2012 Nissan Altima
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 149 of 425 complaints (35%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (17) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 245 in 2011 to 425 in 2012.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | vs. 2012 Subcompact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,850–2,950 | 1,900–2,950 | 2,400–2,950 | 2,000–2,500 | 2,000–2,500 | |
| Combined MPG | 21–34 | 21–33 | 21–26 | 25–31 | 25–31 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 18–35 / 27–33 | 18–33 / 27–33 | 18–23 / 27–32 | 22–27 / 30–38 | 22–27 / 31–37 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 261–423 | 269–423 | 342–423 | 290–354 | 290–353 | |
| Complaints filed | 392 | 245 | 425 | 2,309 | 1,114 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 1 | 4 | 12 | 8 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 25 | 12 | 24 | 63 | 52 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 11 | 5 | 2 | 9 | 8 | |
| Injuries reported | 37 | 9 | 26 | 48 | 60 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2012 Nissan Altima have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2012 Nissan Altima?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 149 of 425 NHTSA complaints (35%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Nissan Altima get?
EPA rates it 21–26 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Nissan Altima?
EPA estimates $2,400–$2,950 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (6)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (AV-S6) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 23 mpg (high) | 31 mpg | 26 mpg (high) | $2,400 (low) | 342 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 23 mpg (high) | 31 mpg | 26 mpg (high) | $2,400 (low) | 342 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (AV-S6) | 6 | 3.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 20 mpg | 27 mpg (low) | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 386 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (AV-S6) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 23 mpg (high) | 32 mpg (high) | 26 mpg (high) | $2,400 (low) | 342 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (AV-S6) | 6 | 3.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 20 mpg | 27 mpg (low) | 22 mpg | $2,850 | 404 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 3.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 18 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (low) | 21 mpg (low) | $2,950 (high) | 423 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 72 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 149 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 44 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 27 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 16 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 22 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 60 | 14 | 0 | 17 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 50 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 41 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 23 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Other | 56 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
STEERING; SUSPENSION · Campaign 12V494000 · Oct 11, 2012
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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 · Campaign 12V055000 · Feb 14, 2012
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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 · Campaign 11V408000 · Aug 11, 2011
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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 · Campaign 11V371000 · Jul 25, 2011
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.