VehicleVerdict

2012 Nissan NV problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 3 complaints on file for the 2012 Nissan NV — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

3

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2012 compare to other NV years?

NV NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted14 complaints2012: 3 complaints2013: 9 complaints2014: 5 complaints2015: 3 complaints2016: 14 complaints2017: 5 complaints2018: 5 complaints2019: 4 complaints2021: 2 complaints
NV NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all NV years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Nissan NV problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission267%
Airbags133%

Does the 2012 Nissan NV have recalls?

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

20V188000AirbagsMarch 30, 2020 · 216,678 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2012-2017 NV Cargo and NV Passenger Van, 2013-2015 Titan and Armada and 2011-2012 Infiniti QX56 vehicles. Due to a manufacturing issue, the air bag inflator may not function properly or may rupture during deployment.

Consequence

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or Infiniti customer service at 1-800-662-6200.

13V095000TransmissionMarch 15, 2013 · 18,880 units

Defect

Nissan is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 NV vehicles manufactured from December 20, 2010, through January 4, 2013 and are equipped with steering column-mounted transmission shift levers. The transmission lever gear selector plate lock clip may have been installed incorrectly. As a result, normal road vibration may cause the gear position indicator to not match the gear shift lever position.

Consequence

As a consequence of the incorrect display, although the gear indicator may display that the vehicle is in Park, the vehicle may not be properly secured allowing the vehicle to roll away unexpectedly, increasing the risk of personal injury or a vehicle crash.

Remedy

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will correct the installation of the transmission lever gear selector plate lock clip, free of charge. The recall began on April 15, 2013. 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.

11V408000AirbagsAugust 9, 2011 · 54 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“VEHICLE AFTER A PERIOD WOULD NOT MOVE! I PURCHASED A NISSAN VERSA BRAND NEW AND TOOK EXCELLENT CARE OF IT. YET, THIS CAR HAS CVT TECHNOLOGY WHICH MEANS WHEN A-N-Y PART OF THE TRANSMISSION BREAKS, YOU HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION!!! COST TO REPLACE: $4,200.00”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 5, 2016

“AIR BAG SENSOR WILL NOT ALLOW AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY NISSAN CLAIMS THIS IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL FOR NHSTA: 20V-188 AIR BAG LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON AND DISABLES THE AIR BAGS. -98820-1PD9B O SPO SENSOR-SID ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 19, 2021

2012 Nissan NV — common questions

Is the 2012 Nissan NV reliable?

The record is thin — 3 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2012 Nissan NV have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 Nissan NV. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.