CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2012 Altima has a defect trend of CVT transmission failure showing up around the 100,000 mile mark.

It's an expensive repair at nearly $2,000 average repair cost. For more information see Nissan Altima CVT defect info on NissanProblems.com.

2.4

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
64,203 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Nissan Altima accessories - exterior problems

accessories - exterior problem

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2012 Nissan Altima Owner Comments

problem #16

Jun 012022

Altima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2012 Altima defective sticky melting dashboard cause severe windshield glare when driving when sun from a certain angle ( no vehicle accident so far)

- Hickory, NC, USA

problem #15

Mar 012021

Altima

  • miles
Car dash has become a hazard to driving safely. The dash originally, when purchased new from the dealer, had a pebbled matt finish similar to a football or basketball. In the past year that finish is dissolved into a slick sticky highly reflective state. This reflective state causes the driver to be visually impaired and unable to see out of the front window; this is extremely hazardous. Further research of this event with my vehicle has found it not to be unique to my vehicle. This is a very common and very dangerous. This is a defect of design only and as such needs to be addressed by Nissan corporate.

- Melbourne, FL, USA

problem #14

Sep 072020

Altima

  • 68,250 miles
The dash on my 2012 Altima has begun to melt. The dash initially started out being tacky when my son was away at college in nc, which I thought was unusual. Upon returning to fl this past summer, it got worse. Now the dash is giving off a chemical smell with a horrible glare. The glare from the windshield is making for unsafe driving conditions, especially in the fl sun. Nissan acknowledged the melting dash issue in 2008 2009 models and agreed to replace those dashes for vehicles in fl under a lawsuit settled in 2017. Looking at the complaints on the NHTSA website, it appears that the melting dash issue has continued to be a problem past the 2008 2009 model years.

- Davenport, FL, USA

problem #13

May 012020

Altima

  • 122,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Dashboad is melting from one side of the vehicle to the other and extends from the windshield past the vents. The area is so shinny and glare is so great that it makes it difficult to see clearly day or night.

- Pace, FL, USA

problem #12

Jan 012014

Altima

  • 40,000 miles
Dash is melting and shiny creating a glare on the windshield making it impossible to see when driving. This started years ago and only gets worse. It has been reported several times to dealer. I have to drive but it is very dangerous and I cannot believe Nissan is taking the chance and not fixing this problem.

- Cocoa, FL, USA

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problem #11

Jun 012020

Altima

  • 114,000 miles
The dashboard is melting. The dash is sticky and is turning to a gooey substance. It is shiny and is causing glare on windshield. It started where dash meets windshield and quickly spread toward steering wheel. I have taken the car to two local dealerships who said they could not do anything other than replace the dashboard at $2700 since the car is out of warranty. I contacted Nissan customer care and I have a case number. They said no one else had complained about this for the 2012 year although I am seeing some complaints on this site. They too said they would not do anything since it was out of warranty. When I suggested it was defective and obviously was the same problem as the lawsuit that was settled, they gentleman said this was not the same year. My car was originally purchased in Florida, the state of the class action lawsuit, but I now live in ga. A dashboard should not melt when exposed to the sun! Nissan should take responsibility for this defective product.

- Evans, GA, USA

problem #10

Jul 302020

Altima

  • 177,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Dash had become tacky and shiny, producing glare when driving toward the sun. Becomes worse on hot days. Does not resolve, lint and anything else sticks to it.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #9

Nov 042019

Altima 4-cyl

  • 130,000 miles
Dashboard has become progressively sticky and shiny, causing a glare during daylight hours which reduces visibility and is a safety hazard

- Oviedo, FL, USA

problem #8

Jun 012020

Altima

  • miles
The dash is sticky and glossy which throws a glare on my windshield. I end up with a small area of the windshield to see out of. I have to sit up tall or lean over in order to find a spot to get a clear view in order to see the road. Holding the position to see for any length of time is a strain on the body. I'm having trouble seeing where I am going and am worried I will have an accident.

- Baker, LA, USA

problem #7

Feb 272020

Altima

  • 65,000 miles
Vehicle dashboard is melting. It is causing a visibility issue with a glare against the windshield.

- Estero, FL, USA

problem #6

Jan 012015

Altima

  • 42,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The dash is melting creating a glare on the windshield so when sun or lights at night is shining makes it impossible to see the road. Happens everytime the car is moving.

- Cocoa, FL, USA

problem #5

Aug 012018

Altima

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima the driver experienced sun glare while driving a visibility hazard was present the glare was caused by the melting dashboard the contact stated that the dashboard had melted causing a sun glare and visibility hazard while driving. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer(unknown) and the manufacturer were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 70,000.

- Sunrise, FL, USA

problem #4

Aug 042019

Altima

  • 60,000 miles
With my 2012 Nissan Altima it is now becoming harder and harder to operate while driving. The dashboard is starting to melt and become sticky with the hot tx weather. Since this has starting happening it's becoming very reflective on the windshield and is causing a distraction and making it very hard to see while driving. This is a safety issue for anything that is in front of me.

- Leon Valley, TX, USA

problem #3

Jun 012015

Altima

  • 40,000 miles
The dash is melting creating a shiny residue covering the dash. When the sun or bright lights guys at night is shining the shiny dash reflects on the windshield creating a glare that obstructs your vision while driving or turning on any highway or road. The service dept at my local dealer took photos and sent it to Nissan about 18 months ago and I have heard nothing. It is getting so badd that while driving it has started obstructing the vision of the roadway.

- Cocoa, FL, USA

problem #2

Jan 172016

Altima

  • 75,000 miles
I have had several wiper blades on my car since I bought it a few years ago. The left (driver's side) wiper blade has came off the wiper arm several times while driving. The outer part of the blade jumps across the windshield as it wipes. This only happens when wipers are in use.

- Washington, MO, USA

problem #1

Apr 202013

Altima

  • 24,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while traveling 60 mph, the sunroof shattered without warrant. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer and was neither diagnosed nor repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 24,000.

- Metairire, LA, USA

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