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
What owners actually said
425 reports
236,000 miles · Oct 18, 2024
Suspension
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, there was an abnormal banging sound coming from the rear end of the vehicle, followed by a dragging sound. The contact also stated that the vehicle began to shake abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and discove…
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The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, there was an abnormal banging sound coming from the rear end of the vehicle, followed by a dragging sound. The contact also stated that the vehicle began to shake abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and discovered that the rear driver side tire was hanging from the suspension. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it remained. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 236,000.
NHTSA ODI #11620637
Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 2024
EngineForward Collision AvoidanceUnknown Or Other
The transmissions go out fast in the ctv Nissan Altima 2012
NHTSA ODI #11584714
Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2024
Structure
I have owned this vehicle for over ten years and now there is paint delamination on the hood and roof of the vehicle which is a manufacture defect.
NHTSA ODI #11582188
Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2024
Power Train
Service Engine Soon light on. Was driving on highway at 55mph Transmission started to slip and car started to slow down while I was pressing gas pedal. The more I pressed on gas pedal the more the car lost acceleration. Had to move off to side of the road and turn car off. Took to mechanic and had transmission flushed and plate …
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Service Engine Soon light on. Was driving on highway at 55mph Transmission started to slip and car started to slow down while I was pressing gas pedal. The more I pressed on gas pedal the more the car lost acceleration. Had to move off to side of the road and turn car off. Took to mechanic and had transmission flushed and plate replaced. Transmission needs to be replaced. Ran diagnostic and codes for Transmission comes up.
NHTSA ODI #11574096
Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2024
Unknown Or Other
Transmission
NHTSA ODI #11574066
78,000 miles · Dec 8, 2023
Air Bags
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the OCS control unit was malfunctioning. The dealer determined that the front passenger’s side seat needed to be replaced. The dealer charge…
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The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the OCS control unit was malfunctioning. The dealer determined that the front passenger’s side seat needed to be replaced. The dealer charged a fee to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.
NHTSA ODI #11559125
Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 2023
Power Train
I have a 2012 nissan altima that I purchased in 2018. in florida. check engine light appeared first. it currently doesn't run because of the transmission. it doesnt excelerate above 20mph. is there is a nationwide recall because of the cvt transmissions going bad?. I already tried to fix 2 separate parts on the transmission th…
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I have a 2012 nissan altima that I purchased in 2018. in florida. check engine light appeared first. it currently doesn't run because of the transmission. it doesnt excelerate above 20mph. is there is a nationwide recall because of the cvt transmissions going bad?. I already tried to fix 2 separate parts on the transmission the code I'm getting is p1778. I changed the stepper motor and valve body and it's still won't go above 20mph. I don't have 5,000 to replace a transmission. we've been stuck on the road twice in traffic when it doesn't want to excelerate above 20mph
NHTSA ODI #11548757
28,000 miles · Sep 20, 2023
Air Bags
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the sea…
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The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the seat sensor unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V408000 (Air Bags) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 28,000.
NHTSA ODI #11545709
Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2023
Unknown Or Other
I just recently financed my car I haven’t even had it 1 month and every time I drive it for more than 1 hour the transmission fills like it’s going out on me on the freeway I can’t seem to get it to go over 40 miles an hour and it makes sun weird noise and idles high I can also feel it when I drive I can fill it slipping it jer…
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I just recently financed my car I haven’t even had it 1 month and every time I drive it for more than 1 hour the transmission fills like it’s going out on me on the freeway I can’t seem to get it to go over 40 miles an hour and it makes sun weird noise and idles high I can also feel it when I drive I can fill it slipping it jerks it only has 117000 miles on it I did mention it to the dealership and he said it wasn’t the transmission it was something else I know it’s the transmission I just wanted to know if it was a recall or anyone else had this issue I have not had it inspected being it hasn’t even been a month yet
NHTSA ODI #11529950
Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2023
Unknown Or Other
Driving back from Wichita today my hood kept popping open. I had to pull off the interstate and close it.
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.
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.
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.
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.