IllustrationTRANSMISSION PROBLEM CODES IS COMING STEP MOTORS
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
What owners actually said
425 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. DUE TO THE GLARE OF THE SUN, THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE DASHBOARD WOULD MELT AND BECOME VERY STICKY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WOODY FOLSOM NISSAN OF VIDALIA (1609 E 1ST ST, VIDALIA, GA 30474) AND WAS INFORMED TO CONTACT THE NISSAN MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. DUE TO THE GLARE OF THE SUN, THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE DASHBOARD WOULD MELT AND BECOME VERY STICKY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WOODY FOLSOM NISSAN OF VIDALIA (1609 E 1ST ST, VIDALIA, GA 30474) AND WAS INFORMED TO CONTACT THE NISSAN MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND A CASE WAS OPENED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO VIDALIA NISSAN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE PICTURES OF THE DASHBOARD WERE TAKEN TO PROVIDE TO THE PERSON WHO WAS ASSISTING WITH THE CASE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AGREED TO PAY FIFTY PERCENT OF THE REPAIR COST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,071.
2012 NISSAN ALTIMA SL 115,425 MILES AND TRANSMISSION DEAD.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT HOME WITH THE ENGINE TURNED OFF, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FLAMES COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE BETWEEN THE HOOD AND WINDSHIELD. PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE W…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT HOME WITH THE ENGINE TURNED OFF, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FLAMES COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE BETWEEN THE HOOD AND WINDSHIELD. PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH A WATER HOSE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE AUTO INSURANCE COMPANY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DEEMED IT A TOTAL LOSS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSURANCE INSPECTOR WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE AS THE WIRES BEHIND THE ENGINE BLOCK WERE MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 46,000.
THE CARPET IS LOOSE AROUND THE AREA WHEN THE CAR MAT ATTACHED. CAUSING THE MAT TO MOVE AND GET STUCK UNDER THE GAS PEDAL. I HAVE TALKED TO COUPLE OF ALTIMA OWNER AND IT THE SAME. I HAVE NOT SEEN A RECALL ON THIS YET.
SINCE WHEN MY CAR HAD 31,000 MILES IT'S BEEN WINGING AND LOSING POWER RAPIDLY, NO ACCELERATION, IT'S A CVT TRANSMISSION ISSUE. IT'S A REALLY DANGEROUS CAR. IT'S BEEN HAPPENING SO MANY TIMES . NISSAN CVT TRANSMISSION ARE VERY DANGER. IT CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IN THE FREEWAY BECAUSE IT CAN GO FROM 65 MPH DOWN TO 5 MPH RAPIDLY AND U…
Read full complaint
SINCE WHEN MY CAR HAD 31,000 MILES IT'S BEEN WINGING AND LOSING POWER RAPIDLY, NO ACCELERATION, IT'S A CVT TRANSMISSION ISSUE. IT'S A REALLY DANGEROUS CAR. IT'S BEEN HAPPENING SO MANY TIMES . NISSAN CVT TRANSMISSION ARE VERY DANGER. IT CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IN THE FREEWAY BECAUSE IT CAN GO FROM 65 MPH DOWN TO 5 MPH RAPIDLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT AND PROTECT THE LIFE OF PEOPLE.
THE WIPER BLADES SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING DURING A HEAVY DOWNPOUR. MY SON WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT THE TIME AND ATTEMPTED TO GET OFF ON A SIDE ROAD AS HE HAD VERY LIMITED VISIBILITY WHICH RESULTED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE COMING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION ON THE SIDE ROAD.
I HIT A DEER HEAD ON@ 40 MPH, THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE DRIVER WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED THROUGH TWO IRON GATES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL A…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE DRIVER WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED THROUGH TWO IRON GATES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND TOWED AWAY BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED (KOEPPEL NISSAN, 74-15 NORTHERN BLVD, JACKSON HEIGHTS, NY, 877-505-6334) AND STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 51,000.
AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT TWO HOURS ON A TRIP THE CVT TRANSMISSION STOPS ACCELERATING AND YOU SLOW TO A CRAWL WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS IF YOUR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WAS ALMOST KILLED BY A BIG RIG WHO COULDN'T SLOW DOWN IN TIME
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.