Nissan · Altima · 2012
2012 Nissan Altima
4
Recalls
422
Complaints
4/5
Safety Rating
The 2012 Nissan Altima has 4 recalls and 422 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: power train (108 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2012 Nissan Altima page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is power train with 108 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to see whether the 2012 Nissan Altima reports cluster around one repeated symptom or spread across multiple systems.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2012 Nissan Altima currently shows 4 NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 422 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 4/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are power train (108), air bags (37), unknown or other (30).
- Vehicle
- 2012 Nissan Altima
- Recalls
- 4
- Complaints
- 422
- Safety Rating
- 4/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
10.5% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: NoLane Departure Warning: No
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 12V494000October 10, 2012
STEERING
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.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 12V055000February 14, 2012
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
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.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 11V408000August 09, 2011
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
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.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 11V371000July 19, 2011
SUSPENSION
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.
Remedy Status
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.
Owner Complaints
422 totalUNKNOWN OR OTHER
CRASHMar 23, 2026
I am reporting a potential unintended automatic emergency braking event involving a 2025 Tesla Cybertruck. On 23Mar2026, at approximately 40 mph, I was traveling behind a Tesla Cybertruck on a public roadway. There were no visible obstacles, hazards, or debris in the roadway tha...
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POWER TRAIN
Jul 19, 2025
I drove out of town about 40 miles and everything was fine, next day went to leave to come home and immediately noticed high RPMs going about 20MPH. I pulled over, turned the car off and turned it back on, started driving and same thing. I had no choice but to drive it on the int...
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STEERING,SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN
CRASHJun 23, 2025
The vehicle is unsafe to driver and others on the road. The power steering hose has had a leak since it was manufactured and was not fixed by the manufacturer at all! Tie rods gave away within 5 years of a mileage less than 24,200 miles. Cv joints along with tie rods have been e...
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STEERING,SUSPENSION,ENGINE
Feb 12, 2025
Clunking and bouncing from right tire followed by acceleration not working properly
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Dec 4, 2024
The sensor was replaced but the light engine light still came back on now the speed sensor is causing the issue. The abs light comes on while accelerating it jumps and jerks
SUSPENSION
Oct 17, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, there was an abnormal banging sound coming from the rear end of the vehicle, followed by a dragging sound. The contact also stated that the vehicle began to shake abnormally. There was no warning ligh...
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Apr 22, 2024
The transmissions go out fast in the ctv Nissan Altima 2012
STRUCTURE
Apr 1, 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.
POWER TRAIN
Feb 1, 2024
Service Engine Soon light on. Was driving on highway at 55mph Transmission started to slip and car started to slow down while I was pressing gas pedal. The more I pressed on gas pedal the more the car lost acceleration. Had to move off to side of the road and turn car off. Took t...
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AIR BAGS
Dec 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the OCS control unit was malfunctioning. The dealer determined that the front passenger’s ...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 422 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2012 Nissan models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Nissan Altima Years
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2012 Nissan Altima have?
The 2012 Nissan Altima has 4 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2012 Nissan Altima?
NHTSA has received 422 owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Nissan Altima.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2012 Nissan Altima?
The 2012 Nissan Altima received an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Nissan Altima?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2012 Nissan Altima are power train (108 reports), air bags (37 reports), unknown or other (30 reports).
Does the 2012 Nissan Altima have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 4 recalls on record for the 2012 Nissan Altima. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.