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2012 Nissan Altima problems

The most common problem on the 2012 Nissan Altima is transmission and drivetrain, typically around 93,000 miles. Its complaint count is close to a typical Altima model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
72/100
Owner complaints
426
Recalls
4
Service bulletins
122
Worst area
Transmission
Fuel economy
21-26mpg
Typical repair
$4,700

The worst 2012 Nissan Altima problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2012 Nissan Altima

CVT failure 73Loss of power 34Transmission failure 28Airbag light 25Whining noise 24Check engine light 19No deployment 13Jerking 13Overheating 13Stalling 11Won't shift 11Slipping 8Grinding brakes 7Won't start 7Adaptive cruise 5Door locks 5Headlights 5

Trouble codes owners of the 2012 Nissan Altima mention

P1778 6

Recalls 4

SteeringReported October 10, 2012 · 13,919 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 12V494000 · Recall details

Air bags: side/windowReported February 14, 2012 · 976 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 12V055000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactiveReported August 9, 2011 · 54 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 11V408000 · Recall details

SuspensionReported July 19, 2011 · 20,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 11V371000 · Recall details

See all 4 recalls for the 2012 Nissan Altima

Defect investigations

Autoliv Air Bag Propellant MixtureOpened February 14, 2012, closed May 8, 2012

The summary for this investigation, labeled EQ12-002 Autoliv Closing Resume, can be found attached separately to this resume.This EQ is closed.

EQ12002

Technical service bulletins for the 2012 Nissan Altima 122

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 122 bulletins for the 2012 Nissan Altima

2012 Nissan Altima fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.5L 4‑cylFWD2331-3226
3.5L 6‑cylFWD18-202721-23

What 2012 Nissan Altima owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 22, 2026 · Steering, Suspension · CT

am submitting a formal safety defect report regarding the steering system on my 2012 Nissan Altima Coupe. The vehicle exhibits a loose and unstable steering feel, accompanied by a distinct clunking impact whenever the wheel is turned, including during low‑speed maneuvering. This condition indicates a potential failure within the steering linkage, intermediate shaft, or associated structural components. Although my VIN does not currently appear in Nissan’s recall database, the symptoms are materially similar to steering‑related defects previously documented for this model year. Under federal motor vehicle safety standards, any defect that affects steering performance constitutes a safety hazard regardless of recall status. The looseness and clunking present an unreasonable risk of loss of steering control, which could result in a crash or injury. I am requesting immediate inspection, formal documentation of the defect, and corrective action consistent with Nissan’s obligations under safety defect reporting requirements.” than you for your kind and immediate attention to the safety of your driver's. Misc is s responsible and prominent company and I know that they take care of their customers. Thank you again for your attention to this hazardous matter. 8

Filed Aug 16, 2026 · Body · NY

Took the car to a repair shop to get an alignment. Was told that the frame rear cross member was so rusty that it needed to be replaced, and that if it broke while driving I would lose control of the car. The component has not been removed from the car. No one else has looked at the car. Only prior warning/message/symptom was uneven rear tire wear first noticed about 6 months prior, but that may have been due to bad rear shocks.

Filed Jul 24, 2026 · Airbags · FL · crash

I was working, and as I was on my way to a location a lady in front of me came to a complete stop since a couple of ducks were crossing causing me to come to a complete stop as well. As I stopped I looked into my rearview mirror I noticed the lady behind me was not stopping and then smashed into the back of me launching me into the car in front of me. My passenger air bag went off, however my driver seat airbag did not go off, failing to protect me. My car was completely totaled in result of the accident.

Filed May 1, 2026 · Tires · OH

215/60/r16 Driving down, interstate st 70 steering wheel started to shake, then load noise as if running over something, then could see the entire middle tread of the tire flying into the lane behind me to the right. So luckily no one was in that lane or it would’ve crashed into the front of their car. Car was recently purchased from a dealer and the dealer had just gotten it from an auction so little to no information about the tires except for the date on the side, which was 0419, I assume April of 2019. Incident beyond panic caused tire tread to cut rear bumper in half as well as bending up metal positions, where the bumper attached to under the car. The tire also took out the entire inner fender well and smacked against the door in rear fender, causing damage. The tire remains inflated although all of the middle section is completely missing and wires are sticking out everywhere. The tires had just been rotated, and inspected and thankfully the failing tire was not on the front of the vehicle or it could’ve been much worse. Mechanic stated tread was OK. Tires looked OK and of course, made sure the correct psi was in them. The tire is available for inspection. The tire has not been looked at by anyone else the place were not involved and there was no warning light.

Filed Apr 9, 2026 · NC · crash

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 that I observed. The Cybertruck suddenly and aggressively braked without warning. The abrupt deceleration appeared inconsistent with road conditions and is consistent with what is commonly described as “phantom braking.” As a result of the sudden stop, I was unable to avoid a collision with the rear of the vehicle despite maintaining a reasonable following distance. After the impact, the Cybertruck initially left the scene, stating they were unaware a collision had occurred. No debris or roadway hazard was documented at the scene in the police report (FVPD report #2026-00777). The other driver later indicated a plastic bag may have triggered the vehicle’s emergency braking system. I am submitting this report as a potential safety issue involving unintended or inappropriate automatic emergency braking behavior.

Filed Nov 22, 2025 · Engine · IN

There is a recall for the manufacturer emissions that the website doesn’t have on this car.

Filed Jul 22, 2025 · Transmission · FL

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 interstate. I could get up to 60 very carefully but I was still sitting around 4000rpms. It wouldn’t shift gears at all (I know it’s a CVT and doesn’t have gears). I then noticed a high squealing noise, thankfully made it home with a lot of honking and middle fingers even though I had my hazards on. Once I made it home, plugged in my OBD scanner and had a pending DTC of P1778 which I have found to be the stepper motor. Aka the death code. It’ll start, shift into all other gears, but is making a high squealing noise even when idle and in park and when revving in park the squeal gets louder. I even attempted the “semi manual’ to see if I could get it to catch, I couldn’t at all. No matter what “gear” I was in it wouldn’t bring the RPMs down.

Filed Jun 30, 2025 · Steering, Suspension · TN · crash

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 easily compromised and damaged causing loss of control and steering .suspensions are no longer in tact nor reliable and will pose a danger. All errors were not found by manufacturer and has caused immediate danger to not only driver but everyone on the road. The engine has a rattle only after 2 years which is not usual.

Filed Jun 2, 2025 · Transmission · TX

The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle briefly lost motive power before slamming into gear. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired for the most recent failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics after purchasing the vehicle and the mass air flow, spark plugs, sensor coils, and other various engine parts and catalytic converters were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Mar 21, 2025 · Engine, Steering · AZ

Clunking and bouncing from right tire followed by acceleration not working properly

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2012 Nissan Altima before you buy

Compare the 2012 Nissan Altima

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Other model years

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Questions about the 2012 Nissan Altima

Is the 2012 Nissan Altima reliable?

Owners have filed 426 complaints about the 2012 Nissan Altima, close to a typical Altima model year.

What is the 2012 Nissan Altima year score?

The 2012 Nissan Altima scores 72 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Nissan Altima: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2012 Nissan Altima?

Transmission and drivetrain, with 149 complaints, typically around 93,000 miles. Next is engine (72).

How many recalls does the 2012 Nissan Altima have?

4 recalls, covering steering, air bags and suspension.

What year does the Nissan Altima have bad transmission?

The Nissan Altima model years with the most transmission complaints are 2013 (506 complaints), 2016 (235 complaints) and 2014 (209 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2012 Nissan Altima get?

Official estimates for the 2012 Nissan Altima range from 21 to 26 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.5L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 23 city and 31-32 highway.

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