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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

What owners actually said

425 reports
22,000 miles · Jan 17, 2015
Latches/locks/linkages

DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT DISENGAGE 5 TIMES IN TWO YEARS. MOST RECENT ON THURSDAY FOR FORTY MINUTES! PRETTY SURE IT'S A COLD WEATHER ISSUE, BUT DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD. ESPECIALLY FOR A 67 YEAR-OLD, ARTHRITIC, 260LB. SCHOOL CROSSING GUARD WHO TOOK 5 MINUTES TO GET UP AND OVER THE CONSOLE AND FINALLY FORCE HIS WAY OUT OF THE PAS…

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DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT DISENGAGE 5 TIMES IN TWO YEARS. MOST RECENT ON THURSDAY FOR FORTY MINUTES! PRETTY SURE IT'S A COLD WEATHER ISSUE, BUT DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD. ESPECIALLY FOR A 67 YEAR-OLD, ARTHRITIC, 260LB. SCHOOL CROSSING GUARD WHO TOOK 5 MINUTES TO GET UP AND OVER THE CONSOLE AND FINALLY FORCE HIS WAY OUT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR! IT WAS ONLY A COUPLE DEGREES BELOW ZERO, SO I'M A LITTLE SURPRISED IT TOOK 40 MINUTES FOR THE DRIVER'S DOOR TO UNLOCK. I LEAVE THE DOOR UNLOCKED OVERNIGHT, BUT WHEN I LEAVE FOR SCHOOL IN THE MORNING, THE DARN DOORS LOCK AUTOMATICALLY AT 15MPH AND I CAN'T GET OUT ONCE I REACH MY DESTINATION! SO I WENT TO THE NISSAN DEALER AND PAID 51 SIMOLEONS TO HAVE THE AUTO DOORLOCK MECHANISM DISABLED! GOTTA BE A BETTER WAY! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10676177

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

Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 2015
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BRAKE NOISES. *SMD

NHTSA ODI #10662806

17,100 miles · Jan 3, 2015
Electrical SystemTires

TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR LIGHT COMES ON WHEN IT IS COLD AND STAYS ON. CHECK PRESSURE AND TIRES ARE OK. SAFETY ISSUES ARS YOU NEVER KNOW IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM. CALLED NISSAN AND THEY SAID NOT TO WORRY WHEN IT GET WARMER THE SENSOR LIGHT WILL GO OFF, BUT WHEN DO YOU KNOW IF YOU REALLY HAVE A TIRE PROBLEM AND A POTENTIAL CRASH? I W…

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TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR LIGHT COMES ON WHEN IT IS COLD AND STAYS ON. CHECK PRESSURE AND TIRES ARE OK. SAFETY ISSUES ARS YOU NEVER KNOW IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM. CALLED NISSAN AND THEY SAID NOT TO WORRY WHEN IT GET WARMER THE SENSOR LIGHT WILL GO OFF, BUT WHEN DO YOU KNOW IF YOU REALLY HAVE A TIRE PROBLEM AND A POTENTIAL CRASH? I WANT THE SENSOR REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10669858

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

21,000 miles · Dec 16, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

I WAS AT A RED LIGHT AND THE CAR JUST SHUT DOWN. I HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT! THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME ABOUT A YEAR AGO. I THOUGHT I HAD DONE SOMETHING TO MAKE IT HAPPEN THE FIRST THE FIRST TIME. NOW I KNOW IT IS THE CAR. THIS IS SERIOUS AND SCARY! FROM READING THE COMPLAINTS I…

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I WAS AT A RED LIGHT AND THE CAR JUST SHUT DOWN. I HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT! THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME ABOUT A YEAR AGO. I THOUGHT I HAD DONE SOMETHING TO MAKE IT HAPPEN THE FIRST THE FIRST TIME. NOW I KNOW IT IS THE CAR. THIS IS SERIOUS AND SCARY! FROM READING THE COMPLAINTS I SEE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS AND WHILE THEY WERE DRIVING! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10664545

1,880 miles · Dec 9, 2014
Steering

CAR GOES TO THE RIGHT. .WILL NOT RESPOND WHEN TRYING TO BRING BACK. THEN TO MUCH. LIKE OUT OF ALIGNMENT. GOING TO REPLACE STEERING COLUMN. GOING TO FIX ORDERED PART. DEC 8 2014. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10663227

11,858 miles · Nov 30, 2014
Power Train

TRANSMISSION LEAK IN BELL HOUSING. TRANSMISSION LEAK 1/10/13. TRANSMISSION LEAK 9/11/13. TRANSMISSION LEAK, INTERNAL FAILURE 9/30/13. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10661344

59,341 miles · Nov 11, 2014
Power Train

WORK/REPAIR ORDERS, AVAILABLE ON REQUEST. IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH NISSAN ALTIMA'S FEATURING THE CTV TRANSMISSION. 1) PURCHASED THE CAR FROM HERTZ, 12/13. 2) ACCELERATION PROBLEM NOTED WHEN FIRST EXTENDED TRIP WAS TAKEN TO BAKERSFIELD IN 5/14. 3) PROBLEM: WHEN THE ENGINE WAS WARM THE TRANSMISSION SENSOR FAI…

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WORK/REPAIR ORDERS, AVAILABLE ON REQUEST. IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH NISSAN ALTIMA'S FEATURING THE CTV TRANSMISSION. 1) PURCHASED THE CAR FROM HERTZ, 12/13. 2) ACCELERATION PROBLEM NOTED WHEN FIRST EXTENDED TRIP WAS TAKEN TO BAKERSFIELD IN 5/14. 3) PROBLEM: WHEN THE ENGINE WAS WARM THE TRANSMISSION SENSOR FAILS AND CAR CAN NOT ACCELERATE. CAR FAILED GOING OVER THE "GRAPEVINE" IN GORMAN, CA. 4) UNDER NISSAN 60M WARRANTY, TOOK THE CAR TO GET CHECKED. CAR HAD 59M MILES ON IT. EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM. THEY CLAIMED IT WAS A THROTTLE SENSOR. FIXED IT UNDER WARRANTY. 5) NEXT TRIP TO LAS VEGAS, GOING UP THE I-15 THROUGH VICTORVILLE, AUG/2014. THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED. ACCELERATION FAILED WHEN ENGINE WAS WARM AND CLIMBING A GRADUAL INCLINE. 6) TOOK THE CAR BACK TO BP NISSAN. NOW THEY CLAIM TO KNOW FOR SURE THE PROBLEM WAS NOT WITH THE THROTTLE SENSOR BUT WITH THE CTV TRANSMISSION. UNFORTUNATELY THEY NOW CLAIM MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND REQUIRES A $4,000.00 NEW TRANSMISSION. 7) AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM IT APPEARS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE NEW ALTIMA CTV TRANSMISSION. THEY NEW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS WHEN I FIRST BROUGHT THE CAR IN WITH 59M MILES ON IT. THEY "KICKED THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD" HOPING I WOULDN'T COME BACK UNTIL AFTER THE 60M MILE WARRANTY EXPIRED. DANGEROUS SITUATION HAVING TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. ESPECIALLY WITH KIDS IN THE CAR. THEY REFUSE TO GIVE ME A "DECLINE OF SERVICE" LETTER. PLEASE ADVISE. REGARDS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10654197

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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