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.

9.0

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$250
Average Mileage:
84,050 miles
Total Complaints:
4 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. dealer cannot figure out problem (2 reports)
  2. replace brake switch (1 reports)
  3. replacing alternator (1 reports)
2012 Nissan Altima electrical problems

electrical problem

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2012 Nissan Altima Owner Comments

problem #4

Nov 072019

Altima S 2.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 190,434 miles

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

Since it was 2nd time, when battery sign blinked, parked car aside and slowly engine stopped running. Replaced with an used alternator.

- TMM I., Dubai, United Arab Emirates

problem #3

Jun 172016

Altima SL 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

Very frustrating and downright unsafe to have a car that won't start. Kept saying "no key" when I had the key in hand. Could have had a child with me and been stranded in an unsafe area. Had to have the car towed to the Nissan dealer, the closest one was 28 miles away. Was finally called to say that it was a faulty brake switch and that no one in the area (I live in Austin TX not a third world country) has one so the car would take two days to fix. Meanwhile I had to rent a car to get to work $50/day and the tow cost me $144. Estimate for repairs: $350 plus tax for a part that costs about $19.99 retail. Oh and they charged me $125 just for the diagnostic so we could figure out what was wrong with the car! After seeing numerous complaints about this very issue, I am writing to Nissan and demanding that something be done to address this problem. And I want some credits for the money I had to spend on this fix. What kind of customer service is this??!!

- awaynetx, Austin, TX, US

problem #2

Jun 062015

Altima S 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 38,000 miles

Hot day in California. The 2012 Altima is parked in a Target parking lot. I get in after shopping and press the brake and push the start button. Nothing happens. The lights come on fine, but the engine wouldn't turn. Only clicks were heard in every trial. After a few tries, the brake pedal couldn't be pushed in fully anymore.

I called AAA and a rescue truck showed up. The person first tried to jump start my car, and it started fine, so he said I should probably show it to the dealer. I called Uber and sent my wife and baby home. At the BoardWalk Nissan in Redwood City, the service manager starts the car 5 times and it starts all times, and he said it was a "no fix"..he said the battery and brake switch both seem ok as the car started all 5 times without hesitation and he said that heat build up in the cabin could have caused this. He sent me away saying I was better off not having this examined in detail as he would charge for that.

So far it has not happened again, but damn what a wasted Saturday.

- S B., Foster City, CA, US

problem #1

Nov 132014

Altima ES 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 27,617 miles

I WENT TO START THE CAR ....PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND HIT THE BUTTON. EVERYTHING LIT UP, BUT THE CAR DID NOT START UP. I COULD NOT TURN OFF THE RADIO, LIGHTS, OR DASHBOARD. THE BRAKES WERE STUCK , THE WHEEL WAS LOCKED, I COULD NOT OPEN THE TRUNK. THE DASHBOARD STAYED LIT... WAITING ON THE TOW TRUCK COMPANY THE BATTERY WENT DEAD BECAUSE EVERYTHING WAS LIT FOR HOURS. THE REMOTE NEVER EVER WORKED PROPERLY AS I ONLY HAVE 1, THEY DID NOT GIVE ME TO 2.

I TOOK IT BACK TO NISSAN IN NEW ORLEANS AND THEY CHANGED THE BATTERY WHICH DID NOT HELP. (2012) I HAVE TO FIGHT TO OPEN THE TRUCK USING THE BUTTONS UNDERNEATH THE TRUNK ALSO.

- keachadrake, Gretna, LA, US

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