2012 Nissan Altima Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 4%of 426 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 26,358miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the steering of the 2012 Nissan Altima, 4% of the 426 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 26,358 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I purchased a 2012 Nissan Altima. While driving 35-40 MPH the car began rattling,noise,bing like and vibration. When I reached the speed of 60mph, it began to shake and jerk. It's really hard to explain what it feels like, but I know it's not normal, I took it to the dealership, they said the front tires need rotated. The tires were rotated and the problem still exist. This car was a certified/used purchase on feb. 5,2013.”
NHTSA complaint #10498290, filed 2013-02, 30,350 miles“So I purchased my car in 2014 at tony Nissan waipio and had cna manufactured warranty..which is a good warranty.but I come to realize ever since.my manufactured warranty expired in 2019, and I routinely bring my car in for oil and oil filter maintenance every 3 months, and each time I would bring it in. Mechanics and service advisors seems to find a lot of problems with my car..and ask if I wanted it to be fixed or replaced, majority of the time. I will asked if my aul warranty will cover, for the parts and labors..I would say 80 percent of my warranty covers..some. …”
NHTSA complaint #11311213, filed 2020-02, 1 miles“On the above date, my vehicle was involved in an accident which after thorough assessment by the body shop and by the insurance company's field adjusters, was deemed a total loss. My vehicle's steering suddenly became very difficult due to the front wheels becoming seemingly locked and steering in the right direction was impossible. Steering wheel was extremely hard to turn as well. The airbags did not deploy either. Everything happened so fast. There was a loss of control which caused the vehicle to overturn or flip . …”
NHTSA complaint #10761112, filed 2015-09, 68,000 miles“Cvt trans giving check engine soon code p1777 stepper motor cod... Trans not shifting properly, it gets stuck at 2000rpms and lags then jump up in rpms. Trans shakes hard from time to time while driving at low speeds”
NHTSA complaint #11246044, filed 2019-08, 90,000 miles“Engine quit while driving, brakes failed, steering locked up a deadly situation. Dealer claims it was due to a loose battery cable. If so a loose battery cable could kill you or others.”
NHTSA complaint #10692355, filed 2015-03, 22,365 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10243708Sep 21, 2023DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of…
- 10232652Feb 22, 2023DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of…
- 10192597Jul 6, 2015SERVICE INFORMATION When servicing run flat tires or low profile tires: - Special equipment and procedures are required to avoid damage. - Specifically, Tire Pressure Monitor…
- 10192524Feb 6, 2015SERVICE INFORMATION When diagnosing possible power steering gear (rack and pinion steering rack, or steering rack) leak issues, it may appear the steering rack is leaking when…
- 10192217Jul 23, 2013If YOU CONFIRM: A vehicle needs to have the brake rotors resurfaced (front or rear). ACTION: Use the ProCut PFM Series on-car brake lathe to perform brake rotor resurfacing and…
- 10192216Jul 23, 2013SERVICE INFORMATION - This bulletin is to assist you in responding to customer questions about brake operation, and provides diagnostic and repair information for each item…
- 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…
- 10052407Jun 17, 2013Nissan: service information on the removal and installation of service parts, on certain vehicles, for the steering wheel switch, if needed, without replacing the driver airbag…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | 12% |
| 2023 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 7 | 10% |
| 2020 | 20 | 11% |
| 2019 | 3 | 1% |
| 2018 | 12 | 5% |
| 2017 | 16 | 4% |
| 2016 | 16 | 3% |
| 2015 | 48 | 5% |
| 2014 | 58 | 5% |
| 2013 | 94 | 4% |
| 2012 | 17 | 4% |
| 2011 | 13 | 5% |
| 2010 | 20 | 5% |
| 2009 | 859 | 56% |
| 2008 | 37 | 4% |
| 2007 | 17 | 4% |
| 2006 | 15 | 2% |
| 2005 | 31 | 3% |
| 2004 | 11 | 4% |
| 2003 | 13 | 1% |
| 2002 | 15 | 1% |
| 2001 | 5 | 3% |
| 2000 | 3 | 2% |
| 1999 | 2 | 2% |
| 1998 | 3 | 2% |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% |
| 1996 | 3 | 3% |
| 1995 | 1 | 1% |
| 1994 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2012 Nissan Altima
149 complaintsEngine
68 complaintsOther or unknown
58 complaintsAir bags
57 complaintsVehicle speed control
49 complaintsElectrical system
44 complaintsBody and structure
33 complaintsBrakes
20 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
18 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