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 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
26,501 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 suspension problems

suspension problem

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2012 Nissan Altima Owner Comments

problem #13

Oct 012021

Altima 4-cyl

  • 129,921 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the steering wheel would emit an abnormal whining noise while both stationary and while making turns in either direction. As the failure persisted, the steering wheel began to vibrate, and excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. A dealer was not notified of the failure. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that her vehicle was not covered under NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V494000 (Steering, Suspension). The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 129,921. Consumer stated RECALL was called due to the rack and pinion of the steering wheel of the car.

- Fort Washington, MD, USA

problem #12

Oct 042017

Altima

  • miles
the airbag light that is under the dash board always turns on all of a sudden I am concerned the airbags might open or their migght be something wrong and god forbid in a accident they dont open also the suspention has always had issues

- Holtville, CA, USA

problem #11

Feb 172021

Altima

  • miles
I just found out that there were 4 safety recalls (performed 0)on our car according to kbb and for our safety purposed, it needs to be repaired and we just bought this in used car company last 09/09/2019.and please let us know if the car manufacturer will be responsible for the recall or we (owner).thank you in advanced

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #10

Dec 012018

Altima

  • 23,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. While driving over 30 mph, the vehicle became very unstable and swayed to the right and left. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer (mountain view Nissan, 2100 market St, chattanooga, tn) and the manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 23,000.

- Cleveland, TN, USA

problem #9

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

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problem #8

Jul 172015

Altima

  • 68,000 miles
On the above date, my vehicle was involved in an accident which after thorough assessment by the body shop and by the insurance company's field adjusters, was deemed a total loss. My vehicle's steering suddenly became very difficult due to the front wheels becoming seemingly locked and steering in the right direction was impossible. Steering wheel was extremely hard to turn as well. The airbags did not deploy either. Everything happened so fast. There was a loss of control which caused the vehicle to overturn or "flip". the vehicle was still upside down when passersby and law official arrived.this accident could have been avoided if we'd received prior notification. We know there were recalls for this year, make and model vehicle and those similar, however we were never notified by anyone of said recalls.this accident could have been fatal, that's how bad it was.by the grace of god it wasn't.

- Gaston, NC, USA

problem #7

Oct 182014

Altima 4-cyl

  • miles

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

My son was driving, lost control of the vehicle, the vehicle veered off of the road and hit a tree, went through a residential backyard fence and came to rest 3ft. Before an 8ft. Embankment into a creek. The airbags deployed and he had to be extricated from the vehicle. He suffered the following injuries: - 2 broken vertebra in his neck - broken clavicle - 4 broken ribs - collapsed lungs - laceration on his upper left arm.

- Napa, CA, USA

problem #6

Jun 272014

Altima 4-cyl

  • 57,998 miles
While in operation climbing up and inclines this vehicle engine lose power to approx: 40 - 50 miles and hour, along with a whining in the transmission, also the front suspension appears to be shaking. Windows refuse to go up and down.

- Murrieta, CA, USA

problem #5

Feb 072012

Altima

  • 5,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while traveling at various speeds, the vehicle veered from left to right. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the technician stated that the suspension needed to be replaced. No repairs were made to the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 5,000 and the current mileage was 74,331.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #4

Oct 212013

Altima 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 29,509 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the rear tires became worn. The contact took the vehicle to a local tire dealer to have the tires replaced. However, the tires could not be aligned correctly due to faulty calipers. The contacted stated that the vehicle would shake abnormally when driving at least 55 mph due to not having the wheel properly aligned. The failure mileage was 29,509. Updated 12/23/13

- Sarcoxie, MO, USA

problem #3

Jun 042012

Altima 4-cyl

  • miles

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

Headliner was made incorrect for all 2012 models and Nissan is aware and refuses to issue a recall. We have two of the same year Altima purchased on the same date. Also there is something wrong with the suspension still and when I turn to left it makes a popping sound. Went in to get oil changed and was told I had an oil leak that was going back into my engine and blew one of my cylinders and tore an O-ring so had to have that replaced. Also something wrong with rear defroster that required back windshield to be replaced. Horrible control issues when going over 50 mph. Also sunroof repaired several times due to repeatedly breaking on the track piece. This car as very poorly made and Nissan will not own up to their mistakes. Also breaks squeak non stop and grind and have since cars were purchased, Nissan informed us this was normal since they have metal break pads on the 2012 models. If I could give cars back I would in a heartbeat. Huge lemons on the 2012 hence the entire remake of the 2013's, they knew they messed up.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #2

Feb 072013

Altima 4-cyl

  • 30,350 miles
I purchased a 2012 Nissan Altima. While driving 35-40 mph the car began rattling, noise, bing like and vibration. When I reached the speed of 60mph, it began to shake and jerk. It's really hard to explain what it feels like, but I know it's not normal, I took it to the dealership, they said the front tires need rotated. The tires were rotated and the problem still exist. This car was a certified/used purchase on Feb. 5,2013.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #1

Oct 102012

Altima

  • 736 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving 45 mph he heard a rattling noise and vibration. The contact was notified of a recall for NHTSA campaign id number: 11V371000 (suspension). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 736.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

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