2012 Nissan Altima Reliability
The 2012 Nissan Altima has 426 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about powertrain / transmission and engine. Compared with other Altima model years, it rates as a caution year: complaints run above the Altima's typical year, while the 2011 has a cleaner record.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
426
NHTSA owner complaints
4
Recall campaigns
24
Complaints citing a crash
2
Complaints citing a fire
2012 Nissan Altima complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 model year, filed between 2011 and 2026. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain / transmission | 149 | 35% |
| Engine | 68 | 16% |
| Air bags | 57 | 13% |
| Unknown or other | 56 | 13% |
| Speed control / throttle | 49 | 12% |
| Electrical system | 44 | 10% |
| Body structure | 33 | 8% |
| Service brakes | 20 | 5% |
2012 Nissan Altima recalls
4 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2012 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11V371000 | Jul 19, 2011 | 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… |
| 11V408000 | Aug 9, 2011 | 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… |
| 12V055000 | Feb 14, 2012 | 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. |
| 12V494000 | Oct 10, 2012 | Steering | 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… |
How the 2012 compares with nearby Altima years
Verdicts come from CarWhere's year-by-year Altima analysis where it covers the year, otherwise from the years shown here.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 393 | 3 | Electrical system | Caution |
| 2011 | 246 | 1 | Powertrain / transmission | Better year |
| 2012 (this page) | 426 | 4 | Powertrain / transmission | Caution |
| 2013 | 2,315 | 12 | Air bags | Avoid |
| 2014 | 1,113 | 8 | Exterior lighting | Avoid |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2012 Nissan Altima
- Transmission: test-drive from cold through every gear, feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder, and ask whether the fluid has been serviced.
- Engine: cold-start it yourself, listen for ticking or knocking, check for oil leaks and oil consumption, and ask for oil-change records.
- Air bags: make sure the air bag warning light goes out after start-up and that any air bag recall was completed on this VIN.
- Throttle and speed control: check for surging, hesitation or a reduced-power warning, and test cruise control.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 4 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2012 Nissan Altima can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2012 Nissan Altima reliability FAQ
Is the 2012 Nissan Altima reliable?
The 2012 Nissan Altima has 426 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about powertrain / transmission and engine. Compared with other Altima model years, it rates as a caution year: complaints run above the Altima's typical year, while the 2011 has a cleaner record.
What are the most common 2012 Nissan Altima problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2012 Nissan Altima are powertrain / transmission (149), engine (68), air bags (57), unknown or other (56). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2012 Nissan Altima have recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2012 Nissan Altima, including 11V371000 (suspension) and 11V408000 (air bags — frontal / sensor/control module-inactive). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2012 Nissan Altima compare with the 2011 and 2013 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2011 has 246 complaints and 1 recall (better year); the 2013 has 2,315 complaints and 12 recalls (avoid). The 2012 has 426 complaints and 4 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2012 Nissan Altima?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Nissan Altima research
Other Nissan Altima model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2012 Altima, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.