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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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68,000 miles · Sep 2, 2015
Air BagsSteeringSuspensionCrash

ON THE ABOVE DATE, MY VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHICH AFTER THOROUGH ASSESSMENT BY THE BODY SHOP AND BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY'S FIELD ADJUSTERS, WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. MY VEHICLE'S STEERING SUDDENLY BECAME VERY DIFFICULT DUE TO THE FRONT WHEELS BECOMING SEEMINGLY LOCKED AND STEERING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION WAS IMPOS…

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ON THE ABOVE DATE, MY VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHICH AFTER THOROUGH ASSESSMENT BY THE BODY SHOP AND BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY'S FIELD ADJUSTERS, WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. MY VEHICLE'S STEERING SUDDENLY BECAME VERY DIFFICULT DUE TO THE FRONT WHEELS BECOMING SEEMINGLY LOCKED AND STEERING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION WAS IMPOSSIBLE. STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN AS WELL. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY EITHER. EVERYTHING HAPPENED SO FAST. THERE WAS A LOSS OF CONTROL WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERTURN OR "FLIP". THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UPSIDE DOWN WHEN PASSERSBY AND LAW OFFICIAL ARRIVED.THIS ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF WE'D RECEIVED PRIOR NOTIFICATION. WE KNOW THERE WERE RECALLS FOR THIS YEAR,MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE AND THOSE SIMILAR, HOWEVER WE WERE NEVER NOTIFIED BY ANYONE OF SAID RECALLS.THIS ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL, THAT'S HOW BAD IT WAS.BY THE GRACE OF GOD IT WASN'T.

NHTSA ODI #10761112

Mileage unknown · Sep 2, 2015
Air BagsCrashInjury

ON AUGUST 28, 2015, THE PERSON HAD RAN A RED LIGHT WHICH CAUSED ME TO T-BONE HIS CAR IN THE REAR. THEREFORE IT WAS A HARD IMPACT COLLISION AND NEITHER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED FOR OUR OWN SAFETY. ...UPDATED 09/28/15 *BF .......UPDATED 12/10/15 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10760904

56,000 miles · Jul 20, 2015
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AND BRAKING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD ON INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE CONTACT, CAUSING HER TO SUSTAIN A LACERATION THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE FRONT PASSE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AND BRAKING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD ON INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE CONTACT, CAUSING HER TO SUSTAIN A LACERATION THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED A FRACTURED STERNUM AND INTERNAL INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE REAR PASSENGER SUSTAINED FIVE CRACKED RIBS AND A CRACKED STERNUM THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS ALSO INJURED AND REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000. ...UPDATED 07/30/15 *BF UPDATED 9/23/15*JS

NHTSA ODI #10735324

200 miles · May 16, 2015
Air Bags

PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS INTERMITTENTLY OFF

NHTSA ODI #10716814

Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2015
Air Bags

HELLO THERE I HAVE A NISSAN ALTIMA AND TOOK IT TO GET A DIAGNOSIS AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION/OCS SENSOR. THEY SAID WE BROKE THE SENSOR WITH A WATER BOTTLE. I SAID OKAY BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW BETTER. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND OUT THAT THE SENSOR IS INSIDE THE CUSHION SEAT SO HOW COULD A WATER BOTTLE RE…

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HELLO THERE I HAVE A NISSAN ALTIMA AND TOOK IT TO GET A DIAGNOSIS AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION/OCS SENSOR. THEY SAID WE BROKE THE SENSOR WITH A WATER BOTTLE. I SAID OKAY BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW BETTER. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND OUT THAT THE SENSOR IS INSIDE THE CUSHION SEAT SO HOW COULD A WATER BOTTLE REACH THAT SENSOR. IT DOESN'T ITS SELF EXPLANATORY THEIR CAR CAME DEFECTIVE. I'M PARALYZED FROM THE WAIST DOWN. IF I GET IN AN ACCIDENT THE ONES THAT ARE GOING TO BE HELP RESPONSIBLE IS NISSAN BECAUSE THEY SOLD ME A DEFECTIVE CAR. I HAVE THE RIGHT TO FILE ACTION AGAINST YOUR GUYS BEHALF. IF YOU LOOK AT HOWSTUFFWORKS.COM IT WILL SHOW YOU EXACTLY WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. I DO NOT HAVE $550 EXTRA FOR THEIR MISTAKE. THANK YOU AND HOPE YOU GUYS TAKE CAR OF IT. ALSO I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW 7000 MILES ON IT OCTOBER 9TH, 2012. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10706389

37,668 miles · Jan 15, 2015
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

MY 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE ALTIMA WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AT AN ESTIMATED SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH WITHOUT BRAKING (STATED BY POLICE) THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR SEAT BELT FAILED TO SECURE AND THE PASSENGER'S HEAD WAS THROWN BACK AND FORTH STRIKING BOTH THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEAD…

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MY 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE ALTIMA WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AT AN ESTIMATED SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH WITHOUT BRAKING (STATED BY POLICE) THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR SEAT BELT FAILED TO SECURE AND THE PASSENGER'S HEAD WAS THROWN BACK AND FORTH STRIKING BOTH THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEAD REST AS WELL AS THE REAR PASSENGER'S HEAD REST. THE PASSENGER WAS EVALUATED IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM DIAGNOSIS "CERVICAL SPRAIN AND A CLOSED HEAD INJURY". PASSENGER #2 WAS SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WHEN THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. PASSENGER'S GLASSES WERE KNOCKED OFF OF HER FACE DUE TO FORCE OF IMPACT AND AS A RESULT OF PASSENGER'S HEAD HITTING THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW SEVERAL TIMES RESULTING IN CLOSED HEAD INJURY, NECK AND BACK SPRAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10672815

19,000 miles · Jan 8, 2015
Air Bags

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT FLICKERS ON AND OFF OR WILL STAY ON FOR PERIODS OF TIME. IT IS COMPLETELY RANDOM AND WILL DO THIS WHEN NO ONE IS IN THE SEAT AND WHEN THERE IS SOMEONE IN THE SEAT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10670923

11,000 miles · Dec 18, 2014
Air Bags

THE 'AIRBAG OFF' LIGHT FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT TURNS ON RANDOMLY, REGARDLESS OF WHO IS IN THE SEAT (140+ POUNDS). THE CAR WAS PURCHASED OFF LEASE LAST YEAR FROM EAST COAST AUTO MALL, 340 SYLVAN AVE, ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, NJ 07632. WE CALLED THEM AND ASKED ABOUT IF THE AIRBAG WOULD DEPLOY IF THE LIGHT WAS ON, EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS …

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THE 'AIRBAG OFF' LIGHT FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT TURNS ON RANDOMLY, REGARDLESS OF WHO IS IN THE SEAT (140+ POUNDS). THE CAR WAS PURCHASED OFF LEASE LAST YEAR FROM EAST COAST AUTO MALL, 340 SYLVAN AVE, ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, NJ 07632. WE CALLED THEM AND ASKED ABOUT IF THE AIRBAG WOULD DEPLOY IF THE LIGHT WAS ON, EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS AN ADULT IN THE SEAT, THIS WAS THEIR RESPONSE: "WELL NO.. BUT YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE WEARING A SEAT BELT." LAST NISSAN I'LL BUY, AFTER OWNING 4 CONSECUTIVELY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10667152

3,000 miles · Oct 29, 2014
Air Bags

OUR 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA'S PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT WILL SHOWS THE AIRBAG BEING INACTIVE WHILE A PERSON IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. ALL PEOPLE WHO HAVE SAT IN THIS SEAT THIS ISSUE OCCURRED ARE OVER 120 POUNDS. TWICE WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE PLANET NISSAN IN LAS VEGAS WHERE WE PURCHASED THE CAR. THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID S…

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OUR 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA'S PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT WILL SHOWS THE AIRBAG BEING INACTIVE WHILE A PERSON IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. ALL PEOPLE WHO HAVE SAT IN THIS SEAT THIS ISSUE OCCURRED ARE OVER 120 POUNDS. TWICE WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE PLANET NISSAN IN LAS VEGAS WHERE WE PURCHASED THE CAR. THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID SINCE THE ISSUE CAN BE REPLICATED THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING TO FIX THE ISSUE. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST A 100 HUNDREDS TIMES IN THE PAST TWO YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. EVERY TIME WE CALL A DEALERSHIP WE HEAR THE SAME ANSWER UNLESS WE CAN SEE THE PROBLEM AND DUPLICATE IT WE CANNOT HELP YOU. THE ISSUE IS THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAN BE LIT (SHOWING AIRBAG TO ACTIVE) AND ON THE WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP THE LIGHT GOES OUT AND WE ARE BACK TO SQUARE ONE. AFTER TWO YEARS OF GETTING NOWHERE WITH THIS WE TOOK VIDEO OF THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED. WE BROUGHT THIS TO AUTONATION NISSAN IN LAS VEGAS AND THEY CHECK THE WIRING HARNESS SAID IT IS NOT LOOSE THERE IS NOTHING ELSE WE CAN DO UNLESS WE CAN DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. WE LOGGED A COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN USA HQ AND RECEIVED THE SAME RESPONSE, SORRY WE CANNOT HELP YOU NAY FURTHER. WITH ALL THE RECENT AND PAST NISSAN AIRBAG RECALLS I AM SHOCKED AT THEIR LACK OF WANTING TO DO SOMETHING EXTRA TO TROUBLESHOOT THE PROBLEM. I HAVE RESEARCHED MANY CAR FORUMS AND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH NISSAN, THEY PUSH THE CONSUMER AWAY WITH THE TYPICAL CANNOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM THEREFORE IT ISN'T ONE. AT THIS POINT THERE IS NO GUARANTEE ANYONE SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT IS SAFE IN A HEAD ON CRASH. IS IT GOING TO TAKE A PERSON'S DEATH FOR NISSAN TO STEP UP AND MAKE THIS RIGHT? THIS EERILY REMINISCENT OF GM NOT ACTING ON THE FAULTY IGNITION SWITCHES IN A TIMELY MANNER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10651133

Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 2014
Air BagsSteeringSuspensionCrashInjury

MY SON WAS DRIVING, LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE VEERED OFF OF THE ROAD AND HIT A TREE, WENT THROUGH A RESIDENTIAL BACKYARD FENCE AND CAME TO REST 3FT. BEFORE AN 8FT. EMBANKMENT INTO A CREEK. THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND HE HAD TO BE EXTRICATED FROM THE VEHICLE. HE SUFFERED THE FOLLOWING INJURIES: - 2 BROKEN VERTEBRA …

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MY SON WAS DRIVING, LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE VEERED OFF OF THE ROAD AND HIT A TREE, WENT THROUGH A RESIDENTIAL BACKYARD FENCE AND CAME TO REST 3FT. BEFORE AN 8FT. EMBANKMENT INTO A CREEK. THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND HE HAD TO BE EXTRICATED FROM THE VEHICLE. HE SUFFERED THE FOLLOWING INJURIES: - 2 BROKEN VERTEBRA IN HIS NECK - BROKEN CLAVICLE - 4 BROKEN RIBS - COLLAPSED LUNGS - LACERATION ON HIS UPPER LEFT ARM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10650148

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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