IllustrationTHE DRIVER SEAT DOESNT STAY IN POSITION. IT SITS LOW AND DOESNT STAY LIFTED
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
Seats complaints
7 reportsI BELIEVE THE RECALL WHICH CAME OUT YESTERDAY FOR THE AIRBAG SENSOR IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SHOULD INCLUDE 2012 ALTIMAS (NOT JUST 2013-2016). I HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS OR SO WHERE I MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE A PASSENGER OR ITEMS ON MY FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND MY AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT IN THE MIDDLE …
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I BELIEVE THE RECALL WHICH CAME OUT YESTERDAY FOR THE AIRBAG SENSOR IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SHOULD INCLUDE 2012 ALTIMAS (NOT JUST 2013-2016). I HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS OR SO WHERE I MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE A PASSENGER OR ITEMS ON MY FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND MY AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DASH BOARD WILL COME ON AT RANDOM, EVEN WHEN THERE IS A FULL-SIZE ADULT IN THE SEAT. THIS HAPPENS WHETHER THE CAR IS STATIONARY OR MOVING.
PAINT IS COMING OFF THE CAR FROM WHERE THE FACTORY HAS REPAINTED OVER A CLEAR COATED SURFACE. PAINT IS ALSO COMING OUT OF THE JAMS OF THE CAR CAUSING RUST. PARTS ON THE CAR ARE ALSO STARTING TO BREAK DOWN. THE SEATS DO NOT PROPERLY CATCH THE GEAR HOLDING THEM INTO PLACE. TRANSMISSION MAKES A TERRIBLE WINDING NOICE
BOUGHT THIS CAR NOV 30 2013 FROM THE DEALER THAT ORIGINALLY OWNED IT, IT WAS A LOANER CAR FOR THEIR SERVICE DEPT. FROM DAY ONE THAT I HAVE OWNED IT, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT GOES ON AN OFF AT WILL. WITH NOTHING IN THE SEAT, IT COMES ON AND OFF, WITH A PERSON IN THE SEAT IT ALSO COMES ON AND OFF. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE! I…
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BOUGHT THIS CAR NOV 30 2013 FROM THE DEALER THAT ORIGINALLY OWNED IT, IT WAS A LOANER CAR FOR THEIR SERVICE DEPT. FROM DAY ONE THAT I HAVE OWNED IT, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT GOES ON AN OFF AT WILL. WITH NOTHING IN THE SEAT, IT COMES ON AND OFF, WITH A PERSON IN THE SEAT IT ALSO COMES ON AND OFF. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE! I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT DIDN'T DO IT WHILE THEY WERE LOOKING AT IT. BRING IT BACK WHEN IT GETS WORSE.... THERE ARE ALOT OF THESE CARS OUT THERE WITH THIS PROBLEM! THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THE SENSOR/SEAT/ELECTRICAL SYSTEM RELATED TO THIS. I AM SURE THERE IS A SHORT IN THE SYSTEM. MY GRANDMOTHER'S 2012 ALTIMA ALSO DOES THIS SAME THING. ALSO SOMETHING IS LEAKING ONTO THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD BY THE CONSOLE. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS A BODY PANEL AND "FIXED" IT, BUT IT IS STILL LEAKING IN THE SAME SPOT, I HAVE NOT HAD TIME TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER YET FOR THE LEAK. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADREST CAUSED THE CONTACT BACK PAIN, HEAD ACHES AND NUMBNESS IN THE ARM. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER TURNED THE HEAD REST AROUND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE HEAD REST WAS TURNED, THERE WAS NO MORE PAIN. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADREST CAUSED THE CONTACT BACK PAIN, HEAD ACHES AND NUMBNESS IN THE ARM. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER TURNED THE HEAD REST AROUND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE HEAD REST WAS TURNED, THERE WAS NO MORE PAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.
THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS CROOKED - BOTH ACROSS THE BACK AND ACROSS THE SEAT. THIS MEANS ONE'S SHOULDERS AND TORSO ARE TWISTED AND FACING THE CENTER CONSOLE, NOT THE STEERING WHEEL. HIPS ARE UNEVEN WITH THE RIGHT SIDE SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER THAN THE LEFT. THIS IS A VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND PAINFUL POSITION TO BE IN. I HAVE BEEN INFORME…
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THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS CROOKED - BOTH ACROSS THE BACK AND ACROSS THE SEAT. THIS MEANS ONE'S SHOULDERS AND TORSO ARE TWISTED AND FACING THE CENTER CONSOLE, NOT THE STEERING WHEEL. HIPS ARE UNEVEN WITH THE RIGHT SIDE SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER THAN THE LEFT. THIS IS A VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND PAINFUL POSITION TO BE IN. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT ALL 2012 ALTIMAS ARE LIKE THIS AND THEREFORE IT IS NOT A WARRANTY ITEM! I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE THE BACK OF THE SEAT IS IN FACT CROOKED IN THE MORE THAN TWO DOZEN EXAMPLES I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CHECK. HOWEVER, THE SEAT BOTTOM IS NOT SUPPOSED TO SAG OR BE UNEVEN ON EITHER SIDE. I'VE CONTACTED NISSAN NORTH AMERICA AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THE DEALERSHIP IS MY ONLY AVENUE TO PURSUE A REMEDY. DUE TO THE DEALERSHIP'S DETERMINATION THAT THE SEAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE CROOKED MY CHOICES ARE PAY SOMEONE ELSE OR TRY MYSELF TO SHIM THE ENTIRE SEAT OR TRY TO ADJUST THE MECHANISM UNDERNEATH TO LEVEL THE BOTTOM. NOTHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT THE SEAT BACK... *TR
THE HEADREST IS TILTED FORWARD SO FAR THAT IT MAKES IT VERY UNCOMFORTABLE TO DRIVE. YOUR HEAD IS FACING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ALMOST, INSTEAD OF FACING THE ROAD. IT MAKES FOR A VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND PAINFUL DRIVING EXPERIENCE. I HOPE SOMEONE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT SINCE THE DEALER CAN'T. *TT
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.