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: engine
72 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 15, 2016
IM DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY TAKING THE CURVE DOWNTOWN DALLAS & MY CAR STALLS O POWER AVAILABLE. I CANNOT STEER TO COAST, NOR PUT CAN ION EMERGENCY FLASHERS. WHERE IT DIES IT SITS. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND NISSAN CANNOT FIGURE OUT WHY. I HAVE ONLY HAD CAR FOR 2 MONTHS. VERY DISAPPOINTED AND SCARED.
Engine, Jul 25, 2016
CAR LOSES POWER AFTER DRIVING FOR SO LONG AND DECREASES IN SPEED. IT'S HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. I PULL OVER TO GIVE CAR A REST BUT IT'S DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT WON'T ACCELERATE WHEN IT HAPPENS AND ON THE INTERSTATE IS NO PLACE TO BE DRIVING 40MPH!!
Engine, Jul 19, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO START IT REQUIRED A JUMP START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
Power train, Engine, Jul 15, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHEN DRIVING IN WEATHER ABOVE 84 DEGREES, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CVT TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED AND THE VEHICLE NEEDED A VALVE BODY AND OIL COOLER TO CORRECT THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. UPDATED 09/06/16*LJ *TR
Engine, Apr 1, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT VIBRATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.
Engine, Feb 5, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS TURNED ON, THE SMELL OF BURNING OIL WAS NOTICED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED WHEN STARTED AND WOULD NOT SWITCH INTO GEAR PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 21, 2015
TWICE, I WAS DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 75 MPH ON I25 HEADED NORTH. AS I ARRIVED INTO COLORADO SPRINGS, MY VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 30 MPH IN A 65 MPH ZONE. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER. I WAITIED FOR ABOUT 15 MIN. STARTED MY VEHICLE UP & STILL IT WOULD ONLY GO 30 MPH. I TURNED AROUND & HEADED BACK FOR PUEBLO. UNSURE & AFRAID THAT MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT MAKE IT HOME. ONCE MY CAR WAS SITTING FOR AN HOUR, THE TRANSMISSION ALLOWED THE SPEED TO RISE ABOVE 30 MPH. THE SAME INCIDENT OCCURRED ON 6/27/2015. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY VEHICILE OUT OF TOWN, IN FEAR OF GETTING STRANDED, THE CAR OVERHEATING & THE MECHANICAL TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONING. THE NISSAN DEALER IN ORDER TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM, NEEDS TO INSTALL A "TRANSMISSION COOLING SYSTEM". I PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THRU 1ST EXTENDED, OVER $2600.00. THEY REFUSE TO HONOR THE WARRANTY, CLAIMING THE COOLER WAS OT IN THE CAR TO BEGIN WITH. I SPOKE WITH NISSAN & SOUTHWEST MOTORS (WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR AROUND 1 1/2 YRS. AGO. THEY'VE BOTH CONFIRMED THAT THIS EXACT PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED IN MANY NISSAN VEHICLES. IF THE WARRANTER IS UNWILLING TO WARRANT THE PROBLEM, WHICH IS A MAJOR MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION, THEN MY 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA NEEDS TO BE RECALLED! PLEASE HELP ME FOR I FEAR THIS PROBLEM IS A SAFETY HAZARD DRIVING ON THE HWY AT A REDUCED SPEED & BECOMING STRANDED.
Engine, May 1, 2015
CATALYTIC CONVERTER HEAT SHIELD CAN CORRODE CAUSING A RATTLE DURING ACCELERATION AND POSSIBLY CAUSING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATION. THE COMMON REPAIR FOR THIS ISSUE IS REPLACEMENT OF THE DAMAGED CATALYTIC CONVERTER. IF LEFT UNNOTICED MAY DIG INTO THE ENGINE OR FLY OFF ONTO A MOTORIST. *TR
Engine, Apr 17, 2015
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND ENGINE JUST CUT OFF COMPLETELY WITH NO SYSTEM WARNINGS OR ANYTHING. INITIALLY, I THOUGHT THIS WAS A FLUKE AND SOMETHING I HAD DONE. CAR STARTED BACK IMMEDIATELY. AS A RESULT, I THOUGHT NOTHING ELSE OF IT UNTIL THE CAR DID THE SAME THING AGAIN WHILE I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT LATER THE SAME DAY (AGAIN THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ON CONTROL PANEL. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON 2 OTHER OCCASIONS. CAR WAS TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP WERE NOTHING WAS FOUND WRONG. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE CONNECTION. UNSURE IF THE TWO ARE RELATED. NEEDS FURTHER INVESTIGATION AS THIS IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Apr 2, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER WAITING FOR A FEW MOMENTS, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Steering, Service brakes, Engine, Mar 5, 2015
ENGINE QUIT WHILE DRIVING, BRAKES FAILED, STEERING LOCKED UP A DEADLY SITUATION. DEALER CLAIMS IT WAS DUE TO A LOOSE BATTERY CABLE. IF SO A LOOSE BATTERY CABLE COULD KILL YOU OR OTHERS. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Dec 16, 2014
I WAS AT A RED LIGHT AND THE CAR JUST SHUT DOWN. I HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT! THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME ABOUT A YEAR AGO. I THOUGHT I HAD DONE SOMETHING TO MAKE IT HAPPEN THE FIRST THE FIRST TIME. NOW I KNOW IT IS THE CAR. THIS IS SERIOUS AND SCARY! FROM READING THE COMPLAINTS I SEE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS AND WHILE THEY WERE DRIVING! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 29, 2014
THIS VEHICLE HAS LOST POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS 3 TIMES NOW. JUST DRIVING ALONG AND IT JUST STARTS SLOWING DOWN ON ITS OWN. RUNNING 70MPH AND IT JUST LOSES POWER AND IT SLOWS TO AROUND 25MPH. YOU MASH THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND IT HAS NO EFFECT, IT WILL NOT INCREASE SPEED. YOU PULL OVER, SHOUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART AND IT RUNS FINE AGAIN. YOU GET NO WARNING LIGHTS, NO CODES. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO. DEALERSHIP SAID THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING. I SEE SOMEONE ELSE HAS FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE SAME PROBLEM NOW MAYBE YOU WILL TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THIS VERY SERIOUS ISSUE. *TR
Engine, Jul 24, 2014
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
Suspension, Power train, Engine, Jul 16, 2014
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
Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Jul 15, 2014
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.
Power train, Engine, Apr 11, 2014
ALTIMA WAS SERVICED AT A DEALERSHIP LESS THAN A WEEK AGO FOR OIL AND FILTER CHANGE. I WAS DRIVING THE 2012 ALTIMA FROM WORK ON 4/10/14. IT LOOKED THE CAR WAS STALLING ON THE HIGHWAY MULTIPLE TIMES. I SLOWED DOWN AND MANAGED TO GET HOME, ALL ALONG IT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STOP ANY TIME, LUCKILY IT DID NOT HAPPEN. BUT THIS MORNING (4/11/14) IT STOPPED ON THE DRIVEWAY STALLED AFTER MOVING 15 FEET. TOWED THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET IT REPAIRED. *JS
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jul 29, 2013, crash
I HAD PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AT A LOCAL GYM, AS I PLACED THE CAR IN PARK, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STAY IN DRIVE AND SURGED FORWARD INTO THE BUILDING. ONCE THE VEHICLE HIT THE BUILDING, I ONCE AGAIN TRIED TO PLACE THE CAR IN PARK, AND IT ONCE AGAIN SURGED FORWARD AND HIT THE BUILDING. THE ONLY WAY I COULD STOP THE CAR WAS TO HIT THE POWER BUTTON TO TURN THE CAR OFF. ONCE THE OFFICER ARRIVED ON SCENE, HE ASKED ME TO PLACE THE CAR IN NEUTRAL SO THAT HE COULD MOVE THE CAR OFF THE CURB, HOWEVER, THE CAR CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD. AS A RESULT THE CAR WAS ONCE AGAIN POWERED DOWN TO AVOID ANY FURTHER INCIDENT. *TR
Engine, Apr 30, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD A NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONTAL EXHAUST TUBE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A SLIGHT VIBRATION STARTING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE ALL THE WAY TO THE PEDAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED TO COVER THE PARTS UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,900 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,200. *TR
Structure, Engine, Mar 22, 2013
PURCHASED MY 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE 8/2/2012. IN JUST OVER 30 DAYS THE PAINT WAS COMING OFF THE REAR BUMPER ON BOTH SIDES NEAR THE REAR TIRE WHERE THE BUMPER MEETS THE BODY OF THE CAR. TOOK THE CAR IN TO HAVE THE BUMPER REPAINTED. WITHIN 60 DAYS THE PAINT WAS COMING OFF IN THE SAME PLACE AGAIN. TOOK THE CAR BACK LAST MONTH AND WAS REPAINTED WITH 3 FLAWS...NEEDLESS TO SAY IT HAS TO GO BACK YET AGAIN!! ALSO, WITHIN A FEW DAYS OF PURCHASE I NOTICED THAT THE RADIO WOULD NOT PICK UP LOCAL RADIO STATIONS WITHOUT A LOT OF STATIC AND INTERFERENCE. ONLY 1 OUT OF 12 PRESETS DO I GET ON A CONSISTENT BASIS AND I ONLY DRIVE WITHIN A 25-30 MILE RADIUS OF MY HOME. TOOK TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE WINDOW TINT. GAVE THEM INFORMATION FROM 3M THAT THE TINT WOULD NOT INTERFERE WITH THE RADIO AND THEN THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T HEAR IT. TAKEN BACK ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND NO RESOLVE. NOTICED 3/17/2013 THAT MY LEATHER WRAPPED STEERING WHEEL HAS SPLIT IN THE GRAIN OF LEATHER AND IT IS RIGHT WHERE MY RIGHT HAND GOES TO DRIVE. TRANSMISSION IS NOT CONSISTENT...WHEN I LET OFF THE GAS BRIEFLY IT IS AS IF SOMEONE HAS HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE CAR "DRAWS BACK"...VERY ANNOYING!!! I ALSO PURCHASED XZILON PAINT PROTECTION SYSTEM AT THE DEALERS RECOMMENDATION BECAUSE THE CAR IS BLACK AND I LIVE IN FL...NOW 7 MONTHS LATER THIS PROTECTANT HAS COMPLETELY RUINED THE PAINT ON MY CAR AND SHOWS HORRIBLE MARKS ON THE HOOD AND LEAVES TERRIBLE WATER SPOTS ON THE VEHICLE THAT ARE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO REMOVE. TAKING TO THE DEALER FOR THE NEW PAINT ISSUE TOMORROW. I AM HOPING TO JUST TRADE IN AND GET ANOTHER CAR...UNFORTUNATELY UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES IT WILL BE A NISSAN...BUT WILL NOT BE AN ALTIMA! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 16, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PUSH TO START BUTTON, WHICH POWERED THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF, WAS MALFUNCTIONING. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE PUSH-TO-START BUTTON TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,500.
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 23, 2012
2012 NISSAN ALTIMA RENTAL VEHICLE. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY CAME TO A NEAR COMPLETE STOP ON THE LEFT- OF- MIDDLE LANE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WITH NO WARNING, THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY SLOWED DOWN FROM 60 MPH TO APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND BEGAN TO SHAKE AND JERK. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS AN ODOR OF FUMES INDICATING THAT SOMETHING WAS BURNING OR MELTING. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS AS HIGH AS IT COULD GO, INDICATION THE ENGINE HAD OVERHEATED.