CAN COMMUNICATION â NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 Nissan Altima engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2012 Nissan Altima have filed 31 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 77,000 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
31
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2008 Altima | 44 |
| 2009 Altima | 40 |
| 2010 Altima | 20 |
| 2011 Altima | 22 |
| 2012 Altima (this page) | 31 |
| 2013 Altima | 51 |
| 2014 Altima | 28 |
| 2015 Altima | 21 |
| 2016 Altima | 19 |
What stands out
Owners have filed 31 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
EVAP LEAK DTC P0442, P0455, P0456 INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗DTC P0456 CAUSED BY EVAP LEAK AT VENT CONTROL VALVE O-RING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Non-Methane Organic Gases (NMOG) Engine Control Module (ECM) Reprogram Voluntary Emission Recall Campaign ***** Campaign Summary ***** Nissan is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Recall Campaign on approximately 116,479 specific MY2010-12 Altima 2.5L SULEV vehicles identified in Service Comm to reprogram the Engine Control Module (ECM) to assure compliance with the applicable United States SULEV emission specifications. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an improperly calibrated ECM that, if not repaired, may potentially cause exhaust gas emissions to exceed standards at high mileage. This incident has no effect on safety, performance, drivability or fuel consumption. In addition to re
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2010-2012 ALTIMA; MIL ON WITH DTC P2423 NOTE: The warranty period for the front exhaust tube with catalyst (20010-ZX10A) has been extended on the Applied Vehicles if the following criteria are met: ï· - The MIL is ON and DTC P2423 is stored in the ECM. ï· - The VIN is shown in SERVICE-COMM under âL32 NMOG EXT_DTC P2423 NTB20-020.â ï· - The vehicle is within the L32 NMOG Warranty Extension period (refer to Table 1). IF YOU CONFIRM The MIL is ON and DTC P2423 (HC ADSORPTION CATALYST FUNCTION) is stored in the ECM, AND The vehicle is within the L32 NMOG Warranty Extension period, AND L32 NMOG EXT_DTC P2423 NTB20-020 appears in SERVICE-COMM for the vehicle. ACTION Replace the front exhaus
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The dominant complaint is sudden power loss at highway speeds with no warning lights or diagnostic codes. Vehicles drop from 65–75 mph to 25–40 mph and will not accelerate even with the pedal floored. Recovery requires pulling over and restarting.
Engine stalls without warning are also frequent, occurring at various speeds and even while stopped. Restarts work immediately, but some owners suspect battery cable issues.
CVT transmission problems pervade these reports. Owners describe whining during acceleration, sluggish performance that worsens in hot weather, and complete transmission failure by 96,000–100,000 miles. Replacement cost quoted at $4,000. One owner notes a recall exists for pre-2010 models but was denied for 2011–2012 models. Multiple owners believe the CVT itself is defective, not just maintenance-related.
Overheating on long drives and in traffic is reported repeatedly. One owner was quoted $1,600 for transmission cooler and converter work, only after warranty expiration. Another mechanic diagnosed a missing transmission cooler fan at 100,000 miles.
Oil cooler gasket leaks and fractured coolers appear commonly. Owners flag this as a widespread fault with unclear recall status.
Other concerns include mass air flow sensor replacements (multiple), catalytic converter heat shield corrosion, push-button start failure from very low mileage, and no-start conditions requiring jump starts. Dealers frequently cannot duplicate intermittent failures.
Same Nissan Altima engine reports on nearby years: 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Power Loss and Limp Mode on Highway
Vehicle loses power without warning at highway speeds, slowing from 65–75 mph down to 25–40 mph. Engine will not accelerate even with pedal to the floor. No warning lights or fault codes present. Vehicle recovers after pulling over and restarting. Owners report this is a recurring issue that makes highway driving unsafe.
When: Various highway speeds; some at 70 mph, some at 65 mph; some after 45 minutes of driving
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of power at highway speeds; Vehicle decelerates to 25–40 mph without driver input; No response to throttle input; No warning lights or diagnostic codes; Vehicle recovers after restart
Unexpected Engine Stall Without Warning
Engine shuts down completely with no warning lights or codes while driving at various speeds, including while stopped at traffic lights. Vehicle restarts immediately after one or two attempts. Some owners report trouble with positive battery cable connection afterward, but no root cause confirmed.
When: While driving at 10–15 mph and while stopped at red light
Symptoms owners cite: Complete engine shutdown without warning; No warning lights on dashboard; Vehicle restarts immediately; Intermittent recurrence
Repairs/costs cited: Some owners mention trouble with positive battery cable connection afterward
CVT Transmission Failure and Sluggish Acceleration
Vehicle exhibits sluggish acceleration, whining noise during acceleration, and difficulty accelerating in hot weather or with passengers. Multiple owners report CVT problems that were not diagnosed during warranty repairs. Transmission eventually fails, requiring $4,000+ replacement. One owner reports CVT coolant issue and expired recall not honored. Another reports CVT breakdown with locked RPMs.
When: Throughout vehicle ownership; some reported every 5,000–10,000 miles; one at 96,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine whining noise during acceleration; Sluggish or weak acceleration; Car struggles on inclines and in hot weather; Worse performance with passengers; Transmission eventually fails to accelerate
Repairs/costs cited: CVT replacement cost approximately $4,000. One owner reports CVT cooler issues.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan did not honor expired recall for 2011–2012 models despite recall issued for pre-2010 models with same issue. Some owners denied warranty repair.
Transmission Overheating in Heavy Traffic
Vehicle overheats on long drives in heavy traffic, forcing driver to pull over and allow engine to cool. At 100,000 miles, one owner was told cooling system needed installation but repair was not completed. Another owner at 100,000 miles was diagnosed with lack of transmission cooler fan.
When: During long-distance driving and heavy traffic
Symptoms owners cite: Engine overheating on long drives; Loss of power in high-speed traffic; Temperature gauge at maximum; Odor of burning or melting components
Repairs/costs cited: One owner quoted $1,600 for new transmission or overheating converter. Cooling system repair not completed. One mechanic diagnosed missing transmission cooler fan.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan offered repair only after warranty expired, at owner's cost. Manufacturer did not assist in other cases.
Mass Air Flow Sensor Repeated Failure
Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor requires replacement multiple times throughout vehicle's life. One owner reports MAF replacement during warranty service, with sensor requiring replacement again later. No permanent fix identified.
When: Multiple times throughout vehicle ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Engine whining noise; Inability to accelerate normally
Repairs/costs cited: MAF sensor replaced multiple times
Oil Cooler Leak and Fracture
Oil cooler gasket leaks or oil coolers fracture, causing oil to leak onto ground. Multiple owners report this as a common fault for the model year. One owner notes a recall was already issued for the model but not applied to specific VIN. Owners questioning why no recall campaign exists.
When: Around 77,000–141,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Oil leaking onto ground; Smell of burning oil when air conditioner on
Repairs/costs cited: Oil cooler gasket or cooler replacement needed. One owner states this is a very common fault.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner reports recall already issued for model but no campaigns applied to specific VIN. Owners report no recall campaign for this issue despite commonality.
Engine Stall from Crankshaft/Camshaft Sensor
Engine dies suddenly without warning, causing loss of brakes and steering. Engine restarts but sounds like it's running on three cylinders. After erasing code, problem recurs intermittently. Owner reports code P0018 (crankshaft/camshaft sensor) and states this is a known widespread issue.
When: While driving slowly in city street
Symptoms owners cite: Engine dies suddenly; Loss of brakes and steering; Engine sounds like running on 3 cylinders after restart; Intermittent recurrence
Codes mentioned: P0018
Repairs/costs cited: Owner erased code; problem recurs
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan stated they cannot help if code is erased
Push-to-Start Button Malfunction
Push-to-start button fails to shut off the engine. Owner presses button but engine does not turn off. Issue experienced multiple times from very low mileage.
When: Very low mileage (5–12,500 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Push-to-start button does not shut off engine; Repeated attempts required
Loud Exhaust Noise and Vibration
Vehicle makes loud noise and vibration from front exhaust area. Dealer diagnosed frontal exhaust tube as needing replacement. After repair, failure recurred. Owner also reports slight vibration from rear extending to pedal.
When: 8,900–9,200 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud noise while driving at various speeds; Vibration starting from rear to pedal
Repairs/costs cited: Frontal exhaust tube replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer offered to cover parts under warranty; vehicle not repaired
Catalytic Converter Heat Shield Corrosion
Catalytic converter heat shield corrodes, causing rattle during acceleration. May trigger check engine light. If left unchecked, shield can dig into engine or detach and fly onto other motorists.
When: Timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Rattle during acceleration; Possible check engine light illumination
Repairs/costs cited: Catalytic converter replacement
Failed Start Requiring Jump Start
Vehicle fails to start on several occasions and requires jump start to start. Issue occurs at 74,000 miles. Dealer unable to determine root cause.
When: 74,000 miles; multiple occurrences
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle fails to start; Requires jump start
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware; no assistance provided
Engine Vibration in Compartment
Engine compartment vibrates while driving at normal speeds. Issue occurs multiple times and continues without resolution.
When: 63,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine compartment vibration while driving
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; not repaired
Intermittent No-Start with Check Engine Light
Vehicle occasionally fails to start with check engine warning light illuminating intermittently. Issue recurs about four times. Neither dealer nor independent mechanic can duplicate the failure.
When: 41,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not start; Check engine light illuminates intermittently; Issue recurs multiple times
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware; vehicle not repaired
Vibration and Transmission Shifting Issues
Vehicle vibrates when started and will not switch into gear properly. Smell of burning oil present when air conditioner is on. Occurs at 77,000 miles.
When: 77,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vibration when starting; Difficulty shifting into gear; Burning oil smell with air conditioner on
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware; not diagnosed or repaired
Synthesized from 31 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had engine trouble with your 2012 Nissan Altima?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2012 Nissan Altima?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 31 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 22 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 55,000 and 100,000 miles, with the median around 77,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 55,000; a quarter make it past 100,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Nissan/Altima.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.