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2012 Nissan Altima Coupe 3.5 SR 6MT

The 2012 Nissan Altima Coupe 3.5 SR 6MT is a 270-hp 3.5-liter V6 coupe with a 6-speed manual and front-wheel drive. It starts at $31,200 MSRP and is rated at 21 mpg combined.

It makes 270 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 258 lb-ft of torque at 4400 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 18 mpg city and 27 mpg highway (21 mpg combined).

The Altima measures 180.9 inches long on a 105.3-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 3,294 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeCoupe
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$31,200 ($44,164 *)
MSRP with Destination$31,980 ($45,268 *)
Destination Charge$780
Engine
Engine Type3.5L V6 (VQ35DE)
Displacement3.5 L
Horsepower270 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque258 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm
ValvetrainDOHC 24-valve
Injection TypeSequential Multi-Port Fuel Injection (SMPI)
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFWD
Transmission
Transmission6-speed manual
1st Gear3.15
2nd Gear1.95
3rd Gear1.39
4th Gear1.05
5th Gear0.8
6th Gear0.63
Reverse3
Final Drive4.13
Fuel Economy
City18 MPG
Highway27 MPG
Combined21 MPG
Recommended FuelPremium
Tank Capacity20 gal
Suspension
Front SuspensionIndependent strut
Rear SuspensionMulti-link
Front Stabilizer Bar0.95 in
Rear Stabilizer Bar0.72 in
Brakes
Front Brake Disc11.7 in x 1.0 in, vented
Rear Brake Disc11.5 in x 0.4 in
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front18 x 8.0 in
Wheels Rear18 x 8.0 in
Tires FrontP235/45R18
Tires RearP235/45R18
Dimensions & Weight
Length180.9 in
Width70.7 in
Height55.9 in
Wheelbase105.3 in
Front Track61 in
Rear Track61.2 in
Ground Clearance5.3 in
Cargo Volume8.2 ft³
Curb Weight3,294 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front37.2 in
Headroom Rear35.6 in
Legroom Front42.5 in
Legroom Rear34.4 in
Shoulder Room Front53.9 in
Shoulder Room Rear52.4 in
Hip Room Front54.2 in
Hip Room Rear47.6 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Side crash Not rated
Rollover ★★★★★ (9.3 % risk)
Tested variant: 2012 Nissan Altima 2 DR FWD
Other tested variants (1)
  • 2012 Nissan Altima 4 DR FWD: 4 ★ overall

Recalls

4 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2012 Nissan ALTIMA. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Oct 10, 2012 · 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 were not torqued to proper specification.

Consequence: The affected bolts could become loose and fall out which may lead to a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the bolts to the proper torque specifications. The safety recall is expected to begin during November 2012. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1-800-647-7261.

NHTSA campaign 12V494000

Feb 14, 2012 · 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 IN INSUFFICIENT OUTPUT OF COMPRESSED GAS.

Consequence: 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. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 12, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 615-725-1000.

NHTSA campaign 12V055000

Aug 9, 2011 · 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 BECAUSE THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT (ACU) WAS ASSEMBLED INCORRECTLY.

Consequence: 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. THIS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy: NISSAN WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 22, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

NHTSA campaign 11V408000

Jul 19, 2011 · 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 TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE BOLT TO BECOME LOOSE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, CREATING A RATTLING NOISE AND VIBRATION.

Consequence: IF THE BOLT COMES OUT COMPLETELY, THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: NISSAN WILL REPLACE THE TRANSVERSE LINK BOLTS AND NUTS AND TIGHTEN THEM TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATION FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 8, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

NHTSA campaign 11V371000

426 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2012 Nissan ALTIMA

Owner Complaints

426 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Nissan ALTIMA (24 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 16 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Power Train149
Engine68
Air Bags57
Unknown Or Other56
Vehicle Speed Control49
Electrical System44
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Sep 22, 2026 · Steering, Suspension
“am submitting a formal safety defect report regarding the steering system on my 2012 Nissan Altima Coupe. The vehicle exhibits a loose and unstable steering feel, accompanied by a distinct clunking…”
Aug 16, 2026 · Structure
“Took the car to a repair shop to get an alignment. Was told that the frame rear cross member was so rusty that it needed to be replaced, and that if it broke while driving I would lose control of the…”
Jul 24, 2026 · Air Bags Crash
“I was working, and as I was on my way to a location a lady in front of me came to a complete stop since a couple of ducks were crossing causing me to come to a complete stop as well. As I stopped I…”
May 1, 2026 · Tires
“215/60/r16 Driving down, interstate st 70 steering wheel started to shake, then load noise as if running over something, then could see the entire middle tread of the tire flying into the lane behind…”
Apr 9, 2026 · Unknown Or Other Crash
“I am reporting a potential unintended automatic emergency braking event involving a 2025 Tesla Cybertruck. On 23Mar2026, at approximately 40 mph, I was traveling behind a Tesla Cybertruck on a public…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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