CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2012 Altima has a defect trend of CVT transmission failure showing up around the 100,000 mile mark.

It's an expensive repair at nearly $2,000 average repair cost. For more information see Nissan Altima CVT defect info on NissanProblems.com.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
13 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
16 / 0
Average Mileage:
35,403 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Nissan Altima seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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2012 Nissan Altima Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #56

Dec 012023

Altima

  • 78,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the OCS control unit was malfunctioning. The dealer determined that the front passenger-??s side seat needed to be replaced. The dealer charged a fee to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

- West New York, NJ, USA

problem #55

Sep 152023

Altima

  • 28,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the seat sensor unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V408000 (Air Bags) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 28,000.

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #54

Dec 012022

Altima

  • miles
The airbag warning light started flashing in late November or early December 2022. I took the car to my mechanic on Dec. 5, 2022 who ran a diagnostic which identified the need to replace the sensor in the front passenger seat. The sensor is so integrated into the seat that the entire seat (not the back) must be replaced. I was then told that Nissan has stopped making the seat because the car is over 10 years old and a replacement is unavailable nationwide and will not become available. I called a Nissan dealer to confirm that the part is unavailable and they confirmed it. As a result, it is unsafe for a person to sit in the passenger seat. It seems wrong that Nissan can stop making such an essential part and devalue someone's life or the vehicle itself in this way. It also seems to me that I cannot sell the car in this condition and it only has about 76,000 miles on it. The vehicle is available for inspection should someone wish to do so.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #53

Oct 022022

Altima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Car had a hard impact, not on the front end but flipped multiple times, air bags and side air bags did not deploy

- Greer, SC, USA

problem #52

Apr 082019

Altima

  • miles
Our vehicle has been in no collisions or anything and has been well taken care of. Out of nowhere about 3 years our airbag light came on indicating that it will not deploy. We tried to get Nissan to fix it due to hearing of recalls in the past but they said our vehicle was not included. They then said they had to try one thing at a time and the first thing was replacing the seat for $1400 and if that didn't work they will continue down a list of 10 possible things. So basically the vehicle is a deathtrap and we are not sure how it even became that. Seems like it has to be an electrical issue or the issue mentioned in the recall.

- Powder Springs, GA, USA

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problem #51

Oct 042017

Altima

  • miles
the airbag light that is under the dash board always turns on all of a sudden I am concerned the airbags might open or their migght be something wrong and god forbid in a accident they dont open also the suspention has always had issues

- Holtville, CA, USA

problem #50

Aug 102021

Altima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Pressure sensor in passenger seat connected to passenger side air bag became defective, affecting (shutting off) the entire air bag system. Started off with 'passenger air bag off' sign being illuminated at all times, even when an adult was sitting in the passenger seat. Then airbag warning light on the dashboard started flashing the entire time car was running. Because the passenger seat airbag is off. The safety of passenger put at risk. Talked to Nissan dealers at Hayward CA today (08-10-2021). They said that the has no recall and warranty is expired. That means I have to pay for the airbag repairs which I don't think is fair for consumers. Air bags is a safety issue, they should take care of it right away with no cost before something happens. I did reset the airbag warning on the dashboard twice, but it came back on day after.

- Union City, CA, USA

problem #49

Feb 172021

Altima

  • miles
I just found out that there were 4 safety recalls (performed 0)on our car according to kbb and for our safety purposed, it needs to be repaired and we just bought this in used car company last 09/09/2019.and please let us know if the car manufacturer will be responsible for the recall or we (owner).thank you in advanced

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #48

Dec 182020

Altima

  • 38,975 miles
Pressure sensor in passenger seat connected to passenger side air bag became defective, affecting (shutting off) the entire air bag system. Started off with 'passenger air bag off' sign being illuminated at all times, even when an adult was sitting in the passenger seat. Then airbag warning light on the dashboard started flashing the entire time car was running.

- Valdosta, GA, USA

problem #47

Jun 032020

Altima

  • miles
My vehicle is only 8 years old and recently the airbag light began to flash on the dashboard, which is the sign of a problem with the vehicle. I took my vehicle to the dealership (elk grove Nissan, California) and paid to figure out the problem. After performing the diagnostics, I was told that the airbag system was faulty and that it would cost me $1500 to repair. My question to them was: " why should I pay for the repair if the airbag is faulty?" I also said that if the airbag is faulty, it should be recalled. They informed me that there was nothing they could do because there was no recall on my vehicle. I have since checked the service and maintenance guide for my vehicle and there is nowhere in the booklet that states that the airbag is a maintenance item for the owner. The airbag is a safety item and should be recalled and repaired by the manufacturer jf it is faulty as is with my vehicle. What is frightening is that the red light is still flashing on the dashboard and I have no idea what might happen if I continue to drive this vehicle. The airbag is faulty and should be recalled and repaired asap before something very serious happens. Since August 2020, I have traded phone calls, emails and letters with Nissan to no avail. I am therefore appealing to you to kindly intervene to resolve this problem. Please find attached, copies of communication with Nissan for your information and review.

- Elk Grove, CA, USA

problem #46

Jun 022020

Altima 4-cyl

  • 93,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The air bag warning light for the front passenger side started going off any time the car is on - indicating there is no airbag functioning even when someone is sitting in the seat. Took the car to Nissan dealership, and they say the whole seat cushion needs to be replaced because the sensor is not working. Cost about $1000.

- Amarillo, TX, USA

problem #45

Mar 022020

Altima

  • 70,000 miles
The air bag switch under the seat is defective.

- Gulf Breeze, FL, USA

problem #44

Dec 162019

Altima

  • miles
SRS supplemental airbag light began flashing when starting the car up. For while I put up with this, but I was concerned. I looked online and found numerous other people reporting similar problems. I eventually found a procedure to reset the warning and for a time this worked. I took my car to the local niissan dealer was told the front passenger seat occupancy sensor was faulty and that to fix it, the entire lower seat cushion would need to be replaced for approximately $2000 which I thought was outrageous. They also told me my entire airbag system would be inoperative until this sensor was fixed, which doesn't make sense to me. Why would faulty passenger seat sensor disable all airbags. I think Nissan should recall cars with these kinds problems and not stick customers with replacing $2000 seat cushions.

- Winter Springs, FL, USA

problem #43

Nov 142019

Altima

  • 43,000 miles
After 43K miles air bag light illuminates when my wife is seated and car is being driven. Dealer says weight requirement for passenger is 120 lbs. What is federal requirement?

- Sunnyvale, CA, USA

problem #42

Oct 172019

Altima

  • 145,000 miles
A red flashing light that looks like a person sitting with a airbag in the face won't go off and a yellow light that has a X over the 2nd seat. I'm scared that the passenger airbag won't work if an accident occurs

- Thomasville, GA, USA

problem #41

Jan 012017

Altima

  • miles
Cambie las breaks nuevas Y el ruido sigue, la luz de las bolsas de aire est prendida siempre

- Pineville, MO, USA

problem #40

Dec 012018

Altima

  • 103,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. While the contact's daughter was seated in the front passenger seat, the air bag indicator did not illuminate. The vehicle was taken to Nissan of tampa (813-933-6641, located at 11001 N Florida ave, tampa, fl 33612) where a diagnostic test was recommended. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #39

Jul 032019

Altima

  • 31,200 miles
Airbag on passenger side indicates that it is off and warning light flashes on dashboard. Have reset it several times but reset only lasts about 30 mins. 31200 miles on vehicle. Was told it may be seat sensor and nearly $850 to replace.

- Lady Lake, FL, USA

problem #38

Sep 242018

Altima

  • 80,000 miles
Flashing seat belt sign relating to the passenger side airbag keeps blinking and no one sits in the seat. Will the airbag actually work if in a accident" why is there not a recall on this air bag sensor"

- Huntersville, NC, USA

problem #37

Oct 182018

Altima

  • miles
My air bag light isflashing, went to the dealership. They said Nissan should have pay for the repair because the air bag should not give any problem unless the car involve in an accident. I decide to file a complaint, maybe there's other people who have the same problem with the 2012 Nissan Altima

- West Palm Beach, FL, USA

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