108 complaints reported

2012 Nissan Altima Power Train

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
108
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
1

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Jul 2025

I drove out of town about 40 miles and everything was fine, next day went to leave to come home and immediately noticed high RPMs going about 20MPH. I pulled over, turned the car off and turned it back on, started driving and same thing. I had no choice but to drive it on the interstate. I could get up to 60 very carefully but I was still sitting around 4000rpms. It wouldn’t shift gears at all (I know it’s a CVT and doesn’t have gears). I then noticed a high squealing noise, thankfully made it home with a lot of honking and middle fingers even though I had my hazards on. Once I made it home, plugged in my OBD scanner and had a pending DTC of P1778 which I have found to be the stepper motor. Aka the death code. It’ll start, shift into all other gears, but is making a high squealing noise even when idle and in park and when revving in park the squeal gets louder. I even attempted the “semi manual’ to see if I could get it to catch, I couldn’t at all. No matter what “gear” I was in it wouldn’t bring the RPMs down.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jul 2025
Feb 2025

The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle briefly lost motive power before slamming into gear. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired for the most recent failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics after purchasing the vehicle and the mass air flow, spark plugs, sensor coils, and other various engine parts and catalytic converters were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Mar 2015
Feb 2024

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2024
Jun 2023

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

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Dec 2023
Dec 2022

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2020
Nov 2022

Vehicle when in drive or reverse would barely move and almost got stranded in traffic. Finally will not move at all

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Apr 2022
Nov 2022

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?

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2018
Oct 2022

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Apr 2022
Jan 2022

Had transmission fluid changed now starts bit doesn't go in gear took it to shop and was told I need a new transmission don't understand why new fluid would cause this and have heard nissan has had numerous problems with cat transmission

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2022
Oct 2021

While driving the car stopped accelerating. Thankfully this happened on a 2 lane road while no other vehicles were around and there was a driveway to pull into. My husband and child were also in the car when this happened. No warning lights/noises alarmed before this happened. We had to have the car towed home. It will turn on but will not drive. This car is notorious for transmission issues. Now we have a car that we can't drive but still owe way more than it's worth to fix. We are unable to trade/sale either. It has been very frustrating situation. We will never own another Nissan.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Aug 2019
Jun 2021

Transmission lost power (reduced power) after 65000 miles. Initially I was not aware of the Nissan 2012 Altima having transmission issues. Now the repair rather replacement cost is about $5000 as per estimats Iave approached local NISSAN dealerships and national customer service hot line and there has bee ZERO help from them. 2012 is know to have CVT transmission and its related performance and repair issues. Still that year, 2012 , NIssan is not covered under warranty beyond 60K nor there is help for customers who purchased this vehicle

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2021
Jun 2021

In mid-May 2021, noticed that the Altima (at 105,000 mls) had little power when accelerating. At one point, pulled out from from a stop at an intersection and basically "crawled" through. Barley made it up to the top of our driveway. "Check Engine" light came on. Not safe to accelerate in traffic. Local AAMCO, and local Nissan dealer, both diagnosed transmission failure. Have learned that apparently Nissan knew of this problem.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: May 2021
Feb 2021

THE CAR STARTED SLOWING DOWN IN THE FREEWAY AND IT LOST POWER WHILE I WAS IN THE CARPOOL SO I DROVE CAREFULLY TO THE EMERGENCY LANES ON THE SIDE RISKING GETTING HIT BY A CAR CAUSE IT DIDN'T HAVE ANY POWER OR SHIFTING. I THOUGH THE TRANSMISSION WENT BAD. I TURN OFF THE CAR FOR FIVE MINUTES AND STARTED IT AGAIN AND I TRY TO MOVE THE CAR AGAIN AND IT WENT WELL. AFTER COUPLE DAYS OR WEEKS I DON'T RECALL I CALL THE DEALER REQUESTING A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE WHICH THEY ASK ME HOW MANY MILES IT HAD I TOLD THEM 83,000 MILES AND THEY TOLD ME I DON'T QUALIFY TO GET THE TRANSMISSION REPLACE CAUSE IT HAS OVER 80,000 MILES ALREADY. IT SEEMS THAT NISSAN MAKES FAULTY CVT TRANSMISSION MANUFACTURED BY JATCO. I WANTED TO KNOW IF I QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL FOR THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN I RESET THE CAR ON THE FREEWAY FOR FIVE MINUTES IT RAN AND HASN'T HAPPENED AGAIN BUT IT'S SUPER SLUGGISH. THE CAR SHOULD HAVE A RECALL NO MATTER THE MILEAGE. FORGOT TO MENTION THEY SAID I DON'T QUALIFY ALSO CAUSE THE CAR IS SALVAGE AND IT VOIDS EVERY RECALL WHATSOEVER.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Oct 2020
Jan 2021

NOW I KNOW...AS IN ALMOST ALL NISSAN ALTIMA'S THAT HAVE THE CVT TRANSMISSION FAILS. NO PREWARNING FROM THE VEHICLE AND ESPECIALLY NISSAN CORPORATION OR DEALERSHIP. MY TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED. IT IS APPARENTLY A HORRIBLE UNJUST SERIOUS PROBLEM THE NISSAN PEOPLE ARE NOT ADDRESSING OR TRYING ANY AT ALL TO HELP. THEY JUST KEEP STICKING IT TO THE IGNORANT PUBLIC CUSTOMERS WHO THOUGHT THEY COULD TRUST NISSAN. YEAH THATS ME.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2017
Sep 2020

PURCHASED CAR AUGUST 8, 2020. WAS DRIVING IN THE CITY WHEN ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON 08/24. TOOK THE CAR TO NEBORHOOD TIRE PRO'S IN DECATUR, GA. HAD A DIAGNOSTIC DONE. CAR RECEIVED 3 CODES. ONE CODE WAS P1718. WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION WAS BAD. TOOK IT BACK TO NISSAN STONE MOUNTAIN. HEALTH WAGES THE SERVICE MANGER AFFIRMED IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Aug 2020
Jul 2020

MY 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA WAS BOUGHT AT 40K MILES. IT RAN GOOD FOR WAS MAINTAINED. AT 108K MILES THE TRANSMISSION STARTED ACTING UP. IT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO 6TH GEAR (CVT TRANSMISSION) AND WOULD EVENTUALLY LOSE POWER AND NOT ACCELERATE. I HAD IT DIAGNOSED AND FOUND OUT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THESE TRANSMISSION BUT THEY WERE ONLY FOR THE PRIOR YEAR MODELS SO THERE WAS NOTHING I CAN DO. IT IS NOW AT 120K MILES AND IT HASN'T GOTTEN SO BAD I CAN'T DRIVE IT ON THE HIGHWAY. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD IT COMPLETELY DIAGNOSED AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT THREW WHAT THEY REFER TO AS A 'DEATH CODE' AND SAID IT NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THEY TOLD ME THAT IT'S A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY DIES. I'M A STUDENT AND IN THE MILITARY SO I STAY VERY BUSY AND MY CAR NOT BEING RELIABLE HAS PUT A STOP TO EVERYTHING. A TRANSMISSION GOING BAD AT 120K MILES SHOULD NOT BE A THING. I TRULY FEEL CHEATED BY NISSAN WITH THIS CAR.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jul 2020
Jun 2020

VEHICLE WAS FINE AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN IT WENT INTO LIMP MODE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON DUE TO PROBLEMS WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSION. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Aug 2020
May 2020

THIS IS A WELL-DOCUMENTED ISSUE WITH THE NISSAN CVT TRANSMISSIONS - LOST POWER WHEN ACCELERATING, THE ENGINE WINDS UP BUT THE VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND. A MECHANIC DIAGNOSED IT FOR ME AND SAYS IT'S GOT CODE P1778 AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2020
May 2020

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND MY TRANSMISSION STARTED MAKING A LOUD WHINING NOISE AND REVVED UP TO ABOUT 6400 RPM'S AND MY CAR HAD NO ACCELERATION FROM THAT TIME ON.. NOW I'M FACING EITHER PAYING $3400 FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION OR JUST TRASHING A PERFECTLY WELL KEPT UP CAR. I'VE ALWAYS MADE SURE TO HAVE MY CAR COMPLETELY SERVICED AND MAINTAINED ON TIME. AFTER THIS I WILL NEVER BUY FROM NISSAN AGAIN. THESE CVT TRANSMISSIONS ARE HORRIBLE. NISSAN IS LOOKING AFTER THEIR PROFIT INSTEAD OF RELIABILITY. THIS IS A 2012 ALTIMA WITH 125000 MILES.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Apr 2020
Jan 2020

ONGOING ISSUE WHERE VEHICLE LOSES POWER WHEN DRIVING FURTHER DISTANCES (30-40 MILES) OR UPHILL IN THE MOUNTAINS AND IS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. DRIVER IS FORCED TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND WAIT UNTIL VEHICLE CAN COOL DOWN AND GAIN POWER AGAIN. THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSION. NISSAN SHOULD HAVE ISSUED A RECALL FOR THESE TRANSMISSIONS OR EXTENDED THE WARRANTY AS IT IS AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE SITUATION.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jun 2020
Dec 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE TO MOVE FORWARD WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH CANNON NISSAN OF GREENWOOD (69900 US-82, GREENWOOD, MS 38930, (662) 453-4211) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jul 2019
Dec 2019

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY FOR OVER AN HOUR AT SPEEDS 60+ MPH THE TRANSMISSION WILL BEGIN TO WHINE, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME THE RPMS WILL SKYROCKET. THE CAR WILL RAPIDLY DECELERATE WHILE THIS IS HAPPENING. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES ON ROAD TRIPS WHEN THE CAR WAS AT 20K MILES AND CONTINUES TO HAPPEN MORE OFTEN NOW THAT THE CAR IS NEARING 100K MILES.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Feb 2019
Nov 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE VEHICLE SHIFTED TO LIMP MODE WHILE DRIVING THE COMPLAINANT WAS STRANDED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE CVT TRANSMISSION COOLING SYSTEM INADEQUATE TO COOL FLUIDS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO SAFE DRIVING/LIMP MODE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING FOR 45 MINUTES TO ONE HOUR,THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO LIMP MODE. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DECELERATED FROM 70 MPH DOWN TO 20-30 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EVEN WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARD, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MILLER AUTO PLAZA LOCATED AT 2900 2ND ST S, ST CLOUD, MN 56301, (320) 200-2472, TO BE DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON A DAILY BASIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE, CASE NUMBER: 36304669. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.PIIR=Y. AH

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Oct 2019
Oct 2019

THE CAR HAS BROKE DOWN AND CAN NOT BE DROVE. IT HAS STALLED ON US NUMEROUS TIME DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN NEVADA. WE HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT BY SEMI TRUCK. THE TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REPLACED NOW AND THE CAR IS NOT WORTH THE MONEY TO FIX. IT HAS 123,000 ON IT.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Oct 2019
Sep 2019

NISSAN ALTIMA 2012 S HAS A BUG ON THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE TALKED TO A DEALERSHIP LATELY ABOUT HOW I CAN MAINTAIN MY TRANSMISSION TO AVOID THE PROBLEM HE TOLD ME TO CHANGE THE FLUID AFTER 60K MILES. WHICH I DID RIGHT AWAY BECAUSE I WAS THE SECOND OWNER. I'M SUPPRISE AT 127K MILES, MY TRANSMISSION BROKEN DOWN. AND ALL MECHANICS I BE BEEN TO TELL ME IS A FACTORY ISSUE AND NISSAN KNOWS IT. THEY SAID THE CVT TRANSMISSION MOSTLY COME TO FAIL ON THAT NISSAN AFTER YOU PASS THE 100K MILES. (FACTORY ISSUE WITH THAT CVT TECHNOLOGY THEY SAID). I CALL NISSAN TO SUBMIT THE PROBLEM, BUT UNFORTUNATELY THEY TOLD THEY CAN'T DO NOTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE OF THE HIGH MILEAGE. THE BAD TRANSMISSION IS VERY DANGEROUS ON THE PUBLIC ROAD, I HAVE BEEN IN THE SITUATION ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WHERE I COULDN'T PASS THE 18 WHEELER AND ALMOST CAUSE A CRASH BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2019

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2012 Nissan Altima has 108 Power Train complaints on file. 1 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.