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:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
81,098 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 fuel system problems

fuel system problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2012 Nissan Altima:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2012 Nissan Altima Owner Comments

problem #10

Aug 192022

Altima

  • miles

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

On a road trip car stopped accelerating above 60. Caused us a long time sitting on the side of the road when car cooled we started up and went again. Took it into the shop and replaced the fuel pump. Then one week later on a trip to Idaho car is doing the same thing over the Milan pass. Acceleration does not work at high speeds even with a new fuel pump. Seems to make an airy fan sound like an air valve is wide open. Think it is a dangerous sensor issue. Ug. Help.

- Provo , UT, USA

problem #9

Nov 032020

Altima

  • 76,979 miles
My 2012 Nissan Altima 2.5 sl cut off while I was driving yesterday. I was going about 15 mph and making a right turn when the car cut off in the middle of the turn. There were no warning lights before, during or after the incident. I was able to coast into the parking lot where I restarted the car. There was of a tank of gas in the car and all of the battery cables were secure. I had the battery and alternator checked and both were fine. There are 76,979 miles on the car. This was the first time this has ever happened, however, after doing some research I have learned this is a common problem with this vehicle. I have loved driving this car for the past few years, but now I am afraid this will continue to happen and could cause me to lose my life in a traffic accident. Please advise me of your official recommendation as to how I should proceed.

- Lizella, GA, USA

problem #8

Aug 092019

Altima 4-cyl

  • 146,000 miles
Traveling West on hwy 44 started having trouble going up hills. Put pedal to the floor, and nothing extra. It was starving for fuel. Turned around to go back home, eventually stopping in sullivan mo. While going back I had to gain speed going downhill in order to make it uphill. On two occasions I had a semi rider my rear bumper even though I was in the slow lane. One time while gaining sped down hill, I had to pass the semi in front of me, or lose the speed that I had gained, so I tried to pass on left, as usual, but then the acceleration stalled once again. I then had another semi riding in rear view mirror, and was fearful of what could happen. I was eventually passed by semi on right, I got over, and then the semi on the left passed. Needless to say it was not a good situation. I have seen on-line that there is a class action suit against Nissan, but no recall for the cvt's. in my opinion, this is a must. Even the guy at Nissan had told me that he has heard of many stories just like this. Someone is going to get hurt/killed if nothing is done. Nissan knows of problem, hence the cooling device started in 2013 model. Even this did not fix the issue. Please force Nissan to correct their error in judgment before it is too late. Oh, Nissan does want to fix my issue, for several $$$'s thank you, a concerned driver.

- Ballwin, MO, USA

problem #7

May 112019

Altima

  • 126,000 miles

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

After a few hours of driving, the vehicle lost power and went into "limp mode" on an 8 lane highway. After research, Nissan have a known problem with the transmission that has yet to he addressed

- Brunswick, GA, USA

problem #6

Aug 032016

Altima

  • 75,000 miles
When traveling on freeway at 70-100 mph car will loose acceleration and slowly slow down to 40 mph no matter how far the gas pedal is depressed. Will not regain power until the car is pulled over shut off and within 5-10 minutes restarted and will repeat again within 15 -20 minutes of reaching 70 mph.

- Orange Park, FL, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #5

May 052017

Altima

  • 91,000 miles
At 1500-1800 rpms there is a vibration coming from the front end of my car. I took the car to my mechanic who informed me that my call was under recall for a throttle body issue and I should take it to Nissan. Nissan claimed that they could only repair my vehicle if the VIN# is in the system, which it wasn't. however, I am experiencing the same throttle body issues as all other Nissan Altima's made during the same timeframe.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #4

Apr 142016

Altima

  • 60,000 miles

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

Was driving at normal highway speed car suddenly lost power would not accelerate or turn more than2000 RPM when climbing hills car slows to a crawl you have to turn the car off and wait awhile and then restart it you may GO2 miles OR200 before it starts again

- Ripley, WV, USA

problem #3

Feb 212016

Altima

  • 105,000 miles
I was driving in the rain on 2-21-16 approaching a traffic light. The car accelerated when brake was applied, resulting in a 25 mph collision. Airbags did not deploy. I was bruised but did not require medical attention. I was cited for running the light. I am now afraid to drive the car.

- Snyder, TX, USA

problem #2

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 #1

May 012015

Altima 4-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
Was driving along 15 freeway southbound in las vegas getting ready to exit flamingo at around 7:30 pm. Road was clear. All of a sudden I hear a loud noise that sound like it' came from the rear of the car underneath. As I exit flamingo my wife and I start to smell gas but we think it may be because there are so many car's out on the road. When continue driving to our hotel (bally's) and pull in to valet. I ask the valet driver if he smells gas and he says yes it pretty strong too, my wife hears dripping and looks out the passenger side and see gas pouring from the bottom of the car. The tell me to pull the car to the back to park so that it can be towed away and the gas can be cleaned up by hasmat. I park the car and watch for a while as gas is just pouring from the tank. There was nothing in the road, I didn't run over anything I don't know what happened to the tank.. had it towed to autonation Nissan in las vegas and they said the tank was punctured some how. I did a little research online and found that this same exact thing has happened before nissanproblem.com/2012-Nissan-Altima-fuel-system-gasoline-problems-defects/ www.autoblog.com/2006/02/28/NHTSA-probes-Chrysler-pacifica-gas-tanks-more-Nissan-Altima-eng/ www.pathfindertalk.com/forum/87-pathfinder-warranty-service-issues/725-fuel-tank.html www-ODI.NHTSA.dot.gov/cars/problems/defect/results.cfm?action_number=PE05050&S www.carcomplaints.com/Nissan/Altima/2012/fuel_system/fuel_system_gasoline.shtml contacted Nissan still waiting for a response.

- Lake Elsinore, CA, USA

Not what you are looking for?