2012 Nissan Altima Transmission & Powertrain Problems
Transmission & powertrain complaints make up 149 of 426 total complaints (35%) for the 2012 Nissan Altima, the highest share of any Altima year in this dataset. Owners typically reported failure at a median 92,800 miles. No related recalls are listed for this problem area on this year.
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints
- 149
- 35% of 426
- Crashes reported
- 2
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 1
- Median mileage
- 92,800 mi
- Related recalls
- 0
Typical transmission symptoms owners report
- Owners report the CVT making a whining or grinding noise while RPM climbs toward 6,000, followed by a sudden loss of forward power even with the accelerator pressed.
- Several drivers describe the vehicle decelerating on the highway after sustained driving of an hour or more, with speed dropping sharply from highway speeds down to around 20 mph.
- Multiple owners report loss of power specifically when climbing steep or high-altitude grades, sometimes describing the transmission as overheating or going into a protective mode.
- Some describe the problem easing after stopping and letting the vehicle sit, then returning again after long trips or once mileage increases toward 100,000 miles.
- One owner reported the transmission whining and RPMs spiking at highway speed before rapid deceleration, a pattern that reportedly grew more frequent as mileage approached 100,000.
When 2012 Nissan Altima transmission complaints were filed
First complaint Jun 20, 2012, latest Jul 22, 2025.
Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2012 Nissan Altima
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Altima model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How common are transmission problems on the 2012 Nissan Altima?
- NHTSA lists 149 transmission & powertrain complaints for the 2012 Altima, which is 35% of all 426 complaints filed for this model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2012 Nissan Altima transmission?
- No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for this transmission & powertrain problem area on the 2012 Altima.
- At what mileage do 2012 Altima transmission problems usually show up?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this problem area is 92,800 miles.
- Is the 2012 Altima transmission worse than other Altima years?
- The 2012 Altima's 35% share of complaints tied to transmission & powertrain issues is higher than most other Altima years in this dataset, though the 2016 model year had a higher share at 42%.
- Did the 2012 Altima transmission issue cause any crashes?
- NHTSA data for this problem area on the 2012 Altima lists 2 crashes, 1 fire, and 1 injury among the reported complaints.