Recall 12V055 affects 976 2012 Nissan Altima and Versa vehicles for side curtain air bags with incorrect propellant mixture. Free repair at franchised Nissan dealers.
Nissan is recalling 976 2012 Altima and Versa vehicles because the side curtain air bag initiator contains the wrong propellant mixture, leaving it without enough compressed gas output. In a crash, the side curtain air bags can fail to deploy and raise injury risk; the Nissan dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The side curtain air bags in 2012 Nissan Altima and Versa vehicles are the air bags mounted along the roof area near the side windows. When the system calls for deployment, an initiator starts the inflator reaction so compressed gas fills the curtain air bag. That gas lets the bag expand into position beside the occupant area.
On affected vehicles, the initiator contains the wrong propellant mixture. Because the mixture is incorrect, the inflator does not produce enough compressed gas. The side curtain air bag then has less gas available to inflate as intended when the system deploys.
There is no warning sign before failure. The air bag system has no owner-visible symptom tied to this defect, so the VIN decides whether a 2012 Altima or Versa is included.
Who's affected?
Altima and Versa are listed under the same side air bag component for this recall.
| 2012 Nissan Altima | side air bag |
|---|---|
| 2012 Nissan Versa | side air bag |
| Units affected | 976 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific car.
What's the safety risk?
If the side curtain air bags fail to deploy in a crash, occupants face a higher risk of injury. If your VIN is included, schedule the recall repair and keep every occupant properly seated and belted. 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 Versa is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Nissan dealer and ask about the free side-curtain-air-bag module replacement.
- Reference recall number 12V055 when you call the dealer.
- Bring the recall notice if Nissan mailed one, or bring your VIN and recall number to the service desk.
- Call Nissan customer service at 615-725-1000 with questions about the recall or dealer scheduling.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Nissan technician replaces one or both side curtain air bag modules when replacement is needed. The affected modules use an incorrect propellant mixture in the initiator, which can reduce compressed gas output during deployment. Nissan's remedy notice states the safety recall began on March 12, 2012. Because the current remedy status is not confirmed here, do not assume the final appointment is open until Nissan or the dealer confirms your VIN is ready. Once available for your VIN, the side curtain air bag module replacement is free under recall 12V055.
Timeline
| February 14, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 12, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V055?
Recall 12V055 covers 976 2012 Nissan Altima and Versa vehicles with side curtain air bag modules that have the wrong propellant mixture in the initiator. The defect can leave the side curtain air bags without enough compressed gas to deploy, increasing injury risk. Nissan dealers replace one or both modules for free.
What should I do if my 2012 Nissan Altima or Versa is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 12V055. If it is, contact a franchised Nissan dealer to schedule the side curtain air bag module inspection and replacement. Reference recall number 12V055 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Nissan dealers replace one or both affected side curtain air bag modules free of charge under the recall. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost at a franchised Nissan dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is that the side curtain air bags can fail to deploy in a crash. NHTSA campaign 12V055 says that nondeployment increases the risk of injury. Confirm your VIN, then have a Nissan dealer complete the free module replacement if your vehicle is included.
What if I bought my Nissan Altima or Versa used?
The free recall repair still applies. Ownership history does not remove a vehicle from recall coverage. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2012 Nissan Altima or Versa is included, then call a franchised Nissan dealer and reference recall number 12V055.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V055000 |
|---|---|
| Nissan customer service | 615-725-1000 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V055 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V055000 |
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 →