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:
2 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
65,503 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 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #44

Apr 032019

Altima

  • 0 miles

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

Oil cooler leak was detected during routine oil change. Research showed this model & year has a recall already issued but there are no campaigns for this specific VIN not sure if this is something you deal with or if it's a mfg issue. Not sure what steps are to report to mfg if this is a known issue.

- Mishawaka, IN, USA

problem #43

Feb 272019

Altima

  • 0 miles
18hoz-1diag C check & diagnos (tech 561) complaint: Service engine soon light is on also C/S they were driving on freeway in traffic while rpms were around low 1, ooo vehicle would buck from slow speeds trying to accelerate also when vehicle was on a hill at a stop vehicle would not accelerate and started rolling backwards once vehicle gained momentum vehicle started moving please check and advise. Cause: Verified customers concern. "service engine soon" light is illuminated. Checked for dtcs and found multiple dtcs (dtc written on ro). Cleared dtcs and none returned after test drive. Vehicle did feel a bit sluggish on first test drive. Checked fluid levels and found oil level a bit low. Also noticed drives floor mat tucked under gas pedal. Removed floor mat and test drove again. Vehicles acceleration feels normal. Went to steep hill to duplicate customers concern. Could not verify customers concern. Again, correction: Replaced both cam position sensors as well as the crank position sensor. Cleared all dtcs and test drove vehicle no dtcs returned. Vehicle drives fine with no issues.

- San Pablo, CA, USA

problem #42

Mar 142019

Altima

  • 172,479 miles
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 #41

Mar 122019

Altima

  • miles

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

The vehicles engine is burning oil very rapidly and when I spoke with several mechanics to get a other opinions, and I was told it is a common problem with this vehicle. The dashboard is also very sticky and is melting was told that that happens to the vehicles as well.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #40

Sep 222018

Altima

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. While driving approximately 70 mph, the vehicle went into safe mode and lost power. There was no warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the vehicle lacked the fan to cool the transmission, causing the transmission to overheat. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Fayetteville, GA, USA

problem #39

May 152018

Altima

  • miles
There is a cvt and cvt coolant issue in this make model and year and there was a recall for this vehicle of prior years with the same issue and Nissan will not replace it. It makes the car sluggish and go very slow uphill. It is not a defective cvt but the cvt in the original model. We bought this car used so we may have gone to try to get the recall for this vehicle earlier but Nissan is saying they won't honor the recall now because it has expired.

- Mesa, AZ, USA

problem #38

Apr 112017

Altima

  • 122,000 miles

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

When I first bought it I heard a whistling sound and was told it was nothing. I travel a lot and while on the interstate I went from going 75 mph to 30 and it wouldn't accelerate. I would pull over and wait about 10 minutes until I could accelerate. Initially I thought it was the fuel line so I put fuel injector in it and it a couple days later it happened while I was on the interstate again. This has happened to me at least 5 times. I can't even drive it on the interstate. After taking it to the multiple mechanics I was told that it was the transmission and it will need to be replaced.

- Overland Park, KS, USA

problem #37

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 #36

Sep 012018

Altima

  • miles
Cvt, the car jerks, shudders, stalls while driving. This is very dangerous! engine revs on its own, read about the horrible Nissan cvt will never purchase a Nissan nor recommend to anyone! turning is a nightmare, driving on the highway is quite scary. Called customer service Nissan does not care! class action suit should be filed asap this is people lives you're talking about !

- Providence, RI, USA

problem #35

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 #34

Jun 102015

Altima

  • 30 miles

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

Cvt broke down- without any warnings. Rpms locked appears to be a problem in majority of Nissan Altima 2011-2012 models. Recall was issued for pre2010 models for the same thing but nothing was done for 2011-2012 models, which is the one I have.

- Boston, MA, USA

problem #33

Jun 122018

Altima

  • 151,000 miles
Cvt transmission has went out. I was diving on the highway and all of a sudden my car slowed down and wouldn't go past 20 mph. Nissan stated that transmission is gone and a new one is needed. $4000. Same thing happened to my previous car. 2010 Nissan Altima

- Murfreesboro, TN, USA

problem #32

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 #31

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 #30

Jun 072017

Altima

  • 80,000 miles
Car stopped accelerating, found out the tranny was bad. Nissan wont replace or compensate. Nissan dealer expects me to pay 4000 out of pocket for a brand new transmission. Car is only 6 years old. Havent even paid the car off yet and transmission is already going bad. Avoid Nissan Altima at all costs

- Mt Pleasant, IA, USA

problem #29

Jul 282016

Altima

  • 35 miles
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 #28

Nov 202017

Altima

  • 46,000 miles
The contact owned a 2012 Nissan Altima. While the vehicle was parked at home with the engine turned off, it caught on fire. The contact noticed the flames coming from the front of the vehicle between the hood and windshield. Prior to the fire, there were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact extinguished the fire with a water hose. The fire department and police were not notified. The auto insurance company inspected the vehicle and deemed it a total loss. The contact stated that the insurance inspector was unable to determine the cause of the fire as the wires behind the engine block were melted. The vehicle was not inspected by an independent mechanic or dealer to determine the cause of the fire. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.

- Cleveland, TN, USA

problem #27

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 #26

Jul 072017

Altima

  • 80,000 miles
After driving vehicle for 1 hour or more, vehicle goes into fail-safe mode, meaning the rpms will not go over 2500. So, if one is on the highway going 70 mph, then arrives at a hill, then the vehicle speed could decrease to 40 mph. According to mechanic, this is a known issue and Nissan has a service kit for this exact issue. I am not sure why it is not a recall...

- Orem, UT, USA

problem #25

Jul 012017

Altima

  • 91,800 miles
Enigine/transmission issues on our way out of town, not 45 minutes into our trip and without warning the car goes from 65 miles to less. The car will not accelerate. With a two lane highway and trucks behind us. I am very concerned of getting stranded in the desert, killed or severely injured. This is not the first time. It's occurred numerous times. Our dealer peoria Nissan in AZ said, they could not find anything wrong even after we insisted. Something's wrong, I swear it's a faulty transmission issue.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

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