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.

7.6

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
58,700 miles
Total Complaints:
5 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (4 reports)
  2. rebuild transmission (1 reports)
2012 Nissan Altima transmission problems

transmission problem

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2012 Nissan Altima Owner Comments

problem #5

Aug 192018

Altima Limited Edition 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 97,120 miles

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

I was extremely happy with this car when I first got it ! As the years have gone by the car is getting progressively worse. I have kept up with all the maintenance for the car, and all. The car is jerking as I am driving, not handling well when turning. Car seems like it is constantly switching gears. When in park the engine revs up as if I pressed the gas, but I haven't yet. This is by far the worst car I've had.

- Mojisola A., Providence, US

problem #4

Jan 082018

Altima CP 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 119,000 miles

No warning light at all. Car seemed to chug a little, like fuel injectors fouled, for three days, so I treated that.

Then, suddenly car jerked violently and would not go forward or reverse at all. Had it towed to AAA. Paid $3,743. for a Nissan rebuild CVT trans they bought from a Nissan Dealer.

I really love this car and very disappointed this happened. Now, not sure if I should have taken it to Nissan dealer if some warranty coverage? Miles today are 119,500.

Suggestions?

- John D., Charlotte, US

problem #3

Aug 152014

Altima S 2.5L V6

  • CVT transmission
  • 34,175 miles

jerking at low speeds and loud whining noise at high rpms

Almost at 25,000 km, the car started jerking at low speeds, basically between 15 km/h to 40 km/h and at kow rpms 1800-2300 rpm. The dealer was denying that the car is having a problem. A year later (55,000), jerking has became significant and the car started producing loud whinning noise each tine just after 30 min drive or when pressing hard on the pedal. And after multiple visits and fights with the dealer they accepted to replace both the transmission and torque convertor at 80,000km as they couldn't indentify the root cause of the problem.

Now the car is almost driven 105,000 km and the car started making the same old noise and jerking again.

- chehimil, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

problem #2

Feb 112013

Altima SR Coupe 3.5L V6

  • CVT transmission
  • 32,000 miles

My car jerks in 2 different occasions. One, when the car is parked, back out of my spot and put the gear forward, it jerks. Lounges forward. This happens infrequently but happens at least a couple times a month. Happens more frequently when the car had no time to warm up in the morning. Second, when traveling at low speed ( under 40 mph), especially during rush hour, when i have to brake and then accelerate; it jerks. This I read on the forum that it is normal for 2007-2012 Altimas but not much news for 2012 Altimas. These occurred around 30k miles.

- Sam L., Ellicott City, MD, US

problem #1

Jun 262013

Altima 3.5 3.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 11,043 miles

The transmission in this car has been "herky jerky since day one. The dealer says it is normal; I know better. We have filed complaints several times and reported it on Nissan surveys. When we park the car, back out of our spot and put the car in gear to move forward, it jerks, severely. When traveling at low speed (under 40 mph) the transmission cannot make up its mind what gear it wants to be in. My experience driving CVT's is that they are pretty seamless when selecting "gears"; this car is rough shifting, you can feel it searching. Both these conditions are very annoying; my wife will not drive it, she feels it will let her down. The car has 11,000 plus mile; if it is not fixed by the time the three year warranty runs out June 2015 we will get rid of it.

- Bob W., Winchester, VA, US

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