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:
69,453 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 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2012 Nissan Altima Owner Comments (Page 4 of 7)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #80

Aug 062018

Altima

  • 60,000 miles

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

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 #79

Jun 282018

Altima

  • 30,000 miles
Initially experienced loss of power around 30,000 miles while going 80 mph on interstate. Extremely dangerous situation as the only option is to pull off to the side of the road. Took it to dealer but they couldn't replicate or find anything wrong. Vehicle continued to randomly lose power while at high rates of speed, as well as a loud whining and humming sound. Took to dealership 8 different times and still couldn't find anything. Was told if a check engine light came on that would help locate issue. Check engine came on during loss of power issue, and dealership still told me couldn't pinpoint problem. The most recent loss of power in June 2018, I was nearly struck from behind by a semi truck travelling at a high rate of speed because there is no warning for the loss of power and there was no where to pull off to. Still an ongoing issue, and Nissan refuses to acknowledge the problem or do anything to assist.

- Cheyenne, WY, USA

problem #78

Apr 042018

Altima

  • 158,000 miles
I have had to have the engine oil cooler change twice within 14 months of other. And the engine oil sensor.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #77

Jul 232018

Altima 4-cyl

  • miles

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

2012 Nissan Altima. Consumer writes in regards to cvt transmission failure. The consumer stated the transmission would to shudder and jerk. The consumer requested assistance with the vehicle repair.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #76

Jul 082018

Altima

  • 113,000 miles
Transmission issue with the cvt transmission. Whining when accelerating or slowing down going up a hill or going down. Nissan extended warranties on earlier models but not the 2012 Altima.

- Guin, AL, USA

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problem #75

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 #74

Jun 302018

Altima

  • 106,000 miles

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

Lose of power climbing steep grade at hi altitude transmission over heating. This should not happen.

- Sanjose, CA, USA

problem #73

May 232018

Altima

  • 80,000 miles
I own a 2012 Nissan Altima and the car was running good untill 70000. After 70K mile its started making too much noise and at 80K miles its losing power even if I run the gas pedal all the way.the RPM will staty at 2500 at this point.when I researched found out that the cvt transmissions has design falw and most of the cvt transmission has the same issue. I took it to the Nissan dealer and they said I have to replace the transmission.I cant believe that Nissan cars lasts for only 70K miles. These problems are coming when I am driving on the highway all of a sudden and its very dangerous to drive this car.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #72

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 #71

Jan 132018

Altima

  • 132,000 miles
O hills and on warm days the car losses power and wont go over 60 mph this happened on the highway and almost cuased a wreck. This has happened several times. Engine light came on and the code said it was low on fluid. It was checked and was good.

- Procious, WV, USA

problem #70

May 062018

Altima

  • 118,000 miles

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

When driving in warm weather for 1.5 hours or more cvt transmission loses power and makes a whining noise. This is a known issue regarding these transmissions and Nissan extended warranty on vehicles up to 2010 because of it. Transmission says it is overheating and puts itself into "safe mode" thereby losing all power and ability to accelerate on hills, etc. I was almost rear ended due to the sudden loss of power and acceleration.

- Mount Pleasant, SC, USA

problem #69

Apr 292018

Altima

  • 114,000 miles
Cvt transmission has failed. 6 years old. Less than 120,000 miles. Stopped at redlight, could not pull out or reverse, car would only go 3-5mph. Car engine runs fine.

- Lexington, KY, USA

problem #68

Apr 252018

Altima

  • 166,000 miles
Driving home from work, turning onto the highway and car won't go above 20 mph and whines terribly.

- Red Oak, OK, USA

problem #67

Apr 062018

Altima

  • 90,000 miles
The vehicle will not shift out of first gear with its automatic transmission.

- St. Petersburg, FL, USA

problem #66

Jul 012016

Altima

  • 75,000 miles
In warm or hot weather, 75 degrees F or above, the transmission gets hot and fails to pull. It goes into some type of mode that seems to temporarily reset the transmission. I have talked to other Altima owners and it seems to be a common problem. After about ten minutes of letting the car sit with nothing on. The car will continue for a while. It has happened to me approximately ten times. The trips that it happens on are over 75-80 miles. Please reply with a possible remedy. Thanks, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Somerset, KY, USA

problem #65

Apr 042018

Altima

  • 111,000 miles
The cvt transmission will lose power when driving over an hour on the highway causing the car to drop speed on the highway out of the blue.

- Hopewell, VA, USA

problem #64

Feb 132018

Altima

  • 67,540 miles
Cut transmission slipping causing car to over ten with little to no acceleration.

- Kansas Ciry, MO, USA

problem #63

Mar 182018

Altima

  • 35,000 miles
I have 135,000 miles on my 2012 Nissan Altima. And I started hearing a whining noise and asked the dealership to check it out about 2 months ago. They said that's just how the Altima sounds. Now I am having to replace a transmission that's going to cost me $4,000. I researched transmission issues on the internet and a lot of people are having the same issues. Going up a hill the car would whine or when I try to accelerate. The car started to jerk upon pulling off and would not accelerate until I let off the brake then tried to accelerate again.

- Little Rock, AR, USA

problem #62

Mar 092018

Altima

  • 107,000 miles
My car is in excellent condition. Just under 7 years old and my transmission has to be replaced. The transmission began slipping and RPM 's were high when I was driving on the highway.

- Mount Royal, NJ, USA

problem #61

Mar 092018

Altima

  • 96,000 miles
Cvt transmission are not, not cars! there was a recall up to 2010, but they continued to make them with cvt! often when driving my car it lose all acceleration! I went to Nissan and there was no issue on the diagnostic tool and they said that due to this being the main job of the cht, they said a cooling kit can be installed, which it was. 2 years later, my car again slips into neutral. My gear shift moves sometimes and other times, just no acceleration this has happened now over 10 times in 2 days!!!!!! because the issue is not showing on diagnostic, they will not look at the cars transmission, trans fluid, or the gear shift. They wouldn't do a thing to my car! this is forcing me to drive with unsafe conditions! I am taking into a real and honest mechanic!! Nissan knows there is an issue and that many drivers are driving dangerously, as they refuse to do the right thing!!! there is no dipstick to check the transmission fluid or else I would do it myself. Do the right thing and save many people from getting into accidents and potentially losing their lives!!! coming off an off ramp, no acceleration; driving on a highway no acceleration, pulling out of my driveway after warming my car up non acceleration. This is dangerous and illegal!!!!! this issue began 2-3 years ago, was temporarily fixed wit the cooling kit that I had to pay for out of pocket, and has been happening consistently for the last 5 days!!!! google this issue and there are thousands of people with the same issue and Nissan offering no help nor even a simple mechanic once over look!!!! I am a social worker who works with children in foster care, often tranporting them from unsafe conditions to situations that I am promising are more safe and comfortable! I can no longer promise them this if my car is unsafe!! I have almost been in a minimum of 5 accidents because of this issue! dealership no help!!

- Woodlyn, PA, USA

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