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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

Electrical System complaints

44 reports
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56,000 miles · May 7, 2019
Electrical System

WHEN IT RAINS IT LEAKS WATER IN THE VEHICLE NEAR THE SUNROOF IN THE HEADLINER ON BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE OF VEHICLE. IT WILL LEAK (DRIP) WHILE PARKED AND WHILE IN DRIVE

NHTSA ODI #11206053

Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2019
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

18HOZ-1DIAG C CHECK & DIAGNOS (TECH 561) COMPLAINT: SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS ON ALSO C/S THEY WERE DRIVING ON FREEWAY IN TRAFFIC WHILE RPMS WERE AROUND LOW 1,OOO VEHICLE WOULD BUCK FROM SLOW SPEEDS TRYING TO ACCELERATE ALSO WHEN VEHICLE WAS ON A HILL AT A STOP VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS ONC…

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18HOZ-1DIAG C CHECK & DIAGNOS (TECH 561) COMPLAINT: SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS ON ALSO C/S THEY WERE DRIVING ON FREEWAY IN TRAFFIC WHILE RPMS WERE AROUND LOW 1,OOO VEHICLE WOULD BUCK FROM SLOW SPEEDS TRYING TO ACCELERATE ALSO WHEN VEHICLE WAS ON A HILL AT A STOP VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS ONCE VEHICLE GAINED MOMENTUM VEHICLE STARTED MOVING PLEASE CHECK AND ADVISE. CAUSE: VERIFIED CUSTOMERS CONCERN. "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED. CHECKED FOR DTCS AND FOUND MULTIPLE DTCS (DTC WRITTEN ON RO). CLEARED DTCS AND NONE RETURNED AFTER TEST DRIVE. VEHICLE DID FEEL A BIT SLUGGISH ON FIRST TEST DRIVE. CHECKED FLUID LEVELS AND FOUND OIL LEVEL A BIT LOW. ALSO NOTICED DRIVES FLOOR MAT TUCKED UNDER GAS PEDAL. REMOVED FLOOR MAT AND TEST DROVE AGAIN. VEHICLES ACCELERATION FEELS NORMAL. WENT TO STEEP HILL TO DUPLICATE CUSTOMERS CONCERN. COULD NOT VERIFY CUSTOMERS CONCERN. AGAIN, CORRECTION: REPLACED BOTH CAM POSITION SENSORS AS WELL AS THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR. CLEARED ALL DTCS AND TEST DROVE VEHICLE NO DTCS RETURNED. VEHICLE DRIVES FINE WITH NO ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI #11192671

32,000 miles · Oct 8, 2018
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

SECURITY PROMPT TO" PRESS BRAKE TO START" IN VECHICLE INFORMATION DISPLAY FAILED CAUSING CONFUSION ON PROPER STARTING PROCEDURE FOR THE VECHICLE. INFORMATION TO START VECHICLE IS BLANK IN THE SCREEN,THIS PROBLEM STARTED WITH EARLY 2007 MODELS AND HAS SHOWED UP IN MY 2012 ALTIMA. THIS VECHICLE IS STORE NORMALLY HAS 32K MILES ON …

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SECURITY PROMPT TO" PRESS BRAKE TO START" IN VECHICLE INFORMATION DISPLAY FAILED CAUSING CONFUSION ON PROPER STARTING PROCEDURE FOR THE VECHICLE. INFORMATION TO START VECHICLE IS BLANK IN THE SCREEN,THIS PROBLEM STARTED WITH EARLY 2007 MODELS AND HAS SHOWED UP IN MY 2012 ALTIMA. THIS VECHICLE IS STORE NORMALLY HAS 32K MILES ON IT AS OF 10/9/2018 AND SHOULDNT HAVE HAD THIS KIND OF FAILURE. WHAT ELSE IS GOING TO FAIL IN THIS INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WHILE DRIVING, IT SAFETY ISSUE. THIS DISPLAY WENT OUT WHEN STOPPED AND TURNED OFF. THIS FAILURE CAUSED LOSS OF WARNING INFORMATION ABOUT THE VECHICLE OPERATION.SEE PHOTOS OF NORMAL OPERATION SUPPLIED BY THIS DISPLAY.

NHTSA ODI #11139124

120,000 miles · Feb 21, 2018
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RECOGNIZE THE FOB KEY EVEN AFTER THE FOB KEY BATTERY WAS CHANGED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE MANUALLY OPERATED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #11074096

51,000 miles · Feb 12, 2018
Electrical System

THE VEHICLE'S DOORS STOPPED LOCKING AND UNLOCKING PROPERLY. IT HAS BEEN FOUND THAT ALL 4 DOOR LOCKS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE, WHERE THEY LOCK SOMETIMES AND AT OTHER TIMES, THEY DON'T. THE ALARM SYSTEM IS DOING STRANGE THINGS, ALSO. BY THAT, I MEAN THERE WILL BE TIMES WHEN I PRESS THE DOOR BUTTON AND HEAR THE DOUBLE-BEEP, INSTEAD OF T…

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THE VEHICLE'S DOORS STOPPED LOCKING AND UNLOCKING PROPERLY. IT HAS BEEN FOUND THAT ALL 4 DOOR LOCKS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE, WHERE THEY LOCK SOMETIMES AND AT OTHER TIMES, THEY DON'T. THE ALARM SYSTEM IS DOING STRANGE THINGS, ALSO. BY THAT, I MEAN THERE WILL BE TIMES WHEN I PRESS THE DOOR BUTTON AND HEAR THE DOUBLE-BEEP, INSTEAD OF THE SINGLE-BEEP THAT WOULD UNLOCK THE BUTTON. AS I OPEN THE DOOR, I EXPECT THE ALARM TO GO OFF, AS I ASSUME THE ALARM SYSTEM BELIEVES THE DOOR IS NOW LOCKED. HOWEVER, THE DOOR WILL OPEN, THE ALARM WON'T GO OFF, THEN THE WARNING BEEPS WILL SOUND AS THE DOOR IS CLOSED, MAKING THE BEEPING WARNING SOUND ASSOCIATED WITH ATTEMPTING TO LOCK THE VEHICLE WITH YOUR KEYS STILL INSIDE. THIS IS CLEARLY A FACTORY ISSUE FOR NISSAN, BUT IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN, AS THE LOCK IS AN ADDED MEASURE OF SECURITY FOR KIDS AND SAFETY WITHIN A VEHICLE. IF MY WIFE WOULD EVER FEEL THE NEED TO HIT THE LOCKS, FOR WHATEVER REASON SHE ENCOUNTERS, WE CAN'T KNOW FOR SURE THEY WILL OPERATE PROPERLY.

NHTSA ODI #11072216

24,000 miles · Jan 29, 2018
Electrical System

THE PROBLEM I'M HAVING IS THAT ALL 3 PASSENGER DOOR LOCKS STOPPED WORKING (NO AUTO LOCK, NO POWER LOCK, NO FOB LOCK) AT THE SAME TIME. MY WORK INVOLVES DRIVING CHILDREN AND NISSAN'S FAILURE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE IS ABOUT TO COST ME A JOB AND IT ENDANGERS ANY CHILDREN WHO ARE ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR DUE TO THIS MALFUNCTION. ON NISS…

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THE PROBLEM I'M HAVING IS THAT ALL 3 PASSENGER DOOR LOCKS STOPPED WORKING (NO AUTO LOCK, NO POWER LOCK, NO FOB LOCK) AT THE SAME TIME. MY WORK INVOLVES DRIVING CHILDREN AND NISSAN'S FAILURE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE IS ABOUT TO COST ME A JOB AND IT ENDANGERS ANY CHILDREN WHO ARE ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR DUE TO THIS MALFUNCTION. ON NISSAN FORUMS AND OTHER WEBSITES, A PLETHORA OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS HAVE TAKEN PLACE FOR OVER A DECADE.

NHTSA ODI #11065715

Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2018
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

TRANSMISSION PROBLEM CODES IS COMING STEP MOTORS

NHTSA ODI #11065440

46,000 miles · Nov 27, 2017
Electrical SystemEngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT HOME WITH THE ENGINE TURNED OFF, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FLAMES COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE BETWEEN THE HOOD AND WINDSHIELD. PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT HOME WITH THE ENGINE TURNED OFF, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FLAMES COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE BETWEEN THE HOOD AND WINDSHIELD. PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH A WATER HOSE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE AUTO INSURANCE COMPANY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DEEMED IT A TOTAL LOSS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSURANCE INSPECTOR WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE AS THE WIRES BEHIND THE ENGINE BLOCK WERE MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 46,000.

NHTSA ODI #11048556

75,000 miles · Aug 23, 2017
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

WHEN TRAVELING ON FREEWAY AT 70-100 MPH CAR WILL LOOSE ACCELERATION AND SLOWLY SLOW DOWN TO 40 MPH NO MATTER HOW FAR THE GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. WILL NOT REGAIN POWER UNTIL THE CAR IS PULLED OVER SHUT OFF AND WITHIN 5-10 MINUTES RESTARTED AND WILL REPEAT AGAIN WITHIN 15 -20 MINUTES OF REACHING 70 MPH.

NHTSA ODI #11019116

95,500 miles · Apr 17, 2017
Air BagsElectrical System

JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED AND NOTICED ON THE TEST DRIVE THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG LIGHT WAS LIT UP INDICATING IT WAS OFF, EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE WAS IN THE SEAT. BROUGHT IT TO THEIR ATTENTION, 5 MINUTES LATER THEY BROUGHT IT BACK CLAIMING IT NEEDED RESET DUE TO A SENSOR HAVING SOMETHING TO DO WITH A CARSEAT. THE LIGHT WASN'T…

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JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED AND NOTICED ON THE TEST DRIVE THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG LIGHT WAS LIT UP INDICATING IT WAS OFF, EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE WAS IN THE SEAT. BROUGHT IT TO THEIR ATTENTION, 5 MINUTES LATER THEY BROUGHT IT BACK CLAIMING IT NEEDED RESET DUE TO A SENSOR HAVING SOMETHING TO DO WITH A CARSEAT. THE LIGHT WASN'T ON WITH A PASSENGER SO I ASSUMED IT WAS FINE. NOW THE LIGHT BRIEFLY ILLUMINATES AT START UP, BUT STAYS OFF REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT SOMEONE IS IN THE SEAT. I HAVE SEEN ABOUT 20 OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE AND IT IS VERY UNSAFE, I NOW HAVE ZERO FAITH THAT THE AIRBAG WILL EVEN DEPLOY. NEEDS TO BE RECALLED!!

NHTSA ODI #10978727

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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