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.

1.8

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
90,813 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 brakes problems

brakes problem

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2012 Nissan Altima Owner Comments

problem #5

Oct 172019

Altima

  • 145,000 miles

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

A red flashing light that looks like a person sitting with a airbag in the face won't go off and a yellow light that has a X over the 2nd seat. I'm scared that the passenger airbag won't work if an accident occurs

- Thomasville, GA, USA

problem #4

Jul 042019

Altima

  • miles
The power outlet in the center console had gone bad so my husband changed the fuse and as soon as I started to drive, my car started jumping and would not go over 15mph. The traction control light and check engine light had both come on. I turned the car off for about 30 seconds then cranked it again, the traction control light was off and the car drove fine. Now at random times, usually if the car is left idling, the traction control light will come back on and the same thing happens but if I turn the car off for about 30 seconds then crank it again, the light is off and the car runs fine again. The mass air flow sensor was replaced in 2017 but that is the code we keep getting when it is hooked to a computer. The transmission was also replaced in 2017, no issues with it so far... no one seems to know what is going on with my car but it's pretty scary when I'm driving with my 3 kids and the car decides to lose power, jump all over the road and only drive 15mph. This happens at least 3 times a day and since this is my primary way of transportation, I would really like to know what is causing this issue so it can be fixed and I can safely Transport my children again.

- Haleyville, AL, USA

problem #3

Sep 012019

Altima

  • 100,000 miles
This was a used pre-certified car, purchased from the dealer in which did not have any issues until its warranty was practically no longer valid. The cars electrical system started to have issues. The issues with the electrical system started with the usb port connection to a cellular device. Sometimes the car will recognize the phone, other times I have to disconnect the usb to phone connection, turn the usb cord around and reconnect a few times for the radio to recognize the phone. After this issues, one speaker went out. Later on, a second speaker went out. I replaced both speakers to find out that it is possible the in-car amplifier blew. After this, the radio unit would at times go completely black, causing me to have to turn the car off and back on. After this, the driver side door no longer locks electronically, I have to lock and unlock driver side door manually but the passenger side does indeed work. After these issues, I noticed the check engine light had come on for a mass air flow sensor. I cleaned the sensor, and the engine light went away. About 300 miles later, it came back on and the car hesitates/bucks consistently with a loss of power once the speed hits about 60 mph. I-75 hills, I can no longer accelerate to maintain speeds. I replaced the maf sensor, check engine light is still on. I had it cleared from O'reilly's since the same code was appearing on the car. After 10 miles sitting in idle, the traction control sensor appeared. 10 miles afterwards this on I-75, the car will not climb hills, drops power, bucks and jerks the car forward and back. I stopped at a part store, turn the car off and back on. Traction control sensor goes away, engine light comes back on with same code reading. I cleaned the throttle body, check engine light is still on. I've read a lot of articles about this, no one has figured out how to fix this.

- Chattanooga, TN, USA

problem #2

Apr 012017

Altima

  • 127,668 miles
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 #1

Aug 312016

Altima

  • 81,397 miles
My 2012 Nissan Altima drove home fine when I got in the car the next morning the car would not start. Had it towed to Nissan after looking on you tube where there were many complaints and a way to rig it. I got there and they said the car brain was fried. The eoc the computer. This car is 4 years old and it cost $1380 dollars to fix! my 14 year old car computer holds better than that! why is this thing not a recall?

- Memphis, TN, USA

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