The Lemon Index

All cars · Nissan Altima · 2012

2012 Nissan Altima. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index34100 = average car
Complaints111NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold302,934U.S. model year
Per 100K sold37complaints
Year rank#5 of 23#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 4

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.5L 4-cylAuto (AV-S6)FWD23 / 31 / 26Regular$2,400
2.5L 4-cylManual 6-spdFWD23 / 31 / 26Regular$2,400
3.5L 6-cylAuto (AV-S6)FWD20 / 27 / 23Regular$2,700
3.5L 6-cylManual 6-spdFWD18 / 27 / 21Regular$2,950

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 35,000 and 106,000 miles. Median 75,000, from 307 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Transmission & drivetrain92,80065,000–113,100116
Engine80,00046,800–108,00053
Airbags51,00016,800–81,40037
Speed control93,00020,400–120,00039
Electrical46,50015,500–90,90032

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Airbags18%
Transmission & drivetrain18%
Electrical16%
Speed control11%
Engine11%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
42624216013

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 4

  • 12V494000 Oct 2012 Steering

    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.

    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.

  • 12V055000 Feb 2012 Air Bags / Side/Window

    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.

    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.

  • 11V408000 Aug 2011 Air Bags / Frontal / Sensor/Control Module-Inactive

    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.

    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.

  • 11V371000 Jul 2011 Suspension

    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.

    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.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
ClosedAutoliv air bag propellant mixture20122012

Manufacturer communications 121

Nissan filed 121 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Service information on the removal and installation of service parts, on certain vehicles, for
  • The cvt fail-safe logic has caused a reduction with the vehicle's maximum speed
  • "altima, sentra, and rogue; cvt fail-safe condition service information this bulletin has been…

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Nissan Altima 2 DR FWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★★
Nissan Altima 4 DR FWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardNoNo

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
200986146203,568Steering
20103383229,263Transmission & drivetrain
20111753268,981Electrical
201234111302,934Airbags
2013194757320,723Airbags
201490332335,644Airbags
201586284333,398Airbags

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data