2012 Nissan Altima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 426 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 12th highest complaint count among 26 Altima model years with reports.
Of the 2012 reports, 24 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 26 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
SteeringOct 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 12V494000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, side/windowFeb 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.
THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
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.
Campaign 12V055000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, sensor/control module-inactiveAug 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 11V408000 on NHTSA.gov
SuspensionJul 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.
IF THE BOLT COMES OUT COMPLETELY, THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
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.
Campaign 11V371000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
57 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Jul 24, 2026, crash
I was working, and as I was on my way to a location a lady in front of me came to a complete stop since a couple of ducks were crossing causing me to come to a complete stop as well. As I stopped I looked into my rearview mirror I noticed the lady behind me was not stopping and then smashed into the back of me launching me into the car in front of me. My passenger air bag went off, however my driver seat airbag did not go off, failing to protect me. My car was completely totaled in result of the accident.
Air bags, Dec 8, 2023
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.
Air bags, Sep 20, 2023
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.
Air bags, Feb 16, 2023
The airbag warning light started flashing in late November or early December 2022. I took the car to my mechanic on Dec. 5, 2022 who ran a diagnostic which identified the need to replace the sensor in the front passenger seat. The sensor is so integrated into the seat that the entire seat (not the back) must be replaced. I was then told that Nissan has stopped making the seat because the car is over 10 years old and a replacement is unavailable nationwide and will not become available. I called a Nissan dealer to confirm that the part is unavailable and they confirmed it. As a result, it is unsafe for a person to sit in the passenger seat. It seems wrong that Nissan can stop making such an essential part and devalue someone's life or the vehicle itself in this way. It also seems to me that I cannot sell the car in this condition and it only has about 76,000 miles on it. The vehicle is available for inspection should someone wish to do so.
Air bags, Oct 3, 2022, crash
Car had a hard impact, not on the front end but flipped multiple times, air bags and side air bags did not deploy
Electrical system, Air bags, Apr 9, 2022
Our vehicle has been in no collisions or anything and has been well taken care of. Out of nowhere about 3 years our airbag light came on indicating that it will not deploy. We tried to get Nissan to fix it due to hearing of recalls in the past but they said our vehicle was not included. They then said they had to try one thing at a time and the first thing was replacing the seat for $1400 and if that didn't work they will continue down a list of 10 possible things. So basically the vehicle is a deathtrap and we are not sure how it even became that. Seems like it has to be an electrical issue or the issue mentioned in the recall.
Suspension, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Oct 20, 2021
the airbag light that is under the dash board always turns on all of a sudden I am concerned the airbags might open or their migght be something wrong and god forbid in a accident they dont open also the suspention has always had issues
Air bags, Aug 11, 2021
Pressure sensor in passenger seat connected to passenger side air bag became defective, affecting (shutting off) the entire air bag system. Started off with 'passenger air bag off' sign being illuminated at all times, even when an adult was sitting in the passenger seat. Then airbag warning light on the dashboard started flashing the entire time car was running. Because the passenger seat airbag is off. The safety of passenger put at risk. Talked to Nissan dealers at Hayward CA today (08-10-2021). They said that the has no recall and warranty is expired. That means I have to pay for the airbag repairs which I don't think is fair for consumers. Air bags is a safety issue, they should take care of it right away with no cost before something happens. I did reset the airbag warning on the dashboard twice, but it came back on day after.
Suspension, Electrical system, Air bags, Feb 17, 2021
I JUST FOUND OUT THAT THERE WERE 4 SAFETY RECALLS (PERFORMED 0)ON OUR CAR ACCORDING TO KBB AND FOR OUR SAFETY PURPOSED,IT NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED AND WE JUST BOUGHT THIS IN USED CAR COMPANY LAST 09/09/2019.AND PLEASE LET US KNOW IF THE CAR MANUFACTURER WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RECALL OR WE (OWNER).THANK YOU IN ADVANCED
Air bags, Jan 27, 2021
PRESSURE SENSOR IN PASSENGER SEAT CONNECTED TO PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG BECAME DEFECTIVE, AFFECTING (SHUTTING OFF) THE ENTIRE AIR BAG SYSTEM. STARTED OFF WITH 'PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF' SIGN BEING ILLUMINATED AT ALL TIMES, EVEN WHEN AN ADULT WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THEN AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD STARTED FLASHING THE ENTIRE TIME CAR WAS RUNNING.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Dec 29, 2020
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.
Air bags, Jun 2, 2020
THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE STARTED GOING OFF ANY TIME THE CAR IS ON - INDICATING THERE IS NO AIRBAG FUNCTIONING EVEN WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. TOOK THE CAR TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAY THE WHOLE SEAT CUSHION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE SENSOR IS NOT WORKING. COST ABOUT $1000. *TR
Air bags, Mar 2, 2020
THE AIR BAG SWITCH UNDER THE SEAT IS DEFECTIVE.
Air bags, Feb 23, 2020
SRS SUPPLEMENTAL AIRBAG LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING WHEN STARTING THE CAR UP. FOR WHILE I PUT UP WITH THIS, BUT I WAS CONCERNED. I LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER PEOPLE REPORTING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I EVENTUALLY FOUND A PROCEDURE TO RESET THE WARNING AND FOR A TIME THIS WORKED. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE LOCAL NIISSAN DEALER WAS TOLD THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR WAS FAULTY AND THAT TO FIX IT, THE ENTIRE LOWER SEAT CUSHION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR APPROXIMATELY $2000 WHICH I THOUGHT WAS OUTRAGEOUS. THEY ALSO TOLD ME MY ENTIRE AIRBAG SYSTEM WOULD BE INOPERATIVE UNTIL THIS SENSOR WAS FIXED, WHICH DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME. WHY WOULD FAULTY PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR DISABLE ALL AIRBAGS. I THINK NISSAN SHOULD RECALL CARS WITH THESE KINDS PROBLEMS AND NOT STICK CUSTOMERS WITH REPLACING $2000 SEAT CUSHIONS.
Air bags, Nov 22, 2019
AFTER 43K MILES AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES WHEN MY WIFE IS SEATED AND CAR IS BEING DRIVEN. DEALER SAYS WEIGHT REQUIREMENT FOR PASSENGER IS 120 LBS. WHAT IS FEDERAL REQUIREMENT?
Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 21, 2019
A RED FLASHING LIGHT THAT LOOKS LIKE A PERSON SITTING WITH A AIRBAG IN THE FACE WON'T GO OFF AND A YELLOW LIGHT THAT HAS A X OVER THE 2ND SEAT. I'M SCARED THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WON'T WORK IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURS
Air bags, Service brakes, Aug 26, 2019
CAMBIE LAS BREAKS NUEVAS Y EL RUIDO SIGUE, LA LUZ DE LAS BOLSAS DE AIRE EST PRENDIDA SIEMPRE
Air bags, Jul 22, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR DID NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NISSAN OF TAMPA (813-933-6641, LOCATED AT 11001 N FLORIDA AVE, TAMPA, FL 33612) WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS RECOMMENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 103,000.
Air bags, Jul 5, 2019
AIRBAG ON PASSENGER SIDE INDICATES THAT IT IS OFF AND WARNING LIGHT FLASHES ON DASHBOARD. HAVE RESET IT SEVERAL TIMES BUT RESET ONLY LASTS ABOUT 30 MINS. 31200 MILES ON VEHICLE. WAS TOLD IT MAY BE SEAT SENSOR AND NEARLY $850 TO REPLACE.
Air bags, Jan 1, 2019
FLASHING SEAT BELT SIGN RELATING TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG KEEPS BLINKING AND NO ONE SITS IN THE SEAT. WILL THE AIRBAG ACTUALLY WORK IF IN A ACCIDENT? WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL ON THIS AIR BAG SENSOR?
Air bags, Dec 6, 2018
MY AIR BAG LIGHT ISFLASHING, WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID NISSAN SHOULD HAVE PAY FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE AIR BAG SHOULD NOT GIVE ANY PROBLEM UNLESS THE CAR INVOLVE IN AN ACCIDENT. I DECIDE TO FILE A COMPLAINT, MAYBE THERE'S OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA
Power train, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Oct 2, 2018
THE MPH WOULD REGISTER AS 60 BUT I KNOW IT WAS ONLY DOING 20. GOING AROUND CURVES IT WAS ACTING LIKE IT WANT TO GO BUT DONT GO FAR. IT WILL START BUT MPH WONT MOVE, AND WONT MOVE FORWARD BUT WILL BACKUP.
Air bags, Structure, Jun 30, 2018
FLASHING SEATBELT SIGN RELATING TO PASSENGER SIDE. ALSO WHEN IT RAINS BOTH FRONT AND BACK DOORS ARE FILL WITH WATER. WHEN DRIVING WATER CAN BE HEARD SWOOSHING. AFTERWARD TO RELIEVE THE NOISE, I HAVE TO PICK UP THE RUBBER AT THE BASE OF THE DOORS AND WATER WILL RAN OUT.
Air bags, Apr 16, 2018
TAKATA RECALL - THE LIGHT ON MY AIR BAGS POPS UP RANDOMLY WHEN I DRIVE IT. THERE COULD BE NOTHING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND IT WILL STILL LIGHT UP. I HAVE ASKED THE SERVICE MEN AT THE NISSAN SERVICE IN WOODBRIDGE, VA TO CHECK THIS PROBLEM WHEN I HAVE TAKEN IT IN FOR SERVICING BUT THEY SAID IT WAS NOTHING. THEY WILL NOT FIX IT. I AM A WOMAN AND I DON'T KNOW THESE THINGS UNTIL A "RECALL" IS SENT OUT. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Air bags, Structure, Oct 24, 2017, crash
I HIT A DEER HEAD ON@ 40 MPH, THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY