40/100

2012Midsize CarsRegular

2012 Nissan Altima

EPA ID: 31402

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City MPG

Combined MPG

22MPG· Average

Highway MPG

Fuel Economy Overview

The 2012 Nissan Altima achieves an EPA-estimated 22 MPG in combined city and highway driving, with 20 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway. Powered by a 3.5L 6-cylinder engine paired with a automatic (av-s6), this midsize cars features Front-Wheel Drive drive.

In terms of environmental impact, the 2012 Altima produces approximately 404 grams of CO2 per mile. This figure is measured under standardized EPA test conditions and represents tailpipe emissions only. For context, the average new vehicle sold in the United States produces approximately 400 grams of CO2 per mile, meaning this Altima has higher-than-average emissions in this regard.

The estimated annual fuel cost for this vehicle is $2,700, based on 15,000 miles of driving per year and current national average fuel prices. Compared to the average new vehicle, you would save $2,750 over a 5-year period. This calculation accounts for differences in fuel consumption efficiency and provides a practical measure of long-term ownership costs attributable to fuel economy.

Energy DNA

Vehicle ClassMidsize Cars

Fuel TypeRegular

Engine3.5L 6-cyl

AspirationNaturally Aspirated

TransmissionAutomatic (AV-S6)

Drive TypeFront-Wheel Drive

Green Scorecard

CO2 Emissions404 g/mi

Start-Stop SystemNot Equipped

GHG Score-1/10

Smog RatingN/A

Est. Annual Cost$2,700

5-Year Cost DeltaSave $2,750

Personalized Commute CalculatorEPA defaults to 55% City / 45% Hwy

55% City45% Highway

Adjust the slider to match your daily driving habits. City driving involves stop-and-go traffic under 45mph, while highway driving represents sustained speeds over 55mph.

Your Real MPG

22.6

Impact vs EPA

$-68

/ year

💨

Aerodynamic Speed Penalty

EPA highway tests average roughly 48 mph. Driving at 75 mph increases aerodynamic drag exponentially. Expect your real-world highway fuel economy to drop by roughly 15-20% at interstate speeds.

5-Year Total Cost of Ownership

Estimated Monthly Cost

$616/mo

Includes estimated depreciation, fuel, insurance, and state fees over 5 years. Does not include loan interest.

Annual Mileage15,000 mi

Value Depreciation

Est. value lost over 60 months

$16,000

43.3%

Fuel & Electricity

Based on National Average rates ($3.50/gal)

$11,932

32.3%

Estimated Insurance

Based on vehicle class risk profile

$8,600

23.3%

State Registration Fees

Based on National Average DMV base rates

$400

1.1%

Total 5-Year Cost$36,932

Recall Intelligence

Campaign #12V494000·2012-11-12

critical

Component: SUSPENSION

Nissan is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Altima vehicles manufactured from May 10, 2012, through July 26, 2012. These vehicles may have been equipped with transverse link bolts and power steering rack bolts that were not torqued to proper specification.

Consequence & Remedy

Consequence: The affected bolts could become loose and fall out which may lead to a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the bolts to the proper torque specifications. The safety recall is expected to begin during November 2012. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1-800-647-7261.

Campaign #12V055000·2012-03-12

moderate

Component: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 ALTIMA AND VERSA VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS THAT CONTAIN AN INCORRECT PROPELLANT MIXTURE FOR THE INITIATOR COMPONENT USED, RESULTING IN INSUFFICIENT OUTPUT OF COMPRESSED GAS.

Consequence & Remedy

Consequence: THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ONE OR BOTH SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG MODULES, AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 12, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 615-725-1000.

Campaign #11V408000·2011-08-22

critical

Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 15, 2011, THROUGH JUNE 21, 2011 AND MODEL YEAR 2012 NISSAN NV VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 23, 2011, THROUGH JUNE 28, 2011 BECAUSE THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT (ACU) WAS ASSEMBLED INCORRECTLY.

Consequence & Remedy

Consequence: THE AFFECTED ACU WILL NOT OPERATE AS DESIGNED AND THIS ISSUE MAY CAUSE THE AIR BAGS NOT TO INFLATE IN A CRASH WHEN THEY ARE DESIGNED TO INFLATE. THIS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy: NISSAN WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 22, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Campaign #11V371000·2011-08-08

critical

Component: SUSPENSION

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 NISSAN ALTIMA SEDAN VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 25, 2011, THROUGH JUNE 10, 2011 AT THE CANTON, MISSISSIPPI PLANT. THE TRANSVERSE LINK BOLT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TORQUED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE BOLT TO BECOME LOOSE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, CREATING A RATTLING NOISE AND VIBRATION.

Consequence & Remedy

(Based on 200,000 miles driven)

80.8 metric tons CO₂

Equivalent To:

🌳 100 tree seedlings grown for 10 yrs

✈️ 6.7 cross-country flights/yr

Data Provenance

Data directly from the EPA National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory. The combined rating is a weighted average (55% city, 45% highway). For official figures, visit fueleconomy.gov.