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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

What owners actually said

425 reports
7,700 miles · Aug 20, 2014
Power Train

CAR SEEMS TO SLIP INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING. TO RESOLVE THIS I NEED TO BRAKE, SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN BACK INTO DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10626512

48,500 miles · Aug 13, 2014
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

WE WERE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 70 MPH AND WERE UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. ACCELERATOR PEDDLE ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND THE MOST WE COULD GO WAS 45 MPH. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND FOUND OUT IT WAS THE SHIFT SELECT ASSEMBLY THAT HAD BROKEN/MALFUNCTIONED AND THE CAR HAD GONE IN TO FAILURE MODE. THERE WAS…

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WE WERE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 70 MPH AND WERE UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. ACCELERATOR PEDDLE ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND THE MOST WE COULD GO WAS 45 MPH. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND FOUND OUT IT WAS THE SHIFT SELECT ASSEMBLY THAT HAD BROKEN/MALFUNCTIONED AND THE CAR HAD GONE IN TO FAILURE MODE. THERE WAS NOT WARNING LIGHT AT ALL AND THIS COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS ON THE INTERSTATE. FIRST I FEEL THAT THIS PART OF THE CAR SHOULD NEVER HAVE BROKEN IN A 2-YEAR OLD CAR AND I HAVE TO WONDER IF THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE PART FOR THIS MODEL YEAR OF THE ALTIMA. SECOND, IF AND WHEN THIS PIECE DOES BREAK OR MALFUNCTION, THERE SHOULD BE SOME SORT OF WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH TO MAKE THE DRIVER AWARE AND PULL OVER. NISSAN IS AWARE OF MY CONCERNS AS I HAVE SHARED THEM WITH THEIR CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10621955

47,000 miles · Aug 9, 2014
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

ON MONDAY NIGHT AT 12:00AM I WAS DRIVING FROM CALIFORNIA TO LAS VEGAS NEVADA. I WAS GOING 75 MILES AN HOUR WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO LOOSE SPEED. THE EXCEL-ORATOR WOULD NOT MOVE AND HAD LOCKED.THE CAR SPEED HAD DROPPED TO 40MPH AND WOULD NOT MOVE. THERE WAS A SEMI IN FRONT OF ME AND TWO OTHER VEHICLES TO THE SIDE OF ME. I ALMOST G…

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ON MONDAY NIGHT AT 12:00AM I WAS DRIVING FROM CALIFORNIA TO LAS VEGAS NEVADA. I WAS GOING 75 MILES AN HOUR WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO LOOSE SPEED. THE EXCEL-ORATOR WOULD NOT MOVE AND HAD LOCKED.THE CAR SPEED HAD DROPPED TO 40MPH AND WOULD NOT MOVE. THERE WAS A SEMI IN FRONT OF ME AND TWO OTHER VEHICLES TO THE SIDE OF ME. I ALMOST GOT INTO A BIG ACCIDENT. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE. TERRIFIED, I BEGAN TO PANIC SO I SHUT THE CAR OFF. I DROVE THE NEXT 60 MILES TO VEGAS GOING 30MPH THE CAR WOULD NOT GO TO A HIGHER SPEED. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER THEY SAID IT WAS A SAFETY FEATURE. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW A SAFETY FEATURE WOULD DELIBERATELY JEOPARDIZE THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVER. IT IS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY FOR FEAR THAT THIS MAY HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10621159

39,150 miles · Jul 28, 2014
Power TrainTires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, ONE OF THE TIRES FLATTENED. THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR WAS NOT ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO PROPERLY ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, ONE OF THE TIRES FLATTENED. THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR WAS NOT ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO PROPERLY ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND TRANSMISSION AXLE ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION FLUID PAN WAS CRACKED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURES RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,150.

NHTSA ODI #10616967

41,000 miles · Jul 24, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE PROBLEM RECURRED ABOUT FOUR TIMES AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO ANOTHER IND…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE PROBLEM RECURRED ABOUT FOUR TIMES AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ALSO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT N REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000. UPDATED 08/27/14*LJ UPDATED 09/18/2014 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10615904

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

Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

DRIVING LONG DISTANCES MY CAR OVERHEATS, LOOSES POWER GOING FROM 70 MPH DOWN TO 40 MPH IN HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC. I AM FORCED TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY AND LET IT RESET ITSELF. IT HAS ALWAYS MADE A WHINING NOISE DURING ACCELERATION, AND THE BRAKES HAVE SQUEAKED FROM DAY ONE. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO NISSAN SEVERAL TIMES AND AM ALWAYS B…

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DRIVING LONG DISTANCES MY CAR OVERHEATS, LOOSES POWER GOING FROM 70 MPH DOWN TO 40 MPH IN HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC. I AM FORCED TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY AND LET IT RESET ITSELF. IT HAS ALWAYS MADE A WHINING NOISE DURING ACCELERATION, AND THE BRAKES HAVE SQUEAKED FROM DAY ONE. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO NISSAN SEVERAL TIMES AND AM ALWAYS BEEN GIVEN LAME EXCUSES. NOW THAT MY WARRANTY IS UP THEY HAVE A SOLUTION TO MY PROBLEMS. NEW TRANSMISSION OR OVERHEAT CONVERTER TO THE TUNE OF $1600. HOW CONVENIENT THEY HAVE A SOLUTION NOT THAT MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY!! THEY REFUSE TO HELP ME OR FIX MY CAR UNLESS I FORK OVER THE MONEY. MY CAR HAS HAD PROBLEMS SINCE I PURCHASED IT AND THERE WAS NEVER ANY RESOLVE. I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AS I DO A LOT OF DRIVING. MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY 2,000 MILES WHEN THEY MIRACULOUSLY FOUND A CAUSE AND SOLUTION FOR MY PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10614429

Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2014
Power Train

2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CVT TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE STARTED NOTICING LITTLE GLITCHES, IN OTHERWISE SMOOTH RIDES. THEN HE STARTED EXPERIENCING A 2-3 SECOND DELAY BETWEEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR AND THE VEHICLE ACTUALLY MOVING. ON WEDNESDAY APRIL 9, 2014, HE WAS BARELY ABLE…

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2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CVT TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE STARTED NOTICING LITTLE GLITCHES, IN OTHERWISE SMOOTH RIDES. THEN HE STARTED EXPERIENCING A 2-3 SECOND DELAY BETWEEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR AND THE VEHICLE ACTUALLY MOVING. ON WEDNESDAY APRIL 9, 2014, HE WAS BARELY ABLE TO DRIVE TO WORK, AND HAD TO COAST WITH HIS HAZARD LIGHTS ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED IT WOULD COST $ 3911 TO FIX THE CVT TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ODI #10606299

1,700 miles · Jun 10, 2014
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED ALTHOUGHT THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AND PERFORMED REPAIRS FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V138000 (A…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED ALTHOUGHT THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AND PERFORMED REPAIRS FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V138000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). HOWEVER THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,700 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25, 800.

NHTSA ODI #10597453

36,222 miles · Jun 4, 2014
Service BrakesWheels

PUSHED BRAKE TO START STOPPING, BRAKES SHUTTERED. LET UP ON BRAKE, THEN REAPPLIED AND IT SHUTTERED AGAIN. THIS CONTINUED. CHECKED BRAKE FLUID, IT WAS DOWN SLIGHTLY, PUT IN TO FILL. PROBLEM BETTER BUT STILL EXISTS, NOW AIR COMPRESSOR GONE.. THIS CAR WAS BOUGHT IN OCT 2012 WHAT A LEMON. THANK GOODNESS IT IS A LEASE. N…

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PUSHED BRAKE TO START STOPPING, BRAKES SHUTTERED. LET UP ON BRAKE, THEN REAPPLIED AND IT SHUTTERED AGAIN. THIS CONTINUED. CHECKED BRAKE FLUID, IT WAS DOWN SLIGHTLY, PUT IN TO FILL. PROBLEM BETTER BUT STILL EXISTS, NOW AIR COMPRESSOR GONE.. THIS CAR WAS BOUGHT IN OCT 2012 WHAT A LEMON. THANK GOODNESS IT IS A LEASE. NOISE UNDER CAR SINCE DAY BOUGHT. AT 30 MPH IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING HITS SOMETHING UNDER THERE. DEALER SAYS, JUST NATURE OF CAR. I DO NOT BUY THAT EXPLANATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10596031

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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