2012 Nissan Altima Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 57about this part
- Share
- 13%of 426 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 51,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 57 complaints about the air bags of the 2012 Nissan Altima, 13% of the 426 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 51,000 miles. 14 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Takata recall - the light on my air bags pops up randomly when I drive it. There could be nothing in the passenger seat and it will still light up. I have asked the service men at the Nissan service in woodbridge, va to check this problem when I have taken it in for servicing but they said it was nothing. They will not fix it. I am a woman and I don't know these things until a recall is sent out. What should I do?”
NHTSA complaint #11088488, filed 2018-04, 100,536 miles“I was driving in the rain on 2-21-16 approaching a traffic light. The car accelerated when brake was applied, resulting in a 25 MPH collision. Airbags did not deploy. I was bruised but did not require medical attention. I was cited for running the light. I am now afraid to drive the car.”
NHTSA complaint #10839111, filed 2016-03, 105,000 miles“The passenger air bag censor blinks on my dash on/off for passenger whether or not someone is in the seat or not. Last time my husband sat in the passenger seat and the censor showed passenger air bag off. Not at all safe this needs to be recalled asap before someone dies from this!!”
NHTSA complaint #10874354, filed 2016-06, 82,500 miles“I was involved in a 4 car pile up on the highway. My airbag did not go off on impact and was about 30-40 sec. Delayed. Airbag deployed when I was unbuckling my seatbelt and getting out of the car. Most of my injuries were caused by the airbag. Car was totaled I'm making this report in case someone purchases car at auction and only replaces driver airbag hopefully they will check curtain airbags for defects as well so someone else doesn't get hurt.”
NHTSA complaint #10794994, filed 2015-11, 80,304 miles“The passenger side air bag off warning light intermittently turns on when there is a passenger seated in the passenger seat. This indicates that if there were an accident while this warning light is on; the passenger air bag would not go off; which can result in serious injury. I have brought this vehicle to the dealer three times for this issue and they tell me that there are no codes to be read and they are unable to reproduce this. …”
NHTSA complaint #10502272, filed 2013-03, 29,100 milesRelated recalls
- 12V055000Feb 14, 2012Nissan is recalling certain model year 2012 altima and versa vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with side curtain air bags that contain an incorrect…Covers: Nissan Altima 2012, Versa 2012
- 11V408000Aug 9, 2011Nissan is recalling certain model year 2012 nissan altima vehicles manufactured from june 15, 2011, through june 21, 2011 and model year 2012 nissan nv…Covers: Nissan Altima 2012, NV 2012
Related service bulletins
- 10192513Jan 16, 2015SERVICE INFORMATION Changes or modifications to the front seat assembly trim materials may affect the proper operation of the Front Seat-Mounted Side-Impact Supplemental Air Bags…
- 10192305Jan 27, 2014SERVICE INFORMATION Information necessary to service the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) safely is included in the "RESTRAINTS" section of the Electronic Service Manual (ESM)…
- 10192195Jun 17, 2013SERVICE INFORMATION If you confirm there is a need to replace the steering wheel switches on an Applied Vehicle for any reason: - Do not replace the driver air bag module. The…
- 10192135Mar 7, 2013Nissan is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign on Model Year 2007-2012 Nissan Altima (L32) Sedan and Coupe vehicles to inspect the brake systems in vehicles with an…
- 10042847Jan 9, 2012Nissan: information regarding the front door internals side satellite sensor and pre existing side air bag satellite sensor in pillars in some vehicles.
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 14% |
| 2024 | 2 | 5% |
| 2022 | 3 | 10% |
| 2021 | 2 | 3% |
| 2020 | 9 | 5% |
| 2019 | 11 | 5% |
| 2018 | 36 | 16% |
| 2017 | 74 | 19% |
| 2016 | 72 | 13% |
| 2015 | 177 | 19% |
| 2014 | 208 | 19% |
| 2013 | 514 | 22% |
| 2012 | 57 | 13% |
| 2011 | 22 | 9% |
| 2010 | 61 | 16% |
| 2009 | 91 | 6% |
| 2008 | 142 | 14% |
| 2007 | 63 | 13% |
| 2006 | 43 | 5% |
| 2005 | 47 | 4% |
| 2004 | 11 | 4% |
| 2003 | 28 | 3% |
| 2002 | 34 | 3% |
| 2001 | 15 | 9% |
| 2000 | 14 | 9% |
| 1999 | 13 | 15% |
| 1998 | 15 | 12% |
| 1997 | 35 | 32% |
| 1996 | 37 | 40% |
| 1995 | 61 | 34% |
| 1994 | 40 | 38% |
| 1993 | 19 | 16% |
Other parts of the 2012 Nissan Altima
149 complaintsEngine
68 complaintsOther or unknown
58 complaintsVehicle speed control
49 complaintsElectrical system
44 complaintsBody and structure
33 complaintsBrakes
20 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
18 complaintsSteering
17 complaintsSuspension
17 complaintsFuel system
13 complaintsSeats
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Nissan Altima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology