2012 Nissan Altima: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2012 Nissan Altima: 4 recalls, 426 owner complaints and up to 26 mpg combined.
Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Suspension Vehicle recall #11V371000 · 2011 · 20,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If the bolt comes out completely, the driver May experience difficulty controlling the direction of the vehicle which could result in a crash.
The fix: 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.
Airbags Vehicle recall #11V408000 · 2011 · 54 vehicles
What's wrong:
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Nissan will replace the air bag control unit free of charge. The safety recall began on August 22, 2011.
Airbags Vehicle recall #12V055000 · 2012 · 976 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: The side curtain air bags May not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: 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.
Suspension, Steering Vehicle recall #12V494000 · 2012 · 13,919 vehicles
What's wrong: These vehicles May have been equipped with transverse link bolts and power steering rack bolts that were not torqued to proper specification.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 26 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (149): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (27), stalls / loses power (25), noise or vibration (24).
- Engine (68): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (13), noise or vibration (12), warning light on (10).
- Airbags (57): the most common themes are warning light on (19), fails to deploy (11).
- Other / unknown (56): the most common themes are noise or vibration (4), leaks (3).
The 2012 Nissan Altima has 426 owner complaints, ranking #12 of 34 Altima model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 455). Complaints peaked in 2018 (69 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 75,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2011 (241 complaints, 1 recalls), 2013 (2312 complaints, 12 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 32 | 26 | Regular |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 22 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2012 Nissan Altima.
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FAQ
Does the 2012 Nissan Altima have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2012 Nissan Altima. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2012 Nissan Altima problems?
Owners have filed 426 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (149), engine (68), airbags (57).
What gas mileage does the 2012 Nissan Altima get?
EPA ratings run up to 26 mpg combined (2.5 L, Automatic (AV-S6)), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2012 Nissan Altima repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.