NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The transverse link bolts and power steering rack bolts may not have been tightened to the correct specification during manufacturing, potentially causing them to loosen over time.
This page covers 5 recalls, 423 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2012 Nissan Altima.
21–26 mpg combined
9–11.2 L/100km
Subcompact Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 6 tested variants for this model year.
The 2011 to 2012 Nissan Altima received a four-star overall rating from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program for US-market vehicles. In frontal crash testing, the Altima earned four stars. Side crash protection was rated at five stars, while rollover resistance received four stars. The vehicle also achieved five stars in side pole crash testing. NHTSA applies these ratings across model years until a significant redesign occurs, so this assessment covers the entire 2011 to 2012 range.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The 2012 Nissan Altima draws its heaviest complaint volume around the powertrain, which accounts for roughly a quarter of all reports for this model year. Owners most commonly describe transmission problems, including rough or delayed engagement, sudden lurching when accelerating, and RPMs running abnormally high relative to actual vehicle speed, a pattern consistent with CVT (continuously variable transmission) behavior under stress. Some owners report the transmission slipping or briefly cutting power before re-engaging abruptly. Airbags are the second most-reported system, with owners describing warning lights illuminating and concerns about whether the system would deploy correctly. Vehicle speed control rounds out the top three, with reports of unintended acceleration, hesitation, or the vehicle not responding predictably to throttle input. The transmission complaints are by far the most consistent thread across this model year, with high-RPM/low-speed disconnects and hard engagement appearing repeatedly across multiple reports.
423
Total Complaints
23
Crash-Related
2
Fire-Related
16
With Injuries
By System
The 2012 Nissan Altima has 5 recalls, the most serious involving suspension bolts that can work loose while driving and fall out entirely, causing the driver to lose directional control of the vehicle.
The suspension issue covers two separate groups of vehicles built during different production windows, but the core problem is the same: transverse link bolts and, in one group, power steering rack bolts were not tightened to the correct specification at the factory. A loose transverse link bolt may first make itself known through rattling and vibration, but if it falls out completely, the driver can lose the ability to steer predictably. The power steering rack bolts coming loose creates a similar loss of control risk.
The remaining three recalls all involve airbags failing to protect occupants in a crash. The frontal airbag control unit on certain vehicles was assembled incorrectly and will not trigger the front airbags when they are supposed to inflate, leaving the driver and front passenger without that protection in a collision. The side curtain airbags are the subject of two related recalls: on certain vehicles, the curtain airbag inflators contain the wrong propellant mixture or were otherwise incorrectly manufactured, meaning one or both curtain airbags may not deploy in a side impact or rollover, reducing protection for occupants seated along the windows.
At a glance
What can fail
The transverse link bolts and power steering rack bolts may not have been tightened to the correct specification during manufacturing, potentially causing them to loosen over time.
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will tighten these bolts to the proper torque specifications.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Side curtain air bag initiators may contain an incorrect propellant mixture, causing them to produce insufficient compressed gas when deployed.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace one or both side curtain air bag modules at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Side curtain airbags may not deploy properly during a crash due to manufacturing defects, increasing injury risk for occupants.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the side curtain airbag assemblies if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The air bag control unit was assembled incorrectly, which can prevent the air bags from deploying properly in a crash.
What the fix does
Nissan will replace the air bag control unit at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The transverse link bolt may not have been tightened to the correct specification during manufacturing, causing it to loosen while driving and create rattling noise and vibration.
What the fix does
Nissan will replace the transverse link bolts and nuts and tighten them to the proper specification at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
