CAMBIE LAS BREAKS NUEVAS Y EL RUIDO SIGUE, LA LUZ DE LAS BOLSAS DE AIRE EST PRENDIDA SIEMPRE
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Altima years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
Service Brakes complaints
17 reportsAS I WAS STARTING TO SLOW DOWN IN PREPARATION OF TAKING A TURN OFF THE FRONTAGE ROAD MY CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF, MY BRAKES AND STEERING LOCKED AND LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO COMPLETE MY TURN INTO A GAS STATION WHERE I IMMEDIATELY PUT IT IN PARK AND RESTARTED VIA PUSH START., 2 DAYS LATER THIS OCCURRED AGAIN ON A FAIRLY BUSY STREET WH…
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AS I WAS STARTING TO SLOW DOWN IN PREPARATION OF TAKING A TURN OFF THE FRONTAGE ROAD MY CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF, MY BRAKES AND STEERING LOCKED AND LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO COMPLETE MY TURN INTO A GAS STATION WHERE I IMMEDIATELY PUT IT IN PARK AND RESTARTED VIA PUSH START., 2 DAYS LATER THIS OCCURRED AGAIN ON A FAIRLY BUSY STREET WHERE I REPEATED THE STEPS TO START IT AGAIN. I AM EXTREMELY SCARED TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN AGAIN ON A HEAVILY TRAVELED STREET CAUSING ME TO BE INVOLVED IN A COLLISION , I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE AND SEE OTHER REPORTS/COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE I DESCRIBED YET DO NOT SEE ANY RECALL ISSUED REGRADING THIS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DEFECT.
THE TRACTION(SLIP) SYMBOL HAS BEEN ON FOR MONTHS CAUSING MY BRAKES TO SQUEAL REGARDLESS OF BEING ON THE BRAKES. TRANSMISSION HAS STARTED KICKING INTO LOWER GEARS WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE SPEED.
VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW. ALL BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEED TO BE REPLACED WITH LESS THAN 20,000 MILES ON ODOMETER. ATTACHED LETTER WAS SENT TO NISSAN CORPORATE U.S. HEADQUARTERS. NO RESPONSE TO LETTER WAS RECEIVED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN PROMPTED BY THE KEY FOB. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN PARK TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN PROMPTED BY THE KEY FOB. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN PARK TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,090.
WHEN I AM DRIVING... USING THE ACCELERATOR... AND GO TO BRAKE... MY FOOT GOES BETWEEN THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR AND HITS THE FLOOR INSTEAD OF BRAKING. THIS IS DANGEROUS.. THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARE TOO FAR APART. IT HAPPENS ANYWHERE ON STREET...OR HIGHWAY.
I WAS DRIVING IN THE RAIN ON 2-21-16 APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE CAR ACCELERATED WHEN BRAKE WAS APPLIED, RESULTING IN A 25 MPH COLLISION. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS BRUISED BUT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. I WAS CITED FOR RUNNING THE LIGHT. I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR.
BROUGHT A CAR FROM CARMAX BRANDYWINE MD 2 WEEKS AGO THE CARS BREAKE PEDAL HAS A LOUD SQUEEK AND RUBBING SENSATION WHEN TRYING TO BRAKE IT SEEMS LIKE IT ISNT CATCHING TOOK IT BACK TO CARMAX ON 10/7/2015 THEY STILL HAVE MY CAR ITS 10/14/2015 I HAVE READ ITS A KNOWN FACT THAT THESE CARS HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITCH COULD RESULT IN A A…
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BROUGHT A CAR FROM CARMAX BRANDYWINE MD 2 WEEKS AGO THE CARS BREAKE PEDAL HAS A LOUD SQUEEK AND RUBBING SENSATION WHEN TRYING TO BRAKE IT SEEMS LIKE IT ISNT CATCHING TOOK IT BACK TO CARMAX ON 10/7/2015 THEY STILL HAVE MY CAR ITS 10/14/2015 I HAVE READ ITS A KNOWN FACT THAT THESE CARS HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITCH COULD RESULT IN A ACCIDENT IF MALFUNCTION HAPPENS.
ENGINE QUIT WHILE DRIVING, BRAKES FAILED, STEERING LOCKED UP A DEADLY SITUATION. DEALER CLAIMS IT WAS DUE TO A LOOSE BATTERY CABLE. IF SO A LOOSE BATTERY CABLE COULD KILL YOU OR OTHERS. *TR
BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO 4 SEIZED BRAKE CALIPERS. MY WIFE WAS UNABLE TO STOP COMPLETELY AT A BUSY INTERSECTION ENTERING ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANES. NO CARS WERE PRESENT OR SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT, BUT VERY SCARY FOR MY WIFE. ALL FOUR ROTORS SHOWED ONLY A THIN STRIPE OF PAD CONTACT DOWN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROTOR. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP…
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BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO 4 SEIZED BRAKE CALIPERS. MY WIFE WAS UNABLE TO STOP COMPLETELY AT A BUSY INTERSECTION ENTERING ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANES. NO CARS WERE PRESENT OR SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT, BUT VERY SCARY FOR MY WIFE. ALL FOUR ROTORS SHOWED ONLY A THIN STRIPE OF PAD CONTACT DOWN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROTOR. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP WAS TOLD THIS WAS NORMAL AND NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY DUE TO CORROSION OF THERE CALIPERS. CAR HAD BEEN IN THERE REPAIR SHOP 7 MONTHS EARLIER. ROTOR DEGLAZING WAS RECOMMENDED BUT NOTHING WAS SAID ABOUT THE BRAKES CALIPERS SEIZING AND BRAKE FAILURE. DEGLAZING OF ROTORS WOULD HAVE BEEN AT MY EXPENSE AND I FELT THIS WAS THE DEALERSHIPS RESPONSIBILITY IF THERE WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. BEING UNAWARE OF THE SEVERITY OF THIS "COMMON" PROBLEM I ELECTED TO PASS. NEVER DID ANYBODY STATE THAT THIS COULD LEAD TO TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE AND WAS ANYTHING BUT DEGLAZING OF THE ROTORS, A DEALER ADD ON EXPENSE. SPOKE TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE THOUGHT IT WAS UNNECESSARY. I HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOR ROTORS AND PADS, THEY CLEANED UP THE CALIPERS AND SAID THEY SHOULD BE FINE. HOW WILL I KNOW IF THEY ARE FINE OR NOT? MUST I HAVE BRAKE FAILURE AGAIN TO FIND OUT THEY WERE WRONG? I DO NOT TRUST THE BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE, THEY SHOULD NOT SEIZE UP ON A 2 1/2 YR OLD CAR THAT'S KEPT IN A HEATED GARAGE DAILY. THEY STATED IT WAS BECAUSE OF MY LOCATION, UPSTATE NEW YORK, AND THEY COULD NOT GUARANTEE THE BRAKES SYSTEM IN SUCH A HARSH ENVIRONMENT. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF BRAKES RUSTING AND SEIZING BEFORE ON ANY VEHICLE THIS NEW WITH SUCH FEW MILES. THE MANUFACTURER USES INFERIOR MATERIALS TO BUILD ITS PARTS AND ITS THE CONSUMERS RESPONSIBILITY TO BE AWARE OF THIS? I HAD NO IDEA THAT THERE BRAKE CALIPERS SEIZING DUE TO DRIVING IN THE WINTER WAS A "COMMON" SAFETY ISSUE. HOW CAN THIS BE MY RESPONSIBILITY TO KNOW THAT THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THERE BRAKING SYSTEM? *TR
Official recalls
412V494000 · 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
1EQ12002 · 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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