Recalls (4)
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2012 Nissan Altima. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Loose Steering and Suspension Bolts
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
CURTAIN AIR BAG INFLATOR
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
- Remedy
- 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.
AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
TRANSVERSE LINK BOLTS
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- IF THE BOLT COMES OUT COMPLETELY, THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
- Remedy
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (426)
426 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The power train is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 426 |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 149 | 35% |
| Engine | 68 | 16% |
| Air bags | 57 | 13.4% |
| Unknown or other | 56 | 13.1% |
| Vehicle speed control | 49 | 11.5% |
| Electrical system | 44 | 10.3% |
| Structure | 33 | 7.7% |
| Service brakes | 20 | 4.7% |
| Steering | 17 | 4% |
| Suspension | 17 | 4% |
How 2012 compares with other Altima years
Best and worst Altima years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 1,029 | 4 |
| 2009 | 1,547 | 4 |
| 2010 | 381 | 3 |
| 2011 | 241 | 1 |
| 2012 | 426 | 4 |
| 2013 | 2,312 | 12 |
| 2014 | 1,114 | 8 |
| 2015 | 954 | 10 |
| 2016 | 553 | 4 |
| 2017 | 391 | 3 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Crash tests: 4 stars overall
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2012 Nissan Altima 4 dr fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 26 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,600
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 342 g/mi
- EPA class
- Subcompact Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 26 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 4-cyl · AV-S6 CVT | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 31 / 26 | $2,600 | 342 |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 31 / 26 | $2,600 | 342 |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl · AV-S6 CVT | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 32 / 26 | $2,600 | 342 |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl · AV-S6 CVT | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 27 / 23 | $2,900 | 386 |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl · AV-S6 CVT | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 27 / 22 | $3,050 | 404 |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl · 6-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 27 / 21 | $3,200 | 423 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2012 Altima for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2012 Nissan Altima FAQ
How many recalls does the 2012 Nissan Altima have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 12V494000 (steering), 12V055000 (air bag), 11V408000 (air bag), 11V371000 (suspension). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2012 Nissan Altima problems?
Owners filed 426 complaints with NHTSA. Power train (149), Engine (68), Air bags (57) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2012 Nissan Altima get?
EPA rates the 2.5 L 4-cyl · AV-S6 CVT version at 23 city, 31 highway and 26 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
What safety rating did the 2012 Nissan Altima get?
NHTSA rated the 2012 Nissan Altima 4 dr fwd 4 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (10.5% rollover risk).
How does the 2012 Altima compare with other years?
Among the 2008–2017 Nissan Altima model years at least five years old, the 2011 drew the fewest complaints (241) and the 2013 the most (2,312). The 2012 drew 426. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.