VehicleVerdict

2012 Nissan Xterra problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 17 complaints on file for the 2012 Nissan Xterra — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

17

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2012 compare to other Xterra years?

Xterra NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted1,175 complaints1999: 0 complaints2000: 258 complaints2001: 197 complaints2002: 214 complaints2003: 97 complaints2004: 110 complaints2005: 1,175 complaints2006: 1,034 complaints2007: 770 complaints2008: 174 complaints2009: 26 complaints2010: 58 complaints2011: 27 complaints2012: 17 complaints2013: 7 complaints2014: 14 complaints2015: 15 complaints
Xterra NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Xterra years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Nissan Xterra problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission635%
Airbags424%
Engine424%
Fuel System16%
Other16%
Tires & Wheels16%

Does the 2012 Nissan Xterra have recalls?

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

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.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ACCELERATION POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 2, 2014

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN XTERRA. AFTER MOVING THE VEHICLE FROM A PARKING SPOT, THE CONTACT NOTICED OIL LEAKING UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 10, 2012

“The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Xterra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23E012000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · February 9, 2023

“Was driving on highway with my children when a loud sound filled the cabin as if I had just runover something large. About a minute later we began hearing a thumping sounds and the car was losing momentum, and I suspected we had suffered a blow-out. The right rear passenger tire was shredded.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · June 20, 2026

“Extreme smell of gas after filling gas tank while out of town. Odor was so strong it required all windows to be down to drive without feeling affected by fumes and I was terrified that someone would fluck a cigarette out of a car somewhere, especially at a stop light, and cause an explosion. Once…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · April 4, 2016

2012 Nissan Xterra — common questions

Is the 2012 Nissan Xterra reliable?

The record is thin — 17 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2012 Xterra problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (6 complaints), airbags (4 complaints), engine (4 complaints).

Does the 2012 Nissan Xterra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 Nissan Xterra. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Nissan Xterra years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Xterra years to avoid are 2005, 2006, 2007, 2000, 2002, 2001, 2008. The cleanest record among Xterra years belongs to 1999.

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.