2012 Nissan Altima MPG
The 2012 Nissan Altima gets 18–23 mpg in the city and 27–32 on the highway (21–26 combined), across the 6 versions the EPA rated.
The most efficient pairs the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with a CVT and front-wheel drive, at 26 mpg combined. At the other end, the 3.5-liter 6-cylinder engine with a manual transmission and front-wheel drive manages 21 mpg combined, 5 mpg less. That matches the best gasoline version of the 2011 model.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altima Coupe | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 31 | 26 | Regular · 342 g CO₂/mi |
| Altima Coupe | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 31 | 26 | Regular · 342 g CO₂/mi |
| Altima | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 32 | 26 | Regular · 342 g CO₂/mi |
| Altima Coupe | 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 23 | Regular · 386 g CO₂/mi |
| Altima | 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 22 | Regular · 404 g CO₂/mi |
| Altima Coupe | 3.5 L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 27 | 21 | Regular · 423 g CO₂/mi |
2012 Nissan Altima fuel cost per year
Driving 15,000 miles a year on regular gasoline at the September 2026 U.S. average of $4.36 a gallon, the 2012 Nissan Altima costs about $2,510 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (26 mpg combined), or roughly 17 cents a mile.
The thirstiest priced version (21 mpg combined) comes to about $3,110 a year, $600 more.
This is an estimate from EPA combined mpg and the EIA national average price; your cost depends on how and where you drive and on local prices.
2012 Nissan Altima specs
The EPA lists 2 engine choices for the 2012 Nissan Altima: 2.5 L 4-cyl and 3.5 L 6-cyl. It came with continuously variable (CVT) and manual transmissions, with front-wheel drive. For fuel-economy purposes it sits in the EPA's "Subcompact Cars" class.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L | 4 | Automatic (AV-S6); Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 3 |
| 3.5 L | 6 | Automatic (AV-S6); Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 3 |
2012 Nissan Altima problems
As of October 2026, NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) holds 426 owner complaints about the 2012 Nissan Altima.
Power train is the most-reported area (26% of component mentions), followed by engine (12%) and air bags (10%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 28 complaints a year: more than the 2011 (15 a year) and fewer than the 2013 (164 a year).
That ranks 9th of 17 Nissan Altima model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.
Of the 426, 24 mention a crash, 2 a fire and 16 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 149 | 26% |
| Engine | 68 | 12% |
| Air bags | 57 | 10% |
| Unknown or other | 56 | 10% |
| Vehicle speed control | 49 | 8% |
| Electrical system | 44 | 8% |
| Structure | 33 | 6% |
| Service brakes | 17 | 3% |
| Steering | 17 | 3% |
| Suspension | 17 | 3% |
| Visibility/wiper | 16 | 3% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 10 | 2% |
| Seats | 7 | 1% |
| Tires | 6 | 1% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 5 | <1% |
| Exterior lighting | 5 | <1% |
| Seat belts | 5 | <1% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | <1% |
| Gasoline fuel system | 3 | <1% |
| Hydraulic service brakes | 3 | <1% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 2 | <1% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | <1% |
| Traction control system | 2 | <1% |
| Visibility | 2 | <1% |
| Wheels | 2 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
I drove out of town about 40 miles and everything was fine, next day went to leave to come home and immediately noticed high RPMs going about 20MPH. …
There is a recall for the manufacturer emissions that the website doesn’t have on this car.
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. …
2012 Nissan Altima recalls
The 2012 Nissan Altima has been the subject of 4 recall campaigns.
The most recent, campaign 12V494000 from October 2012, concerns suspension and steering.
Air bags account for 2 of the 4 campaigns, more than any other area.
12V055000 · February 14, 2012 · Air bags
Problem: THESE VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS THAT CONTAIN AN INCORRECT PROPELLANT MIXTURE FOR THE INITIATOR COMPONENT USED, RESULTING IN INSUFFICIENT OUTPUT OF COMPRESSED GAS.
Risk: THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ONE OR BOTH SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG MODULES, AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE.
11V408000 · August 9, 2011 · Air bags
Risk: THE AFFECTED ACU WILL NOT OPERATE AS DESIGNED AND THIS ISSUE MAY CAUSE THE AIR BAGS NOT TO INFLATE IN A CRASH WHEN THEY ARE DESIGNED TO INFLATE.
Remedy: NISSAN WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT FREE OF CHARGE.
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Altima years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12V494000 | October 10, 2012 | Suspension, Steering | 2012–2013 |
| 11V371000 | July 19, 2011 | Suspension | 2011–2012 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA crash-tested 2 versions of the 2012 Nissan Altima; the best overall score is 4 out of 5 stars.
| Version tested | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-door FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2-door FWD | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | ★★★★★ |
Crash-test photos: NHTSA (public domain). NHTSA can reuse a test for later model years of the same design.
Compared with other years
Complaints per year on sale divide each model year's NHTSA complaints by the years since it went on sale, so older and newer Nissan Altimas can be compared fairly.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 34 | 1,601 | 89 | 4 |
| 2010 | 34 | 393 | 23 | 3 |
| 2011 | 33 | 246 | 15 | 1 |
| 2012 | 26 | 426 | 28 | 4 |
| 2013 | 31 | 2,313 | 164 | 12 |
| 2014 | 31 | 1,114 | 85 | 8 |
| 2015 | 31 | 955 | 79 | 10 |
Every Nissan Altima model year compared →
FAQ
Is the 2012 Altima a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2012 Nissan Altima has 28 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (9th most of 17 model years), 4 recall campaigns, a best overall crash rating of 4 stars and up to 26 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2012 Altima problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are power train (149), engine (68) and air bags (57). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2012 Altima have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns. To see whether a recall is still open on a specific car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Altima get?
The EPA rates the versions at 21–26 mpg combined (18–23 city, 27–32 highway).
How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Altima per year?
About $2,510 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, up to about $3,110 for the thirstiest version, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).