Used 2012 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT) Consumer Reviews
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Easy Rider
Richard Haxel, Rocky Mount, MO, 12/23/2015
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, El Paso, TX, 02/16/2017
updated 08/23/2023
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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Nissan Altima CVT? RUN AWAY / DO NOT BUY
EX Nissan Buyer... , Pierre, SD, 12/20/2021
Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
My Altima tranny failed after an easy 73,000 miles. So i checked the web and found out Nissan CVT's have a long history of failing....class actions and giant settlement checks.
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So far so good
Samantha wood , Colorado Springs, CO, 01/19/2021
Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I just bought my car from a pretty awesome dealership with 90,000 miles I have no credit so my interest is really really high I got the 2012 and so far I love it I drive ALOT for work and the gas lasts me all week It doesn’t have much power so to get out into the lanes I have to punch it and the engine is kind of loud at first kind of raddles not sure if that’s all Nissans this year. I’m a mother of two so the fact it doesn’t have too much horse power im ok with just want to get into the lanes a bit faster living in a busy city. But all in all so far so good no problems to report I hope my money is worth the car I’ll check in with any further issues.
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Great car overall.
Dave, Homosassa, FL, 01/12/2019
Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I have all the bells and whistles. Bought it last month with 39000 miles. Very comfortable seating. (leather). Great ride and steering. Holds the road very well with a quiet ride. My first cvt transmission. Hear a lot of negatives on it, but once you get used to it you'll enjoy the smoothness. Just do your required servicing and you'll be fine. Plenty of power with the 2.5. I drive conservatively and get an astounding 30+mpg in the city. At hwy speeds, (70-80mph) a little less. (28mpg) All considered, I would buy another. Good value for the price.
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