RoadVitals

2012 Nissan Altima Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
424
Latest Jul 24, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
17
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
26

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2012 Nissan Altima, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

145
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 interstate. I could get up to 60 very carefully but I was still sitting around 4000rpms. It wouldn’t shift gears at all (I know it’s a CVT and doesn’t have gears). I then noticed a high squealing noise, thankfully made it home with a lot of honking and middle fingers even though I had my hazards on. Once I made it home, plugged in my OBD scanner and had a pending DTC of P1778 which I have found to be the stepper motor. Aka the death code. It’ll start, shift into all other gears, but is making a high squealing noise even when idle and in park and when revving in park the squeal gets louder. I even attempted the “semi manual’ to see if I could get it to catch, I couldn’t at all. No matter what “gear” I was in it wouldn’t bring the RPMs down.

NHTSA ID 11675421 · filed Jul 22, 2025

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 easily compromised and damaged causing loss of control and steering .suspensions are no longer in tact nor reliable and will pose a danger. All errors were not found by manufacturer and has caused immediate danger to not only driver but everyone on the road. The engine has a rattle only after 2 years which is not usual.

NHTSA ID 11670314 · filed Jun 30, 2025
All 145 reports naming powertrain (other)

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

72
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

There is a recall for the manufacturer emissions that the website doesn’t have on this car.

NHTSA ID 11700959 · filed Nov 22, 2025

Clunking and bouncing from right tire followed by acceleration not working properly

NHTSA ID 11649779 · filed Mar 21, 2025
All 72 reports naming engine

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

57
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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. As I stopped I looked into my rearview mirror I noticed the lady behind me was not stopping and then smashed into the back of me launching me into the car in front of me. My passenger air bag went off, however my driver seat airbag did not go off, failing to protect me. My car was completely totaled in result of the accident.

NHTSA ID 11752694 · filed Jul 24, 2026

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 side seat needed to be replaced. The dealer charged a fee to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

NHTSA ID 11559125 · filed Dec 8, 2023
All 57 reports naming airbags

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

54
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 11632800 · filed Dec 27, 2024

The transmissions go out fast in the ctv Nissan Altima 2012

NHTSA ID 11584714 · filed Apr 23, 2024
All 54 reports naming driver assistance

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

44
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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!

NHTSA ID 11514891 · filed Apr 1, 2023

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 alternator came back fine again. Even Nissan themselves have bo idea what's wrong. I've never seen this complaint anywhere, but I assume not that many people own the coupes. I even had an 09 SE coupe that never did this.

NHTSA ID 11511311 · filed Mar 11, 2023
All 44 reports naming electrical

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

29
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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.

NHTSA ID 11582188 · filed Apr 10, 2024

The hood latch is defective and the hood can not close properly.

NHTSA ID 11444262 · filed Dec 18, 2021
All 29 reports naming body & structure

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

20
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

CAMBIE LAS BREAKS NUEVAS Y EL RUIDO SIGUE, LA LUZ DE LAS BOLSAS DE AIRE EST PRENDIDA SIEMPRE

NHTSA ID 11246336 · filed Aug 26, 2019

AS I WAS STARTING TO SLOW DOWN IN PREPARATION OF TAKING A TURN OFF THE FRONTAGE ROAD MY CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF, MY BRAKES AND STEERING LOCKED AND LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO COMPLETE MY TURN INTO A GAS STATION WHERE I IMMEDIATELY PUT IT IN PARK AND RESTARTED VIA PUSH START., 2 DAYS LATER THIS OCCURRED AGAIN ON A FAIRLY BUSY STREET WHERE I REPEATED THE STEPS TO START IT AGAIN. I AM EXTREMELY SCARED TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN AGAIN ON A HEAVILY TRAVELED STREET CAUSING ME TO BE INVOLVED IN A COLLISION , I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE AND SEE OTHER REPORTS/COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE I DESCRIBED YET DO NOT SEE ANY RECALL ISSUED REGRADING THIS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DEFECT.

NHTSA ID 11228596 · filed Jul 1, 2019
All 20 reports naming brakes

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

18
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

2012 Altima defective sticky melting dashboard cause severe windshield glare when driving when sun from a certain angle ( no vehicle accident so far)

NHTSA ID 11492388 · filed Nov 5, 2022

CAR DASH HAS BECOME A HAZARD TO DRIVING SAFELY. THE DASH ORIGINALLY, WHEN PURCHASED NEW FROM THE DEALER, HAD A PEBBLED MATT FINISH SIMILAR TO A FOOTBALL OR BASKETBALL. IN THE PAST YEAR THAT FINISH IS DISSOLVED INTO A SLICK STICKY HIGHLY REFLECTIVE STATE. THIS REFLECTIVE STATE CAUSES THE DRIVER TO BE VISUALLY IMPAIRED AND UNABLE TO SEE OUT OF THE FRONT WINDOW; THIS IS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS. FURTHER RESEARCH OF THIS EVENT WITH MY VEHICLE HAS FOUND IT NOT TO BE UNIQUE TO MY VEHICLE. THIS IS A VERY COMMON AND VERY DANGEROUS. THIS IS A DEFECT OF DESIGN ONLY AND AS SUCH NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY NISSAN CORPORATE.

NHTSA ID 11460006 · filed Apr 7, 2022
All 18 reports naming visibility

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

16
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 easily compromised and damaged causing loss of control and steering .suspensions are no longer in tact nor reliable and will pose a danger. All errors were not found by manufacturer and has caused immediate danger to not only driver but everyone on the road. The engine has a rattle only after 2 years which is not usual.

NHTSA ID 11670314 · filed Jun 30, 2025

Clunking and bouncing from right tire followed by acceleration not working properly

NHTSA ID 11649779 · filed Mar 21, 2025
All 16 reports naming steering

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

16
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 easily compromised and damaged causing loss of control and steering .suspensions are no longer in tact nor reliable and will pose a danger. All errors were not found by manufacturer and has caused immediate danger to not only driver but everyone on the road. The engine has a rattle only after 2 years which is not usual.

NHTSA ID 11670314 · filed Jun 30, 2025

Clunking and bouncing from right tire followed by acceleration not working properly

NHTSA ID 11649779 · filed Mar 21, 2025
All 16 reports naming suspension

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

13
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

On a road trip car stopped accelerating above 60. Caused us a long time sitting on the side of the road when car cooled we started up and went again. Took it into the shop and replaced the fuel pump. Then one week later on a trip to Idaho car is doing the same thing over the Milan pass. Acceleration does not work at high speeds even with a new fuel pump. Seems to make an airy fan sound like an air valve is wide open. Think it is a dangerous sensor issue. Ug. Help.

NHTSA ID 11480257 · filed Aug 19, 2022

MY 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 SL CUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING YESTERDAY. I WAS GOING ABOUT 15 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN WHEN THE CAR CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TURN. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS BEFORE, DURING OR AFTER THE INCIDENT. I WAS ABLE TO COAST INTO THE PARKING LOT WHERE I RESTARTED THE CAR. THERE WAS OF A TANK OF GAS IN THE CAR AND ALL OF THE BATTERY CABLES WERE SECURE. I HAD THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR CHECKED AND BOTH WERE FINE. THERE ARE 76,979 MILES ON THE CAR. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS EVER HAPPENED, HOWEVER, AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I HAVE LEARNED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE LOVED DRIVING THIS CAR FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS, BUT NOW I AM AFRAID THIS WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN AND COULD CAUSE ME TO LOSE MY LIFE IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT. PLEASE ADVISE ME OF YOUR OFFICIAL RECOMMENDATION AS TO HOW I SHOULD PROCEED.

NHTSA ID 11373030 · filed Nov 4, 2020
All 13 reports naming fuel system

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

10
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, he noticed that the dashboard was shiny and was melting in a small area. The failure expanded to cover the entire dashboard causing visibility issues while driving. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer; however, the mechanic declined to diagnose the failure without a diagnostic fee being paid. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

NHTSA ID 11458772 · filed Mar 29, 2022

The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the dashboard was melting and became shiny, causing a visibility issue from the windshield reflection. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 121,439.

NHTSA ID 11438926 · filed Nov 1, 2021
All 10 reports naming interior & seats

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

NO MATTER WAT SIDE I OUT MY DAUGHTER CAR SEAT THE CAR SEAT SEEMS TO ALWAYS TURN SIDEWAYS WITH THE SEATBELT STRAP TO IT AND IT'S VERY UNSAFE FOR MY DAUGHTER TO SIT IN THE SEAT. *DT *TR

NHTSA ID 11254437 · filed Sep 10, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AND BRAKING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD ON INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE CONTACT, CAUSING HER TO SUSTAIN A LACERATION THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED A FRACTURED STERNUM AND INTERNAL INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE REAR PASSENGER SUSTAINED FIVE CRACKED RIBS AND A CRACKED STERNUM THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS ALSO INJURED AND REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000. ...UPDATED 07/30/15 *BF UPDATED 9/23/15*JS

NHTSA ID 10735324 · filed Jul 20, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

215/60/r16 Driving down, interstate st 70 steering wheel started to shake, then load noise as if running over something, then could see the entire middle tread of the tire flying into the lane behind me to the right. So luckily no one was in that lane or it would’ve crashed into the front of their car. Car was recently purchased from a dealer and the dealer had just gotten it from an auction so little to no information about the tires except for the date on the side, which was 0419, I assume April of 2019. Incident beyond panic caused tire tread to cut rear bumper in half as well as bending up metal positions, where the bumper attached to under the car. The tire also took out the entire inner fender well and smacked against the door in rear fender, causing damage. The tire remains inflated although all of the middle section is completely missing and wires are sticking out everywhere. The tires had just been rotated, and inspected and thankfully the failing tire was not on the front of the vehicle or it could’ve been much worse. Mechanic stated tread was OK. Tires looked OK and of course, made sure the correct psi was in them. The tire is available for inspection. The tire has not been looked at by anyone else the place were not involved and there was no warning light.

NHTSA ID 11735170 · filed May 1, 2026

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA EQUIPPED WITH SUMITOMO TOURING LST TIRES, TIRE SIZE: 215/60R16, AND UNKNOWN DOT NUMBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE STARTED VIBRATING UNCONTROLLABLY. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TIRE WAS BULGED AND THEN EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

NHTSA ID 11144440 · filed Oct 31, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE LIGHTS ON DIM ARE SO DIM YOU CAN'T SEE THE ROAD. YOU HAVE TO PUT ON BIGHTS TO SEE THE ROAD.

NHTSA ID 11397507 · filed Feb 23, 2021

THE LED HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH FOR NIGHT DRIVING OR DRIVING IN THE RAIN. IT OCCURES WILL IN MOTION AND AT A STANDSTILL

NHTSA ID 11172024 · filed Jan 25, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

NHTSA ID 11510828 · filed Mar 8, 2023

The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the traction control warning light would intermittently illuminate. As a result, the vehicle would hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that he would turn off the vehicle for approximately 20 seconds before restarting the vehicle to resume normal driving. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where minor repairs were performed; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered no assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

NHTSA ID 11461598 · filed Apr 21, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE VEHICLE SHIFTED TO LIMP MODE WHILE DRIVING THE COMPLAINANT WAS STRANDED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE CVT TRANSMISSION COOLING SYSTEM INADEQUATE TO COOL FLUIDS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO SAFE DRIVING/LIMP MODE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING FOR 45 MINUTES TO ONE HOUR,THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO LIMP MODE. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DECELERATED FROM 70 MPH DOWN TO 20-30 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EVEN WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARD, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MILLER AUTO PLAZA LOCATED AT 2900 2ND ST S, ST CLOUD, MN 56301, (320) 200-2472, TO BE DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON A DAILY BASIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE, CASE NUMBER: 36304669. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.PIIR=Y. AH

NHTSA ID 11231028 · filed Jul 11, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LARRY H. MILLER NISSAN HIGHLANDS RANCH (91320 PLUM VALLEY LN, HIGHLANDS RANCH, CO 80129, (720) 907-0718) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO REVERT TO LIMP MODE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A COOLING PUMP NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED TO COOL THE TRANSMISSION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.

NHTSA ID 11111855 · filed Jul 17, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .