Of the 47 airbags complaints filed for the 2012 Nissan Altima,
here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
1 (50%)
25-50k
0 (0%)
50-75k
0 (0%)
75-100k
1 (50%)
100-125k
0 (0%)
125-150k
0 (0%)
150k+
0 (0%)
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted.
Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits
and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
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
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.
Fix: 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.
What owners are reporting
3 most recent
airbags
· filed 12/29/2020
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: "…
airbags · 11,000 mi
· filed 12/18/2014
The 'airbag off' light for the passenger seat turns on randomly, regardless of who is in the seat (140+ pounds). The car was purchased off lease last year from east coast auto mall, 340 sylvan ave, englewood cliffs, nj 07632. We called them and asked about if the airbag would deploy if the light was on, even though there was an adult in the seat, this was their response: "well no.. But…
airbags · 78,337 mi
· filed 12/15/2015
I noticed my passenger airbag "off" indicator was illuminated and my dashboard warning light was blinking. No one was in the passenger seat at the time. I took my car in for service at the dealership and they found an error code b1018 ocs. This problem did not have an active recall. The dealership replaced the passenger side seat cushion assembly and tested the airbag system. I contacted…
Had airbags trouble with your 2012 Nissan Altima?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2012 Nissan Altima?
It's a meaningful issue. 47 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 32 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 29,100 and 82,500 miles, with the median around 56,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 29,100; a quarter make it past 82,500. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover airbags issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Nissan/Altima.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.