IllustrationIM DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY TAKING THE CURVE DOWNTOWN DALLAS & MY CAR STALLS O POWER AVAILABLE. I CANNOT STEER TO COAST, NOR PUT CAN ION EMERGENCY FLASHERS. WHERE IT DIES IT SITS. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND NISSAN CANNOT FIGURE OUT WHY. I HAVE ONLY HAD CAR FOR 2 MONTHS. VERY DISAPPOINTED AND SCARED.
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
620–25K
4425–50K
4650–75K
6375–100K
74100–150K
18150K+
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
Engine complaints
68 reportsCAR LOSES POWER AFTER DRIVING FOR SO LONG AND DECREASES IN SPEED. IT'S HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. I PULL OVER TO GIVE CAR A REST BUT IT'S DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT WON'T ACCELERATE WHEN IT HAPPENS AND ON THE INTERSTATE IS NO PLACE TO BE DRIVING 40MPH!!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO START IT REQUIRED A JUMP START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS M…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO START IT REQUIRED A JUMP START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHEN DRIVING IN WEATHER ABOVE 84 DEGREES, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CVT TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED AND THE VEHICLE NEEDED A VALVE BODY AND OIL COOLER TO CORRECT THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHEN DRIVING IN WEATHER ABOVE 84 DEGREES, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CVT TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED AND THE VEHICLE NEEDED A VALVE BODY AND OIL COOLER TO CORRECT THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. UPDATED 09/06/16*LJ *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT VIBRATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS TURNED ON, THE SMELL OF BURNING OIL WAS NOTICED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED WHEN STARTED AND WOULD NOT SWITCH INTO GEAR PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
TWICE, I WAS DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 75 MPH ON I25 HEADED NORTH. AS I ARRIVED INTO COLORADO SPRINGS, MY VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 30 MPH IN A 65 MPH ZONE. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER. I WAITIED FOR ABOUT 15 MIN. STARTED MY VEHICLE UP & STILL IT WOULD ONLY GO 30 MPH. I TURNED AROUND & HEADED BACK FOR PUEBLO. UNSURE & AFRAID THAT MY VEHI…
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TWICE, I WAS DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 75 MPH ON I25 HEADED NORTH. AS I ARRIVED INTO COLORADO SPRINGS, MY VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 30 MPH IN A 65 MPH ZONE. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER. I WAITIED FOR ABOUT 15 MIN. STARTED MY VEHICLE UP & STILL IT WOULD ONLY GO 30 MPH. I TURNED AROUND & HEADED BACK FOR PUEBLO. UNSURE & AFRAID THAT MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT MAKE IT HOME. ONCE MY CAR WAS SITTING FOR AN HOUR, THE TRANSMISSION ALLOWED THE SPEED TO RISE ABOVE 30 MPH. THE SAME INCIDENT OCCURRED ON 6/27/2015. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY VEHICILE OUT OF TOWN, IN FEAR OF GETTING STRANDED, THE CAR OVERHEATING & THE MECHANICAL TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONING. THE NISSAN DEALER IN ORDER TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM, NEEDS TO INSTALL A "TRANSMISSION COOLING SYSTEM". I PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THRU 1ST EXTENDED, OVER $2600.00. THEY REFUSE TO HONOR THE WARRANTY, CLAIMING THE COOLER WAS OT IN THE CAR TO BEGIN WITH. I SPOKE WITH NISSAN & SOUTHWEST MOTORS (WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR AROUND 1 1/2 YRS. AGO. THEY'VE BOTH CONFIRMED THAT THIS EXACT PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED IN MANY NISSAN VEHICLES. IF THE WARRANTER IS UNWILLING TO WARRANT THE PROBLEM, WHICH IS A MAJOR MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION, THEN MY 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA NEEDS TO BE RECALLED! PLEASE HELP ME FOR I FEAR THIS PROBLEM IS A SAFETY HAZARD DRIVING ON THE HWY AT A REDUCED SPEED & BECOMING STRANDED.
CATALYTIC CONVERTER HEAT SHIELD CAN CORRODE CAUSING A RATTLE DURING ACCELERATION AND POSSIBLY CAUSING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATION. THE COMMON REPAIR FOR THIS ISSUE IS REPLACEMENT OF THE DAMAGED CATALYTIC CONVERTER. IF LEFT UNNOTICED MAY DIG INTO THE ENGINE OR FLY OFF ONTO A MOTORIST. *TR
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND ENGINE JUST CUT OFF COMPLETELY WITH NO SYSTEM WARNINGS OR ANYTHING. INITIALLY, I THOUGHT THIS WAS A FLUKE AND SOMETHING I HAD DONE. CAR STARTED BACK IMMEDIATELY. AS A RESULT, I THOUGHT NOTHING ELSE OF IT UNTIL THE CAR DID THE SAME THING AGAIN WHILE I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT LATER THE SAME DAY (AGAIN …
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I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND ENGINE JUST CUT OFF COMPLETELY WITH NO SYSTEM WARNINGS OR ANYTHING. INITIALLY, I THOUGHT THIS WAS A FLUKE AND SOMETHING I HAD DONE. CAR STARTED BACK IMMEDIATELY. AS A RESULT, I THOUGHT NOTHING ELSE OF IT UNTIL THE CAR DID THE SAME THING AGAIN WHILE I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT LATER THE SAME DAY (AGAIN THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ON CONTROL PANEL. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON 2 OTHER OCCASIONS. CAR WAS TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP WERE NOTHING WAS FOUND WRONG. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE CONNECTION. UNSURE IF THE TWO ARE RELATED. NEEDS FURTHER INVESTIGATION AS THIS IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER WAITING FOR A FEW MOMENTS, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER WAITING FOR A FEW MOMENTS, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
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.