VehicleVerdict

2012 Nissan Altima problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 577 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.8 times the median Altima year — the 2012 model ranks #12 of 33 Altima years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 39 injuries in total across these filings.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 149 reports (26% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

577

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

40

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

39

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2012 compare to other Altima years?

Altima NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted2,976 complaints1993: 150 complaints1994: 120 complaints1995: 216 complaints1996: 117 complaints1997: 141 complaints1998: 141 complaints1999: 110 complaints2000: 199 complaints2001: 202 complaints2002: 1,321 complaints2003: 1,099 complaints2004: 334 complaints2005: 1,364 complaints2006: 1,043 complaints2007: 598 complaints2008: 1,376 complaints2009: 2,150 complaints2010: 541 complaints2011: 320 complaints2012: 577 complaints2013: 2,976 complaints2014: 1,391 complaints2015: 1,197 complaints2016: 781 complaints2017: 507 complaints2018: 320 complaints2019: 344 complaints2020: 278 complaints2021: 111 complaints2022: 52 complaints2023: 37 complaints2024: 60 complaints2025: 10 complaints
Altima NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Altima years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Nissan Altima problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission14926%
Engine7212%
Other5610%
Airbags5610%
Electrical System519%
Speed Control498%
Body & Structure326%
Brakes203%
Visibility & Wipers183%
Steering163%
Suspension163%
Fuel System132%
Tires & Wheels81%
Seats71%
Lighting51%
Seat Belts51%
Driver Assistance20%
Latches & Locks20%

Does the 2012 Nissan Altima have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

12V494000SuspensionOctober 10, 2012 · 13,919 units

Defect

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.

12V055000AirbagsFebruary 14, 2012 · 976 units

Defect

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

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.

11V408000AirbagsAugust 9, 2011 · 54 units

Defect

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

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.

11V371000SuspensionJuly 19, 2011 · 20,000 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WHEN I WAS DRIVING THE CVT STARTS MAKING NOISE, THE RPM GO UP TO 6,000 RPM THEN I LOOSE ENGINE POWER SUDDENLY SO THE CAR SPEED STUCK ON 40 MPH SUDDENLY AND DECREASE THE SPEED EVEN WHEN I PRESS THE GAS PEDAL, WHEN I PRESS THE GAS PEDAL IT JUST MAKES NOISE AND INCREASE THE RPM AND THE NOISE BUT THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 9, 2018 · crash

“WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING PLACE AT A RESTAURANT ALL OF A SUDDEN MY WIFE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND SURGE FROM THE ENGINE PROPELLING THE CAR FORWARD AND OVER AN EMBANKMENT FORTUNATELY FOR A FEW TREES AND GOD'S HELP MY WIFE IS THANKFULLY STILL ALIVE THE EMBANKMENT HAD APPROXIMATELY 100' DROP THIS HAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 5, 2017 · crash

“I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE AND WAS TRAVELING AT SPEED OF THE ROAD AND I WANTED TO MAKE A FULL STOP BUT I HIT A CAR IN FRONT OF ME! I PUSHED AND PUSHED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE NEVER BRAKE!! ALSO MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY!! THERE IS PHYSICAL AND BODILY DAMAGE TO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME! ALSO MY CAR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 9, 2012 · crash

“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.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · November 7, 2017 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 20, 2017 · fire

2012 Nissan Altima — common questions

Is the 2012 Nissan Altima reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 577 complaints put the 2012 model at #12 of 33 Altima years. It is one of the Altima years to avoid.

What are the most common 2012 Altima problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (149 complaints), engine (72 complaints), airbags (56 complaints).

Does the 2012 Nissan Altima have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 Nissan Altima. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2012 Nissan Altima under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Nissan Altima years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Altima years to avoid are 2013, 2009, 2014, 2008, 2005, 2002, 2015, 2003, 2006, 2016, 2007, 2012, 2010, 2017, 2019, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022. The cleanest record among Altima years belongs to 2025.

How safe is the 2012 Nissan Altima?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2012 Nissan Altima earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.