general problems of the 2012 Nissan Altima

13 problems related to steering have been reported for the 2012 Nissan Altima. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2012 Nissan Altima based on all problems reported for the 2012 Altima.

1 Steering problem

Failure Date: 06/23/2025

The vehicle is unsafe to driver and others on the road. The power steering hose has had a leak since it was manufactured and was not fixed by the manufacturer at all! tie rods gave away within 5 years of a mileage less than 24,200 miles. Cv joints along with tie rods have been easily compromised and damaged causing loss of control and steering . Suspensions are no longer in tact nor reliable and will pose a danger. All errors were not found by manufacturer and has caused immediate danger to not only driver but everyone on the road. The engine has a rattle only after 2 years which is not usual.

2 Steering problem

Failure Date: 02/12/2025

Clunking and bouncing from right tire followed by acceleration not working properly.

3 Steering problem

Failure Date: 10/01/2021

The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the steering wheel would emit an abnormal whining noise while both stationary and while making turns in either direction. As the failure persisted, the steering wheel began to vibrate, and excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. A dealer was not notified of the failure. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that her vehicle was not covered under NHTSA campaign number: 12v494000 (steering, suspension). The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 129,921.

4 Steering problem

Failure Date: 06/30/2019

Takata recall, I have a 2012 Nissan Altima and I purchased from a dealer in Jan 2015. I believe this car must be a defective product. It's a pre-owned car. Just after driving it for 1. 5yrs, I have been driving the car the transmission broken. The speed drops to 30miles/hr from 65miles/hr while I was driving on the freeway. There were cars behind me. It's so dangerous. I was lucky that the driver behind me reacted very quickly and didn't hit me. It was under the warranty so they replaced the torque converter of the transmission. However, just this past weekend I was driving uphill on a mountain road and a similar problem happened again. My car can't shift correctly and the speed drops to 25 miles/hr from 40miels/hr. Both the first time and the second time when this happens there is no signal lights on my dashboard. I went to the dealer but they said I'm out of the warranty and they may not cover the repair. I failed a claim to Nissan customer service and still waiting for the response to solve this issue. They said there are no recalls of my car but I have found a lot of reports online about their transmission issues and people had experienced similar to me. Also, the steering wheel didn't work for a few times. Nissan said they care about customers' safety but I don't think they really do what they said. If they really care about our safety they should take more actions on this issue and recall the defective cars. It's very dangerous for everyone on the roads.

5 Steering problem

Failure Date: 05/29/2019

Car wanders and feels dangerous over 60mph.

6 Steering problem

Failure Date: 04/01/2019

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.

7 Steering problem

Failure Date: 03/14/2019

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. Dont. But to make my complaint shorter . . Each time I would bring it in to tony Nissan for a repair. . Not even 3 months after, another problems. Come about. . At this time I'm getting very scared and afraid for my safety in driving my car. Especially. When I have my 6 year old grandson that I pick up from school. . And I'm beginning to not have faith in them and I'm really having trust issues, with either the mechanics or service advisors. . At tony Nissan . I can show proofs of documents that I have all my invoices dated from 2014 until now of 2020. . Of all services and repairs they have claimed they doned on my car. . Just recently I asked for my old parts back, to see if they got it replaced. . Throttle body assembly and ignition coil #3. . My upcoming repair will be alternator and drive belt. . I will be taking my car in either 02/25/2020 or 02/26/2020. . In the afternoon. Thank you very much, for the help and concerns. Please reply back to me if my car was sold to me as a lemon or any recalls. . I've be glad to express my concerns to the president of that company. . But I always get talked to the other staffs that works for him. . .

8 Steering problem

Failure Date: 01/02/2019

Losses power when driving when making turns it shakes it over heats.

9 Steering problem

Failure Date: 01/24/2015

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.

10 Steering problem

Failure Date: 10/18/2014

My son was driving, lost control of the vehicle, the vehicle veered off of the road and hit a tree, went through a residential backyard fence and came to rest 3ft. Before an 8ft. Embankment into a creek. The airbags deployed and he had to be extricated from the vehicle. He suffered the following injuries: - 2 broken vertebra in his neck - broken clavicle - 4 broken ribs - collapsed lungs - laceration on his upper left arm.

11 Steering problem

Failure Date: 09/13/2013

When I try to start the car, the power comes on(radio comes on, dashboard lights), but the ignition doesn't start. The car has less than 15k miles on it.

12 Steering problem

Failure Date: 02/07/2013

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.

13 Steering problem

Failure Date: 10/06/2012

The steering wheel was turned to go right, however, the vehicle kept going straight.


Other Steering related problems of the 2012 Nissan Altima


Altima Service Bulletins
Altima Safety Recalls
Altima Defect Investigations