Overview & Reviews

Other than minor feature availability adjustments, the 2012 Nissan Altima is unchanged. Nissan has also discontinued the Altima Hybrid this year.

• Quiet ride
• Responsive steering
• Many available electronic features
• Capable chassis
• Available coupe body style.

• Complex options structure.
• Smaller backseat than rivals

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 47.00

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  Very disappointing car - 2012 Nissan Altima
  By boothill42 - July 13 - 1:30 pm

  The performance was lackluster. The 4-cylinder 2.5L had to be pushed hard to keep up with traffic, especially on the hills. The engine was noisy, too. Mileage was good when on flat terrain and when really taking it easy, but because the engine was so under-powered I only averaged 21 MPG. The seats had good bolsters, but the cushions were too hard to get comfortable, especially on long drives, and one slid on the seat under hard cornering. The cloth material was nice and did not get too hot or too cold. The head restraints are horrible and put the neck at an uncomfortable angle. The handling was good, but the ride was too harsh to make it a comfortable car for the family.

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  Good in concept, mediocre in execution - 2012 Nissan Altima
  By ssbrookhaven65 - December 15 - 9:27 am

  The Altima 2.5S is, in my opinion and experience, not worth the price. You can purchase much more for your money by purchasing an Accord, Fusion, or a Mazda 6. I had purchased the Altima brand new for 24,500. For a few grand more, I couldve had a fully loaded Accord Coupe with blue tooth, navigation, and a rear back-up camera. My Altima has no premium options that are available on cars even a few years older than it (such as my former 2007 Honda Accord EX-L). The 2.5S produces adequate torque for normal acceleration. I have timed my Altima from 0-60 in the 7.2-8.1 range on various occasions. My gas mileage figures do not come close to the quoted EPA estimates. I only average 21 MGP overall.

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  Test Drive at Nite A Must! - 2012 Nissan Altima
  By Sarah - September 4 - 1:20 am

  In all the cars Ive owned, never would I have thought to test-drive at nite to check the visibility in a car for the headlights. Wish I wouldve. As much as I like my 2013 Altima, the headlights suck! Like one of the reviews, you really cant see past 100-150 feet ahead of you and going faster than 60mph....is tough when youre not familiar with the roads unless you are following someone! Im looking into purchasing road lamps. That should help, but its ridiculous! Dont buy this car or any until you test-drive at nite. And the car was steering and pulling like when youre on the frwy in those grooves....even when youre not. Talk about increasing the play of the traction/steering when youre in the rain on the freeway! No time to relax and drive.....had to take the car into Mossy for them to repair and they couldnt figure it out and Temecula Nissan was able to correct the issue. Dont ask what it was as I forget sadly but Im sure the mister remembers. Each car is like a kid, even tho they come from the same parents just like twins, they are all different so be sure to test drive the car you want to buy before buying and test drive at nite too on a road/frwy you arent familiar with and read the reviews. Youd swear the poor visibility of my headlights was due to the plastic cover being 10 years old and needs polishing but thats NOT the case. Good luck and hopefully Nissan will read these reports and no that there is a valid and legitamate issue with these headlights! Otherwise, yes I like my car!

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  Inspect thoroughly - 2012 Nissan Altima
  By jacksol - June 12 - 12:07 pm

  I was looking for a car good on gas , low miles, nice sporty looking, found it at dealership for $12,999, thought I had hit the jackpot. Purchased in May and in July noticed a rattling noise , it was pulling when driving, was hard to tell when it changed gears. In Sept, the a/c started blowing hot air and on a 6 hr trip, the car started losing power, rpm was high, was making whining noise, was struggling to change gears. The car was still under warranty so took to the shop, had to replace A/C condenser unit , had to pay deductible, then had to get wrecker to pick up and take to another place because the transmission was stuck in 2nd gear .They had to put in another transmission and welded the pipe which was causing the rattling. Had to pay another deductible. A week later, car will not change gears and fluid is leaking like crazy, had to get another wrecker to take back to dealership found out there was a problem with seal . 2 weeks later, check engine light came on, problem with sensor, last week check engine light came back on, problem with computer. At this point I am beyond frustrated, I tried trading it in on something else, but right now am so upside down that I cant afford anything so am just stuck with it and looking for a way out.

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  Want my 02 SE back - 2012 Nissan Altima
  By wild8willy - January 26 - 3:29 pm

  Had and 02SE that was totalled. Just replaced it with this car. CVT is horrible, sluggish and noisey. Bose radio is rotten compared to my 02. On the positive side, interior materials are great. Care feels heavey and bolated to drive. Steering is numb. Tailpipes are uneven and one stick out further than the other. Trunk is crooked one side is rubbing the bumperskin. There are burrs around the lip of the wheel wells. There is a paint defect in the middle of the roof that looks like Nissan painted over a 2 inch worm. I can not wait to get rid of the car and it has a little over 300 miles on it.

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  Nissan service - 2012 Nissan Altima
  By Paul Jackson - February 20 - 4:26 am

  If you find a problem with a certified car that the dealer refuses to correct, Nissan will not assist the customer to resolve the matter.

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  Noisiest car I ever had - 2012 Nissan Altima
  By frespo - September 13 - 8:53 am

  I bought my new car ~ 2 months ago. Since the beginning it made a loud "grinding" engine noise. I think it sounds like a loud diesel car. Took it to the dealer and they could not find anything "unusual". You could hear it over the radio, which is not very good. This car is noisier than the Civic 2001 it replaced! On gas milegae, I was looking forward to getting at least 30. No such luck. With the car brand new it gave me 27 and now it is down to 25. It does not have a USB port, which comes standard with cheaper cars. In short, not the new car experience I was hoping for. Do yourself a favor. DO NOT BUY AN ALTIMA. There are plenty of good cars out there. Many are priced lower than this

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  Dim Headlights - 2012 Nissan Altima
  By tsgttony - January 3 - 6:44 pm

  I have bought this car back in September, I discovered that the headlights are quite dim. no where bright as my old 2009 Subaru. I returned to the dealer 2x in 2wks each time I was told there was nothing wrong. Complained to nissan headquarters they politely listened to my problem. I have offered to pay for a portion of the enhanced bulbs, but was told by the service manager that this model can not be upgraded. I considered purchasing brighter bulbs from Napa. Was told by Service manager that this would void the warranty, I am now awaiting a call from the GM, had I knowen how dim these lights were I would have never purchased this car, furthmore turn on the high beams is not much of an impro

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  Car wont start - 2012 Nissan Altima
  By solarwinds - November 5 - 10:13 pm

  We leased this vehicle... Got a great deal.. But the car now wont start and has to be towed to dealer hopefully they fix it... The dealer we got the car from is very good and the service guys are very nice and helpful... NPN in nj rt 22. The car at high speed with weight in the back passengers is ver unstable. The car has a nice design and interior but over all its a cheap built... In the snow its undrivable and as good as rear wheel drive. MPG is ok but not great. Seats are very comfortable and the dash is nice. The push button start has recently failed and the car will have to be towed...

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  Paint Defects - 2012 Nissan Altima
  By skreamz - August 14 - 5:13 pm

  bought a certified used 2012 Nissan Altimawith only 7.000 miles from Montrose Nissan in Hermitage, Pennsylvania in Sept 2012. I noticed in March 2013 that my trunk lid on my car had defects in the clear coat. After closer examination They were real small specs in the clear coat that were starting to peel. Several trips to the dealership and endless phone calls to Nissan Consumer Affairs and still no result. The service department at this dealership is very slow when it comes to this issue. Nissan has very very poor service when it comes to warranty issues. Save your money and go buy either a Honda or a Toyota. This is the last time I ever buy a Nissan. Nissan you blew it.