2012 NISSAN ALTIMA Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2012 Nissan Altima. This model year has 422 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Transmission / Drivetrain.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2012 Nissan Altima Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Transmission / Drivetrain
Engine Problems
Uncategorized Issues
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2012 Nissan Altima. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 149 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| Engine Problems | 72 | 2 | 2 | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 56 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 56 | 13 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 49 | 3 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 44 | — | 1 | — | |
| Structural Problems | 32 | 3 | — | — | |
| Brake System | 20 | 3 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 16 | 5 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 16 | 3 | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 16 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 10 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 5 | 2 | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Traction Control System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 2 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2012 Nissan Altima. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 400 most recent complaints of 422 total. View all on NHTSA ↗
I 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 tha…
There is a recall for the manufacturer emissions that the website doesn’t have on this car.
I 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 int…
The 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 e…
The 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…
Clunking and bouncing from right tire followed by acceleration not working properly
The 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
The 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 ligh…
The transmissions go out fast in the ctv Nissan Altima 2012
I 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.
Transmission
Service 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 t…
The 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 …
I 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 tri…
The 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 b…
I 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 …
Driving back from Wichita today my hood kept popping open. I had to pull off the interstate and close it.
When I BARELY accelerate my car it does a very aggressive bucking motion along with loud noise. I have done put over $3k in vehicle! Nissan fix your shit!
Have a '12 SR coupe. Car keeps turning over for 5-10 seconds before starting. The alternator checked fine, but the battery voltage was a little low. I bought a brand new battery and that seemed to fix the problem....... for an hour. New battery is at the correct voltage, and alte…
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the traction control warning light illuminated, and the vehicle was jerking. Additionally, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 25-30 MPH. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired …
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2012 Nissan Altima.
Recalls for 2012 Nissan Altima
4 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2012 Nissan Altima. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2012 Nissan Altima — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2012 Nissan Altima reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2012 Nissan Altima has 422 NHTSA owner complaints, 23 crash-related, and 4 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Transmission / Drivetrain (149 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Nissan Altima?▾
#1: Transmission / Drivetrain (149 complaints). #2: Engine Problems (72 complaints). #3: Uncategorized Issues (56 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2012 Nissan Altima?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2012 Nissan Altima?▾
The 2012 Nissan Altima has 23 crash-related complaints and 2 fire reports out of 422 total NHTSA complaints. 26 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2012 Nissan Altima have any recalls?▾
Yes — 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2012 Nissan Altima. The largest issue: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2012 Nissan Altima?▾
The 2012 Nissan Altima has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Transmission / Drivetrain issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Nissan Altima reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2012 Nissan Altima
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.