Every 2012 Nissan Altima recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Steering · NHTSA 12V494000
Oct 10, 2012Steering
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 12V494000 →Air Bags · NHTSA 12V055000
Feb 14, 2012Air Bags:Side/Window
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 12V055000 →Air Bags · NHTSA 11V408000
Sep 8, 2011Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module-Inactive
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 11V408000 →Suspension · NHTSA 11V371000
Jul 19, 2011Suspension
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 11V371000 →
2012 Nissan Altima complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 426 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Nissan Altima, reporting 24 crashes, 2 fires, 26 injuries. Nissan has issued at least 121 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Power Train149
- Engine68
- Air Bags57
- Unknown Or Other56
- Vehicle Speed Control49
- Electrical System44
Service bulletins by component
- Electrical System (25)
- Equipment (24)
- Wheels (13)
- Power Train (12)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (10)
- Steering (8)
Read Nissan Altima owner complaints and bulletins, every year
NHTSA defect investigations covering the 2012 Nissan Altima
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation lists this model year in one investigation. An investigation is not a recall; it is how NHTSA decides whether one is needed.
What people reported
Owners have filed 426 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Nissan Altima. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
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.”
2012 NISSAN ALTIMAJul 24, 2026 · FL
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11752694
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.”
2012 NISSAN ALTIMAApr 9, 2026 · NC
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11730266
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.”
2012 NISSAN ALTIMAJun 30, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11670314
Injury reportedCrash
“Car had a hard impact, not on the front end but flipped multiple times, air bags and side air bags did not deploy”
2012 NISSAN ALTIMAOct 3, 2022
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11487752
Fire
“THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT HOME WITH THE ENGINE TURNED OFF, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FLAMES COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE BETWEEN THE HOOD AND WINDSHIELD. PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED.”
2012 NISSAN ALTIMANov 27, 2017
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11048556
Check your Altima by VIN
Not every 2012 Nissan Altima is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Nissan dealer.
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