Representative model. Photo: SsmIntrigue, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2012 Nissan Altima recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2012 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 4
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 426
Latest campaign: Oct 10, 2012

Recall summary by component4

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Air bags	2	Feb 14, 2012	12V055000 11V408000
Steering	1	Oct 10, 2012	12V494000
Suspension	1	Jul 19, 2011	11V371000

Safety recalls4

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Oct 10, 2012Latest campaign


Oct 10, 201212V494000	Steering 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. DetailsHide details for campaign 12V494000 What's wrong 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. 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. Campaign NHTSA 12V494000 · Oct 10, 2012
Feb 14, 201212V055000	Air bags: side/window THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY. DetailsHide details for campaign 12V055000 What's wrong 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. 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. Campaign NHTSA 12V055000 · Feb 14, 2012
Aug 9, 201111V408000	Air bags: frontal sensor/control module-inactive 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. DetailsHide details for campaign 11V408000 What's wrong 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. 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. Campaign NHTSA 11V408000 · Aug 9, 2011
Jul 19, 201111V371000	Suspension IF THE BOLT COMES OUT COMPLETELY, THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. DetailsHide details for campaign 11V371000 What's wrong 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. 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. Campaign NHTSA 11V371000 · Jul 19, 2011

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Nissan recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Owner complaints by component426

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

426Complaints filed

24Involving a crash

2Involving a fire

26Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Power train	149	35	2	1	1
Engine	68	16	2	2	0
Air bags	57	13	14	0	16
Unknown or other	56	13	2	1	1
Vehicle speed control	49	12	3	0	0
Electrical system	44	10	0	1	0
Structure	33	8	3	0	1
Service brakes	20	5	3	0	3
Steering	17	4	5	0	3
Suspension	17	4	3	0	1
Visibility/wiper	16	4	0	0	0
Fuel/propulsion system	10	2	1	0	0
Seats	7	2	0	0	1
Tires	6	1	0	0	0
Exterior lighting	5	1	1	0	4

11 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

Steering
“am submitting a formal safety defect report regarding the steering system on my 2012 Nissan Altima Coupe.”
Filed 09/22/2026 · ODI 11766022
Structure
“Took 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.”
Filed 08/16/2026 · ODI 11757305
Air bags
“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.”
Filed 07/24/2026 · ODI 11752694

Other Nissan Altima model years

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Other Nissan models

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2012 Nissan Altima recall questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Nissan Altima have?

NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns for the 2012 Nissan Altima. The most recent, 12V494000 (reported October 10, 2012), concerns steering. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2012 Nissan Altima recalls for?

The largest group is air bags, with 2 campaigns. Others: steering (1), suspension (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2012 Nissan Altima?

Power train is the most-reported component, named in 149 complaints out of 426 filed with NHTSA (35%). Across all complaints, owners reported 24 crashs and 2 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2012 Nissan Altima?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Nissan recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Nissan dealer.

Check a specific Nissan by VIN

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