ABS/VDC CAN DIAGNOSIS INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 Nissan Altima brakes problems
severe Owners of the 2012 Nissan Altima have filed 10 NHTSA complaints about the brakes at roughly $450 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
| Model year | brakes complaints |
|---|---|
| 2008 Altima | 76 |
| 2009 Altima | 18 |
| 2010 Altima | 10 |
| 2011 Altima | 8 |
| 2012 Altima (this page) | 10 |
| 2013 Altima | 25 |
| 2014 Altima | 13 |
| 2015 Altima | 17 |
1crash
2injuries
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
NISSAN; DTC P0456 CAUSED BY EVAP LEAK AT VENT CONTROL VALVE O-RING This bulletin has been amended. The APPLIED VEHICLES and CLAIMS INFORMATION sections have been revised. No other changes have been made. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE INFORMATION This bulletin has compiled Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) and Low Tire Pressure Warning System (LTPWS) information for: - Basic diagnosing of TPMS/LTPWS systems - Radio frequency interference causing a "No Data" (C1708, C1709, C1710, C1711) condition - Sensor leaks - Moving TPMS/LTPWS wheel assemblies from one vehicle to another and TPMS/LTPWS sensor registration - Air pressure changes with altitude and ambient temperatures - Aftermarket tire sealers - Aftermarket wheels - Inflating/deflating tires with TPMS/LTPWS sensors See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE INFORMATION When servicing run flat tires or low profile tires: - Special equipment and procedures are required to avoid damage. - Specifically, Tire Pressure Monitor transmitters (TPMS sensors) can be damaged when improperly dismounting and mounting tires. - TPMS sensors becoming damaged during mounting or dismounting tires are not covered under warranty. - To avoid such damage, ensure that the tire changer being used and the operator of the tire changer is capable of servicing run flat and low profile tires. - Operator?s manuals for such tire changers must be followed. See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE INFORMATION - This bulletin is to assist you in responding to customer questions about brake operation, and provides diagnostic and repair information for each item listed, if any should occur. - Most brake incidents fall into the following categories: a. Brake Noise: A squeak, squeal, clunk, or groan that occurs when the brakes are applied or released. b. Brake Judder: A vibration that can be felt in the vehicle, steering wheel or brake pedal when the brakes are applied. c. Pedal Feel: The effort needed to operate the brakes is too high or too low. SERVICE PROCEDURE 1. Verify the condition by road testing the vehicle with the customer. 2. Determine the specific brake incident based
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe a range of brake system failures on 2012 Altimas, from safety-critical to annoying. The most serious: four seized calipers causing complete inability to stop at a busy intersection, one owner hitting another vehicle because brakes would not engage despite repeated pedal pressure, and a third reporting brake grab at low speeds that threw occupants forward and froze wheels with minimal pedal depression.
Brake noise emerges as a pattern, starting within weeks of ownership. One owner heard squeaking a week after purchase; the dealership called it normal, replaced pads and shaved a rotor, but noise and scrubbing persisted months later. Another reported loud squeaks with rubbing sensation within two weeks of buying used. Premature wear shows up early: one new-car owner needed all brake pads and rotors replaced before 20,000 miles.
Pedal issues also appear: one owner's brake pedal dropped to the floor when depressed in gear, triggering a warning light; another described foot confusion between brake and accelerator pedals positioned too far apart, resulting in hitting the floor instead of braking.
Dealerships consistently declined warranty coverage, citing corrosion, winter weather, or normal operation. One mentioned a defective power booster; another simply said brake design uses different materials now. No owner reported successful manufacturer intervention.
Same Nissan Altima brakes reports on nearby years: 2009 · 2010 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Seized brake calipers with brake failure
All four brake calipers seized, resulting in loss of braking ability. Owner experienced inability to stop completely at a busy intersection. Rotors showed only a thin stripe of pad contact down the middle. Dealership declined warranty coverage, citing corrosion and winter weather conditions.
When: 2.5 years old, low mileage, in heated garage
Symptoms owners cite: inability to stop completely; thin pad contact stripe on rotors; brake failure at intersection
Repairs/costs cited: Owner replaced all four rotors and pads; dealership cleaned calipers. Local mechanic found rotor deglazing unnecessary.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership stated problem was due to location (upstate New York) and winter environment; declined warranty coverage citing corrosion
Brake noise and rapid pad wear
Squeaking sounds within one week of purchase, progressing to scrubbing noise. Front brake pads and one rotor replaced at dealership under 4 months of ownership. Noise and scrubbing persisted after service.
When: Within 1 week of purchase; at 3-4 months old
Symptoms owners cite: squeaking sounds when braking; scrubbing noise; noise increased over time
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership replaced front brake pads and shaved one rotor; problems persisted
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mechanic stated it is normal for brakes to squeak occasionally because brakes are not made with same materials as past
Brake pedal drops to floor
Brake pedal dropped to floorboard when depressed to place vehicle in drive. Brake warning light illuminated on instrument panel.
When: At 7,400 miles
Symptoms owners cite: brake pedal dropped to floorboard; brake warning light illuminated
Brake squeak with rubbing sensation and loss of braking
Loud squeak and rubbing sensation when braking, described as not catching properly. Owner purchased used vehicle from CarMax and reported problem within 2 weeks.
When: Within 2 weeks of used purchase
Symptoms owners cite: loud squeak; rubbing sensation; feels like brakes not catching
Complete brake failure with collision
Owner unable to brake while traveling at road speed. Vehicle collided with car in front. Owner reports pushing brake pedal repeatedly with no braking response. Airbags did not deploy.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: no braking response; brake pedal ineffective; collision occurred
Brake grabbing and wheel lock-up at low speeds
Brake grab at low speeds (10-30 mph) throwing occupants forward. On one occasion wheels froze with brake pedal depressed only 20 percent. Intermittent but repeatable failure.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: brake grab at 10-30 mph; occupants thrown forward; wheels froze; intermittent grabbing
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer claimed defective brake power booster; not covered by warranty
Brake and accelerator pedal confusion
Brake and accelerator pedals are positioned too far apart. Driver's foot goes between them and hits floor instead of braking, particularly when transitioning from accelerator to brake.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: foot goes between pedals; hits floor instead of braking; occurs on street and highway
Premature brake pad and rotor wear
All brake pads and rotors required replacement at less than 20,000 miles on new vehicle. Owner sent letter to Nissan corporate headquarters requesting action.
When: Before 20,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: premature wear of all pads and rotors
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No response received to owner letter to Nissan corporate headquarters
Loud ABS startup clunk
Loud clunking sound at startup occurring at around 30 mph on all Nissans. Manufacturer confirms this is normal ABS brake test, but owners report it is very loud and annoying.
When: At startup, at around 30 mph
Symptoms owners cite: loud clunking sound at startup; occurs around 30 mph
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan states this is normal ABS brake test
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had brakes 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 brakes problem on the 2012 Nissan Altima?
It's a meaningful issue. 10 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Based on the 10 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 33,046 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes 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 brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
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.