Is the 2012 Nissan Altima a good car?
An honest AI verdict — reliability, common problems, and real cost to own.
C+6.5/10
Despite its comfort and efficiency, the 2012 Altima's common transmission problems make it a less than ideal choice.
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Pros
- Good fuel efficiency
- Spacious interior
- Comfortable ride
Cons
- Several reports of CVT failures
- Average interior materials
- Dashboard quality issues
Ownership at a glance
Fuel economy
23 mpg
Maintenance cost
$1,500/yr
Expected lifespan
200,000 miles
Common problems to watch for
- Transmission issues, especially with the CVT
- Suspension noise and wear
- Dashboard melting under sunlight
CarsJudge exclusive data
Active recalls (4)
The 2012 Nissan Altima has 4 NHTSA recalls on record. Most recent: Suspension (campaign 11V371000). All recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.
- Air Bags — Side/Window — NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 ALTIMA AND VERSA VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS THAT CONTAIN AN INCORRECT PROPELLANT MIXTURE FOR THE INITIATOR COMPONENT USED, RESULTING I…
- Air Bags — Frontal — Sensor/Control Module-Inactive — NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 15, 2011, THROUGH JUNE 21, 2011 AND MODEL YEAR 2012 NISSAN NV VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 23, 2011, THROUGH JUNE 28, 2011 BECA…
- Steering — Nissan is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Altima vehicles manufactured from May 10, 2012, through July 26, 2012. These vehicles may have been equipped with transverse link bolts and power steering rack bolts that…
- Suspension — NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 NISSAN ALTIMA SEDAN VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 25, 2011, THROUGH JUNE 10, 2011 AT THE CANTON, MISSISSIPPI PLANT. THE TRANSVERSE LINK BOLT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TORQUED …
Real owner data from the CarsJudge fleet
1 2012 Nissan Altima owner tracks this exact car in CarsJudge.
Recall data: NHTSA. Owner costs & MPG: anonymized aggregates from CarsJudge users who track this vehicle. Updated 2026-07-05.
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This AI-generated assessment is general guidance only, not a substitute for a professional inspection. Always inspect a used vehicle before purchase.