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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.

About this comparison →

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

Unknown Or Other complaints

56 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2016
Unknown Or Other

KEYLOCK ISSUE. CAR WILL NOT START. SITTING IN DRIVEWAY FOR 8 MONTHS SO FAR. CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX. NO WARRANTY..NO RECALL ON ISSUE. I'VE READ THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES TO OTHER NISSAN OWNERS. THE FIX COSTS 800 TO 1000 & NOT INCLUDING THE TOW FEE 100$

NHTSA ODI #10888094

Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 2016
Unknown Or Other

LACOUNTYSHERIFFHELPMANSFATHERSTAREONSISTERSPROPERTYSOGOVERNORDOESNTGIVEHIMJOB ASKING ACOUSTICS FOR HELP FOR SANFRANCISCO.MAN SUPPORTING FBI AS ACOUSTICS SON. BUILDING COMPETENT E IN HIS OWN CHILD ATTEMPT TO FOLLOW.MAN USING DEPT TREASURY POLICE TO ALLEIVE JOB COMPETENT Y FROM HIM. INSTEAD OF PAYING HIM ALLOWS CNC TEACHE…

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LACOUNTYSHERIFFHELPMANSFATHERSTAREONSISTERSPROPERTYSOGOVERNORDOESNTGIVEHIMJOB ASKING ACOUSTICS FOR HELP FOR SANFRANCISCO.MAN SUPPORTING FBI AS ACOUSTICS SON. BUILDING COMPETENT E IN HIS OWN CHILD ATTEMPT TO FOLLOW.MAN USING DEPT TREASURY POLICE TO ALLEIVE JOB COMPETENT Y FROM HIM. INSTEAD OF PAYING HIM ALLOWS CNC TEACHER TO HELP YOSIMITTIE SAMFROM

NHTSA ODI #10851740

Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 2015
Power TrainSeatsUnknown Or Other

PAINT IS COMING OFF THE CAR FROM WHERE THE FACTORY HAS REPAINTED OVER A CLEAR COATED SURFACE. PAINT IS ALSO COMING OUT OF THE JAMS OF THE CAR CAUSING RUST. PARTS ON THE CAR ARE ALSO STARTING TO BREAK DOWN. THE SEATS DO NOT PROPERLY CATCH THE GEAR HOLDING THEM INTO PLACE. TRANSMISSION MAKES A TERRIBLE WINDING NOICE

NHTSA ODI #10779317

68,000 miles · Jul 7, 2015
Power TrainUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

TODAY WAS THE SECOND TIME I'VE EXPERIENCED THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF LONG. MY CAR BEGAN TO LOSE SPEED AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ABOVE 60 MPH. WHILE I HAD THE GAS PEDAL DOWN COMPLETELY ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, AS THE CAR COULD NOT GAIN SPEED. I COULD HAVE BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCI…

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TODAY WAS THE SECOND TIME I'VE EXPERIENCED THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF LONG. MY CAR BEGAN TO LOSE SPEED AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ABOVE 60 MPH. WHILE I HAD THE GAS PEDAL DOWN COMPLETELY ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, AS THE CAR COULD NOT GAIN SPEED. I COULD HAVE BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH ALL THE TRAFFIC ON THE FREEWAY, I HAD TO MERGE OVER TO THE FAR RIGHT FOR SAFETY. I DROVE MY CAR IMMEDIATELY AFTER TO NISSAN SO THEY COULD VERIFY THIS ISSUE. THEY FAILED TO HELP ME IN ANY WAY RECOMMENDING I INVEST IN A CVT COOLER, DUE TO NOT BEING COVERED UNDER WARRANTY ANYMORE. A COUPLE MONTHS BACK WHEN THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY I TOOK IT TO NISSAN WITH THE SAME ISSUE, AT THAT TIME THEY STATED THEY COULD NOT DETECT AN ISSUE. BUT NOW MY WARRANTY IS UP THEY'RE SUGGESTING WHAT THE CAR NEEDS. I'M VERY UPSET WITH HOW DANGEROUS THIS CAN BE AND HOW CARELESS NISSAN IS. IT'S LIKE THEY ARE JUST WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO SERIOUSLY BE HURT IN AN ACCIDENT TO THEN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

NHTSA ODI #10732595

34,000 miles · Jun 26, 2015
Unknown Or Other

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK THE MORNING OF 6/25 ON THE HIGHWAY. MY SUNROOF WAS OPEN AND MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WAS OPEN. I HEARD A LARGE BANG THAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT AND TINY PIECES OF SHATTERED GLASS FLEW IN THROUGH MY OPEN SUNROOF. THERE WAS NO OTHER DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND NOTHING THAT HIT MY CAR. MY SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY E…

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I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK THE MORNING OF 6/25 ON THE HIGHWAY. MY SUNROOF WAS OPEN AND MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WAS OPEN. I HEARD A LARGE BANG THAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT AND TINY PIECES OF SHATTERED GLASS FLEW IN THROUGH MY OPEN SUNROOF. THERE WAS NO OTHER DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND NOTHING THAT HIT MY CAR. MY SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED. BECAUSE MY SUNROOF WAS OPEN AT THE TIME THOUSANDS OF PIECES OF GLASS BROKE THROUGHOUT THE ROOF. I AM BRINGING TO NISSAN TOMORROW TO ASSESS DAMAGE TO THE ACTUAL SUNROOF BUT I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ODI #10730510

Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

DRIVING LONG DISTANCES MY CAR OVERHEATS, LOOSES POWER GOING FROM 70 MPH DOWN TO 40 MPH IN HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC. I AM FORCED TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY AND LET IT RESET ITSELF. IT HAS ALWAYS MADE A WHINING NOISE DURING ACCELERATION, AND THE BRAKES HAVE SQUEAKED FROM DAY ONE. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO NISSAN SEVERAL TIMES AND AM ALWAYS B…

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DRIVING LONG DISTANCES MY CAR OVERHEATS, LOOSES POWER GOING FROM 70 MPH DOWN TO 40 MPH IN HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC. I AM FORCED TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY AND LET IT RESET ITSELF. IT HAS ALWAYS MADE A WHINING NOISE DURING ACCELERATION, AND THE BRAKES HAVE SQUEAKED FROM DAY ONE. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO NISSAN SEVERAL TIMES AND AM ALWAYS BEEN GIVEN LAME EXCUSES. NOW THAT MY WARRANTY IS UP THEY HAVE A SOLUTION TO MY PROBLEMS. NEW TRANSMISSION OR OVERHEAT CONVERTER TO THE TUNE OF $1600. HOW CONVENIENT THEY HAVE A SOLUTION NOT THAT MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY!! THEY REFUSE TO HELP ME OR FIX MY CAR UNLESS I FORK OVER THE MONEY. MY CAR HAS HAD PROBLEMS SINCE I PURCHASED IT AND THERE WAS NEVER ANY RESOLVE. I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AS I DO A LOT OF DRIVING. MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY 2,000 MILES WHEN THEY MIRACULOUSLY FOUND A CAUSE AND SOLUTION FOR MY PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10614429

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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