2012 Nissan Altima Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 423 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2012 Nissan Altima overview page.
What owners report
“I WAS DRIVING MY 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA ON A BUSY 4 LANE ROAD. I WAS IN THE TURNING LANE WHEN MY CAR REFUSED TO ACCELERATE…”NHTSA complaint 10809954 — filed 12/14/2015
“CVT TRANSMISSION AND (UN)"SAFE MODE" THIS HAS OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE TRIPS ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS 60-80 MPH THAT ARE USUALLY IN EXCESS OF 70…”NHTSA complaint 10809007 — filed 12/08/2015
“WHILE TRAVELING FROM SANDIEGO TO LAS VEGAS, CVT FAIL SAFE KICKED IN WHILE I WAS IN THE CENTER LANE. LOST POWER AND HAD TO MAKE…”NHTSA complaint 10789035 — filed 11/07/2015
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2012 Nissan Altima have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the most-reported problem area on the 2012 Nissan Altima: 145 of 423 complaints on file (34.3%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2012 Nissan Altima have in total?
423 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 23 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, 26 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
