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2012 Nissan Altima

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Nissan Altima do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 231.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

307 reports with mileage · 118 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 149 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 68 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 57 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

24 crash reports2 fire reports16 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

57 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 2020
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

MY VEHICLE IS ONLY 8 YEARS OLD AND RECENTLY THE AIRBAG LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH ON THE DASHBOARD , WHICH IS THE SIGN OF A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP (ELK GROVE NISSAN, CALIFORNIA) AND PAID TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. AFTER PERFORMING THE DIAGNOSTICS, I WAS TOLD THAT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WAS FAULTY AN…

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MY VEHICLE IS ONLY 8 YEARS OLD AND RECENTLY THE AIRBAG LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH ON THE DASHBOARD , WHICH IS THE SIGN OF A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP (ELK GROVE NISSAN, CALIFORNIA) AND PAID TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. AFTER PERFORMING THE DIAGNOSTICS, I WAS TOLD THAT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WAS FAULTY AND THAT IT WOULD COST ME $1500 TO REPAIR. MY QUESTION TO THEM WAS: " WHY SHOULD I PAY FOR THE REPAIR IF THE AIRBAG IS FAULTY?" I ALSO SAID THAT IF THE AIRBAG IS FAULTY, IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE THERE WAS NO RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. I HAVE SINCE CHECKED THE SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE GUIDE FOR MY VEHICLE AND THERE IS NOWHERE IN THE BOOKLET THAT STATES THAT THE AIRBAG IS A MAINTENANCE ITEM FOR THE OWNER. THE AIRBAG IS A SAFETY ITEM AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED BY THE MANUFACTURER JF IT IS FAULTY AS IS WITH MY VEHICLE. WHAT IS FRIGHTENING IS THAT THE RED LIGHT IS STILL FLASHING ON THE DASHBOARD AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN IF I CONTINUE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. THE AIRBAG IS FAULTY AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED ASAP BEFORE SOMETHING VERY SERIOUS HAPPENS. SINCE AUGUST 2020, I HAVE TRADED PHONE CALLS, EMAILS AND LETTERS WITH NISSAN TO NO AVAIL. I AM THEREFORE APPEALING TO YOU TO KINDLY INTERVENE TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE FIND ATTACHED, COPIES OF COMMUNICATION WITH NISSAN FOR YOUR INFORMATION AND REVIEW.

NHTSA ODI #11385374

93,000 miles · Jun 2, 2020
Air Bags

THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE STARTED GOING OFF ANY TIME THE CAR IS ON - INDICATING THERE IS NO AIRBAG FUNCTIONING EVEN WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. TOOK THE CAR TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAY THE WHOLE SEAT CUSHION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE SENSOR IS NOT WORKING. COST ABOUT $1000. *T…

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THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE STARTED GOING OFF ANY TIME THE CAR IS ON - INDICATING THERE IS NO AIRBAG FUNCTIONING EVEN WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. TOOK THE CAR TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAY THE WHOLE SEAT CUSHION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE SENSOR IS NOT WORKING. COST ABOUT $1000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11327004

70,000 miles · Mar 2, 2020
Air Bags

THE AIR BAG SWITCH UNDER THE SEAT IS DEFECTIVE.

NHTSA ODI #11315707

Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2020
Air Bags

SRS SUPPLEMENTAL AIRBAG LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING WHEN STARTING THE CAR UP. FOR WHILE I PUT UP WITH THIS, BUT I WAS CONCERNED. I LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER PEOPLE REPORTING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I EVENTUALLY FOUND A PROCEDURE TO RESET THE WARNING AND FOR A TIME THIS WORKED. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE LOCAL NIISSAN DEALER WAS TO…

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SRS SUPPLEMENTAL AIRBAG LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING WHEN STARTING THE CAR UP. FOR WHILE I PUT UP WITH THIS, BUT I WAS CONCERNED. I LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER PEOPLE REPORTING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I EVENTUALLY FOUND A PROCEDURE TO RESET THE WARNING AND FOR A TIME THIS WORKED. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE LOCAL NIISSAN DEALER WAS TOLD THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR WAS FAULTY AND THAT TO FIX IT, THE ENTIRE LOWER SEAT CUSHION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR APPROXIMATELY $2000 WHICH I THOUGHT WAS OUTRAGEOUS. THEY ALSO TOLD ME MY ENTIRE AIRBAG SYSTEM WOULD BE INOPERATIVE UNTIL THIS SENSOR WAS FIXED, WHICH DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME. WHY WOULD FAULTY PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR DISABLE ALL AIRBAGS. I THINK NISSAN SHOULD RECALL CARS WITH THESE KINDS PROBLEMS AND NOT STICK CUSTOMERS WITH REPLACING $2000 SEAT CUSHIONS.

NHTSA ODI #11310935

43,000 miles · Nov 22, 2019
Air Bags

AFTER 43K MILES AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES WHEN MY WIFE IS SEATED AND CAR IS BEING DRIVEN. DEALER SAYS WEIGHT REQUIREMENT FOR PASSENGER IS 120 LBS. WHAT IS FEDERAL REQUIREMENT?

NHTSA ODI #11281879

145,000 miles · Oct 21, 2019
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)

A RED FLASHING LIGHT THAT LOOKS LIKE A PERSON SITTING WITH A AIRBAG IN THE FACE WON'T GO OFF AND A YELLOW LIGHT THAT HAS A X OVER THE 2ND SEAT. I'M SCARED THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WON'T WORK IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURS

NHTSA ODI #11269835

Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 2019
Air BagsService Brakes

CAMBIE LAS BREAKS NUEVAS Y EL RUIDO SIGUE, LA LUZ DE LAS BOLSAS DE AIRE EST PRENDIDA SIEMPRE

NHTSA ODI #11246336

103,000 miles · Jul 22, 2019
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR DID NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NISSAN OF TAMPA (813-933-6641, LOCATED AT 11001 N FLORIDA AVE, TAMPA, FL 33612) WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS RECOMMENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR DID NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NISSAN OF TAMPA (813-933-6641, LOCATED AT 11001 N FLORIDA AVE, TAMPA, FL 33612) WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS RECOMMENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 103,000.

NHTSA ODI #11233905

31,200 miles · Jul 5, 2019
Air Bags

AIRBAG ON PASSENGER SIDE INDICATES THAT IT IS OFF AND WARNING LIGHT FLASHES ON DASHBOARD. HAVE RESET IT SEVERAL TIMES BUT RESET ONLY LASTS ABOUT 30 MINS. 31200 MILES ON VEHICLE. WAS TOLD IT MAY BE SEAT SENSOR AND NEARLY $850 TO REPLACE.

NHTSA ODI #11229513

80,000 miles · Jan 1, 2019
Air Bags

FLASHING SEAT BELT SIGN RELATING TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG KEEPS BLINKING AND NO ONE SITS IN THE SEAT. WILL THE AIRBAG ACTUALLY WORK IF IN A ACCIDENT? WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL ON THIS AIR BAG SENSOR?

NHTSA ODI #11164355

Official recalls

4

12V494000 · Steering; Suspension

Oct 10, 2012

Nissan is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Altima vehicles manufactured from May 10, 2012, through July 26, 2012. These vehicles may have been equipped with transverse link bolts and power steering rack bolts that were not torqued to proper specification.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The affected bolts could become loose and fall out which may lead to a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the bolts to the proper torque specifications. The safety recall is expected to begin during November 2012. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1-800-647-7261.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Suspension

Nissan is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Altima vehicles manufactured from May 10, 2012, through July 26, 2012. These vehicles may have been equipped with transverse link bolts and power steering rack bolts that were not torqued to proper specification.

Consequence: The affected bolts could become loose and fall out which may lead to a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the bolts to the proper torque specifications. The safety recall is expected to begin during November 2012. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1-800-647-7261.

Steering

Nissan is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Altima vehicles manufactured from May 10, 2012, through July 26, 2012. These vehicles may have been equipped with transverse link bolts and power steering rack bolts that were not torqued to proper specification.

Consequence: The affected bolts could become loose and fall out which may lead to a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the bolts to the proper torque specifications. The safety recall is expected to begin during November 2012. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1-800-647-7261.

12V055000 · Air Bags:side/window

Feb 14, 2012

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 ALTIMA AND VERSA VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS THAT CONTAIN AN INCORRECT PROPELLANT MIXTURE FOR THE INITIATOR COMPONENT USED, RESULTING IN INSUFFICIENT OUTPUT OF COMPRESSED GAS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ONE OR BOTH SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG MODULES, AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 12, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 615-725-1000.

11V408000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

Aug 9, 2011

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 15, 2011, THROUGH JUNE 21, 2011 AND MODEL YEAR 2012 NISSAN NV VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 23, 2011, THROUGH JUNE 28, 2011 BECAUSE THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT (ACU) WAS ASSEMBLED INCORRECTLY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE AFFECTED ACU WILL NOT OPERATE AS DESIGNED AND THIS ISSUE MAY CAUSE THE AIR BAGS NOT TO INFLATE IN A CRASH WHEN THEY ARE DESIGNED TO INFLATE. THIS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy: NISSAN WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 22, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

11V371000 · Suspension

Jul 19, 2011

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 NISSAN ALTIMA SEDAN VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 25, 2011, THROUGH JUNE 10, 2011 AT THE CANTON, MISSISSIPPI PLANT. THE TRANSVERSE LINK BOLT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TORQUED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE BOLT TO BECOME LOOSE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, CREATING A RATTLING NOISE AND VIBRATION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE BOLT COMES OUT COMPLETELY, THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: NISSAN WILL REPLACE THE TRANSVERSE LINK BOLTS AND NUTS AND TIGHTEN THEM TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATION FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 8, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EQ12002 · Autoliv Air Bag Propellant Mixture

Opened Feb 14, 2012 · Closed May 8, 2012

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:side/window

The summary for this investigation, labeled EQ12-002 Autoliv Closing Resume, can be found attached separately to this resume.This EQ is closed.

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