2012 Nissan Altima Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 149about this part
- Share
- 35%of 426 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 92,800miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 149 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 Nissan Altima, 35% of the 426 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 92,800 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“This car has just 101,000 miles and the transmission is not doing the overdrive. I read into it and alot of other people has the same problem Nissan should take the vehicles and fix it its not like we pay 5 bucks for a car its not even paid off and I already have problems. I went to see what wrong and its the torque converter clutch.”
NHTSA complaint #11326895, filed 2020-06, 101,099 miles“Driving on a highway and then no acceleration w a high pitch sound...can only drive it 20 MPH if at all..had it towed and a mechanic said it is my transmission..as I am researching the problem I am finding a lot of complaints with the same model and year and Nissan has to know they have a design issue or problem”
NHTSA complaint #11171967, filed 2019-01, 160,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11387978, filed 2021-01, 95,000 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.”
NHTSA complaint #11071885, filed 2018-02, 35 miles“Takata recall my 2012 Altima has been having some shifting issues while I am driving. Mind you this call has 58,000 miles on it (yes 2012 with 58,000). It is over the 5 year power train warranty but under the mileage. Nissan does not care. There should be zero reasons why a car with less than 60,000 miles should be having any type of transmission issues. Nissan needs to be held accountable.”
NHTSA complaint #11175194, filed 2019-02, 57,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10233904Mar 29, 2023CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of…
- 10222714Sep 27, 2022CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of…
- 10199148Jun 9, 2021CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of…
- 10116292Jun 20, 2017CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. The APPLIED VEHICLES section has been revised. No other changes have been…
- 10091575Sep 9, 2016"altima, sentra, and rogue; cvt fail-safe condition service information this bulletin has been amended. The applied vehicles section has been revised. No other changes have been…
- 10192615Aug 6, 2015SERVICE INFORMATION The information in this bulletin is provided to help ensure correct diagnosis and repair of fluid leaks. All fluid leaks, when properly diagnosed, should be…
- 10192605Jul 10, 2015IF YOU CONFIRM: Customers concern of a "clicking" noise coming from either left or right front/rear CV-type axles during take-off/acceleration. ACTION: Apply Molykote M77 grease…
- 10192524Feb 6, 2015SERVICE INFORMATION When diagnosing possible power steering gear (rack and pinion steering rack, or steering rack) leak issues, it may appear the steering rack is leaking when…
- 10192474Nov 20, 2014SERVICE INFORMATION If a customer describes lack of power or poor acceleration, perform the following checks before attempting any repair: * Check for stored DTCs. * Check if the…
- 10052883Aug 15, 2014Nissan: the cvt fail-safe logic has caused a reduction with the vehicle's maximum speed. *js updated 11/16/2013 *js updated 9/29/14.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 14% |
| 2024 | 4 | 10% |
| 2023 | 1 | 3% |
| 2022 | 4 | 13% |
| 2021 | 3 | 4% |
| 2020 | 17 | 9% |
| 2019 | 9 | 4% |
| 2018 | 24 | 11% |
| 2017 | 133 | 34% |
| 2016 | 235 | 42% |
| 2015 | 161 | 17% |
| 2014 | 209 | 19% |
| 2013 | 506 | 22% |
| 2012 | 149 | 35% |
| 2011 | 68 | 28% |
| 2010 | 73 | 19% |
| 2009 | 95 | 6% |
| 2008 | 80 | 8% |
| 2007 | 62 | 13% |
| 2006 | 79 | 10% |
| 2005 | 115 | 11% |
| 2004 | 17 | 6% |
| 2003 | 34 | 4% |
| 2002 | 39 | 4% |
| 2001 | 6 | 4% |
| 2000 | 9 | 6% |
| 1999 | 7 | 8% |
| 1998 | 6 | 5% |
| 1997 | 8 | 7% |
| 1996 | 7 | 8% |
| 1995 | 27 | 15% |
| 1994 | 3 | 3% |
| 1993 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2012 Nissan Altima
68 complaintsOther or unknown
58 complaintsAir bags
57 complaintsVehicle speed control
49 complaintsElectrical system
44 complaintsBody and structure
33 complaintsBrakes
20 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
18 complaintsSteering
17 complaintsSuspension
17 complaintsFuel system
13 complaintsSeats
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Nissan Altima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology