Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government
holds on this vehicle.
425
Complaints
24
Crashes
2
Fires
26
Injuries
0
Deaths
Owners of the 2012 Nissan Altima have filed 425
safety complaints with NHTSA
between September 2011 and August 2026.
The most complained-about system is the power train,
named in 149 of them
(35%). The typical failure was reported at 75,000 miles, the median
across the 307 complaints that gave an
odometer reading.
NHTSA has issued 4 recalls covering this
vehicle.
Recalls (4)
STEERING
12V494000 · October 10, 2012
The defect
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.
The 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.
The 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.
Nissan North America, Inc. · up to 13,919 vehicles across all model years covered
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
12V055000 · February 14, 2012
The defect
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.
The risk
THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
The 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.
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. · up to 976 vehicles across all model years covered
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
11V408000 · August 9, 2011
The defect
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.
The 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.
The 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.
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. · up to 54 vehicles across all model years covered
SUSPENSION
11V371000 · July 19, 2011
The defect
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.
The risk
IF THE BOLT COMES OUT COMPLETELY, THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The 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.
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. · up to 20,000 vehicles across all model years covered
Defect investigations (1)
An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A
preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering
analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.
Autoliv Air Bag Propellant Mixture
EQ12002
Closed equipment query · opened February 14, 2012 · closed May 8, 2012
the air bags
The summary for this investigation, labeled EQ12-002 Autoliv Closing Resume, can be found attached separately to this resume.This EQ is closed.
What owners report
Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add
up to more than 425.
POWER TRAIN 149 35%
ENGINE 68 16%
AIR BAGS 57 13%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 56 13%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 49 12%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 44 10%
STRUCTURE 33 8%
SERVICE BRAKES 17 4%
STEERING 16 4%
SUSPENSION 16 4%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 16 4%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 10 2%
When the complaints arrived
By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures
happened. They peaked in 2018 at 69.
2011 to 2026, the last of them a part year
In owners' own words
Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the
people who filed them, not findings of fault.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
4 injured · crash · towed · 12,000 miles
MY ISSUE CONCERNS THE EXTREMELY BRIGHT HEADLIGHTS (ESPECIALLY AFTERMARKET HALOGEN) THAT ARE ALLOWED TO BE INSTALLED ON CARS AND WORSE ON SUV'S AND PICK-UP TRUCKS. THESE LIGHTS ARE BLINDING IN NORMAL HIGHWAY NIGHT TRAVEL, ESPECIALLY WHEN OPPOSING DRIVERS USE THEM AT THE HIGH BEAM LEVEL. IT IS WORSE WHEN A CAR DRIVER IS OPPOSED BY A SUV OR A PICK-UP TRUCK WHOSE LIGHTS ARE MOUNTED ABOUT ONE FOOT HIGHER THAN THE ONES MOUNTED ON A TYPICAL CAR. MY WIFE'S ACCIDENT WHEN SHE ENTERED THE LEFT TURN LANE OF A HIGHWAY WITH A SINGLE LANE IN EACH DIRECTION WITH A DEDICATED LEFT TURN LANE AT THE INTERSECTION. AS MY WIFE'S CAR SAT IN THE LEFT TURN LANE, IT WAS DIRECTLY OPPOSITE A SUV OR PICK-UP TRUCK WITH …
NHTSA complaint 10948670, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
AIR BAGS
4 injured · crash · 56,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AND BRAKING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD ON INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE CONTACT, CAUSING HER TO SUSTAIN A LACERATION THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED A FRACTURED STERNUM AND INTERNAL INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE REAR PASSENGER SUSTAINED FIVE CRACKED RIBS AND A CRACKED STERNUM THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS ALSO INJURED AND REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE …
NHTSA complaint 10735324, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
SEAT BELTS
3 injured · crash · 37,668 miles
MY 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE ALTIMA WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AT AN ESTIMATED SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH WITHOUT BRAKING (STATED BY POLICE) THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR SEAT BELT FAILED TO SECURE AND THE PASSENGER'S HEAD WAS THROWN BACK AND FORTH STRIKING BOTH THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEAD REST AS WELL AS THE REAR PASSENGER'S HEAD REST. THE PASSENGER WAS EVALUATED IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM DIAGNOSIS "CERVICAL SPRAIN AND A CLOSED HEAD INJURY". PASSENGER #2 WAS SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WHEN THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. PASSENGER'S GLASSES WERE KNOCKED OFF OF HER FACE DUE TO FORCE OF IMPACT AND AS A RESULT OF PASSENGER'S HEAD HITTING …
NHTSA complaint 10672815, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2 injured · crash
I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE AND WAS TRAVELING AT SPEED OF THE ROAD AND I WANTED TO MAKE A FULL STOP BUT I HIT A CAR IN FRONT OF ME! I PUSHED AND PUSHED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE NEVER BRAKE!! ALSO MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY!! THERE IS PHYSICAL AND BODILY DAMAGE TO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME! ALSO MY CAR WAS DAMAGED! NISSAN SHOULD STEP UP TO FIX THIS PROBLEM! *TR
NHTSA complaint 10443237. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
STRUCTURE:BODY
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.
NHTSA complaint 11757305. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
AIR BAGS
crash · towed
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.
NHTSA complaint 11752694. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
TIRES
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 …
NHTSA complaint 11735170, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
crash · towed
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 …
NHTSA complaint 11730266, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
There is a recall for the manufacturer emissions that the website doesn’t have on this car.
NHTSA complaint 11700959. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
POWER TRAIN
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. …
NHTSA complaint 11675421, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon
law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back.
What each state asks for
, read from the statutes.
Where these numbers come from
Complaints: NHTSA's ODI
complaint file
, published August 20, 2026. One
complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.
Recalls: NHTSA's recall
campaign API
, most recent campaign filed August 12, 2026.
Investigations: NHTSA's ODI
investigation file
, published 2026-08-19.
A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by
us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that
sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.
G
Compiled and maintained by guarledes Independent developer and analyst