Jul 282016

Altima

  • 35 miles

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

My Nissan Altima 2012 has significant reduction in speed while taking trips less than 40 miles. Driving on fast lane on highway about 70 miles then all of a sudden it reduces all by itself to 35-40 mph and I almost got into in accident because I did to know what was going on but had to get off the onto the side of the highway.

- Murrieta, CA, USA

problem #16

Sep 062017

Altima

  • 18,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while the vehicle was operated between 60 and 70 mph, the vehicle experienced an abnormal deceleration. The contact also stated the vehicle made an abnormal noise. The vehicle was taken to central valley Nissan located at 4530 mchenry ave, modesto, ca where it was diagnosed that the cvt needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.

- Salida, CA, USA

problem #15

Sep 052017

Altima

  • 77,800 miles
While pulling into a parking place at a restaurant all of a sudden my wife heard a loud noise and surge from the engine propelling the car forward and over an embankment fortunately for a few trees and god's help my wife is thankfully still alive the embankment had approximately 100' drop this has never happened before the sound coming from the engine she still hears, not sure once the car is fixed if we buy another Nissan Altima or even continue to drive this one, something caused this car to surge and it definitely was not her foot,

- Carnegie, PA, USA

problem #14

Jul 252017

Altima

  • 139,000 miles
Accelerator pedal came off mount while driving, no bolts holding pedal in place. I had to bend down to adjust pedal while driving on the interstate to get safety off the road. I am not aware of any notification of a recall to the defect. I took my car to the Nissan dealership in huntsville to have the car inspected and repaired. The service department found no bolts on the pedal assembly. I was charged $59.94 for the service and repair. On a related note...ironically I took care of a patient in the er last week who was in an accident involving their Nissan 2006 vehicle. While turning into their driveway, the accelerator stuck and the car jetted forward and ran into their tree. Their child, sitting in the backseat, restrained, struck her head on the side window and suffered a laceration to her temple region that required suturing. I gave the patient's mother this website to follow up with her complaint.

- Hartselle, AL, USA

problem #13

Jul 032016

Altima

  • 105,000 miles
While driving on the interstate to fl from ky at around 65-75 mph the vehicle would not accelorate past 3000 RPM's. going up hills was the worst, cars would pass and our vehicle would slowly decline in speed. Pulled over to check the car out and after if cooled down it when back to working okay but after another hour on the road it done the same thing.

- Elkton, KY, USA

problem #12

Apr 162016

Altima

  • 64,000 miles
After driving at 70 mph for several hours, the vehicle will no longer accelerate and slows down. The vehicle needs to sit for a period of time before it is able to accelerate again. This issue had occurred before 8K miles earlier and had the cvt cooler replaced under warranty.

- Oakland, CA, USA

problem #11

Jun 062015

Altima

  • 61,000 miles
Twice, I was driving at a speed of 75 mph on I25 headed North. As I arrived into Colorado springs, my vehicle decelerated to 30 mph in a 65 mph zone. I immediately pulled over. I waitied for about 15 min. Started my vehicle up & still it would only go 30 mph. I turned around & headed back for pueblo. Unsure & afraid that my vehicle would not make it home. Once my car was sitting for an hour, the transmission allowed the speed to rise above 30 mph. The same incident occurred on 6/27/2015. I am afraid to drive my vehicile out of town, in fear of getting stranded, the car overheating & the mechanical transmission malfunctioning. The Nissan dealer in order to resolve the problem, needs to install a "transmission cooling system". I purchased the extended warranty thru 1st extended, over $2600. They refuse to honor the warranty, claiming the cooler was ot in the car to begin with. I spoke with Nissan & southwest motors (where I purchased the car around 1 1/2 yrs. Ago. They've both confirmed that this exact problem has occurred in many Nissan vehicles. If the warranter is unwilling to warrant the problem, which is a major mechanical malfunction, then my 2012 Nissan Altima needs to be recalled! please help me for I fear this problem is a safety hazard driving on the hwy at a reduced speed & becoming stranded.

- Pueblo West, CO, USA

problem #10

Sep 132014

Altima

  • 60,000 miles
Alright so today I noticed a whining noise coming from the transmission. On my way home from work, just after leaving my car kept slipping out of gear. I get on the highway and the engine light comes on. Then im stuck in 5th gear for the rest of the way home. I got the flash codes and did a bit of research, here is what I found. 2012 Nissan Altima sedan - torque converter clutch circuit intermittent pausible causes: - faulty torque converter clutch solenoid valve - torque converter clutch solenoid valve harness is open or shorted - torque converter clutch solenoid valve circuit poor electrical connection - low transmission fluid level - dirty transmission fluid I have to pull over for about 5 minutes then start my care for the sensor to reset so that I can drive my desired speed limit. Once it gets hot the transmission will not allow me to drive more than 60-65mph. The dealer says I need to new transmission. I have 95,000 miles on my 2012 Nissan Altima 2.5 S and is already having problems. It's difficult for me to travel as much because of these issues. After an hour of driving, my transmission whines and my speed limit drops when driving this is extremely dangerous and deadly. I fear that because of the decrease in speed could be potentially dangerous.

- Austell, GA, USA

problem #9

Jul 072015

Altima

  • 68,000 miles
Today was the second time I've experienced this dangerous issue while driving on the freeway for about an hour and a half long. My car began to lose speed and would not accelerate above 60 mph. While I had the gas pedal down completely all the way to the floor, as the car could not gain speed. I could have been in a serious accident with all the traffic on the freeway, I had to merge over to the far right for safety. I drove my car immediately after to Nissan so they could verify this issue. They failed to help me in any way recommending I invest in a cvt cooler, due to not being covered under warranty anymore. A couple months back when the car was still under warranty I took it to Nissan with the same issue, at that time they stated they could not detect an issue. But now my warranty is up they're suggesting what the car needs. I'm very upset with how dangerous this can be and how careless Nissan is. It's like they are just waiting for someone to seriously be hurt in an accident to then do something about it.

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #8

Aug 182014

Altima 4-cyl

  • 71,000 miles
Traveling on interstate 70 mph, trying to maneuver around semi trucks and car decides to slow down to 60 mph causing several semis to slam on brakes, near accident. It was scary scary scary!!!!!! gas pedal to the floor it would not respond for several miles until it was safe to get off the interstate. Once we turned the car off and got back on the road it was ok, but it happened again 2 hours later.

- West Palm Beach, FL, USA

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