Worst 2012 Nissan Frontier Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
AIR BAGS
POWER TRAIN
ENGINE
Check the actual VIN — every car is different.
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2012 Nissan Frontier.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 22 | 2 | — | 50,950 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN | 20 | 1 | — | 43,086 mi | |
| ENGINE | 12 | 1 | — | 46,481 mi | |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 9 | 1 | — | 60,011 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 6 | — | — | 54,409 mi | |
| SEAT BELTS | 5 | — | — | 85,983 mi | |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 5 | — | — | 61,847 mi | |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 3 | — | — | 77,500 mi | |
| SUSPENSION | 3 | — | — | 26,740 mi | |
| WHEELS | 2 | 1 | — | 39,110 mi | |
| AIR BAGS:PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL:CUSHION | 1 | — | — | 71,000 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:CRANK/CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR | 1 | — | — | 179,002 mi | |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 1 | — | — | 95,069 mi | |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | 1 | — | — | 54,000 mi | |
| SEATS | 1 | — | — | 66,458 mi | |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT | 1 | — | — | 100 mi | |
| STEERING | 1 | 1 | — | 72,000 mi | |
| STRUCTURE | 1 | — | — | 33,000 mi | |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 1 | — | — | 54,000 mi | |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE | 1 | — | — | 500 mi | |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 1 | — | — | 93,000 mi |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2012 Nissan Frontier. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2012 Nissan Frontier
3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~30,670 vehicles.
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.
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.
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.
Other Nissan Frontier Years
Wider context: See the full Nissan Frontier reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2012 Nissan Frontier
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
Check Any VIN — $4.99