← New search

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
95,000 miles · Jan 14, 2021
Power Train

NOW I KNOW...AS IN ALMOST ALL NISSAN ALTIMA'S THAT HAVE THE CVT TRANSMISSION FAILS. NO PREWARNING FROM THE VEHICLE AND ESPECIALLY NISSAN CORPORATION OR DEALERSHIP. MY TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED. IT IS APPARENTLY A HORRIBLE UNJUST SERIOUS PROBLEM THE NISSAN PEOPLE ARE NOT ADDRESSING OR TRYING ANY AT ALL TO HELP. THEY JUST KEEP …

Read full complaint

NOW I KNOW...AS IN ALMOST ALL NISSAN ALTIMA'S THAT HAVE THE CVT TRANSMISSION FAILS. NO PREWARNING FROM THE VEHICLE AND ESPECIALLY NISSAN CORPORATION OR DEALERSHIP. MY TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED. IT IS APPARENTLY A HORRIBLE UNJUST SERIOUS PROBLEM THE NISSAN PEOPLE ARE NOT ADDRESSING OR TRYING ANY AT ALL TO HELP. THEY JUST KEEP STICKING IT TO THE IGNORANT PUBLIC CUSTOMERS WHO THOUGHT THEY COULD TRUST NISSAN. YEAH THATS ME.

NHTSA ODI #11387978

Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 2020
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

MY VEHICLE IS ONLY 8 YEARS OLD AND RECENTLY THE AIRBAG LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH ON THE DASHBOARD , WHICH IS THE SIGN OF A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP (ELK GROVE NISSAN, CALIFORNIA) AND PAID TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. AFTER PERFORMING THE DIAGNOSTICS, I WAS TOLD THAT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WAS FAULTY AN…

Read full complaint

MY VEHICLE IS ONLY 8 YEARS OLD AND RECENTLY THE AIRBAG LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH ON THE DASHBOARD , WHICH IS THE SIGN OF A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP (ELK GROVE NISSAN, CALIFORNIA) AND PAID TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. AFTER PERFORMING THE DIAGNOSTICS, I WAS TOLD THAT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WAS FAULTY AND THAT IT WOULD COST ME $1500 TO REPAIR. MY QUESTION TO THEM WAS: " WHY SHOULD I PAY FOR THE REPAIR IF THE AIRBAG IS FAULTY?" I ALSO SAID THAT IF THE AIRBAG IS FAULTY, IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE THERE WAS NO RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. I HAVE SINCE CHECKED THE SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE GUIDE FOR MY VEHICLE AND THERE IS NOWHERE IN THE BOOKLET THAT STATES THAT THE AIRBAG IS A MAINTENANCE ITEM FOR THE OWNER. THE AIRBAG IS A SAFETY ITEM AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED BY THE MANUFACTURER JF IT IS FAULTY AS IS WITH MY VEHICLE. WHAT IS FRIGHTENING IS THAT THE RED LIGHT IS STILL FLASHING ON THE DASHBOARD AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN IF I CONTINUE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. THE AIRBAG IS FAULTY AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED ASAP BEFORE SOMETHING VERY SERIOUS HAPPENS. SINCE AUGUST 2020, I HAVE TRADED PHONE CALLS, EMAILS AND LETTERS WITH NISSAN TO NO AVAIL. I AM THEREFORE APPEALING TO YOU TO KINDLY INTERVENE TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE FIND ATTACHED, COPIES OF COMMUNICATION WITH NISSAN FOR YOUR INFORMATION AND REVIEW.

NHTSA ODI #11385374

68,250 miles · Dec 17, 2020
Visibility/wiper

THE DASH ON MY 2012 ALTIMA HAS BEGUN TO MELT. THE DASH INITIALLY STARTED OUT BEING TACKY WHEN MY SON WAS AWAY AT COLLEGE IN NC, WHICH I THOUGHT WAS UNUSUAL. UPON RETURNING TO FL THIS PAST SUMMER, IT GOT WORSE. NOW THE DASH IS GIVING OFF A CHEMICAL SMELL WITH A HORRIBLE GLARE. THE GLARE FROM THE WINDSHIELD IS MAKING FOR UNSAFE DR…

Read full complaint

THE DASH ON MY 2012 ALTIMA HAS BEGUN TO MELT. THE DASH INITIALLY STARTED OUT BEING TACKY WHEN MY SON WAS AWAY AT COLLEGE IN NC, WHICH I THOUGHT WAS UNUSUAL. UPON RETURNING TO FL THIS PAST SUMMER, IT GOT WORSE. NOW THE DASH IS GIVING OFF A CHEMICAL SMELL WITH A HORRIBLE GLARE. THE GLARE FROM THE WINDSHIELD IS MAKING FOR UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS, ESPECIALLY IN THE FL SUN. NISSAN ACKNOWLEDGED THE MELTING DASH ISSUE IN 2008 2009 MODELS AND AGREED TO REPLACE THOSE DASHES FOR VEHICLES IN FL UNDER A LAWSUIT SETTLED IN 2017. LOOKING AT THE COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE, IT APPEARS THAT THE MELTING DASH ISSUE HAS CONTINUED TO BE A PROBLEM PAST THE 2008 2009 MODEL YEARS.

NHTSA ODI #11383910

120,000 miles · Dec 4, 2020
Electrical System

SOMETHING HAPPENED TO THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR WHERE IT LIMITS THE RPM AND SLOWS THE CAR DOWN A LOT ALMOST MADE A ACCIDENT HAPPEN I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC HE TOLD ME IT WAS NORMAL AND I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE IT TO NISSAN TO GET IT FIXED BUT THAT HE SEES THAT A LOT

NHTSA ODI #11377845

50,000 miles · Nov 23, 2020
StructureUnknown Or Other

MY 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA'S SUNROOF IS LEAKING, WHETHER DRIVING OR PARKED. I HAVE HAD THE DRAINS CLEANED, THE HEADLINER REMOVED AND STILL HAVE THIS ISSUE. UPON RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM IT SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM ON INFINITI'S AND NISSAN'S SINCE 2003. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE FIXED BY NISSAN, BEING IT'S AN ONGOING ISSUE IN ALL MODEL…

Read full complaint

MY 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA'S SUNROOF IS LEAKING, WHETHER DRIVING OR PARKED. I HAVE HAD THE DRAINS CLEANED, THE HEADLINER REMOVED AND STILL HAVE THIS ISSUE. UPON RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM IT SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM ON INFINITI'S AND NISSAN'S SINCE 2003. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE FIXED BY NISSAN, BEING IT'S AN ONGOING ISSUE IN ALL MODELS. I HAVE SPENT HUNDRED'S OF DOLLARS TRYING TO HAVE THIS CORRECTED.

NHTSA ODI #11375980

122,000 miles · Nov 7, 2020
Unknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

DASHBOAD IS MELTING FROM ONE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE TO THE OTHER AND EXTENDS FROM THE WINDSHIELD PAST THE VENTS. THE AREA IS SO SHINNY AND GLARE IS SO GREAT THAT IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO SEE CLEARLY DAY OR NIGHT.

NHTSA ODI #11373595

76,979 miles · Nov 4, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

MY 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 SL CUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING YESTERDAY. I WAS GOING ABOUT 15 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN WHEN THE CAR CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TURN. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS BEFORE, DURING OR AFTER THE INCIDENT. I WAS ABLE TO COAST INTO THE PARKING LOT WHERE I RESTARTED THE CAR. THERE WAS OF A TANK OF GA…

Read full complaint

MY 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 SL CUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING YESTERDAY. I WAS GOING ABOUT 15 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN WHEN THE CAR CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TURN. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS BEFORE, DURING OR AFTER THE INCIDENT. I WAS ABLE TO COAST INTO THE PARKING LOT WHERE I RESTARTED THE CAR. THERE WAS OF A TANK OF GAS IN THE CAR AND ALL OF THE BATTERY CABLES WERE SECURE. I HAD THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR CHECKED AND BOTH WERE FINE. THERE ARE 76,979 MILES ON THE CAR. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS EVER HAPPENED, HOWEVER, AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I HAVE LEARNED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE LOVED DRIVING THIS CAR FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS, BUT NOW I AM AFRAID THIS WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN AND COULD CAUSE ME TO LOSE MY LIFE IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT. PLEASE ADVISE ME OF YOUR OFFICIAL RECOMMENDATION AS TO HOW I SHOULD PROCEED.

NHTSA ODI #11373030

60,000 miles · Nov 3, 2020
Unknown Or Other

MY DASHBOARD IS STARTING TO MELT. THIS YEAR, IN EARLY MARCH I NOTICED IT WAS VERY STICKY AND REALLY SOFT TO THE TOUCH. MY HAND WOULD DENT IT WITH SLIGHT PRESSURE. A SLIGHT GLARE STARTED TO DEVELOP IN THE WINDSHIELD AND IT WORSENED DURING THE SUMMER. I DO NOT USE ANY CHEMICAL CLEANERS, JUST WIPE MY CAR WITH A DAMP CLOTH, SO I…

Read full complaint

MY DASHBOARD IS STARTING TO MELT. THIS YEAR, IN EARLY MARCH I NOTICED IT WAS VERY STICKY AND REALLY SOFT TO THE TOUCH. MY HAND WOULD DENT IT WITH SLIGHT PRESSURE. A SLIGHT GLARE STARTED TO DEVELOP IN THE WINDSHIELD AND IT WORSENED DURING THE SUMMER. I DO NOT USE ANY CHEMICAL CLEANERS, JUST WIPE MY CAR WITH A DAMP CLOTH, SO I WAS AT A LOSS UNTIL I GOT ONLINE RECENTLY AND FOUND THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH ALTIMA MODELS. THE ISSUE WAS NOTICED WHILE PARKED OUTSIDE IN MY DRIVEWAY AND IS WORSE DURING HOT MONTHS, THOUGH IT IS NOW COLDER OUTSIDE AND THERE IS STILL MILD STICKINESS AND GLARE. I EXPECT IT TO WORSEN AGAIN IN THE SPRING/SUMMER TEXAS HEAT. I HAVE JUST RECENTLY CONTACT NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE ABOUT THE ISSUE AND THEY DO NOT SOUND LIKE THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE IN THE 2012 MODEL, THOUGH SEVERAL CAR WEBSITES HAVE OTHRE OWNERS NOTING ISSUES BEYOND THE CLASS ACTION SUITE IN FLORIDA OVER THE 2007-2009 ALTIMA MODELS WITH MELTING DASHBOARDS. THE EMAIL FROM NISSAN IS ATTACHED AND I WILL RESPOND WITH THE INFORMATION THEY REQUESTED.

NHTSA ODI #11372928

Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2020
Unknown Or Other

MY CAR HAS BEEN FINE THIS WHOLE TIME AND LAST WEEK I WAS DRIVING AND GOT STUCK IN A BLIND SPOT WHILE DRIVING. THE CAR WOULD NOT GO FORWARD OR IN REVERSE. THE TRANSMISSION JUST STOPPED WORKING.

NHTSA ODI #11363164

40,000 miles · Sep 24, 2020
Visibility/wiper

DASH IS MELTING AND SHINY CREATING A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE WHEN DRIVING. THIS STARTED YEARS AGO AND ONLY GETS WORSE. IT HAS BEEN REPORTED SEVERAL TIMES TO DEALER. I HAVE TO DRIVE BUT IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I CANNOT BELIEVE NISSAN IS TAKING THE CHANCE AND NOT FIXING THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11360956

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.

Go deeper into Nissan Altima problems