Used 2012 Nissan Altima Sedan Consumer Reviews
Used Altima for sale
Test Drive at Nite A Must!
Sarah, 07/23/2016
2012 Nissan Altima 2.5 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
In all the cars I've owned, never would I have thought to test-drive at nite to check the visibility in a car for the headlights. Wish I would've. As much as I like my 2013 Altima, the headlights suck! Like one of the reviews, you really can't see past 100-150 feet ahead of you and going faster than 60mph....is tough when you're not familiar with the roads unless you are following someone! I'm looking into purchasing road lamps. That should help, but it's ridiculous! Don't buy this car or any until you test-drive at nite. And the car was steering and pulling like when you're on the frwy in those grooves....even when you're not. Talk about increasing the play of the traction/steering when you're in the rain on the freeway! No time to relax and drive.....had to take the car into Mossy for them to repair and they couldn't figure it out and Temecula Nissan was able to correct the issue. Don't ask what it was as I forget sadly but I'm sure the mister remembers. Each car is like a kid, even tho they come from the same parents just like twins, they are all different so be sure to test drive the car you want to buy before buying and test drive at nite too on a road/frwy you aren't familiar with and read the reviews. You'd swear the poor visibility of my headlights was due to the plastic cover being 10 years old and needs polishing but that's NOT the case. Good luck and hopefully Nissan will read these reports and no that there is a valid and legitamate issue with these headlights! Otherwise, yes I like my car!
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Good in concept, mediocre in execution
ssbrookhaven65, 11/24/2013
2012 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
8 of 11 people found this review helpful
The Altima 2.5S is, in my opinion and experience, not worth the price. You can purchase much more for your money by purchasing an Accord, Fusion, or a Mazda 6. I had purchased the Altima brand new for 24,500. For a few grand more, I could've had a fully loaded Accord Coupe with blue tooth, navigation, and a rear back-up camera. My Altima has no premium options that are available on cars even a few years older than it (such as my former 2007 Honda Accord EX-L). The 2.5S produces adequate torque for normal acceleration. I have timed my Altima from 0-60 in the 7.2-8.1 range on various occasions. My gas mileage figures do not come close to the quoted EPA estimates. I only average 21 MGP overall.
Easy Rider
Richard Haxel, 12/23/2015
2012 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
8 of 11 people found this review helpful
when you turn your turn signal on be careful that you don't take the headlights off of automatic. AC/Heat don't seem to coincide with the right and left controls. I wish I had gotten passenger side seat electronically controlled because once you put the seat back manually, it takes an act of congress to get back forward position.
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Melting dashboard, transmission unreliable
most dangerous city in USA El Paso, 02/16/2017
updated 08/23/2023
2012 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
7 of 10 people found this review helpful
Yes , it's true. 2005-2008 was a bad year for the "melting dashboard " (look it up) this is an ongoing problem because I purchased a new 2012, use it for work and usually "dust" off my dashboard with humid cotton cloth. I noticed fingerprints on my dash at a red light and placed my hand over the hash to see it my hands had left the marks on the dash only to find that it looked as though it had been sprayed with tree sap. I would go to my local service center but they must have a clause to only hire handicapped personnel. I think it must be the heavy metal content in our local drinking water. I'll try to work it out with the "handicapped" dealership but, I'll probably trade up to a Camry or Accord. This little car has little dampening material in floorboards, firewall and doors (entry level model) and I hear road noise now that I’ve replaced the tires but runs smoother now for 30k miles. They used to be good and previous Altima, I pulled over 200k miles before the t bone when a handicapped driver ran a red light and totaled my car Ok, it’s 02/2019 now and I still have this car. I now have 62,000 miles on it and the transmission whines at higher speeds and when on long runs greater than 100 miles (when I go a certain high speed) . I don’t normally go over 90 mph because I just use it for work and only notice the “whine” when I make a yearly drive out of town(600 mile trip) I. I did buy a Toyota Tundra but it’s used to get DIY materials from a local hardware store. This little car is still holding up, paint is still shiny (polished yearly) has a few rattles but everything works and is a reliable car. I’ll just keep it now until something major breaks. Good on gas, reliable AND PAID FOR ! I have had this car 7 years now and the transmission really has me concerned because the “whining” from the transmission is at 80 mph and losing power at this speed. I’ll be looking to get rid of this thing because NISSAN isn’t concerned that I’m having issues with the transmission. I did receive a letter stating that the transmission warranty has now been increased to 100,000 miles but when I called and gave them my VIN number , my car wasn’t covered. ( I figured that) I usually keep my cars ten years and well over 100-200,000 miles. This one has been a REAL “ disappointment “ I’ll just place this car in the “junk” category and NEVER purchase Nissan again. Good thing Toyota and Honda have good models that are still reliable. It’s now 02/15/2021 and Altima is nine years old with 80,000 miles. I had a knowledgeable, reputable transmission repair shop bypass the radiator coolant to the CVT transmission and place a OEM transmission oil cooler in front of radiator, had the repairman take off the transmission oil pan (after draining oil) and allow me to see what kind of metal shavings were on the bottom (these things have no filter) and was surprised to see only a thin, black film(no metal chunks) he cleaned the oil pan off, filled the transmission with synthetic AMZOIL transmission fluid(done at 70,000 miles) I’m now at 79k and this work car has not had any issues with slipping gears, bogging down at higher speeds and I feel runs better than from factory, it picks up speed when really quick. I have been changing motor oil (AMZOIL synthetic) every year and replace motor oil filter (premium AMZOIL filter) . This car is nine years old, I try to wash it twice a year(Powerwasher and Meguires shampoo) hand wash and rotary polish. Paint looks like new, interior is holding up very well(I steam clean it myself). I did replace the tires at 60k for Michelin’s (factory tires wore prematurely) this little care actually runs smoother with premium tire) I have now spent a total of approximately $1200.00 (most of it on trany oil cooler,tires and batteries) . I’ll keep away from the dealership for my repair work. I believe I’ll keep my Altima work car now for a few more years or until I begin to have issues. I don’t like to spend a lot of money on cars and found this one brand new for $15k (no radio) ebay had one for $100.00(plug & play oem) . Turned out to be reliable after all. 08/22/21 , this car is now 9 years old and 82,000 miles, placed another new battery, Michelin’s still only 25% worn, starts right up, smooth transmission , no bogging down, no overheating, no funny noises, power steering and air conditioner works like new. Good little work car after all. The paint sill shines like new(polish yearly) nicer than most Altima’s I’ve seen that are still in the road. I’ll just keep until it just won’t go any more. It’s been a reliable car after all and , I’m sorry NISSAN that I had no faith ! It’s late august 2022 and placed new struts, springs,shocks , Michelin climate 2 tires, new spark plugs, serpentine belt and rotors with brake pads. This car runs better than new, oil changed and new battery because I won’t pay what dealers are asking for on a new work car. Steam cleaned the interior and polished the paint. Actually still looks good and drives like new. It’s creeping up on 100,000 miles and see 200,000 attainable (air is cold still) It’s now 08/15/2023 and this Altima has 105,000 miles and 11 years old and still looks like I just purchased it. I just washed and polished it. Still runs smoothly, no transmission issues and everything works ! Still gets around 28 mpg, no rattles and road worthy little car. I am thinking of selling my trusty “road warrior “ because I’m looking at an electric car . This has been a dependable work and road worthy car and if proper maintenance is done , most cars now days will go 200-300k miles.
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Rust streams in the paint after 1-year - not covered under warranty??
kkostelic, 06/03/2013
2012 Nissan Altima 3.5 SR 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl CVT)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
I love most of the car; however just after a year rust started streaming down the trunk lid just under the horizontal chrome piece above the license plate. Obvious this is resulted from either poor assembly, or poor workmanship. One would anticipate that this would be a warranty issue, however trips to the dealership, their body shop (that shared the same opinion as I), plus calling the 1-800-Nissan1, the answer was we donÂt cover this. I've had 18 cars, and buy two vehicles every 3 years..this being my first Nissan. Nevertheless, I've never had paint issues such as this!! I wonÂt be buying Nissan again..not because of their vehicles, but their poor warranty .