Model year
2012 Nissan Altima
NHTSA lists 4 recalls and 426 complaints for the 2012 Nissan Altima (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are POWER TRAIN (145), ENGINE (68), AIR BAGS (57). NHTSA lists 1 investigation. NHTSA rated the 4 DR FWD 4 stars overall. EPA rates it 21–26 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,600–$3,200, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 160 complaints
- 2001 159 complaints
- 2002 1,047 complaints
- 2003 883 complaints
- 2004 276 complaints
- 2005 1,091 complaints
- 2006 824 complaints
- 2007 471 complaints
- 2008 1,030 complaints
- 2009 1,547 complaints
- 2010 381 complaints
- 2011 242 complaints
- 2012 426 complaints
- 2013 2,313 complaints
- 2014 1,114 complaints
- 2015 955 complaints
- 2016 554 complaints
- 2017 392 complaints
- 2018 226 complaints
- 2019 233 complaints
- 2020 160 complaints
- 2021 70 complaints
- 2022 31 complaints
- 2023 30 complaints
- 2024 41 complaints
- 2025 7 complaints
- 2026 1 complaints
Recalls
12V494000 · Oct 10, 2012
SUSPENSION; 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.
12V055000 · Feb 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.
11V408000 · Aug 9, 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…
11V371000 · Jul 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…
Complaints
426 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 24, fire flag on 2, injury field 26, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| EQ12002 | Autoliv Air Bag Propellant Mixture · AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW | Feb 14, 2012 | May 8, 2012 |
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 DR FWD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | 5 · possibility 0.093 | — |
| 4 DR FWD | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.105 | NHTSA photo |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altima Coupe · 2.5L · Automatic (AV-S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 23 | 31 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
| Altima Coupe · 2.5L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 23 | 31 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
| Altima Coupe · 3.5L · Automatic (AV-S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 27 | 23 | — | — | $2,900 |
| Altima · 2.5L · Automatic (AV-S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 23 | 32 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
| Altima · 3.5L · Automatic (AV-S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 27 | 22 | — | — | $3,050 |
| Altima Coupe · 3.5L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 | 27 | 21 | — | — | $3,200 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2012 Nissan Altima at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.