Air Bags:side/window
NHTSA campaign 12V055000 · 2012 · reported 02/14/2012
THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
2012 Nissan Altima Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Power Train — runs 4.0× the fleet median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
423Complaints
4Recalls
23Crashes
2Fires
26Injured
0Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Power Train (34.3% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.
Power Train complaints here are 4.0× the median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
1 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 5 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 145 · 34.3% | No official action | — |
| Engine | 68 · 16.1% | No official action | — |
| Air Bags | 56 · 13.2% | Recalled | Recall 12V055000 · Recall 11V408000 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 48 · 11.3% | No official action | — |
| Electrical System | 43 · 10.2% | No official action | — |
| Structure:body | 21 · 5% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 423 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls — 4 campaigns
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive
NHTSA campaign 11V408000 · 2011 · reported 08/09/2011
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Steering
NHTSA campaign 12V494000 · 2012 · reported 10/10/2012
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Suspension
NHTSA campaign 11V371000 · 2011 · reported 07/19/2011
IF THE BOLT COMES OUT COMPLETELY, THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“I WAS DRIVING MY 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA ON A BUSY 4 LANE ROAD. I WAS IN THE TURNING LANE WHEN MY CAR REFUSED TO ACCELERATE…”NHTSA complaint 10809954 — filed 12/14/2015 · POWER TRAIN
“CVT TRANSMISSION AND (UN)"SAFE MODE" THIS HAS OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE TRIPS ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS 60-80 MPH THAT ARE USUALLY IN EXCESS OF 70…”NHTSA complaint 10809007 — filed 12/08/2015 · POWER TRAIN
“WHILE TRAVELING FROM SANDIEGO TO LAS VEGAS, CVT FAIL SAFE KICKED IN WHILE I WAS IN THE CENTER LANE. LOST POWER AND HAD TO MAKE…”NHTSA complaint 10789035 — filed 11/07/2015 · POWER TRAIN
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Nissan Altima?
Power train issues are the most-reported category, cited in 145 of 423 NHTSA complaints (34.3%), followed by engine (68), air bags (56), unspecified/other issues (56). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2012 Nissan Altima have?
423 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 23 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, and 26 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 2012 Nissan Altima have any recalls?
Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 12V055000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2012 Nissan Altima's reported problems?
1 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page is backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.
