Complaints about the 2012 Nissan Altima peaked in 2018, with 69 filed
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Sedan, gasoline, 4x2, built in United States. Owner complaints on file from Sep 6, 2011 to Sep 22, 2026.
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
| Campaign | Filed | Subject | Component | Vehicles | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12V-494 | Oct 10, 2012 | These vehicles may have been equipped with transverse link bolts and power steering rack bolts that were not torqued to proper specification | Steering | 13,919 | Repair or modification |
| 12V-055 | Feb 14, 2012 | These vehicles may be equipped with side curtain air bags that contain an incorrect propellant mixture for the initiator component used, resulting… | Airbags | 976 | Part replacement |
| 11V-408 | Aug 9, 2011 | Nissan is recalling certain model year 2012 nissan altima vehicles manufactured from june 15, 2011, through june 21, 2011 and model year 2012… | Airbags | 54 | Part replacement |
| 11V-371 | Jul 19, 2011 | Transverse link bolt may not have been torqued to the proper specification | Suspension | 20,000 | Part replacement |
The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
426 complaints on file, page 1 of 22.
am submitting a formal safety defect report regarding the steering system on my 2012 Nissan Altima Coupe. The vehicle exhibits a loose and unstable steering feel, accompanied by a distinct clunking impact whenever the wheel is turned, including during low‑speed maneuvering. This condition indicates a potential failure within the steering linkage, intermediate shaft, or associated structural components. Although my VIN does not currently appear in Nissan’s recall database, the symptoms are materially similar to steering‑related defects previously documented for this model year. Under federal motor vehicle safety standards, any defect that affects steering performance constitutes a safety hazard regardless of recall status. The looseness and clunking present an unreasonable risk of loss of steering control, which could result in a crash or injury. I am requesting immediate inspection, formal documentation of the defect, and corrective action consistent with Nissan’s obligations under safety defect reporting requirements.” than you for your kind and immediate attention to the safety of your driver's. Misc is s responsible and prominent company and I know that they take care of their customers. Thank you again for your attention to this hazardous matter. 8
NHTSA complaint 11766022Took 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 11757305I 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 11752694215/60/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 inner fender well and smacked against the door in rear fender, causing damage. The tire remains inflated although all of the middle section is completely missing and wires are sticking out everywhere. The tires had just been rotated, and inspected and thankfully the failing tire was not on the front of the vehicle or it could’ve been much worse. Mechanic stated tread was OK. Tires looked OK and of course, made sure the correct psi was in them. The tire is available for inspection. The tire has not been looked at by anyone else the place were not involved and there was no warning light.
NHTSA complaint 11735170I 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 scene, stating they were unaware a collision had occurred. No debris or roadway hazard was documented at the scene in the police report (FVPD report #2026-00777). The other driver later indicated a plastic bag may have triggered the vehicle’s emergency braking system. I am submitting this report as a potential safety issue involving unintended or inappropriate automatic emergency braking behavior.
NHTSA complaint 11730266There is a recall for the manufacturer emissions that the website doesn’t have on this car.
NHTSA complaint 11700959I 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. Aka the death code. It’ll start, shift into all other gears, but is making a high squealing noise even when idle and in park and when revving in park the squeal gets louder. I even attempted the “semi manual’ to see if I could get it to catch, I couldn’t at all. No matter what “gear” I was in it wouldn’t bring the RPMs down.
NHTSA complaint 11675421The 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. Cv joints along with tie rods have been easily compromised and damaged causing loss of control and steering .suspensions are no longer in tact nor reliable and will pose a danger. All errors were not found by manufacturer and has caused immediate danger to not only driver but everyone on the road. The engine has a rattle only after 2 years which is not usual.
NHTSA complaint 11670314The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle briefly lost motive power before slamming into gear. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired for the most recent failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics after purchasing the vehicle and the mass air flow, spark plugs, sensor coils, and other various engine parts and catalytic converters were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint 11664378Clunking and bouncing from right tire followed by acceleration not working properly
NHTSA complaint 11649779The sensor was replaced but the light engine light still came back on now the speed sensor is causing the issue. The abs light comes on while accelerating it jumps and jerks
NHTSA complaint 11632800The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, there was an abnormal banging sound coming from the rear end of the vehicle, followed by a dragging sound. The contact also stated that the vehicle began to shake abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and discovered that the rear driver side tire was hanging from the suspension. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it remained. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 236,000.
NHTSA complaint 11620637The transmissions go out fast in the ctv Nissan Altima 2012
NHTSA complaint 11584714I have owned this vehicle for over ten years and now there is paint delamination on the hood and roof of the vehicle which is a manufacture defect.
NHTSA complaint 11582188Service Engine Soon light on. Was driving on highway at 55mph Transmission started to slip and car started to slow down while I was pressing gas pedal. The more I pressed on gas pedal the more the car lost acceleration. Had to move off to side of the road and turn car off. Took to mechanic and had transmission flushed and plate replaced. Transmission needs to be replaced. Ran diagnostic and codes for Transmission comes up.
NHTSA complaint 11574096Transmission
NHTSA complaint 11574066The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the OCS control unit was malfunctioning. The dealer determined that the front passenger’s side seat needed to be replaced. The dealer charged a fee to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.
NHTSA complaint 11559125I have a 2012 nissan altima that I purchased in 2018. in florida. check engine light appeared first. it currently doesn't run because of the transmission. it doesnt excelerate above 20mph. is there is a nationwide recall because of the cvt transmissions going bad?. I already tried to fix 2 separate parts on the transmission the code I'm getting is p1778. I changed the stepper motor and valve body and it's still won't go above 20mph. I don't have 5,000 to replace a transmission. we've been stuck on the road twice in traffic when it doesn't want to excelerate above 20mph
NHTSA complaint 11548757The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the seat sensor unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V408000 (Air Bags) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 28,000.
NHTSA complaint 11545709I just recently financed my car I haven’t even had it 1 month and every time I drive it for more than 1 hour the transmission fills like it’s going out on me on the freeway I can’t seem to get it to go over 40 miles an hour and it makes sun weird noise and idles high I can also feel it when I drive I can fill it slipping it jerks it only has 117000 miles on it I did mention it to the dealership and he said it wasn’t the transmission it was something else I know it’s the transmission I just wanted to know if it was a recall or anyone else had this issue I have not had it inspected being it hasn’t even been a month yet
NHTSA complaint 11529950Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall; the 60 most recent are listed.