VehicleVerdict

2012 Nissan Frontier problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2012 Nissan Frontier sits mid-pack among Frontier years: 98 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 84, with 3 recalls and no defect investigations. Complainants reported 13 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across airbags (23), transmission (20), and engine (13), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

98

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

7

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

13

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2012 compare to other Frontier years?

Frontier NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted836 complaints1998: 146 complaints1999: 106 complaints2000: 224 complaints2001: 155 complaints2002: 152 complaints2003: 92 complaints2004: 89 complaints2005: 750 complaints2006: 836 complaints2007: 699 complaints2008: 187 complaints2009: 44 complaints2010: 76 complaints2011: 84 complaints2012: 98 complaints2013: 65 complaints2014: 50 complaints2015: 48 complaints2016: 55 complaints2017: 45 complaints2018: 29 complaints2019: 39 complaints2020: 31 complaints2021: 25 complaints2022: 192 complaints2023: 114 complaints2024: 28 complaints2025: 9 complaints2026: 5 complaints
Frontier NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Frontier years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Nissan Frontier problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags2323%
Transmission2020%
Engine1313%
Other99%
Body & Structure77%
Electrical System66%
Seat Belts55%
Speed Control55%
Suspension33%
Tires & Wheels22%
Seats22%
Fuel System11%
Steering11%
Latches & Locks11%

Does the 2012 Nissan Frontier have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

14V052000Electrical SystemFebruary 12, 2014 · 13,535 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

12V462000SuspensionSeptember 20, 2012 · 2,417 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

11V592000EngineDecember 19, 2011 · 14,718 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · June 11, 2021 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN JERKIN VIOLENTLY AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO BOUNCE OFF A SIDE RAILING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO ADVISED THAT THE ELECTRIC CONTROL MODULE FAILED.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 22, 2014 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN JERKIN VIOLENTLY AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO BOUNCE OFF A SIDE RAILING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO ADVISED THAT THE ELECTRIC CONTROL MODULE FAILED.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 22, 2014 · crash

“I BOUGHT NEW TIRES, SAME SIZE AND BRAND NAME AS THE LAST 4 TIRES BUT A DIFFERENT MODEL TYPE OF TIRES. AS I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON A 2 LANE ROAD, THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE FLEW OFF THE RIM. THE RIM SCRAPED THE ROADWAY AND FLIPPED MY TRUCK UPWARDS AND SPUN THE VEHICLE UP IN THE AIR OVER A GUARD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · March 3, 2017 · crash

“WHEN OPENING THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR THE LATCHING MECHANISM BROKE AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH CLOSED. THIS HAPPENED ON THE DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR AND IT WAS FIXED BY THE DEALER UNDER MY WARRANTY. BOTH PASSENGER DOORS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM OF NOT LATCHING WHEN CLOSING THE DOOR. WHEN I PULL ON THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · June 28, 2014

2012 Nissan Frontier — common questions

Is the 2012 Nissan Frontier reliable?

It is close to typical for the Frontier: 98 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2012 Frontier problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (23 complaints), transmission (20 complaints), engine (13 complaints).

Does the 2012 Nissan Frontier have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 Nissan Frontier. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Nissan Frontier years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Frontier years to avoid are 2006, 2005, 2007, 2000, 2022, 2008, 2001, 2002, 1998. The cleanest record among Frontier years belongs to 2026.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.