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exact model and see every recall for it.
Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
US recalls (4)
Suspension
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 and remedy
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.
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
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.
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 INCORRECTLY.
Risk and remedy
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.
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.
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 BOLT TO BECOME LOOSE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, CREATING A RATTLING NOISE AND VIBRATION.
Risk and remedy
Risk: IF THE BOLT COMES OUT COMPLETELY, THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
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.
Canadian recalls (1)
Show 1 Canadian recall
Airbag
2012-02-14 · campaign 2012-056 · 30 vehicles
On certain vehicles, the side curtain airbag inflators may have been incorrectly manufactured and, as a result, one or both airbags may not deploy as intended. Failure of a side curtain airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted), could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace one or both side curtain airbag assemblies.
Owner complaints (426)
Owners filed 426 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Nissan Altima (24 crashes, 2 fires, 26 injuries reported). Among 34 model years of this model, it ranks #12 for the most complaints (median 234).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|
| Power train | 149 | |
| Engine | 68 | |
| Air bags | 57 | |
| Unknown or other | 56 | |
| Vehicle speed control | 49 | |
| Electrical system | 44 | |
| Structure | 33 | |
| Service brakes | 17 | |
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2012 Nissan Altima.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|
| 2012 Nissan Altima 4 DR FWD | 4★ | 4★ | 5★ | 4★ |
| 2012 Nissan Altima 2 DR FWD | – | – | – | 5★ |
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for each 2012 Nissan Altima version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| Altima 2.5 L Automatic (AV-S6) | 23 | 32 | 26 | $2,600 |
| Altima 3.5 L Automatic (AV-S6) | 20 | 27 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Altima Coupe 2.5 L Automatic (AV-S6) | 23 | 31 | 26 | $2,600 |
| Altima Coupe 2.5 L Manual 6-spd | 23 | 31 | 26 | $2,600 |
| Altima Coupe 3.5 L Automatic (AV-S6) | 20 | 27 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Altima Coupe 3.5 L Manual 6-spd | 18 | 27 | 21 | $3,200 |
Need this data in your app?
Recalls, complaints, crash ratings and fuel economy as a JSON API. Decode up to 50 VINs per call and get a daily feed of new recalls.
Explore the API →Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport
Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada).
Recalls updated 2026-10-30.