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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

Suspension complaints

16 reports
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57,998 miles · Jul 16, 2014
EnginePower TrainSuspension

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

NHTSA ODI #10611060

5,000 miles · Apr 29, 2014
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE VEERED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE SUSPENSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE VEERED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE SUSPENSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,331.

NHTSA ODI #10585528

29,509 miles · Nov 12, 2013
SuspensionTiresWheels

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR TIRES BECAME WORN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL TIRE DEALER TO HAVE THE TIRES REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE TIRES COULD NOT BE ALIGNED CORRECTLY DUE TO FAULTY CALIPERS. THE CONTACTED STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE ABNORMALLY WHEN DRIVING AT L…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR TIRES BECAME WORN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL TIRE DEALER TO HAVE THE TIRES REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE TIRES COULD NOT BE ALIGNED CORRECTLY DUE TO FAULTY CALIPERS. THE CONTACTED STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE ABNORMALLY WHEN DRIVING AT LEAST 55 MPH DUE TO NOT HAVING THE WHEEL PROPERLY ALIGNED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,509. UPDATED 12/23/13*LJ

NHTSA ODI #10551961

Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 2013
Suspension

HEADLINER WAS MADE INCORRECT FOR ALL 2012 MODELS AND NISSAN IS AWARE AND REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL. WE HAVE TWO OF THE SAME YEAR ALTIMA PURCHASED ON THE SAME DATE. ALSO THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE SUSPENSION STILL AND WHEN I TURN TO LEFT IT MAKES A POPPING SOUND. WENT IN TO GET OIL CHANGED AND WAS TOLD I HAD AN OIL LEAK TH…

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HEADLINER WAS MADE INCORRECT FOR ALL 2012 MODELS AND NISSAN IS AWARE AND REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL. WE HAVE TWO OF THE SAME YEAR ALTIMA PURCHASED ON THE SAME DATE. ALSO THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE SUSPENSION STILL AND WHEN I TURN TO LEFT IT MAKES A POPPING SOUND. WENT IN TO GET OIL CHANGED AND WAS TOLD I HAD AN OIL LEAK THAT WAS GOING BACK INTO MY ENGINE AND BLEW ONE OF MY CYLINDERS AND TORE AN O-RING SO HAD TO HAVE THAT REPLACED. ALSO SOMETHING WRONG WITH REAR DEFROSTER THAT REQUIRED BACK WINDSHIELD TO BE REPLACED. HORRIBLE CONTROL ISSUES WHEN GOING OVER 50 MPH. ALSO SUNROOF REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO REPEATEDLY BREAKING ON THE TRACK PIECE. THIS CAR AS VERY POORLY MADE AND NISSAN WILL NOT OWN UP TO THEIR MISTAKES. ALSO BREAKS SQUEAK NON STOP AND GRIND AND HAVE SINCE CARS WERE PURCHASED, NISSAN INFORMED US THIS WAS NORMAL SINCE THEY HAVE METAL BREAK PADS ON THE 2012 MODELS. IF I COULD GIVE CARS BACK I WOULD IN A HEARTBEAT. HUGE LEMONS ON THE 2012 HENCE THE ENTIRE REMAKE OF THE 2013'S, THEY KNEW THEY MESSED UP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10515869

30,350 miles · Feb 15, 2013
SteeringSuspension

I PURCHASED A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 35-40 MPH THE CAR BEGAN RATTLING,NOISE,BING LIKE AND VIBRATION. WHEN I REACHED THE SPEED OF 60MPH, IT BEGAN TO SHAKE AND JERK. IT'S REALLY HARD TO EXPLAIN WHAT IT FEELS LIKE, BUT I KNOW IT'S NOT NORMAL, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID THE FRONT TIRES NEED ROTATED. THE TIRE…

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I PURCHASED A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 35-40 MPH THE CAR BEGAN RATTLING,NOISE,BING LIKE AND VIBRATION. WHEN I REACHED THE SPEED OF 60MPH, IT BEGAN TO SHAKE AND JERK. IT'S REALLY HARD TO EXPLAIN WHAT IT FEELS LIKE, BUT I KNOW IT'S NOT NORMAL, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID THE FRONT TIRES NEED ROTATED. THE TIRES WERE ROTATED AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. THIS CAR WAS A CERTIFIED/USED PURCHASE ON FEB. 5,2013. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10498290

736 miles · Oct 10, 2012
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH HE HEARD A RATTLING NOISE AND VIBRATION. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED OF A RECALL FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V371000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH HE HEARD A RATTLING NOISE AND VIBRATION. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED OF A RECALL FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V371000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 736.

NHTSA ODI #10479596

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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