NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 426 owner complaints for the 2012 Nissan Altima. Most complaints involve power train (149) and engine (68). The EPA rates it 21–26 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Altima model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1998 | 125 |
| 1999 | 96 |
| 2000 | 176 |
| 2001 | 168 |
| 2002 | 1,062 |
| 2003 | 883 |
| 2004 | 276 |
| 2005 | 1,091 |
| 2006 | 824 |
| 2007 | 498 |
| 2008 | 1,031 |
| 2009 | 1,547 |
| 2010 | 381 |
| 2011 | 242 |
| 2012 | 426 |
| 2013 | 2,315 |
| 2014 | 1,113 |
| 2015 | 955 |
| 2016 | 555 |
| 2017 | 393 |
| 2018 | 226 |
| 2019 | 234 |
| 2020 | 182 |
| 2021 | 71 |
| 2022 | 20 |
| 2023 | 30 |
| 2024 | 43 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 1 |
“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.”
“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”
“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.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altima Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 32 | 26 | $2,450 | 342 |
| Altima Coupe Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 31 | 26 | $2,450 | 342 |
| Altima Coupe Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 31 | 26 | $2,450 | 342 |
| Altima Coupe Auto (AV-S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 23 | $2,800 | 386 |
| Altima Auto (AV-S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 22 | $2,900 | 404 |
| Altima Coupe Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 27 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
4 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 426 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (149), engine (68), air bags (57). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2012 Nissan Altima at 21–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2012 Nissan Altima 4 out of 5 stars overall.