Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Nissan Altima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was driving in the rain on 2-21-16 approaching a traffic light. The car accelerated when brake was applied, resulting in a 25 MPH collision. Airbags did not deploy. I was bruised but did not require medical attention. I was cited for running the light. I am now afraid to drive the car.
As I was starting to slow down in preparation of taking a turn off the frontage road my car completely shut off, my brakes and steering locked and luckily I was able to complete my turn into a gas station where I immediately put it in park and restarted via push start., 2 days later this occurred again on a fairly busy street where I repeated the steps to start it again. I am extremely scared to have this happen again on a heavily traveled street causing me to be involved in a collision , I have researched online and see other reports/complaints of the same issue I described yet do not see any recall issued regrading this extremely dangerous defect.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. While stationary, the vehicle would not start when prompted by the key fob. In addition, while driving various speeds, the vehicle would not stop when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact was able to place the vehicle in park to stop. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 113,090.
Brought a car from carmax brandywine md 2 weeks ago the cars breake pedal has a loud squeek and rubbing sensation when trying to brake it seems like it isnt catching took it back to carmax on 10/7/2015 they still have my car its 10/14/2015 I have read its a known fact that these cars have this problem witch could result in a accident if malfunction happens.
When I am driving... Using the accelerator... And go to brake... My foot goes between the brake and accelerator and hits the floor instead of braking. This is dangerous.. The brake pedal and accelerator pedal are too far apart. It happens anywhere on street...or highway.
Purchased my new Altima s2.5 convience pkg plus 1st of aug 2012. I bought new car to be safe this was my 3rd Altima. Mon. Dec 31, 2012 @ 11;15 a.m. I made right turn into home driveway. My driveway is steep house sits down was proceeding forward down driveway to enter garage. I had brakes no warnings or indicators anything was wrong. Top of drive had brakes on, then let off little to allow car to go forward. As I eased off liitle on brakes down car started to accelerate to fast so tried to apply pressure to brakes and went to floor, started pumping brakes and nothing car would not slow down to avoid going through garage door or side of house veered to right steering was little tight all could think was keep pumping brakes! Car went off embankment airborne landed on neighbors driveway empact shook me. …
The pedals are positioned too close together. My husband complained of this a few weeks ago when he drove my car because his shoe got caught on the brake pedal as he was lifting his foot off the gas pedal. Then, yesterday, the same thing happened to me. I nearly drove my car through the front of the daycare where I was dropping off my son. I am now aware of how extra-cautious I have to be when driving my car so this doesn't happen again. This has never happened to me with any other car. I've been driving for 25 years!
Pushed brake to start stopping, brakes shuttered. Let up on brake, then reapplied and it shuttered again. This continued. Checked brake fluid, it was down slightly, put in to fill. Problem better but still exists, now air compressor gone.. This car was bought in oct 2012 what a lemon. Thank goodness it is a lease. Noise under car since day bought. At 30 MPH it sounds like something hits something under there. Dealer says, just nature of car. I do not buy that explanation.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. While parked, the contact depressed the brake pedal to place the vehicle in drive. The brake pedal dropped down to the floorboard. The brake warning light also illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 7,400.
I was driving my vehicle and was traveling at speed of the road and I wanted to make a full stop but I hit a car in front of me! I pushed and pushed the brakes and the vehicle never brake!! Also my air bags did not deploy!! There is physical and bodily damage to the car in front of me! Also my car was damaged! Nissan should step up to fix this problem!
Brake complaints in other Altima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2012 Nissan Altima?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the brakes of the 2012 Nissan Altima, 5% of the model year's 426 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2012 Nissan Altima brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2012 Nissan Altima, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2012 Nissan Altima brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 36,000 miles, and 43% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.