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: structure
33 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Aug 16, 2026
Took the car to a repair shop to get an alignment. Was told that the frame rear cross member was so rusty that it needed to be replaced, and that if it broke while driving I would lose control of the car. The component has not been removed from the car. No one else has looked at the car. Only prior warning/message/symptom was uneven rear tire wear first noticed about 6 months prior, but that may have been due to bad rear shocks.
Structure, Apr 10, 2024
I have owned this vehicle for over ten years and now there is paint delamination on the hood and roof of the vehicle which is a manufacture defect.
Structure, Mar 29, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, he noticed that the dashboard was shiny and was melting in a small area. The failure expanded to cover the entire dashboard causing visibility issues while driving. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer; however, the mechanic declined to diagnose the failure without a diagnostic fee being paid. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.
Structure, Dec 18, 2021
The hood latch is defective and the hood can not close properly.
Structure, Nov 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the dashboard was melting and became shiny, causing a visibility issue from the windshield reflection. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 121,439.
Structure, Oct 18, 2021
While driving at 70mph on interstate the hood flew open with no known explanation as to why as hood had not been opened by anyone in the last 120 days prior to incident. This caused hood to snap back, strike and smash windshield and significantly dent roof of car in front of moonroof.
Structure, Feb 16, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS STICKY AND MELTING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A GLARE COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD AND REFLECTING ONTO THE WINDSHIELD MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Nov 23, 2020
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.
Structure, Sep 17, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD MELTED AND BECAME STICKY AND REFLECTIVE, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE GUNN NISSAN OF DENTON DEALER, LOCATED AT: 5650 S INTERSTATE 35 E, CORINTH, TX 76210 AND WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HE WAS AT THE DEALER'S, THE TECHNICIAN CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOT RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,000. FE
Structure, Aug 28, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD MELTED AND CAUSED A GLARE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER LOCATED IN WESTERN, FLORIDA WHERE THE TECHNICIAN FAILED TO ADDRESS THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 12,000.
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jul 7, 2020
DASHBOARD HAS BECOME PROGRESSIVELY STICKY AND SHINY, CAUSING A GLARE DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS WHICH REDUCES VISIBILITY AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD
Structure, Jul 2, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTED AND STICKY WITH AN ABNORMAL ODOR COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A GLARE IN THE WINDSHIELD FROM THE DASHBOARD WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUTHERLIN NISSAN LOCATED AT 8125 E. COLONIAL DR, ORLANDO, FL 32817, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT PROVIDED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.
Structure, May 18, 2020
MY DASHBOARD IN MY 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA IS MELTING IN THE HOT FLORIDA SUN. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS CARS AND THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED TO ANY OF THEM. I NEED MY DASHBOARD REPAIRED. THIS MELTING CAUSES A BAD GLARE OF MY WINDSHIELD MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE. *TR
Structure, May 18, 2020
MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING FROM THE HOT FLORIDA SUN. IT US CAUSING A BAD REFLECTION WHICH MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO SEE WHEN DRIVING. I NEED IT REPAIRED BY NISSAN. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Aug 29, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA THE DRIVER EXPERIENCED SUN GLARE WHILE DRIVING A VISIBILITY HAZARD WAS PRESENT THE GLARE WAS CAUSED BY THE MELTING DASHBOARD THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD HAD MELTED CAUSING A SUN GLARE AND VISIBILITY HAZARD WHILE DRIVING. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER(UNKNOWN) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Structure, Aug 14, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED AND CREATED A GLARE. THE VEHICLE ALSO EMITTED A STRONG RUBBER ODOR. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Structure, Jan 16, 2019
MY DASHBOARD APPEARS TO BE MELTING AND IS STICKY TO THE TOUCH. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN THEY SHOW NO CONCERN AS TO THE DASH BOARD MELTING OR ANY RESOLVE TO REMEDY THE ISSUE. IT CAUSES A BAD GLARE ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING INTO THE SUNLIGHT. I FEEL THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN MATERIALS.
Structure, Aug 16, 2018
ALL 4 OF MY DOOR ACTUATORS ARE SUDDENLY NOT WORKING. THIS IS SAFETY HAZARD. NISSAN NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE WITH A POSSIBLE RECALL. ALL 4 SHOULD NOT GO BAD AT ONCE.
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.
Structure, Jan 19, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. DUE TO THE GLARE OF THE SUN, THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE DASHBOARD WOULD MELT AND BECOME VERY STICKY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WOODY FOLSOM NISSAN OF VIDALIA (1609 E 1ST ST, VIDALIA, GA 30474) AND WAS INFORMED TO CONTACT THE NISSAN MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND A CASE WAS OPENED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO VIDALIA NISSAN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE PICTURES OF THE DASHBOARD WERE TAKEN TO PROVIDE TO THE PERSON WHO WAS ASSISTING WITH THE CASE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AGREED TO PAY FIFTY PERCENT OF THE REPAIR COST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,071.
Air bags, Structure, Oct 24, 2017, crash
I HIT A DEER HEAD ON@ 40 MPH, THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY
Structure, Dec 29, 2016
THE BACK DOORS OF THESE CARS ARE TAKING IN WATER WHEN IT RAINS OR WHEN YOU GO TO CAR WASH.. AS YOU DRIVE YOU COULD HEAR THE WATER SLOSHING IN THE DOORS. YOU HAVE TO ACTUALLY OPEN THE DOOR AND USE YOUR HANDS BY PICKING THE RUBBER AT THE BOTTOM OF THE DOORS TO LET THE WATER OUT. THEN IT GUSHES OUT LIKE AN OPEN FAUCET.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Aug 4, 2016
LEAKING SUNROOF. WHEN WE GET A HEAVY RAIN, WATER LEAKS THROUGH THE SUNROOF ON THE PASSENGER SIDE.
Air bags, Structure, Nov 20, 2015, crash
I WAS INVOLVED IN A 4 CAR PILE UP ON THE HIGHWAY. MY AIRBAG DID NOT GO OFF ON IMPACT AND WAS ABOUT 30-40 SEC. DELAYED. AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHEN I WAS UNBUCKLING MY SEATBELT AND GETTING OUT OF THE CAR. MOST OF MY INJURIES WERE CAUSED BY THE AIRBAG. CAR WAS TOTALED I'M MAKING THIS REPORT IN CASE SOMEONE PURCHASES CAR AT AUCTION AND ONLY REPLACES DRIVER AIRBAG HOPEFULLY THEY WILL CHECK CURTAIN AIRBAGS FOR DEFECTS AS WELL SO SOMEONE ELSE DOESN'T GET HURT.
Structure, Oct 13, 2015
FLOOR BOARDS ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSAGE SIDE ARE VERY SOFT .