Recall 11V408 affects 54 2012 Nissan Altima and Nv vehicles for an incorrectly assembled air bag control unit. Repair is free at franchised Nissan dealers.
Nissan is recalling 54 2012 Altima and Nv vehicles because the air bag control unit was assembled incorrectly. If the ACU does not work as designed, the air bags can fail to inflate in a crash when they are supposed to. That raises injury risk, and the Nissan dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The air bag control unit in the 2012 Nissan Altima and Nv is the electronic module that watches crash sensor signals and decides when the frontal air bags need to deploy. It sits inside the supplemental restraint system, the part of the vehicle that works with the seat belts to reduce injury in a crash. When the system is built correctly, the control unit keeps the frontal air bags ready and sends the deployment command at the right moment.
On affected vehicles, the air bag control unit was assembled incorrectly. That assembly error leaves the control module inactive or unable to process crash signals as designed. In a crash severe enough to need frontal air bags, the system does not have a properly working control unit to command deployment.
There is no warning sign before failure. You are not expected to feel, hear, or see a clear symptom from the control unit before the air bag system fails to work as designed.
Who's affected?
Covers both the Altima sedan and Nv van, with the same front air bag component listed for each.
| 2012 Nissan Altima | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2012 Nissan Nv | front air bag |
| Units affected | 54 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
The air bag control unit can fail to operate as designed. In a crash where the air bags should deploy, the air bags can fail to inflate, increasing injury risk. Schedule the recall repair soon and ask the dealer whether the vehicle needs any special handling before service. Repair will be free at any franchised Nissan dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012 Nissan Altima or Nv is included in this recall.
- Ask a franchised Nissan dealer whether the free air bag control unit replacement is open for your VIN; the repair replaces the incorrectly assembled unit that controls air bag deployment.
- Bring any Nissan recall notice you received. If you do not have it, reference recall number 11V408 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, and make the appointment before carrying passengers when you can.
What happens at the repair
Nissan's filing says the safety recall began on August 22, 2011, and identifies the repair as replacement of the air bag control unit. If your VIN is included, a Nissan technician replaces the incorrectly assembled control unit with the correct part. The dealer repair is free under the recall once Nissan confirms parts and eligibility for your vehicle. The filing does not give a repair time, so ask the service desk how long the appointment will take when you schedule.
Timeline
| August 9, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 22, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V408?
Recall 11V408 covers 54 2012 Nissan Altima and Nv vehicles with an incorrectly assembled air bag control unit. The affected unit can prevent the air bags from inflating in a crash when they are designed to inflate, increasing injury risk. Nissan replaces the unit for free.
What should I do if my 2012 Nissan Altima or Nv is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 11V408. If it is, contact a franchised Nissan dealer and ask for the air bag control unit replacement. Reference recall number 11V408 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Nissan will replace the air bag control unit free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at a franchised Nissan dealer for vehicles included in recall 11V408.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is that the air bags can fail to inflate in a crash when they are designed to inflate. That raises the risk of injury for people in the vehicle. The fix is to have Nissan replace the air bag control unit for free.
What if I bought my Nissan Altima or Nv used?
The free repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2012 Nissan Altima or Nv is included, then call a franchised Nissan dealer and reference recall number 11V408.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V408000 |
|---|---|
| Nissan customer service | 1-800-647-7261 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V408 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V408000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →