---
title: "2012 Nissan Altima Battery: Group 35, 550 CCA"
description: "The 2012 Nissan Altima uses a BCI group 35 battery rated at 550 cold cranking amps. Fitment, replacement notes, and what to check before you buy."
url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/battery"
updated: "2026-08-20"
---

# 2012 Nissan Altima Battery Size (BCI Group and CCA)

The 2012 Nissan Altima uses a BCI group 35 battery rated at 550 cold cranking amps. Fitment, replacement notes, and what to check before you buy.

**Quick answer**: The 2012 Nissan Altima uses a Group 35 battery, 550 CCA.

## 2012 Nissan Altima battery specifications (High confidence)

| Spec | Value |
| --- | --- |
| BCI group size | 35 |
| Cold cranking amps | 550 CCA |
| Battery type | FLOODED |
| AGM required | No |
| Location | Engine bay, driver side |

Note: Factory battery is a flooded Group 35 rated ~550 CCA; retail Group 35 replacements are commonly 600-640 CCA and drop straight in.

## Which Nissan Altima model years does this cover?

These battery specifications apply to every Nissan Altima built from 2012 through 2012, the L32 (4th generation, final year), mid-size sedan (coupe continued separately through 2013). Nothing in this specification changes between those model years.

- [2012 Altima](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012)

## What changed during 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. |

## 2012 Nissan Altima battery: common questions

### What size battery does a 2012 Nissan Altima take?

BCI group 35, rated at 550 cold cranking amps from the factory. Group size is a physical dimension and terminal-position standard, so a battery from a different group may not clamp down or may put the terminals on the wrong side.

### How many CCA does a 2012 Nissan Altima need?

At least 550 CCA. Going higher is harmless and helps in cold climates; going lower is how a vehicle that started fine in October stops starting in January.

### Does the 2012 Nissan Altima need an AGM battery?

The factory battery is a conventional flooded type. AGM is a valid upgrade, but never downgrade from AGM to flooded.

### Where is the battery on a 2012 Nissan Altima?

Engine bay, driver side.

### Does a 2012 Nissan Altima need the battery registered after replacement?

Factory battery is a flooded Group 35 rated ~550 CCA; retail Group 35 replacements are commonly 600-640 CCA and drop straight in.

## 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/)

## Other Nissan Altima generations

- [2019-2025 Nissan Altima battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2019-2025/battery)
- [2013-2018 Nissan Altima battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2013-2018/battery)

Or [compare all generations](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/battery).

## More for the 2012 Nissan Altima

- [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/oil)
- [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/tires)
- [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/wipers)
- [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/filters)
- [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/bulbs)
- [Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/fluids)
- [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/service-schedule)
- [Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/common-problems)
- [Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/oil-reset)
- [Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/key-fob-battery)
- [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/specs)

Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.