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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 426

Of the 2012 reports, 24 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 26 people were injured.

Primary concernPower train149 reports · 35% of complaints
Owner complaints426Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship4 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Power train149
  2. Engine68
  3. Air bags57
  4. Other or unspecified56
  5. Vehicle speed control49
  6. Electrical system44
  7. Structure33
  8. Service brakes20

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

426 reports, newest first.

  1. Seat belts, Sep 6, 2011

    ON 7-19-11I TOOK POSSESSION OF A NEW NISSAN ALTIMA AT SARATOGA NISSAN, MALTA, NY. SHORTLY AFTER THAT DATE I NOTICED THAT THE SEAT SELT AUDIBLE WARNING DEVICE WAS NOT WORKING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER 8-26-11 FOR REPAIR OF THAT COMPONENT BUT WAS TOLD, IN WRITING, THAT THIS VEHICLE "WAS NOT DESIGNED WITH AN AUDIBLE CHIME". THIS IS NOT CONSISTENT WITH THE OWNERS MANUAL ON THIS VEHICLE THAT STATES THAT IS EQUIPPED WITH AN AUDIBLE SEAT BELT WARNING "CHIME". ALSO IT APPEARS INCONSISTENT WITH NHTSA NEW VEHICLE STANDARD 571.208, S 7.3. PLEASE ADVISE IF THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUDIBLE SEAT BELT WARNING REMINDER, OR IF NISSAN HAS BEEN GRANTED AN EXCEPTION TO THIS RULE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR