--- title: "2012 Nissan Altima Parts and Specs" description: "Everything for the 2012 Nissan Altima: oil type and capacity, battery group size, tire sizes, wiper blades, filters, service schedule, and common problems, verified, sourced, and in one place." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012" updated: "2026-08-20" --- # 2012 Nissan Altima parts and specs Everything you need to own and maintain this exact model year. Verified specifications, part numbers, and the problems that recur, in one place. L32 (4th generation, final year), 2012, Mid-size sedan (coupe continued separately through 2013). ## Quick facts | Quick fact | Value | | --- | --- | | Engine oil | 5W-30, 4.9 qt (base engine) | | Battery | Group 35, 550 CCA | | Tire size | 215/60R16 (base trim) | | Wiper blades | 28" / 17" | | Key fob battery | CR2032 (Intelligent Key) | | Fuel tank | 20 gal | ## Specifications for the 2012 Altima ### Oil & filter Viscosity, capacity, filter part numbers, change interval [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/oil). ### Battery BCI group size, cold cranking amps, AGM or flooded [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/battery). ### Tires & wheels Factory sizes by trim, pressures, bolt pattern, lug torque [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/tires). ### Wiper blades Driver, passenger and rear blade lengths [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/wipers). ### Air & cabin filters Cabin and engine air filter part numbers, locations, intervals [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/filters). ### Bulbs Headlight, fog and marker bulb types [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/bulbs). ### Fluids Transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid and capacities [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/fluids). ### Service schedule What's actually due at every mileage interval [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/service-schedule). ### Problems & reliability Documented failures, recalls, and which years to avoid [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/common-problems). ### Oil light reset Step-by-step maintenance light reset, no tools [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/oil-reset). ### Key fob battery Which coin cell the remote takes [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/key-fob-battery). ### Specs Towing, weight, fuel tank, fuel economy [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/specs). These specifications are shared across every Altima of the L32 (4th generation, final year) generation. See the [2012 Nissan Altima overview](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012) for the full picture, or the [Nissan Altima guide](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima) to compare every generation. ## What changed for the 2012 Nissan Altima | Years | What changed | | --- | --- | | 2012 | Final year of the L32 sedan (2007-2012 design); the all-new L33 replaced it for 2013. The two-door Altima coupe continued on this platform through 2013. | ## Known problems with the 2012 Nissan Altima 3 of the 3 issues we track for the 2012 generation are documented against the 2012 model year. ### CVT judder, whine and premature failure (major) The early Jatco CVT can shudder on light throttle, whine loudly, and overheat into a reduced-power limp mode on long grades in hot weather; worn steel belts and valve-body wear eventually kill the unit. Nissan's famous 10-year/120,000-mile CVT warranty extension covered 2003-2010 models only, 2012 cars got the standard 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, so out-of-warranty owners pay full price. Budget for a used or reman transmission if a high-mileage example starts shuddering. Typical cost: $3,000-$4,500 (replacement CVT installed). ### Transverse link / power steering rack bolts can loosen (recalls) (major) Suspension transverse link (lower control arm) bolts and power steering rack bolts were not torqued properly at the factory on some cars and can loosen or fall out, causing clunks, wandering steering, and in the worst case loss of control. Nissan recalled affected 2012 Altimas twice; dealers re-torque or replace the bolts free. NHTSA 11V-371 and 12V-494. Typical cost: Free under recall. ### Side curtain airbag propellant defect (recall) (moderate) Curtain airbag inflators on a batch of early-build 2012 Altimas were assembled with an incorrect propellant mix and may not deploy properly in a crash. Dealers replace the curtain airbag modules free of charge under recall. NHTSA 12V-055. Typical cost: Free under recall. Full detail, costs and sources on the [Nissan Altima problems and years to avoid](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/common-problems) guide. ## Which engines were offered in the 2012 Altima? | Engine | Trims | Oil | Oil capacity | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2.5L 4-cylinder (QR25DE) | 2.5, 2.5 S, 2.5 SL | 5W-30 | 4.9 qt | | 3.5L V6 (VQ35DE) | 3.5 SR | 5W-30 | 4.9 qt | ## About the Nissan Altima The Nissan Altima is a midsize sedan whose 2012-2025 run is really a story about engines and one transmission. 5L VQ35DE V6, both on 5W-30 oil and an early Jatco CVT (NS-2 fluid). 8-million-car hood-latch recall and a dim-headlight settlement. 0L KR20DDET VC-Turbo, which was dropped after 2024 and later swept into a 444,000-vehicle engine-bearing recall (NHTSA 25V-437). 3 bolt pattern, 83 ft-lb lug torque, CR2032 key-fob battery, and cheap, shared service parts, the famous 15208-65F0E oil filter fits nearly every engine here. 2025 is the Altima's final model year. For how the specifications changed across every generation, see the [full Nissan Altima guide](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima). ## Other Nissan Altima years - [2025](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2025) - [2024](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2024) - [2023](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2023) - [2022](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2022) - [2021](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2021) - [2020](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2020) - [2019](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2019) - [2018](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2018) - [2017](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2017) - [2016](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2016) - [2015](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2015) - [2014](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2014) - [2013](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2013) Data confidence for this generation: High confidence. ## Sources - [NHTSA recalls by vehicle, 2012 Nissan Altima (11V-371, 12V-055, 12V-494)](https://api.nhtsa.gov/recalls/recallsByVehicle?make=nissan&model=altima&modelYear=2012) - [Nissan parts catalog, 15208-9E01A oil filter fitment 1998-2012 Altima](https://parts.nissanusa.com/parts/nissan-oil-filter-152089e01a) - [TirePressure.org, 2012 Nissan Altima placard pressures](https://tirepressure.org/nissan/altima/2012) - [HID Nation, 2012 Nissan Altima bulb sizes](https://www.hidnation.com/pages/2012-nissan-altima) - [fueleconomy.gov, 2012 Nissan Altima EPA ratings](https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2012_Nissan_Altima.shtml) - [Nissan Altima Forum, 2012 vs 2013 oil viscosity (5W-30 vs 0W-20)](https://www.altimaforums.net/threads/2013-altima-0w20-or-5w30.7380/) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.