2012 Nissan Altima Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 33about this part
- Share
- 8%of 426 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 50,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 33 complaints about the body and structure of the 2012 Nissan Altima, 8% of the 426 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,000 miles. 3 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.
“My 2012 Nissan Altima's sunroof is leaking, whether driving or parked. I have had the drains cleaned, the headliner removed and still have this issue. Upon researching this problem it seems to be a problem on infiniti's and Nissan's since 2003. This problem needs to be fixed by Nissan, being it's an ongoing issue in all models. I have spent hundred's of dollars trying to have this corrected.”
NHTSA complaint #11375980, filed 2020-11, 50,000 miles“I purchased the vehicle listed on 9/23/14. I recently found out after getting a carfax report that the vehicle had been flipped while in la. I am trying to find out if the title for the car has been a rebuilt title or salvaged title and can't seen to get anymore. Help please!”
NHTSA complaint #10676988, filed 2015-01, 36,689 miles“The paint on the hood came off in a chunk, during a car wash. It as reported to the dealer and Nissan directly. After they gave me the runaround for 6+ months, Nissan said it was not their problem, that it was an environmental issue. I have since had the car repaired. The hood needed to be taken down to bare metal, and repainted. The cost was over $500.00. Now the roof is doing the same as the hood.I am not a happy Nissan owner.”
NHTSA complaint #10649114, filed 2014-10, 28,000 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“Purchased my 2012 Nissan Altima coupe 8/2/2012. In just over 30 days the paint was coming off the rear bumper on both sides near the rear tire where the bumper meets the body of the car. Took the car in to have the bumper repainted. Within 60 days the paint was coming off in the same place again. Took the car back last month and was repainted with 3 flaws...needless to say it has to go back yet again!! Also, within a few days of purchase I noticed that the radio would not pick up local radio stations without a lot of static and interference. …”
NHTSA complaint #10504150, filed 2013-03, 1,050 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11031705Apr 13, 2026CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label”…
- 11031704Apr 13, 2026CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label”…
- 10232658Feb 27, 2023REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10232656Feb 27, 2023WINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10192127Feb 15, 2013SERVICE INFORMATION If a CD/DVD Player incident is noted, a possible cause may be improper CD/DVD disc care, condition, or usage. This bulletin provides updated CD/DVD Player…
- 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.
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 14% |
| 2024 | 5 | 12% |
| 2022 | 2 | 6% |
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2020 | 7 | 4% |
| 2019 | 6 | 3% |
| 2018 | 3 | 1% |
| 2017 | 18 | 5% |
| 2016 | 29 | 5% |
| 2015 | 63 | 7% |
| 2014 | 52 | 5% |
| 2013 | 134 | 6% |
| 2012 | 33 | 8% |
| 2011 | 27 | 11% |
| 2010 | 30 | 8% |
| 2009 | 90 | 6% |
| 2008 | 312 | 30% |
| 2007 | 27 | 6% |
| 2006 | 221 | 27% |
| 2005 | 351 | 32% |
| 2004 | 42 | 15% |
| 2003 | 126 | 14% |
| 2002 | 128 | 12% |
| 2001 | 4 | 3% |
| 2000 | 5 | 3% |
| 1999 | 4 | 5% |
| 1998 | 6 | 5% |
| 1997 | 8 | 7% |
| 1996 | 4 | 4% |
| 1995 | 4 | 2% |
| 1994 | 2 | 2% |
| 1993 | 7 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2012 Nissan Altima
149 complaintsEngine
68 complaintsOther or unknown
58 complaintsAir bags
57 complaintsVehicle speed control
49 complaintsElectrical system
44 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