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Verdict

2012 Nissan Frontier: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues

What the public record actually says about the 2012 Nissan Frontier — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.

The read

Middle-of-the-pack complaint volume for truck.

Owners filed 78 NHTSA complaints — fewer complaints than 58% of 2012 trucks. Air Bags leads the reports (28%). 3 safety recall campaigns on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.

Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2012 trucks, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.

Complaints filed

78

Reports to NHTSA, 2012

Safety recalls

3

NHTSA campaigns on record

NHTSA crash test

Not rated

Overall NCAP rating

Combined MPG

17

EPA estimate

Complaint volume vs. segment peers

Fewer complaints than 58% of 2012 trucks

The bar is this car's percentile among 2012 trucks by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.

Known issues

Air Bags issues lead owner complaints (28% of 78 reports), followed by power train (26%).

Air Bags28% · 22 reports
Power Train26% · 20 reports
Engine9% · 7 reports
Structure9% · 7 reports
Electrical System8% · 6 reports
Vehicle Speed Control6% · 5 reports
Seat Belts4% · 3 reports
Suspension4% · 3 reports

+ 3 more component categories with fewer reports.

Share of all 78 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11421291, ODI 11010841, ODI 11586752, ODI 11555023, ODI 11553068.

Recalls(3)

Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.

Electrical SystemDec 2014 · 14V052000Details +

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2012 through 2014 Frontier vehicles manufactured from November 28, 2012, through December 17, 2013. In the affected vehicles, a circuit breaker may have been installed incorrectly causing the main wire harness connected to the circuit breaker to face outward, potentially contacting a metal bolt located on the A-pillar.

Risk: The bolt may wear through the wire harness covering, resulting in an electrical short which could cause a fire.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the circuit breaker orientation. If the circuit breaker orientation is incorrect, dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The recall began on March 17, 2014. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

Engine And Engine Cooling · 11V592000Details +

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 INFINITI FX, MODEL YEAR 2012 INFINITI M, MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 NISSAN FRONTIER, MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 NISSAN XTERRA, MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 NISSAN PATHFINDER, AND MODEL YEAR 2012 NISSAN NV VEHICLES. SOME OF THE BOLTS THAT CONNECT THE ENGINE OIL COOLER AND THE ENGINE OIL FILTER TO THE ENGINE IN THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO BELOW SPECIFICATION STRENGTH. AS A RESULT, THE BOLT MAY BREAK AT THE OIL FILTER ATTACHMENT POINT AND CAN CAUSE AN ENGINE OIL LEAK.

Risk: IF THERE IS AN ENGINE OIL LEAK, THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE WOULD DROP AND THE ENGINE COULD SEIZE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CONNECTOR BOLTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Suspension · 12V462000Details +

Nissan is recalling certain model year 2012 Frontier, Pathfinder, and Xterra two-wheel drive vehicles manufactured from June 19, 2012, through July 12, 2012. These vehicles may have been equipped with front wheel hubs that may not meet the design hardness specifications. A wheel hub that was manufactured below hardness specification may wear prematurely and eventually crack.

Risk: If the vehicle is driven in this condition, the wheel hub may break, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replaced the left and right side front wheel hub assemblies free of charge. The safety recall began on October 22, 2012. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1-800-647-7261.

A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.

Investigations

0 NHTSA investigations on record

No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.

Crash-test ratings

2012 Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC RWD NHTSA source

Overall
Not rated
Frontal
Not rated
Side
Not rated
Rollover

2012 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC RWD NHTSA source

Overall
Not rated
Frontal
Not rated
Side
Not rated
Rollover

2012 Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC 4WD NHTSA source

Overall
Not rated
Frontal
Not rated
Side
Not rated
Rollover

2012 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC 4WD NHTSA source

Overall
Not rated
Frontal
Not rated
Side
Not rated
Rollover

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

Fuel economy by trim

TrimEngineDrivetrainCityHwyCombined
Frontier 2WD2.5L 4-cylRear-Wheel Drive192321
Frontier 2WD2.5L 4-cylRear-Wheel Drive172219
Frontier 4WD4.0L 6-cyl4-Wheel Drive162017
Frontier 2WD4.0L 6-cylRear-Wheel Drive162017
Frontier 2WD4.0L 6-cylRear-Wheel Drive152017
Frontier 4WD4.0L 6-cyl4-Wheel Drive141916

EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.

Before you buy

Useful next checks

Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.

Check recalls by VINConfirm open campaigns for the specific car.

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Compare model years

2010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022Most complained202320242025

"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.

2012 Nissan Frontier: frequently asked

What does the complaint record show for the 2012 Nissan Frontier?

Owners filed 78 NHTSA complaints about the 2012 Nissan Frontier — fewer complaints than 58% of comparable 2012 trucks, so it sits toward the stronger end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.

What are the most common problems on the 2012 Nissan Frontier?

The most-reported problem areas are Air Bags (28% of complaints) and power train (26%).

How many recalls does the 2012 Nissan Frontier have?

3 recalls have been issued that affect the 2012 Nissan Frontier, covering components such as electrical system. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.

What gas mileage does the 2012 Nissan Frontier get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Nissan Frontier between 16 and 21 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.