Worst 2012 Nissan Altima Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
POWER TRAIN
ENGINE
AIR BAGS
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2012 Nissan Altima.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 145 | 1 | 1 | 85,293 mi | |
| ENGINE | 68 | 2 | 2 | 76,222 mi | |
| AIR BAGS | 56 | 13 | — | 53,583 mi | |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 56 | 2 | 1 | 86,477 mi | |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 48 | 3 | — | 83,454 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 43 | — | 1 | 52,629 mi | |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 21 | 3 | — | 48,771 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 17 | 2 | — | 51,847 mi | |
| STEERING | 16 | 5 | — | 46,191 mi | |
| SUSPENSION | 16 | 3 | — | 64,502 mi | |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 16 | — | — | 79,019 mi | |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 10 | 1 | — | 90,109 mi | |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 5 | — | — | 113,516 mi | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 5 | 1 | — | 6,250 mi | |
| SEAT BELTS | 5 | 2 | — | 26,502 mi | |
| SEATS | 5 | — | — | 2,800 mi | |
| STRUCTURE | 5 | — | — | 66,000 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 4 | — | — | 35,502 mi | |
| TIRES | 4 | — | — | 38,902 mi | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 3 | — | — | 8,500 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 3 | — | — | 15,000 mi | |
| STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:DASHBOARD | 3 | — | — | 85,146 mi | |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING | 2 | — | — | — | |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | 2 | — | — | 22,000 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 2 | 1 | — | 143,000 mi | |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT | 2 | — | — | 1,000 mi | |
| TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM | 2 | — | — | 145,000 mi | |
| WHEELS | 2 | — | — | 32,866 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL | 1 | — | — | 8,300 mi |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2012 Nissan Altima. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2012 Nissan Altima
5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~48,868 vehicles.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Other Nissan Altima Years
Wider context: See the full Nissan Altima reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2012 Nissan Altima
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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