Recall 12V494 covers 13,919 2012-2013 Nissan Altima vehicles with improperly torqued suspension and steering bolts. Repair is free at any franchised Nissan dealer.
Nissan is recalling 13,919 2012-2013 Altima vehicles under recall 12V494 because transverse link bolts and power steering rack bolts were not tightened to specification. Loose bolts can fall out and lead to loss of vehicle control, which raises crash risk; the Nissan dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The transverse link is part of the front suspension on 2012-2013 Nissan Altima sedans. It helps locate the wheel and keep the tire aligned as the suspension moves. The power steering rack is the steering gear that turns driver input at the steering wheel into movement at the front wheels, and its mounting bolts hold that gear firmly in place.
On affected Altimas, the transverse link bolts and power steering rack bolts were not tightened to Nissan's required torque specification during assembly. A bolt that starts below spec has less clamping force than designed. With driving vibration and steering or suspension loads, that joint can loosen, which lets suspension or steering parts move when they should stay fixed.
There is no warning sign before failure. Do not rely on a noise, warning light, or change in steering feel to tell you this recall applies.
Who's affected?
The 2012 and 2013 Altima are listed under both suspension and steering because the recall covers those systems together.
| 2012 Nissan Altima | suspension component |
|---|---|
| 2012 Nissan Altima | steering system |
| 2013 Nissan Altima | suspension component |
| 2013 Nissan Altima | steering system |
| Units affected | 13,919 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific sedan.
What's the safety risk?
Loose bolts can fall out and lead to a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. If your VIN is included, schedule the recall repair and avoid putting off the dealer visit. Repair will be free at any franchised Nissan dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012-2013 Nissan Altima is included in this recall.
- Contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261 if you did not receive the owner letter.
- Ask a franchised Nissan dealer about the free bolt-torque repair for the transverse link and power steering rack bolts.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 12V494 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, since loose steering or suspension bolts can lead to loss of vehicle control.
What happens at the repair
The known dealer remedy is straightforward: a Nissan technician tightens the transverse link bolts and power steering rack bolts to the proper torque specifications. Nissan's filing says owner notification was expected during November 2012, but this source does not show that the final repair is open now. The dealer repair will be free once available. Ask the service desk to confirm the recall applies to your VIN before repair work begins.
Timeline
| October 10, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 12, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V494?
Recall 12V494 covers 13,919 2012-2013 Nissan Altima vehicles with transverse link bolts and power steering rack bolts that were not tightened to specification. Loose bolts can fall out and lead to loss of vehicle control. Nissan dealers will tighten the bolts for free.
What should I do if my 2012-2013 Nissan Altima is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Altima is included in recall 12V494. If it is, contact a franchised Nissan dealer and schedule the bolt torque inspection and tightening. Reference recall number 12V494 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the Nissan Altima recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 12V494, a franchised Nissan dealer will tighten the transverse link bolts and power steering rack bolts to the proper torque specifications for free.
What is the safety risk in recall 12V494?
The safety risk is loss of vehicle control. In recall 12V494, the affected transverse link bolts and power steering rack bolts can loosen and fall out, increasing crash risk. Confirm your VIN, then have a Nissan dealer complete the free bolt tightening.
What if I bought my Nissan Altima used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2012-2013 Nissan Altima is included in recall 12V494, then contact a franchised Nissan dealer for the free repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V494000 |
|---|---|
| Nissan customer service | 1-800-647-7261 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V494 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V494000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notice (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 →