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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

Seat Belts complaints

5 reports
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Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2019
Seat Belts

NO MATTER WAT SIDE I OUT MY DAUGHTER CAR SEAT THE CAR SEAT SEEMS TO ALWAYS TURN SIDEWAYS WITH THE SEATBELT STRAP TO IT AND IT'S VERY UNSAFE FOR MY DAUGHTER TO SIT IN THE SEAT. *DT *TR

NHTSA ODI #11254437

56,000 miles · Jul 20, 2015
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AND BRAKING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD ON INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE CONTACT, CAUSING HER TO SUSTAIN A LACERATION THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE FRONT PASSE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AND BRAKING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD ON INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE CONTACT, CAUSING HER TO SUSTAIN A LACERATION THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED A FRACTURED STERNUM AND INTERNAL INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE REAR PASSENGER SUSTAINED FIVE CRACKED RIBS AND A CRACKED STERNUM THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS ALSO INJURED AND REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000. ...UPDATED 07/30/15 *BF UPDATED 9/23/15*JS

NHTSA ODI #10735324

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

12,340 miles · Oct 18, 2013
Seat BeltsInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED AND CONSTRICTED THE CHILD BEING RESTRAINED IN THE SEAT. THE CHILD SUSTAINED MINOR BRUISING AS A RESULT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE SEAT BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED AND CONSTRICTED THE CHILD BEING RESTRAINED IN THE SEAT. THE CHILD SUSTAINED MINOR BRUISING AS A RESULT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE SEAT BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,340.

NHTSA ODI #10548469

Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2011
Seat Belts

ON 7-19-11I TOOK POSSESSION OF A NEW NISSAN ALTIMA AT SARATOGA NISSAN, MALTA, NY. SHORTLY AFTER THAT DATE I NOTICED THAT THE SEAT SELT AUDIBLE WARNING DEVICE WAS NOT WORKING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER 8-26-11 FOR REPAIR OF THAT COMPONENT BUT WAS TOLD, IN WRITING, THAT THIS VEHICLE "WAS NOT DESIGNED WITH AN AUDIBLE CHIME". TH…

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ON 7-19-11I TOOK POSSESSION OF A NEW NISSAN ALTIMA AT SARATOGA NISSAN, MALTA, NY. SHORTLY AFTER THAT DATE I NOTICED THAT THE SEAT SELT AUDIBLE WARNING DEVICE WAS NOT WORKING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER 8-26-11 FOR REPAIR OF THAT COMPONENT BUT WAS TOLD, IN WRITING, THAT THIS VEHICLE "WAS NOT DESIGNED WITH AN AUDIBLE CHIME". THIS IS NOT CONSISTENT WITH THE OWNERS MANUAL ON THIS VEHICLE THAT STATES THAT IS EQUIPPED WITH AN AUDIBLE SEAT BELT WARNING "CHIME". ALSO IT APPEARS INCONSISTENT WITH NHTSA NEW VEHICLE STANDARD 571.208, S 7.3. PLEASE ADVISE IF THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUDIBLE SEAT BELT WARNING REMINDER, OR IF NISSAN HAS BEEN GRANTED AN EXCEPTION TO THIS RULE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10423918

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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