2012 Nissan Altima Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 4%of 426 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 65,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the visibility of the 2012 Nissan Altima, 4% of the 426 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Dash is melting and shiny creating a glare on the windshield making it impossible to see when driving. This started years ago and only gets worse. It has been reported several times to dealer. I have to drive but it is very dangerous and I cannot believe Nissan is taking the chance and not fixing this problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11360956, filed 2020-09, 40,000 miles“With my 2012 Nissan Altima it is now becoming harder and harder to operate while driving. The dashboard is starting to melt and become sticky with the hot tx weather. Since this has starting happening it's becoming very reflective on the windshield and is causing a distraction and making it very hard to see while driving. This is a safety issue for anything that is in front of me.”
NHTSA complaint #11241608, filed 2019-08, 60,000 miles“I have had several wiper blades on my car since I bought it a few years ago. The left (driver's side) wiper blade has came off the wiper arm several times while driving. The outer part of the blade jumps across the windshield as it wipes. This only happens when wipers are in use.”
NHTSA complaint #11088458, filed 2018-04, 75,000 miles“The dash is melting creating a shiny residue covering the dash. When the sun or bright lights guys at night is shining the shiny dash reflects on the windshield creating a glare that obstructs your vision while driving or turning on any highway or road. The service dept at my local dealer took photos and sent it to Nissan about 18 months ago and I have heard nothing. It is getting so badd that while driving it has started obstructing the vision of the roadway.”
NHTSA complaint #11103658, filed 2018-06, 40,000 miles“The dashboard is melting. The dash is sticky and is turning to a gooey substance. It is shiny and is causing glare on windshield. It started where dash meets windshield and quickly spread toward steering wheel. I have taken the car to two local dealerships who said they could not do anything other than replace the dashboard at $2700 since the car is out of warranty. I contacted Nissan customer care and I have a case number. They said no one else had complained about this for the 2012 year although I am seeing some complaints on this site. …”
NHTSA complaint #11352921, filed 2020-09, 114,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11001201Apr 30, 2024WINDOW GLASS WARRANTY INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 11001194Apr 30, 2024REMOVING 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.
- 11001191Apr 30, 2024WINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 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.
- 10192727Jan 28, 2016SERVICE INFORMATION The purpose of this bulletin is to give Nissan dealers guidelines to help determine if windshield breakage is covered under warranty or is the customer?s…
- 10192677Nov 16, 2015SERVICE INFORMATION Windshield "foreign material" that is on the surface of the glass in some cases can be cleaned off with a very particular type and grade of steel wool. * Most…
- 10047059Aug 27, 2012Nissan: rain sensors may operate, intermittently or unexpectedly, when exhaust gas, moisture, fingerprints, dirt, or insects are near or around rain sensors. No models or model…
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 14% |
| 2024 | 2 | 5% |
| 2023 | 2 | 7% |
| 2022 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 2 | 3% |
| 2020 | 11 | 6% |
| 2019 | 15 | 6% |
| 2018 | 3 | 1% |
| 2017 | 3 | 1% |
| 2016 | 12 | 2% |
| 2015 | 31 | 3% |
| 2014 | 25 | 2% |
| 2013 | 63 | 3% |
| 2012 | 18 | 4% |
| 2011 | 6 | 2% |
| 2010 | 28 | 7% |
| 2009 | 48 | 3% |
| 2008 | 188 | 18% |
| 2007 | 12 | 3% |
| 2006 | 6 | 1% |
| 2005 | 14 | 1% |
| 2004 | 6 | 2% |
| 2003 | 14 | 2% |
| 2002 | 13 | 1% |
| 2001 | 13 | 8% |
| 2000 | 8 | 5% |
| 1999 | 8 | 9% |
| 1998 | 10 | 8% |
| 1997 | 6 | 6% |
| 1996 | 5 | 5% |
| 1995 | 3 | 2% |
| 1994 | 3 | 3% |
| 1993 | 8 | 7% |
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 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 28, 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