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: other or unspecified
56 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Jul 25, 2016
KEYLOCK ISSUE. CAR WILL NOT START. SITTING IN DRIVEWAY FOR 8 MONTHS SO FAR. CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX. NO WARRANTY..NO RECALL ON ISSUE. I'VE READ THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES TO OTHER NISSAN OWNERS. THE FIX COSTS 800 TO 1000 & NOT INCLUDING THE TOW FEE 100$
Other or unspecified, Mar 26, 2016
LACOUNTYSHERIFFHELPMANSFATHERSTAREONSISTERSPROPERTYSOGOVERNORDOESNTGIVEHIMJOB ASKING ACOUSTICS FOR HELP FOR SANFRANCISCO.MAN SUPPORTING FBI AS ACOUSTICS SON. BUILDING COMPETENT E IN HIS OWN CHILD ATTEMPT TO FOLLOW.MAN USING DEPT TREASURY POLICE TO ALLEIVE JOB COMPETENT Y FROM HIM. INSTEAD OF PAYING HIM ALLOWS CNC TEACHER TO HELP YOSIMITTIE SAMFROM
Power train, Seats, Other or unspecified, Oct 2, 2015
PAINT IS COMING OFF THE CAR FROM WHERE THE FACTORY HAS REPAINTED OVER A CLEAR COATED SURFACE. PAINT IS ALSO COMING OUT OF THE JAMS OF THE CAR CAUSING RUST. PARTS ON THE CAR ARE ALSO STARTING TO BREAK DOWN. THE SEATS DO NOT PROPERLY CATCH THE GEAR HOLDING THEM INTO PLACE. TRANSMISSION MAKES A TERRIBLE WINDING NOICE
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Jul 7, 2015
TODAY WAS THE SECOND TIME I'VE EXPERIENCED THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF LONG. MY CAR BEGAN TO LOSE SPEED AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ABOVE 60 MPH. WHILE I HAD THE GAS PEDAL DOWN COMPLETELY ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, AS THE CAR COULD NOT GAIN SPEED. I COULD HAVE BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH ALL THE TRAFFIC ON THE FREEWAY, I HAD TO MERGE OVER TO THE FAR RIGHT FOR SAFETY. I DROVE MY CAR IMMEDIATELY AFTER TO NISSAN SO THEY COULD VERIFY THIS ISSUE. THEY FAILED TO HELP ME IN ANY WAY RECOMMENDING I INVEST IN A CVT COOLER, DUE TO NOT BEING COVERED UNDER WARRANTY ANYMORE. A COUPLE MONTHS BACK WHEN THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY I TOOK IT TO NISSAN WITH THE SAME ISSUE, AT THAT TIME THEY STATED THEY COULD NOT DETECT AN ISSUE. BUT NOW MY WARRANTY IS UP THEY'RE SUGGESTING WHAT THE CAR NEEDS. I'M VERY UPSET WITH HOW DANGEROUS THIS CAN BE AND HOW CARELESS NISSAN IS. IT'S LIKE THEY ARE JUST WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO SERIOUSLY BE HURT IN AN ACCIDENT TO THEN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
Other or unspecified, Jun 26, 2015
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK THE MORNING OF 6/25 ON THE HIGHWAY. MY SUNROOF WAS OPEN AND MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WAS OPEN. I HEARD A LARGE BANG THAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT AND TINY PIECES OF SHATTERED GLASS FLEW IN THROUGH MY OPEN SUNROOF. THERE WAS NO OTHER DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND NOTHING THAT HIT MY CAR. MY SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED. BECAUSE MY SUNROOF WAS OPEN AT THE TIME THOUSANDS OF PIECES OF GLASS BROKE THROUGHOUT THE ROOF. I AM BRINGING TO NISSAN TOMORROW TO ASSESS DAMAGE TO THE ACTUAL SUNROOF BUT I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE DEALERSHIP.
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.