2012 Nissan Altima Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 44about this part
- Share
- 10%of 426 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 46,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 44 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Nissan Altima, 10% of the 426 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 46,500 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Something happened to the mass airflow sensor where it limits the RPM and slows the car down a lot almost made a accident happen I took it to my mechanic he told me it was normal and I would have to take it to Nissan to get it fixed but that he sees that a lot”
NHTSA complaint #11377845, filed 2020-12, 120,000 miles“The problem I'm having is that all 3 passenger door locks stopped working (no auto lock, no power lock, no fob lock) at the same time. My work involves driving children and Nissan's failure to address this issue is about to cost me a job and it endangers any children who are able to open the door due to this malfunction. On Nissan forums and other websites, a plethora of complaints about this have taken place for over a decade.”
NHTSA complaint #11065715, filed 2018-01, 24,000 miles“I just recently replaced the battery in my 2012 Nissan Altima and now I am having the following problems: gauge cluster is not working at all (engine temp, RPM, speedometer, gas). Everything else is working fine. I had all the fuses checked and all are working properly. …”
NHTSA complaint #10970695, filed 2017-04, 127,668 miles“I was at a red light and the car just shut down. I had to turn the car off and restart it! This is the second time this has happened. The first time about a year ago. I thought I had done something to make it happen the first the first time. Now I know it is the car. This is serious and scary! From reading the complaints I see this has happened to others and while they were driving!”
NHTSA complaint #10664545, filed 2014-12, 21,000 miles“Light in the glovebox doesnot have a switch. It turns on as soon as the headlights are turned on. My glovebox was full of some paper and I opened the glove box to fin dhte papers became very hot to touch and I felt like they would burn any moment. A switch should be included so that the light turns on only when the glove compartment is opened. Any cloth of easily flammable material can catch fire due to heat and go unnoticed.”
NHTSA complaint #10732763, filed 2015-07, 500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11004962May 21, 2024VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this…
- 11004961May 21, 2024CAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 11004960May 21, 2024CAN COMMUNICATION CODES – DIAGNOSTIC TIPS AND GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10239062Jun 16, 2023SILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION Do not apply Silicone-based lubricants or grease to, or around, any interior electrical…
- 10239060Jun 16, 202312 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service Information lists NNA procedural recommendations for establishing good connections while…
- 10235707Apr 27, 2023VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this…
- 10235710Apr 17, 2023INTELLIGENT KEY REPLACEMENT OR SWAPPING BETWEEN VEHICLES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10208946Feb 22, 2022CAN COMMUNICATION â NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10190177Mar 17, 2021NAVIGATION SYSTEM REBOOTS WHEN SXM TRAFFIC IS ENABLED This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10190121Mar 10, 2021AV CONTROL UNIT REPLACEMENT REQUIRES CONSULT-III PLUS CONFIGURATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 14% |
| 2024 | 3 | 7% |
| 2023 | 11 | 37% |
| 2022 | 7 | 23% |
| 2021 | 21 | 30% |
| 2020 | 46 | 25% |
| 2019 | 58 | 25% |
| 2018 | 37 | 16% |
| 2017 | 27 | 7% |
| 2016 | 42 | 8% |
| 2015 | 56 | 6% |
| 2014 | 71 | 6% |
| 2013 | 159 | 7% |
| 2012 | 44 | 10% |
| 2011 | 32 | 13% |
| 2010 | 74 | 19% |
| 2009 | 466 | 30% |
| 2008 | 90 | 9% |
| 2007 | 37 | 8% |
| 2006 | 72 | 9% |
| 2005 | 97 | 9% |
| 2004 | 32 | 12% |
| 2003 | 89 | 10% |
| 2002 | 77 | 7% |
| 2001 | 19 | 12% |
| 2000 | 25 | 16% |
| 1999 | 4 | 5% |
| 1998 | 15 | 12% |
| 1997 | 14 | 13% |
| 1996 | 11 | 12% |
| 1995 | 16 | 9% |
| 1994 | 14 | 13% |
| 1993 | 7 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2012 Nissan Altima
149 complaintsEngine
68 complaintsOther or unknown
58 complaintsAir bags
57 complaintsVehicle speed control
49 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 27, 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