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
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.
Engine complaints
68 reportsI 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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE PROBLEM RECURRED ABOUT FOUR TIMES AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO ANOTHER IND…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE PROBLEM RECURRED ABOUT FOUR TIMES AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ALSO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT N REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000. UPDATED 08/27/14*LJ UPDATED 09/18/2014 *JS
WHILE IN OPERATION CLIMBING UP AND INCLINES THIS VEHICLE ENGINE LOSE POWER TO APPROX: 40 - 50 MILES AND HOUR, ALONG WITH A WHINING IN THE TRANSMISSION, ALSO THE FRONT SUSPENSION APPEARS TO BE SHAKING. WINDOWS REFUSE TO GO UP AND DOWN. *TR
ALTIMA WAS SERVICED AT A DEALERSHIP LESS THAN A WEEK AGO FOR OIL AND FILTER CHANGE. I WAS DRIVING THE 2012 ALTIMA FROM WORK ON 4/10/14. IT LOOKED THE CAR WAS STALLING ON THE HIGHWAY MULTIPLE TIMES. I SLOWED DOWN AND MANAGED TO GET HOME, ALL ALONG IT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STOP ANY TIME, LUCKILY IT DID NOT HAPPEN. BUT THI…
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ALTIMA WAS SERVICED AT A DEALERSHIP LESS THAN A WEEK AGO FOR OIL AND FILTER CHANGE. I WAS DRIVING THE 2012 ALTIMA FROM WORK ON 4/10/14. IT LOOKED THE CAR WAS STALLING ON THE HIGHWAY MULTIPLE TIMES. I SLOWED DOWN AND MANAGED TO GET HOME, ALL ALONG IT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STOP ANY TIME, LUCKILY IT DID NOT HAPPEN. BUT THIS MORNING (4/11/14) IT STOPPED ON THE DRIVEWAY STALLED AFTER MOVING 15 FEET. TOWED THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET IT REPAIRED. *JS
I HAD PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AT A LOCAL GYM, AS I PLACED THE CAR IN PARK, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STAY IN DRIVE AND SURGED FORWARD INTO THE BUILDING. ONCE THE VEHICLE HIT THE BUILDING, I ONCE AGAIN TRIED TO PLACE THE CAR IN PARK, AND IT ONCE AGAIN SURGED FORWARD AND HIT THE BUILDING. THE ONLY WAY I COULD STOP THE CAR WAS…
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I HAD PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AT A LOCAL GYM, AS I PLACED THE CAR IN PARK, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STAY IN DRIVE AND SURGED FORWARD INTO THE BUILDING. ONCE THE VEHICLE HIT THE BUILDING, I ONCE AGAIN TRIED TO PLACE THE CAR IN PARK, AND IT ONCE AGAIN SURGED FORWARD AND HIT THE BUILDING. THE ONLY WAY I COULD STOP THE CAR WAS TO HIT THE POWER BUTTON TO TURN THE CAR OFF. ONCE THE OFFICER ARRIVED ON SCENE, HE ASKED ME TO PLACE THE CAR IN NEUTRAL SO THAT HE COULD MOVE THE CAR OFF THE CURB, HOWEVER, THE CAR CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD. AS A RESULT THE CAR WAS ONCE AGAIN POWERED DOWN TO AVOID ANY FURTHER INCIDENT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD A NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONTAL EXHAUST TUBE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A SLIGHT VI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD A NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONTAL EXHAUST TUBE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A SLIGHT VIBRATION STARTING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE ALL THE WAY TO THE PEDAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED TO COVER THE PARTS UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,900 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,200. *TR
PURCHASED MY 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE 8/2/2012. IN JUST OVER 30 DAYS THE PAINT WAS COMING OFF THE REAR BUMPER ON BOTH SIDES NEAR THE REAR TIRE WHERE THE BUMPER MEETS THE BODY OF THE CAR. TOOK THE CAR IN TO HAVE THE BUMPER REPAINTED. WITHIN 60 DAYS THE PAINT WAS COMING OFF IN THE SAME PLACE AGAIN. TOOK THE CAR BACK LAST MONTH…
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PURCHASED MY 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE 8/2/2012. IN JUST OVER 30 DAYS THE PAINT WAS COMING OFF THE REAR BUMPER ON BOTH SIDES NEAR THE REAR TIRE WHERE THE BUMPER MEETS THE BODY OF THE CAR. TOOK THE CAR IN TO HAVE THE BUMPER REPAINTED. WITHIN 60 DAYS THE PAINT WAS COMING OFF IN THE SAME PLACE AGAIN. TOOK THE CAR BACK LAST MONTH AND WAS REPAINTED WITH 3 FLAWS...NEEDLESS TO SAY IT HAS TO GO BACK YET AGAIN!! ALSO, WITHIN A FEW DAYS OF PURCHASE I NOTICED THAT THE RADIO WOULD NOT PICK UP LOCAL RADIO STATIONS WITHOUT A LOT OF STATIC AND INTERFERENCE. ONLY 1 OUT OF 12 PRESETS DO I GET ON A CONSISTENT BASIS AND I ONLY DRIVE WITHIN A 25-30 MILE RADIUS OF MY HOME. TOOK TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE WINDOW TINT. GAVE THEM INFORMATION FROM 3M THAT THE TINT WOULD NOT INTERFERE WITH THE RADIO AND THEN THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T HEAR IT. TAKEN BACK ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND NO RESOLVE. NOTICED 3/17/2013 THAT MY LEATHER WRAPPED STEERING WHEEL HAS SPLIT IN THE GRAIN OF LEATHER AND IT IS RIGHT WHERE MY RIGHT HAND GOES TO DRIVE. TRANSMISSION IS NOT CONSISTENT...WHEN I LET OFF THE GAS BRIEFLY IT IS AS IF SOMEONE HAS HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE CAR "DRAWS BACK"...VERY ANNOYING!!! I ALSO PURCHASED XZILON PAINT PROTECTION SYSTEM AT THE DEALERS RECOMMENDATION BECAUSE THE CAR IS BLACK AND I LIVE IN FL...NOW 7 MONTHS LATER THIS PROTECTANT HAS COMPLETELY RUINED THE PAINT ON MY CAR AND SHOWS HORRIBLE MARKS ON THE HOOD AND LEAVES TERRIBLE WATER SPOTS ON THE VEHICLE THAT ARE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO REMOVE. TAKING TO THE DEALER FOR THE NEW PAINT ISSUE TOMORROW. I AM HOPING TO JUST TRADE IN AND GET ANOTHER CAR...UNFORTUNATELY UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES IT WILL BE A NISSAN...BUT WILL NOT BE AN ALTIMA! *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.
Illustration