Model year guide

2012 Nissan Altima

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2012 Nissan Altima is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 8,334 on record.

2012 Nissan Altima — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2012 Nissan Altima at a glance

Safety recalls4
Owner complaints423
Overall safety4 / 5 ★
Combined24 mpg
Typical price$12,019

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2012 Nissan Altima recalls 4

Air Bags:side/window NHTSA Campaign #12V055000 · 14/02/2012

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.

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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 615-725-1000.

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive NHTSA Campaign #11V408000 · 09/08/2011

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.

Fix: 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 NHTSA Campaign #12V494000 · 10/10/2012

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.

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. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1-800-647-7261.

Suspension NHTSA Campaign #11V371000 · 19/07/2011

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.

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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2012 Nissan Altima common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 423 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Forward Collision Avoidance
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Tires
Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.

2012 Nissan Altima safety ratings

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2012 Nissan Altima 4 DR FWD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2012 Nissan Altima MPG & running costs

Combined24 mpg
City22 mpg
Highway30 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,575

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2012 Nissan Altima worth?

Low
$9,800
Typical price
$12,019
High
$14,250

From 8,324 comparable 2012 Nissan Altima listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2012 Nissan Altima costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$12,875
Depreciation (5 yrs)$6,900
Total$19,775
Per mile$0.26

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($12,019) with the same model 5 model-years older ($5,105), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2012 Nissan Altima trims & engines on record

Trims
2.5 S · 2.5 · 3.5 SR
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl 170 hp · 3.5L 6-cyl 255 hp · 2.5L 4-cyl

2012 Nissan Altima vehicles on record

Other Nissan Altima model years

2012 Nissan Altima — frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Nissan Altima have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2012 Nissan Altima. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Nissan Altima?

Based on 423 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are power train, engine, suspension.

What is the 2012 Nissan Altima safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2012 Nissan Altima an overall crash-test rating of 4 out of 5 stars (frontal 4★, side 5★, rollover 4★).

What gas mileage does the 2012 Nissan Altima get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2012 Nissan Altima at about 24 mpg combined (22 city / 30 highway).

How much is a 2012 Nissan Altima worth?

Comparable 2012 Nissan Altima listings run roughly $9,800–$14,250, typically around $12,019 (from 8,324 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.