2012 Nissan Altima problems
The Nissan Altima is a mid-size car manufactured by Nissan since 1992. It is a continuation of the Nissan Bluebird line, which began in 1955.
The Altima has historically been larger, more powerful, and more luxurious than the Nissan Sentra but less so than the Nissan Maxima. The first through fourth-generation cars were manufactured exclusively in the United States and officially sold in North and South America, along with the Middle East and Australia. For other markets, Nissan sold a related mid-size sedan called the Nissan Teana which was between the Altima and Maxima in terms of size. In 2013, the Teana became a rebadged version of the fifth-generation Altima.
The name "Altima" was originally applied to a top trim line of the Nissan Leopard for the Japanese market in 1986, and then to the Nissan Laurel mid-size car sold in Central America and the Caribbean before 1992. In 1992, Nissan discontinued the Stanza which was a Nissan Bluebird clone, replacing it with the US-built Altima, while remaining a compact car. The first Altima was produced in June 1992, as a 1993 model. All Altima models for the North American market were built in Smyrna, Tennessee, until June 2004, when Nissan's Canton, Mississippi plant also began producing the model to meet high demand.
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Common 2012 Nissan Altima problems
The 2012 Nissan Altima has several common problems reported by owners, primarily concerning the engine, steering, and suspension systems.
- Steering and Suspension: Shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage (includes rack and pinion), power steering (pumps and hoses, leaks), wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension are all potential problem areas for the 2012 Nissan Altima. These issues can lead to a loss of power steering, wheel bearing noises, and other suspension-related problems, potentially impacting the vehicle's safety and handling.
- Exhaust Manifold Cracks: The exhaust manifold in some 2007-2012 Nissan Altimas equipped with four-cylinder engines is prone to cracking in the welded areas, causing exhaust leaks and making the vehicle sound like an old farm tractor .
- Oil Cooler Gasket Leaks: The oil cooler gasket in vehicles equipped with four-cylinder engines is prone to hardening over time, causing oil leaks that require replacement .
- Sticky Dashboard: The dashboard in some 2007-2012 Nissan Altimas driven in hot climates is prone to becoming sticky and melting, causing a pronounced glare over the windshield that restricts the driver's vision and poses a safety hazard .
- CVT Transmission Issues: The CVT transmission in some 2007-2012 Nissan Altimas is prone to making whining sounds, slipping, and vibrating after 70,000 miles, potentially rendering the vehicle undrivable due to a damaged belt inside the transmission .
- Rear Sway Bar Breakage: The rear sway bar in some 2007-2012 Nissan Altimas driven in snowy climates is prone to breaking due to corrosion, requiring replacement .
- Electronic Steering Column Lock Malfunction: The electronic steering column lock in some 2007-2012 Nissan Altimas is prone to malfunctioning, preventing the engine from starting when pushing the start button .
- AC Clutch Failure: The AC clutch in some 2007-2012 Nissan Altimas is prone to experiencing premature failure, causing the AC system not to emit cold air and requiring replacement .
- Mass Airflow Sensor Malfunction: The mass airflow sensor in some 2007-2012 Nissan Altimas is prone to malfunctioning, causing hard starting conditions, rough idle, and hesitation under acceleration. It is recommended to clean the MAF sensor with approved MAF sensor cleaner before replacing it to ensure the issue is not being caused by a dirty sensing element .
These common problems with the 2012 Nissan Altima can lead to inconvenience, safety concerns, and potentially higher repair costs. It is essential for owners to address these issues promptly to ensure the vehicle's safe and reliable operation.
Is a 2012 Nissan Altima a good car?
The Altima has good fuel economy and standard stability control. The first thing a driver will notice is the responsive engine and seamless transmission. Once under way, the composed ride and quiet cabin make another lasting impression. Although it's not a sports sedan, the Altima is responsive and pleasant to drive.
What is the biggest problem with Nissan Altima?
Most Common Nissan Altima Problems
- Failed Crankshaft Sensor. One of the most commonly reported Nissan Altima problems is related to the crankshaft or camshaft sensor. ...
- Transmission Issues. ...
- Acceleration Problems. ...
- Catalytic Converter. ...
- Engine Start.
How long can a 2012 Nissan Altima last?
between 250,000 and 300,000 miles
In terms of mileage and overall lifespan, you can expect somewhere between 250,000 and 300,000 miles of use from your Nissan Altima assuming that it is well-maintained and kept in adequate shape.
Are there any recalls on 2012 Nissan Altima?
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Altima vehicles manufactured from May 10, 2012, through July 26, 2012. These vehicles may have been equipped with transverse link bolts and power steering rack bolts that were not torqued to proper specification.
2012 Nissan Altima car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Nissan Altima problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Power train problems
- Engine problems
- Air bags problems
- Unknown or other problems
- Vehicle speed control problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2012 Nissan Altima vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 2012 Nissan Altima
The NHTSA has received 416 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2012 Nissan Altima. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2012 Nissan Altima vehicles.
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-17
- VIN: 1N4AL2AP3CC
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, there was an abnormal banging sound coming from the rear end of the vehicle, followed by a dragging sound. The contact also stated that the vehicle began to shake abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and discovered that the rear driver side tire was hanging from the suspension. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it remained. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 236,000.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-22
- VIN: 1N4AL2APXCN
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: The transmissions go out fast in the ctv Nissan Altima 2012
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-01
- VIN: 1N4BL2AP4CN
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: I have owned this vehicle for over ten years and now there is paint delamination on the hood and roof of the vehicle which is a manufacture defect.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-12-01
- VIN: 1N4AL2AP5CC
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Transmission
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-01
- VIN: 1N4AL2AP5CC
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: Service Engine Soon light on. Was driving on highway at 55mph Transmission started to slip and car started to slow down while I was pressing gas pedal. The more I pressed on gas pedal the more the car lost acceleration. Had to move off to side of the road and turn car off. Took to mechanic and had transmission flushed and plate replaced. Transmission needs to be replaced. Ran diagnostic and codes for Transmission comes up.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-12-01
- VIN: 1N4AL2EP8CC
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the OCS control unit was malfunctioning. The dealer determined that the front passenger’s side seat needed to be replaced. The dealer charged a fee to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-09-12
- VIN: 1N4AL2AP9CC
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: I have a 2012 nissan altima that I purchased in 2018. in florida. check engine light appeared first. it currently doesn't run because of the transmission. it doesnt excelerate above 20mph. is there is a nationwide recall because of the cvt transmissions going bad?. I already tried to fix 2 separate parts on the transmission the code I'm getting is p1778. I changed the stepper motor and valve body and it's still won't go above 20mph. I don't have 5,000 to replace a transmission. we've been stuck on the road twice in traffic when it doesn't want to excelerate above 20mph
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-09-15
- VIN: 1N4AL2EP7CC
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the seat sensor unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V408000 (Air Bags) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 28,000.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-06-19
- VIN: 1N4AL2APXCN
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: I just recently financed my car I haven’t even had it 1 month and every time I drive it for more than 1 hour the transmission fills like it’s going out on me on the freeway I can’t seem to get it to go over 40 miles an hour and it makes sun weird noise and idles high I can also feel it when I drive I can fill it slipping it jerks it only has 117000 miles on it I did mention it to the dealership and he said it wasn’t the transmission it was something else I know it’s the transmission I just wanted to know if it was a recall or anyone else had this issue I have not had it inspected being it hasn’t even been a month yet
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-06-23
- VIN: 1N4AL2AP1CN
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Driving back from Wichita today my hood kept popping open. I had to pull off the interstate and close it.
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-03-01
- VIN: 1N4AL2AP3CN
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
- Summary: When I BARELY accelerate my car it does a very aggressive bucking motion along with loud noise. I have done put over $3k in vehicle! Nissan fix your shit!
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-04-04
- VIN: 1N4BL2EP9CC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: Have a '12 SR coupe. Car keeps turning over for 5-10 seconds before starting. The alternator checked fine, but the battery voltage was a little low. I bought a brand new battery and that seemed to fix the problem....... for an hour. New battery is at the correct voltage, and alternator came back fine again. Even Nissan themselves have bo idea what's wrong. I've never seen this complaint anywhere, but I assume not that many people own the coupes. I even had an 09 SE coupe that never did this.
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-03-08
- VIN: 1N4AL2APXCC
- Components: TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the traction control warning light illuminated, and the vehicle was jerking. Additionally, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 25-30 MPH. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-01-11
- VIN: 1N4AL2AP7CC
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
- Summary: What component or system failed or malfunction and is it available for inspection upon request. The CVT failsafe high fluid temperature protection mode enacted while I was driving on the highway at speeds of 65 to 70 mph going with the flow of traffic it is not available for inspection upon request because this issue only occurs while you're driving down the highway. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? My safety and the safety of my passengers and the safety of my fellow commuters was put in jeopardy due to negligence of the manufacturer of the 2012 Nissan Altima when this occurs all acceleration ceases your foot can be all the way to the floor on the gas pedal and your car will not accelerate and in the fast lane on the highway when this happened I became a Sitting Duck in the flow of traffic cars are flying by me and my passengers and I can't get enough speed to change lanes and get out of danger due to a failsafe that Nissan put in these cars on purpose they were fully aware of these issues this is a direct quote from the 2012 Nissan Altima owners manual page 5-17 warning when the high fluid temperature protection mode or fail safe operation occurs vehicle speed may be gradually reduced the reduced speed may be lower than traffic which could increase the chance of a collision be especially careful when driving if necessary pull to the side of the road to a safe place and allow the transmission to return to normal operation or have it reparative necessary. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. Unknown. has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer police Insurance Representatives or others. Unknown. Where there any warning lamps messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure and when did they first appear. Zero warning lamps no messages just all of the sudden no acceleration and I am in a very dangerous situation which could have cost many people their lives
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-12-01
- VIN: 1N4AL2EP4CC
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The airbag warning light started flashing in late November or early December 2022. I took the car to my mechanic on Dec. 5, 2022 who ran a diagnostic which identified the need to replace the sensor in the front passenger seat. The sensor is so integrated into the seat that the entire seat (not the back) must be replaced. I was then told that Nissan has stopped making the seat because the car is over 10 years old and a replacement is unavailable nationwide and will not become available. I called a Nissan dealer to confirm that the part is unavailable and they confirmed it. As a result, it is unsafe for a person to sit in the passenger seat. It seems wrong that Nissan can stop making such an essential part and devalue someone's life or the vehicle itself in this way. It also seems to me that I cannot sell the car in this condition and it only has about 76,000 miles on it. The vehicle is available for inspection should someone wish to do so.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-01-11
- VIN: 1N4AL2AP4CC
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
- Summary: Hi I’m having trouble with my transmission in my car due to a safety feature that Nissan has installed on there cvt transmissions. After driving for 1 1/2 to 2 hour trips my car does not accelerate or will have a slow time gaining speed. Nissan has a high fluid temperature protection mode that basically when the transmission temp gets too high the computer cuts you off completely and intentionally stops you from going any faster. This is a serious issues if your in traffic or driving somewhere on the highway and not able to move to the side of the roadway or to a median. If my car was to completely stop in the middle of the road due to this safety feature, it could cause collisions and life threatening injuries.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-06-01
- VIN: 1N4AL2AP2CN
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: Transmission spudders at times. It is very delayed when pulling out sometimes. Turning the car off and back on might help sometimes. Car will go in limp mode. Nissan dealer said it was the Transmission. There is a big safety concern because when you push the gas trying to cross an intersection, it might lag behind and not go. This could result in being hit. This has been a great car but the cat is complete junk and Nissan should be ashamed of themselves for this. If they get enough law suits they may change something. Well maybe, They don't care about peoples lives.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-11-04
- VIN: 1n4al2ap1cc
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: Vehicle when in drive or reverse would barely move and almost got stranded in traffic. Finally will not move at all
VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-06-01
- VIN: 1N4AL2AP8Cc
- Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: 2012 Altima defective sticky melting dashboard cause severe windshield glare when driving when sun from a certain angle ( no vehicle accident so far)
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-04-17
- VIN: 1N4AL2AP2CC
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: After making right turn onto very busy 4 lane road with cars traveling 55 mph, the car failed to accelerate and had no power. Car acted as though it was in neutral. Fortunately, the road was downhill at this point and after turning on emergency blinking lights was able to coast about 3/4 mile to next street and turn right. I was almost rear ended three times during this coasting period at about 15 mph. On this part of the highway there was no place to pull over as the curb was next to the right hand lane. Had the car towed to a Nissan dealer the next day and was told that the transmission had "totally disintegrated" and was "unrepairable." Cost $4800 to repair. Was told that this was a "common occurrence" with the 2008-2014 CVT Nissan transmissions. Nissan has recalled many CVT transmissions but not 2012. Service manager also said that we were "lucky that disintegrated the way it did as some cars locked up in geared and immediately stopped." There was no prior warning of a transmission problem. No lights, no noise, no nothing. There was no way to know a problem or potential failure was imminent. This car is a danger. Had this occurred on a freeway in Los Angeles where we were driving just prior to this failure, it could have caused a major injury accident. This transmission should be recalled. The car had 97,000 miles. Nissan should be required to recall and reimburse owners who have suffered this failure in 2012 Altima transmissions.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-10-02
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1n4al2ap5cn
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: Car had a hard impact, not on the front end but flipped multiple times, air bags and side air bags did not deploy
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-08-19
- VIN: 1n4al2ap5cc
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: On a road trip car stopped accelerating above 60. Caused us a long time sitting on the side of the road when car cooled we started up and went again. Took it into the shop and replaced the fuel pump. Then one week later on a trip to Idaho car is doing the same thing over the Milan pass. Acceleration does not work at high speeds even with a new fuel pump. Seems to make an airy fan sound like an air valve is wide open. Think it is a dangerous sensor issue. Ug. Help.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-05-19
- VIN: 1N4AL2AP5CN
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING. IT IS NOW TO THE POINT WHERE IT PEELS UP IF ANY ITEM IS PLACED ON IT AND THEN REMOVED. THERE IS A WET OILY SUBSTANCE FORMING IN PLACES ALL OVER THE DASH. IT IS INCREDIBLY STICKY ALL OVER. I PLACED MY CELL PHONE ON THE DASH WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO GET IT OFF OF MY DASH. THAT RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE GOING IN TO THE LANE ADJACENT WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS JERKED DURING REMOVAL OF THE PHONE. IT POTENTIALLY COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS CRASH. THE PHONE PULLED PART OF THE VINYL DASH OFF AS WELL. I HAVE CHECKED RECALLS FOR NISSAN AND THE DASH IS NOT AMONG THEM. I NOTED A VERY SLIGHT STICKINESS ON THE DASH WHEN I PURCHASED THE ALTIMA USED IN 2017 AFTER HURRICANE HARVEY. IT HAS PROGRESSIVELY BECOME WORSE UNTIL I AM NOW IN THE SITUATION I HAVE REPORTED. AS A SIDE NOTE, I HAD PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 2006 TOYOTA SOLERA IT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE DASH. TOYOTA DID ISSUE A RECALL ON THE DASH. I HAD IT REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP WITHOUT INCIDENT.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-09-01
- VIN: 1n4al2ap6cc
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the traction control warning light would intermittently illuminate. As a result, the vehicle would hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that he would turn off the vehicle for approximately 20 seconds before restarting the vehicle to resume normal driving. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where minor repairs were performed; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered no assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-07-01
- VIN: 1N4AL2AP5CN
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: I have a 2012 Nissan Altima. Four years ago I drove from Sacramento, CA, to Reno, NV, with two friends in my car. As I was driving over the summit on Highway 80 my car started to lose power. This was extremely scary as the highway is only two lanes and since it was a Saturday there was a lot of traffic. I was driving in the slow lane and as my car continued to lose power and slow there was noplace to get off the road. I pulled onto the narrow sholder between the slow lane and the concrete barrier and my car came to a complete stop. Since there were cars whizzing by I was not able to open either the drivers side door or the passenger side door, which was inches away from the concrete divider. At this point I was shaking uncontrollably and in a panic I called Nissan of Sacramento to tell them what happened. The technician suggested that my transmission may have over-heated. He suggested that I wait for the transmission to cool and see if I was able to then make it to the nearest freeway offramp, which I did. After exiting the freeway we waited for an hour or so and were then able to proceed to Reno, NV. Once there, I took my car to a mechanic who checked the other systems and could find nothing wrong. Once back home in Sacramento I took my car to Nissan of Sacramento and was then informed that my transmission had burned and would need to be replaced. They contacted Nissan and were informed that there were no recalls and that I would need to pay for a new transmission out of pocket and the cost would exceed $4,700. After contacting Nissan myself, they informed me that they would not cover the cost of a new transmission. Since I am a retired, single senior citizen living on a fixed income, I have not been able to replace the transmission and subsequently have not driven more than 20 miles from my home. I have read that CVT Transmission problems are very common with Nissan Altimas. Why would they deny my claim when this is such a serious safety issue?
2012 Nissan Altima recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 4 recalls for different components of the 2012 Nissan Altima.
- Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: Nissan is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Altima vehicles manufactured from May 10, 2012, through July 26, 2012. These vehicles may have been equipped with transverse link bolts and power steering rack bolts that were not torqued to proper specification.
- Consequence: The affected bolts could become loose and fall out which may lead to a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the bolts to the proper torque specifications. The safety recall is expected to begin during November 2012. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1-800-647-7261.
- Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
- Components: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
- Summary: NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 ALTIMA AND VERSA VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS THAT CONTAIN AN INCORRECT PROPELLANT MIXTURE FOR THE INITIATOR COMPONENT USED, RESULTING IN INSUFFICIENT OUTPUT OF COMPRESSED GAS.
- Consequence: THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
- Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ONE OR BOTH SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG MODULES, AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 12, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 615-725-1000.
- Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
- Summary: NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 15, 2011, THROUGH JUNE 21, 2011 AND MODEL YEAR 2012 NISSAN NV VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 23, 2011, THROUGH JUNE 28, 2011 BECAUSE THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT (ACU) WAS ASSEMBLED INCORRECTLY.
- Consequence: THE AFFECTED ACU WILL NOT OPERATE AS DESIGNED AND THIS ISSUE MAY CAUSE THE AIR BAGS NOT TO INFLATE IN A CRASH WHEN THEY ARE DESIGNED TO INFLATE. THIS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY.
- Remedy: NISSAN WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 22, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
- Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 NISSAN ALTIMA SEDAN VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 25, 2011, THROUGH JUNE 10, 2011 AT THE CANTON, MISSISSIPPI PLANT. THE TRANSVERSE LINK BOLT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TORQUED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE BOLT TO BECOME LOOSE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, CREATING A RATTLING NOISE AND VIBRATION.
- Consequence: IF THE BOLT COMES OUT COMPLETELY, THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
- Remedy: NISSAN WILL REPLACE THE TRANSVERSE LINK BOLTS AND NUTS AND TIGHTEN THEM TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATION FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 8, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Negative 2012 Nissan Altima car reviews
Positive 2012 Nissan Altima car reviews
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Congratulations on your new Nissan Altima! It's great to hear that you were thrilled with your purchase. The interior looks brand new and is very roomy and comfortable for road trips. Additionally, the car gets great gas mileage and has plenty of storage places inside. The push to start feature is pretty cool too! During your test drive, the car drove very smoothly and you didn't experience any problems with the vehicle at all. Based on your experience, you would highly recommend this vehicle to anyone in need of something reliable and great on gas. Thank you for sharing your positive experience with us!
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When you turn on your turn signal, be careful not to accidentally turn off the automatic headlights. Also, the AC/Heat controls do not seem to correspond with the right and left controls. Personally, I wish I had opted for the electronically controlled passenger side seat, as adjusting it manually can be quite a hassle to get it back to its original position.
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You made a great choice! Your car has all the bells and whistles and you bought it just last month with only 39000 miles. The seating is very comfortable, especially with the leather. The ride and steering are great, and it holds the road very well with a quiet ride. Although you may have heard some negatives about the cvt transmission, once you get used to it, you'll enjoy the smoothness. Just make sure to do your required servicing and you'll be fine. The 2.5 engine provides plenty of power. Even if you drive conservatively, you can still get an astounding 30+mpg in the city. At highway speeds of 70-80mph, you can still get 28mpg. All things considered, I would definitely buy another car like this. It's a great value for the price.
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This is actually my second Nissan Altima! My previous one was a 2002 model, and in the 10 years that I owned it, I only had to replace the tires and battery. It was truly a fabulous car and the best one I've ever owned, so I knew I had to buy another Nissan Altima. This new one is also great! I really like the exterior, and I absolutely LOVE the keyless entry and keyless start - it's wonderful! The mileage will improve with time, and the ride is much nicer and quieter than my 2002 model. It also handles bumps and potholes really well. The only downside is that the interior is a bit boring. When I looked at GM cars, I noticed that they really know how to do interiors, whereas Nissan's interiors can be a bit dull. However, reliability is what really counts, and Nissan definitely delivers on that front!
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I recently purchased a vehicle from my nephew who takes great care of his cars. Over the past 9 years, he has never encountered any major issues with the engine, 3.5 V6, or transmission (CVT). I live in the mountainous Catskill Mtns area of NY and I tend to drive quite spiritedly. I have found that the Nissan Altima's steering and handling on mountain roads is very tight and responsive. The acceleration is overwhelming, whether on steep uphill grades or at highway speeds. The braking is equally tight. Despite purchasing the car at 9 years and 138,000 miles, it still handles and performs like new. The only issue I have encountered after driving the car for 9,000 miles is with the tire pressure sensor. If you have the opportunity to purchase a used 3.5 with the CVT, I highly recommend it!
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2012 Nissan Altima problems:
2012 Nissan Altima Problems and Complaints - 15 Issues
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Jun 1, 2022 ... My 2012 Nissan Altima has 157,000 miles on it. ... CVT failure is common with Nissans. ... Nissan Altima Transmission Problems: Explained - ...
Forest Hessel 2025-01-04
If you're considering an Altima, specifically a V6 model, it might be worth checking out other offerings by Honda, Toyota, Chevy, Hyundai, Ford, or even Chrysler/Dodge. I personally bought my Altima certified pre-owned with 16000 miles on the clock and initially loved the car since it had every feature and option available. However, I did experience some issues with rattling and shuddering when taking off after a stop, as well as some hesitation. I took it back to the dealership where they discovered a defective transmission that needed to be replaced at 20000 miles. Although the car seemed to drive fine for a while after the replacement, I did experience some further issues with gas mileage and hesitation, as well as some brake and coolant problems. However, the dealership was able to repair everything under warranty. While the Altima has some great features, such as comfortable seats and great acceleration, I personally would have preferred to go back to my trusty V6 Accord. Unfortunately, I'm currently upside down on this Altima. UPDATE: The replacement transmission that was installed at 29k started exhibiting the same issues as before around 33k.I'm so happy to have traded in my Altima for a Honda Accord, even though I still owed a lot and it wasn't worth much. It feels great to be driving a car that I love!
Mike Jacobson 2024-11-18
I never thought to test-drive a car at night to check the visibility of the headlights in all the cars I've owned. I wish I had! Although I like my 2013 Altima, the headlights are not great. As one of the reviews mentioned, it's difficult to see past 100-150 feet ahead of you when driving faster than 60mph, especially if you're not familiar with the roads unless you're following someone. I'm considering purchasing road lamps to help, but it's ridiculous! I recommend test-driving any car you're interested in buying before making a purchase, especially at night on a road or freeway you're not familiar with, and reading reviews. Each car is unique, even if they come from the same manufacturer, so it's important to test-drive the specific car you want to buy. You'd think the poor visibility of my headlights was due to the plastic cover being 10 years old and needing polishing, but that's not the case. Good luck, and hopefully Nissan will take note of these reports and address the issue with the headlights. Despite this issue, I still like my car!
Horace Steuber 2024-11-14
Although the seats and exterior of the car are beautiful, the CVT whining and groaning during acceleration has caused me some regret in my purchase.
Carlos Shields 2024-10-04
The car's performance was not as expected. The 4-cylinder 2.5L engine had to be pushed hard to keep up with traffic, especially on hills, and was quite noisy. The mileage was good on flat terrain and when driving conservatively, but due to the under-powered engine, the average MPG was only 21. While the seats had good bolsters, the cushions were too hard to get comfortable, especially on long drives, and one slid on the seat under hard cornering. However, the cloth material was nice and did not get too hot or too cold. The head restraints could be improved to provide a more comfortable angle for the neck. The handling was good, but the ride was too harsh for a comfortable family car.
Leopoldo Hoeger 2024-09-25
I was searching for a car that was fuel-efficient, had low mileage, and looked sporty. I found one at a dealership for $12,999 and thought I had hit the jackpot. I purchased it in May and noticed a rattling noise and pulling while driving in July. It was hard to tell when it changed gears. In September, the A/C started blowing hot air and during a 6-hour trip, the car started losing power, making a whining noise, and struggling to change gears. Fortunately, the car was still under warranty, so I took it to the shop. They had to replace the A/C condenser unit and the transmission, which was stuck in 2nd gear. I had to pay a deductible for each repair. A week later, the car would not change gears, and fluid was leaking. I had to get another wrecker to take it back to the dealership, where they found a problem with the seal. Two weeks later, the check engine light came on, and there was a problem with the sensor. Last week, the check engine light came back on, and there was a problem with the computer. I am beyond frustrated at this point. I tried trading it in for something else, but I am so upside down that I can't afford anything. I am just stuck with it and looking for a way out. It is now June 2017, and I just got my car back from the shop again to replace bad struts. I had to get a loaner car while it was in the shop and had to pay another deductible. My warranty will run out soon, and I can only imagine the expense I will incur after it has expired. I still owe $12k for this car, and I just checked the Kelly blue book for the value of this car, and it states that the trade-in value is about $5k. So, I am still so upside down that it's ridiculous, and in order for me to trade this car in as a down payment on something else, I was told I would have to put at least $5-6k down. This has been an unreal experience, and I wish there was some way I could go after the dealership for this headache. It is now 2019.In July, I was able to pay off the balance on my car loan and received my clear title. However, a week later, the check engine light came on and I noticed that the car was struggling to change gears. I took it to my mechanic, who found that the transmission was the issue. He flushed the transmission and changed the fluids, which helped for a couple of days. Unfortunately, the service engine light came on again and the car was still struggling to change gears. I contacted the Nissan dealership and they advised me to drive it in slowly. I left the car with them and had to rent another car to get back home. Later that evening, the dealership informed me that the transmission was completely burned up and needed to be replaced for $4k with a 12-month warranty. I expressed my concern that this would be the third transmission for this car and that there might be something wrong with their transmissions. They didn't believe there was a problem and appraised the car for $1k, which I used towards the down payment for another car. Unfortunately, I had to purchase another car for $18k. It's now 2022, and I still haven't received any resolution for this issue.