Problems · by component
2012 Nissan Altima engine problems
68 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2012 Nissan Altima cite engine, 16% of all 426 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
68
16% of all complaints
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
What owners say about the engine
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The sensor was replaced but the light engine light still came back on now the speed sensor is causing the issue. The abs light comes on while accelerating it jumps and jerks”
“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…”
“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.”
“I ONLY HAVE 96,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE AND I CAN'T ACCELERATE. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED. IT PICKS AND CHOOSES WHEN IT WANTS TO ACCELERATE AND I ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAY AND ON THE INNER ROADS. THIS IS NOT SAFE AND NISSAN REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY”
“MY 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 SL CUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING YESTERDAY. I WAS GOING ABOUT 15 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN WHEN THE CAR CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TURN. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS BEFORE, DURING OR AFTER THE INCIDENT. I WAS ABLE TO COAST INTO THE PARKING LOT WHERE I RESTARTED THE CAR. THERE WAS OF A TANK OF GAS IN THE CAR AND ALL OF THE BATTERY CABLES WERE SECURE. I HAD THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR CHECKED AND BOTH WERE FINE. THERE ARE 76,979 MILES ON THE CAR. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS EVER HAPPENED, HOWEVER, AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I HAVE LEARNED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE LOVED DRIVING THIS CAR FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS, BUT NOW I AM AFRAID THIS WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN AND COULD CAUSE ME TO LOSE MY LIFE IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT. PLEASE ADVISE ME OF YOUR OFFICIAL RECOMMENDATION AS TO HOW I SHOULD PROCEED.”
“I TOOK THE CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS TOLD THERE IS A RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE AND THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT TELL ME. I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET GOING THE SPEED LIMIT.”
Showing 6 of 68 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.