Most common 2012 Nissan Frontier problems
Share of the 80 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Nissan Frontier complaints by model year
Best Frontier years: 2015, 2018, 2021. Years to avoid: 2022, 2023, 2006, 2007, 2005. Compare all years →
2012 Nissan Frontier recalls (3)
Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
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,…
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.
Suspension › Front › Hub
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.
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.
Engine and engine cooling
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.
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.
What 2012 Nissan Frontier owners say
Air bags all 23 →
The contact owns a 2012 Nisan Frontier. The contact stated that on multiple occasions while driving under 50 MPH, the supplemental air bag safety warning light remained illuminated. The VIN search confirmed that the vehicle has one open recall at this time NHTSA Campaign Number: 23E012000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the passenger seat belt assembly pretensioner, and passenger's side seat cushion needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 71,000.
Involved in a auto accident on June 11 2021. Airbags deployed, however, little rock type projectiles also exploded from the airbag landing all over the car and passenger causing a risk to the eyes, face and other body parts. Has not been taken to the dealer, auto I believe is totaled. Photos sent to adjuster along with photos of the car damage. No warnings. I have photos have the projectiles throughout the car and I have also collected a small sample in a zip bag.
Transmission & drivetrain all 20 →
Shifter for the transmission would not go into drive standing the driver and vehicle. Shifter assembly is defective and vehicle is sitting at Nissan dealership waiting for repair. Nissan is refusing to cover the cost of replacement out of warranty. This is the 8th 2012 Nissan Frontier shifter failure so far out of the 66 2012 Nissan frontiers we have in our nj fleet. No TSB or recall has been issued for this high frequency issue, and Nissan is refusing cover the cost of the defective shifter repairs for being 3000 miles out of the 36K bumper to bumper warranty. Nissan consumer affairs was contacted about the refusal to cover the cost of the repair; case #18171024. Nissan c.a. Took 3 weeks to respond with a denial. The vehicle has been out of service for over 3 weeks and counting and the repair cost is $595. …
I noticed a leak in the rear end of my 2012 Frontier, coming from the rack & pinion seal. I purchased the extended warranty on the vehicle. It turns out that a breather/screen had rusted and caused pressure to build, causing the seal to leak. I brought it to my local Nissan service center and they refused to repair it under warranty, saying that Nissan considers it "environmental causes". I know of other makes and models that go 100,000 or 200,000+ miles without read end issues. I have talked to other Frontier owners and found that they have had similar issues, with as little as 13,000 miles and trucks only 2 years old. I feel that this is a design flaw and Nissan should repair this defect under warranty.
Engine & cooling
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the steering was difficult to turn. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and stopped the vehicle. The contact shifted into park(P); however, several attempts were needed to restart the vehicle. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the cam shaft sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred and had the cam shaft sensor replaced again. Additionally, the contact stated that the ignition key was no longer working and turning the ignition switch. …
1. Frequent repeated multiple breakdown and damages to all and any MAF sensors, camshaft position sensors bank 2, VVT solenoid sensors as cause of short circuited and fire hazard high risk of IPDM and main loom wiring harnesses from careless, dangerous severe defective workmanship/installation/mounting of metal bolt and loom wiring together by the A-frame on passenger side, below glove box, on side wall/fender close to passenger door. It appears the factory and Nissan installed backward circuit breaker also. The thick black wire (possibly power wire) and loom harness wiring are rubbing into each other causing possible big hole on the wire/loom insulation resulting to overheating of wire and short circuiting all or most wiring/loom harnesses of entire engine and engine bay. 2. …
2012 Nissan Frontier engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 19 / 23 / 21 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 17 / 22 / 19 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 20 / 17 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 6-speed manual | RWD | 16 / 20 / 17 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 6-speed manual | 4WD | 16 / 20 / 17 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Nissan Frontier a good car?
Based on 80 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Frontier rates average: 1.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the Frontier at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Nissan Frontier?
The air bags — 23 complaints, 29% of all complaints for this model year, most often about passenger side frontal › cushion. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (20) and engine & cooling (14).
How many recalls does the 2012 Nissan Frontier have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2012 Nissan Frontier, the most recent from February 12, 2014 (fuses and circuit breakers). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Nissan Frontier?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2015, 2018 and 2021. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2022, 2023, 2006, 2007 and 2005. See the full Nissan Frontier years comparison.
At what mileage do 2012 Nissan Frontier problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 43,000 miles; 58% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.