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2012 Nissan Altima engine complaints

Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 72, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2012 Nissan Altima engine problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Nov 27, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · 46,000 miles · TN · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2012 nissan altima. While the vehicle was parked at home with the engine turned off, it caught on fire. The contact noticed the flames coming from the front of the vehicle between the hood and windshield. Prior to the fire, there were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact extinguished the fire with a water hose. The fire department and police were not notified. The auto insurance company inspected the vehicle and deemed it a total loss. The contact stated that the insurance inspector was unable to determine the cause of the fire as the wires behind the engine block were melted. The vehicle was not inspected by an independent mechanic or dealer to determine the cause of the fire. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.

Filed Sep 6, 2017 · Acceleration, Engine · 77,800 miles · PA · crash

While pulling into a parking place at a restaurant all of a sudden my wife heard a loud noise and surge from the engine propelling the car forward and over an embankment fortunately for a few trees and god's help my wife is thankfully still alive the embankment had approximately 100' drop this has never happened before the sound coming from the engine she still hears, not sure once the car is fixed if we buy another nissan altima or even continue to drive this one, something caused this car to surge and it definitely was not her foot,

Filed Jul 10, 2017 · Engine, Transmission · 80,000 miles · UT

After driving vehicle for 1 hour or more, vehicle goes into fail-safe mode, meaning the rpms will not go over 2500. So, if one is on the highway going 70 MPH, then arrives at a hill, then the vehicle speed could decrease to 40 MPH. According to mechanic, this is a known issue and nissan has a service kit for this exact issue. I am not sure why it is not a recall...

Filed Jul 1, 2017 · Engine · 91,800 miles · AZ

Enigine/transmission issues on our way out of town, not 45 minutes into our trip and without warning the car goes from 65 miles to less. The car will not accelerate. With a two lane highway and trucks behind us. I am very concerned of getting stranded in the desert, killed or severely injured. This is not the first time. It's occurred numerous times. Our dealer peoria nissan in az said, they could not find anything wrong even after we insisted. Something's wrong, I swear it's a faulty transmission issue.

Filed Jun 15, 2017 · Engine, Transmission · 91,500 miles · UT

My vehicle is 5 years old and I have had to replace the radiator and now the transmission. There are over 700 complaints of this same issue with the federal safety agency and consumer affairs. I have taken my vehicle into the dealer twice for this issue and this ongoing issue is going to hurt or even kill someone. Nissan is fully aware of the CVT issues and this needs to be resolved. This recently happened this past weekend (2nd time now). We traveled maybe 35 miles, when the transmission started to whine just before we reached the exit, I was unable to accelerate. No lights, no warnings, nothing stating there was an issue. My car had to be towed to a local auto shop, where they stated they could not address the problem as it is most likely the transmission. It was then, again towed to the dealer. Ken garff nissan. Where I was told that my 5 year old car needs a new transmission! A year to date I had to replace my radiator, water pump, serpentine belt ect! This is not okay and not acceptable. Should I have had my daughter in the car and lost acceleration on the freeway, I cant event fathom. This issue transmission defect has substantially impaired the use, market value and most of all the safety of the vehicle. My family is worth more than this defective vehicle. The dealership has been more than helpful and they agreed a 5 year old car should not be having all these issues. I am asking that nissan do the right thing and fix this problem and care about the consumer. I truly want to believe that nissan cares about their consumers and I really hope that they review this complaint and act upon it, doing the right thing and recall these engines. I was blown away by how many nissan owners experienced the same issue and filed complaints with the bbb, carguru, nissan and consumer affairs. Please, have this looked into. I know nissan is fully aware and this needs to be corrected.

Filed Jun 8, 2017 · Engine · 141,895 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 nissan altima. While stationary, the oil coolers in the vehicle fractured and leaked onto the ground. The vehicle was not repaired or diagnosed. An independent mechanic was made aware of the failure and provided an estimate for the repair work. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 141,895.

Filed May 24, 2017 · Engine · 47,655 miles · CA

Pooo18 crankshaft/camshaft sensor engine dies loss of brakes and steering thank god coming up to house slowing to park, city street. Restart engine sounds like running on 3 cylinders. Turned off start again, pull code and erase. It runs like nothing ever happened. Called nissan and they told me that since I erased the code they can do nothing. Google 2012 altima engine stall and prepare to spend the rest of your afternoon reading stories

Filed Apr 8, 2017 · Engine, Transmission · 80,000 miles · MO · fire

I was driving my car down the road heading to get something to eat. It was a sunday night, it just started misting rain. I drove on my usual curvy 2 lane paved highway and then proceed onto my usual 4 lane paved highway to mcdonald's where I got food inside and then upon leaving decided to go through drive through for another item. I left and headed approximately 3 miles back on the same road I traveled to town on. As I was on the 2 lane ithe all of a sudden appeared to be raining heavier and I could tell by the rain crossing over my headlights. Something different than normal caught my eye, it looked like orange rain, I assumed just the appearance from one of the bulbs. Unsure though, I continued driving but scooted to the edge of my seat and set up tall to getta better look, at that time I seen flames. The car was on fire, I couldn't pull off side of road as it has no ditches just ravines so I slowed down and tried unlocking my door to open it wouldn't and my window wouldn't roll down, terrified I proceeded to call 911 and inform them my car was on fire and I was in it driving down the road and was hoping to get to next road I knew I could pull off. The entire time never did anything warning lights or gauges come on nor did the temperature rise. I finally was able to exist the car fully engulfed in flames. The police department and fire department finally arrived. Theyou got it put out but it was complete loss. I have no idea as to why this fire happened I took well care of my car, maintaining it regularly as recommended and always cautiously driving it. I have another nissan altima that's still running strong with 300,000.00 miles on it, so this should show I care for my vehicles above what's recommended.

Filed Mar 29, 2017 · Brakes, Electrical · 113,090 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 nissan altima. While stationary, the vehicle would not start when prompted by the key fob. In addition, while driving various speeds, the vehicle would not stop when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact was able to place the vehicle in park to stop. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 113,090.

Filed Aug 29, 2016 · Engine · 61,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 nissan altima. While driving 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was restarted and the failure went away. The contact stated that the failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing, but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 61,000.

Filed Aug 15, 2016 · Engine, Transmission · 89,000 miles · TX

Im driving down the freeway taking the curve downtown dallas & my car stalls o power available. I cannot steer to coast, nor put can ion emergency flashers. Where it dies it sits. This is a major safety issue and nissan cannot figure out why. I have only had car for 2 months. Very disappointed and scared.

Filed Jul 25, 2016 · Engine · KY

Car loses power after driving for so long and decreases in speed. It's happened several times. I pull over to give car a rest but it's dangerous because it won't accelerate when it happens and on the interstate is no place to be driving 40mph!!

Filed Jul 19, 2016 · Engine · 74,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 nissan altima. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The contact mentioned that in order for the vehicle to start it required a jump start. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was unable to be determined. The failure occurred on several occasions. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 74,000.

Filed Jul 15, 2016 · Engine, Transmission · 92,000 miles · ME

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 nissan altima. When driving in weather above 84 degrees, the cruise control failed while driving approximately 70 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the CVT transmission overheated and the vehicle needed a valve body and oil cooler to correct the defect. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 92,000. The VIN was not provided. Updated 09/06/16*lj

Filed Apr 1, 2016 · Engine · 63,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 nissan altima. The contact stated while driving at 60 MPH, the engine compartment vibrated. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 63,000.

Filed Feb 5, 2016 · Engine · 77,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 nissan altima. When the air conditioner was turned on, the smell of burning oil was noticed. In addition, the vehicle vibrated when started and would not switch into gear properly. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 77,000.

Filed Sep 21, 2015 · Acceleration, Engine · 61,000 miles · CO

Twice, I was driving at a speed of 75 MPH on i25 headed north. As I arrived into colorado springs, my vehicle decelerated to 30 MPH in a 65 MPH zone. I immediately pulled over. I waitied for about 15 min. Started my vehicle up & still it would only go 30 MPH. I turned around & headed back for pueblo. Unsure & afraid that my vehicle would not make it home. Once my car was sitting for an hour, the transmission allowed the speed to rise above 30 MPH. The same incident occurred on 6/27/2015. I am afraid to drive my vehicile out of town, in fear of getting stranded, the car overheating & the mechanical transmission malfunctioning. The nissan dealer in order to resolve the problem, needs to install a "transmission cooling system". I purchased the extended warranty thru 1st extended, over $2600.00. They refuse to honor the warranty, claiming the cooler was ot in the car to begin with. I spoke with nissan & southwest motors (where I purchased the car around 1 1/2 yrs. Ago. They've both confirmed that this exact problem has occurred in many nissan vehicles. If the warranter is unwilling to warrant the problem, which is a major mechanical malfunction, then my 2012 nissan altima needs to be recalled! Please help me for I fear this problem is a safety hazard driving on the hwy at a reduced speed & becoming stranded.

Filed May 1, 2015 · Engine · 35,500 miles · IL

Catalytic converter heat shield can corrode causing a rattle during acceleration and possibly causing check engine light illumination. The common repair for this issue is replacement of the damaged catalytic converter. If left unnoticed may dig into the engine or fly off onto a motorist.

Filed Apr 17, 2015 · Engine · 110,000 miles · AL

I was driving my car and engine just cut off completely with no system warnings or anything. Initially, I thought this was a fluke and something I had done. Car started back immediately. As a result, I thought nothing else of it until the car did the same thing again while I was stopped at a red light later the same day (again there were no warning lights on control panel. This has occurred on 2 other occasions. Car was taken to repair shop were nothing was found wrong. Since then I have had trouble with the positive battery cable connection. Unsure if the two are related. Needs further investigation as this is potentially dangerous.

Filed Apr 2, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 52,000 miles · OR

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 nissan altima. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. After waiting for a few moments, the vehicle restarted and resumed normal operation. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 52,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Mar 5, 2015 · Brakes, Engine · 22,365 miles · MA

Engine quit while driving, brakes failed, steering locked up a deadly situation. Dealer claims it was due to a loose battery cable. If so a loose battery cable could kill you or others.

Filed Dec 16, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 21,000 miles · NJ

I was at a red light and the car just shut down. I had to turn the car off and restart it! This is the second time this has happened. The first time about a year ago. I thought I had done something to make it happen the first the first time. Now I know it is the car. This is serious and scary! From reading the complaints I see this has happened to others and while they were driving!

Filed Oct 29, 2014 · Engine · 71,000 miles · AL

This vehicle has lost power at highway speeds 3 times now. Just driving along and it just starts slowing down on its own. Running 70mph and it just loses power and it slows to around 25mph. You mash the gas pedal to the floor and it has no effect, it will not increase speed. You pull over, shout the car off and restart and it runs fine again. You get no warning lights, no codes. This is a dangerous situation and should be looked into. Dealership said they have never heard of such a thing. I see someone else has filed a complaint with the same problem now maybe you will take a closer look at this very serious issue.

Filed Jul 24, 2014 · Engine · 41,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 nissan altima. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start and the check engine warning light illuminated intermittently. The problem recurred about four times and the vehicle was towed to the dealer where the mechanic could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was then taken to another independent mechanic who also could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not n repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 41,000. Updated 08/27/14*lj updated 09/18/2014

Filed Jul 16, 2014 · Engine, Suspension · 57,998 miles · CA

While in operation climbing up and inclines this vehicle engine lose power to approx: 40 - 50 miles and hour, along with a whining in the transmission, also the front suspension appears to be shaking. Windows refuse to go up and down.

Filed Jul 15, 2014 · Acceleration, Engine · CA

Driving long distances my car overheats, looses power going from 70 MPH down to 40 MPH in high speed traffic. I am forced to get off the highway and let it reset itself. It has always made a whining noise during acceleration, and the brakes have squeaked from day one. I have complained to nissan several times and am always been given lame excuses. Now that my warranty is up they have a solution to my problems. New transmission or overheat converter to the tune of $1600. How convenient they have a solution not that my car is out of warranty!! They refuse to help me or fix my car unless I fork over the money. My car has had problems since I purchased it and there was never any resolve. I purchased an extended warranty as I do a lot of driving. My car was out of warranty 2,000 miles when they miraculously found a cause and solution for my problem.

Filed Apr 11, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 41,000 miles · VA

Altima was serviced at a dealership less than a week ago for oil and filter change. I was driving the 2012 altima from work on 4/10/14. It looked the car was stalling on the highway multiple times. I slowed down and managed to get home, all along it looked like it was going to stop any time, luckily it did not happen. But this morning (4/11/14) it stopped on the driveway stalled after moving 15 feet. Towed the car to the dealership to get it repaired.

Filed Jul 29, 2013 · Acceleration, Engine · 20,400 miles · MD · crash

I had pulled into a parking lot at a local gym, as I placed the car in park, the vehicle continued to stay in drive and surged forward into the building. Once the vehicle hit the building, I once again tried to place the car in park, and it once again surged forward and hit the building. The only way I could stop the car was to hit the power button to turn the car off. Once the officer arrived on scene, he asked me to place the car in neutral so that he could move the car off the curb, however, the car continued to move forward. As a result the car was once again powered down to avoid any further incident.

Filed Apr 30, 2013 · Engine · 8,900 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 nissan altima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle made a loud a noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the frontal exhaust tube needed to be replaced. The failure recurred. Also, the contact mentioned that the vehicle had a slight vibration starting from the rear of the vehicle all the way to the pedal. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered to cover the parts under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 8,900 and the current mileage was 9,200.

Filed Mar 22, 2013 · Body, Engine · 1,050 miles · FL

Purchased my 2012 nissan altima coupe 8/2/2012. In just over 30 days the paint was coming off the rear bumper on both sides near the rear tire where the bumper meets the body of the car. Took the car in to have the bumper repainted. Within 60 days the paint was coming off in the same place again. Took the car back last month and was repainted with 3 flaws...needless to say it has to go back yet again!! Also, within a few days of purchase I noticed that the radio would not pick up local radio stations without a lot of static and interference. Only 1 out of 12 presets do I get on a consistent basis and I only drive within a 25-30 mile radius of my home. Took to the dealer and they said it was because of the window tint. Gave them information from 3m that the tint would not interfere with the radio and then they said they didn't hear it. Taken back on several occasions and no resolve. Noticed 3/17/2013 that my leather wrapped steering wheel has split in the grain of leather and it is right where my right hand goes to drive. Transmission is not consistent...when I let off the gas briefly it is as if someone has hit the brake pedal and the car "draws back"...very annoying!!! I also purchased xzilon paint protection system at the dealers recommendation because the car is black and I live in fl...now 7 months later this protectant has completely ruined the paint on my car and shows horrible marks on the hood and leaves terrible water spots on the vehicle that are almost impossible to remove. Taking to the dealer for the new paint issue tomorrow. I am hoping to just trade in and get another car...unfortunately under the circumstances it will be a nissan...but will not be an altima!

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