2012 Nissan Altima: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 575 complaints
575
Total Complaints
75,000mi
Median Mileage
Power Train
Top Issue
39
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
35,000
25th Percentile
75,000
Median Mileage
105,000
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Power Train
145
Engine
68
Air Bags
56
Unknown Or Other
55
Vehicle Speed Control
48
Electrical System
43
Body
21
Service Brakes
17
Suspension
16
Visibility/Wiper
16
Severity Assessment
39
Crashes
5
Fires
39
Injuries
0
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"ON 7-19-11I TOOK POSSESSION OF A NEW NISSAN ALTIMA AT SARATOGA NISSAN, MALTA, NY. SHORTLY AFTER THAT DATE I NOTICED THAT THE SEAT SELT AUDIBLE WARNING DEVICE WAS NOT WORKING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER 8-26-11 FOR REPAIR OF THAT COMPONENT BUT WAS TOLD, IN WRITING, THAT THIS VEHICLE "WAS NOT DESIGNED..."
"ALL NISSANS HAVE LOUD CLUNKING SOUND AT STARTUP AT AROUND 30 MILES PER HOUR. NISSAN SAYS IT IS THE ABS BRAKE TEST. VERY ANNOYING AND VERY LOUD. *KB"
"IF YOU LEAVE THE KEY OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE AND IT IS TOUCHING THE VEHICLE THE PUSH BUTTON IGNITION WILL ACKNOWLEDGE THE KEY AND START THE VEHICLE. ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL THE KEY MUST BE WITH YOU (INSIDE) IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. THERE IS NO WARNING STATING OTHERWISE. THIS IS A PERSONAL SEC..."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Power Train
145 complaints
25th: 65,000 mi
Median: 92,300 mi
75th: 112,000 mi
Engine
68 complaints
25th: 47,655 mi
Median: 80,000 mi
75th: 106,000 mi
Air Bags
56 complaints
25th: 19,000 mi
Median: 51,000 mi
75th: 80,304 mi
Unknown Or Other
55 complaints
25th: 55,000 mi
Median: 80,000 mi
75th: 109,225 mi
Vehicle Speed Control
48 complaints
25th: 47,375 mi
Median: 93,550 mi
75th: 118,750 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
CA: 84
FL: 65
TX: 49
GA: 49
TN: 25
NC: 25
NY: 20
MO: 19
MD: 17
AL: 15
Who Files Complaints?
0.7%
Original Owners
99.3%
Second+ Owners
Nissan Altima — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
| Year | Complaints | Crashes |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 150 | 25 |
| 1994 | 120 | 37 |
| 1995 | 216 | 49 |
| 1996 | 117 | 27 |
| 1997 | 141 | 40 |
| 1998 | 141 | 20 |
| 1999 | 110 | 29 |
| 2000 | 199 | 34 |
| 2001 | 201 | 29 |
| 2002 | 1321 | 41 |
| 2003 | 1099 | 61 |
| 2004 | 334 | 18 |
| 2005 | 1358 | 71 |
| 2006 | 1043 | 58 |
| 2007 | 597 | 39 |
| 2008 | 1373 | 73 |
| 2009 | 2149 | 55 |
| 2010 | 538 | 40 |
| 2011 | 317 | 18 |
| 2013 | 2970 | 104 |
| 2014 | 1376 | 74 |
| 2015 | 1188 | 61 |
| 2016 | 778 | 43 |
| 2017 | 498 | 32 |
| 2018 | 314 | 16 |
| 2019 | 326 | 40 |
| 2020 | 266 | 27 |
| 2021 | 96 | 11 |
| 2022 | 50 | 8 |
| 2023 | 33 | 8 |
| 2024 | 55 | 13 |
Active Recalls (4)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Side/Window
Campaign 12V055000 | 14/02/2012
THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
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.
Sensor/Control Module-Inactive
Campaign 11V408000 | 09/08/2011
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.
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.
Steering
Campaign 12V494000 | 10/10/2012
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.
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.
Suspension
Campaign 11V371000 | 19/07/2011
IF THE BOLT COMES OUT COMPLETELY, THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
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.
Extend Your Transmission Life
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Change transmission fluid at manufacturer intervals — not 'lifetime' fluid
- Come to a full stop before shifting from reverse to drive
- Don't ride the brakes on hills — use a lower gear
- Check transmission fluid level and color monthly — dark fluid needs changing
- Address slipping, hard shifts, or delayed engagement immediately
Compare Nissan Altima
Vehicle Rankings
Looking for a replacement?
Based on the data above, here are relevant options.
Affiliate link
Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28