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, Jun 3, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS FAILED TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE AND THE OUTSIDE DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 1, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE DOORS FAILED TO LOCK AND UNLOCK ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS. THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER THE YEARS. THE CONTACT WAS LOCKED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 7/16/15*CN
Structure, May 14, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE IN PARK, THE CONTACT NOTICED WATER INSIDE THE DOOR PANELS OF THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHAKE THE DOORS IN ORDER TO GET THE WATER OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEALS TO THE DOOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE PART NOT BEING AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
Structure, Jan 21, 2015
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE LISTED ON 9/23/14. I RECENTLY FOUND OUT AFTER GETTING A CARFAX REPORT THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN FLIPPED WHILE IN LA. I AM TRYING TO FIND OUT IF THE TITLE FOR THE CAR HAS BEEN A "REBUILT TITLE OR "SALVAGED TITLE" AND CAN'T SEEN TO GET ANYMORE. HELP PLEASE! *TR
Structure, Oct 21, 2014
THE PAINT ON THE HOOD CAME OFF IN A CHUNK, DURING A CAR WASH. IT AS REPORTED TO THE DEALER AND NISSAN DIRECTLY. AFTER THEY GAVE ME THE RUNAROUND FOR 6+ MONTHS, NISSAN SAID IT WAS NOT THEIR PROBLEM, THAT IT WAS AN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE. I HAVE SINCE HAD THE CAR REPAIRED. THE HOOD NEEDED TO BE TAKEN DOWN TO BARE METAL, AND REPAINTED. THE COST WAS OVER $500.00. NOW THE ROOF IS DOING THE SAME AS THE HOOD.I AM NOT A HAPPY NISSAN OWNER. *TR
Structure, Oct 11, 2014
THE HOOD RELEASE ON THESE CARS IS DOWN UNDER THE DASH, WHERE IT CAN EASILY BE PULLED WITH THE TOE OF YOUR SHOE. IT HAS HAPPENED BEFORE, BUT MY WIFE WAS OUTSIDE OF THE CAR AND HEARD IT POP. THIS DAY, WE WERE ON OUR WAY HOME FROM CHURCH. MADE IT ALL THE WAY ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND REACHED 70 MPH, SPEED LIMIT ON THAT HIGHWAY IS 75 MPH. THE HOOD FLEW UP, DAMAGING THE WINDSHIELD, ROOF, HOOD, FENDERS AND HOOD HINGES. THIS IS VERY DISTURBING THAT THE 2013'S ARE BEING RECALLED WHEN THE DESIGN IS THE SAME FROM 2012 TO 2014 THAT I AM AWARE OF. WE HAVE BEEN WARNING OTHER DRIVERS OF THIS DANGER. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 30 YEARS AND HAVE EMERGENCY VEHICLE TO 18 WHEELER TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE. NOT EVERYONE WILL BE SO LUCKY. *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
Structure, Vehicle speed control, Nov 13, 2012, crash
AS DRIVER WAS BRAKING UPON ENTERING A PARKING SPOT AT A LOCAL STORE, CAR SURGED FORWARD AND JUMPED A CURB HITTING A RED BOX VIDEO DISPLAY. *TR