IllustrationSHIFTER FOR THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT GO INTO DRIVE STANDING THE DRIVER AND VEHICLE. SHIFTER ASSEMBLY FOUND DEFECTIVE AND WAS REPLACED AT NISSAN DEALERSHIP. *TR
2012 Nissan Frontier
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2012 Nissan Frontier do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 64.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Frontier years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
180–25K
2025–50K
1350–75K
675–100K
5100–150K
3150K+
65 reports with mileage · 13 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Air Bags. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
4 crash reports0 fire reports5 injury reports
Power Train complaints
20 reportsSHIFTER FOR THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT GO INTO DRIVE STANDING THE DRIVER AND VEHICLE. SHIFTER ASSEMBLY FOUND DEFECTIVE AND WAS REPLACED AT NISSAN DEALERSHIP. *TR
SHIFTER FOR THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT GO INTO DRIVE STANDING THE DRIVER AND VEHICLE. SHIFTER ASSEMBLY FOUND DEFECTIVE AND WAS REPLACED AT NISSAN DEALERSHIP. *TR
SHIFTER FOR THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT GO INTO DRIVE STANDING THE DRIVER AND VEHICLE. SHIFTER ASSEMBLY FOUND DEFECTIVE AND WAS REPLACED AT NISSAN DEALERSHIP. *TR
VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE AND STRANDED THE DRIVER. VEHICLE SHIFTER FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE AND WAS REPLACED. THE SHIFTER CAN STOP OPERATING AT ANY TIME, LEAVING THE VEHICLE UNABLE TO DRIVE. I HAVE HAD 8 OF THESE SHIFTERS REPLACED ON 8 DIFFERENT 2012 NISSAN FRONTIERS AND COUNTING. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEARS FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MIL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEARS FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 21,456.
THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE 2H IS ENGAGED AND WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE THE VEHICLE A MOMENTARY HESITATION AND JERKING ENSUES AS IF THE VEHICLE IS IN NEUTRAL AS YOU PRESS ON THE GAS PEDAL TO MOVE THE VEHICLE BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY PROCEEDS IN REVERSE IN A JERKING MOTION. THIS ONLY OCCURS IN REVERSE AND AT LOW SPEED. I INFORM…
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THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE 2H IS ENGAGED AND WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE THE VEHICLE A MOMENTARY HESITATION AND JERKING ENSUES AS IF THE VEHICLE IS IN NEUTRAL AS YOU PRESS ON THE GAS PEDAL TO MOVE THE VEHICLE BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY PROCEEDS IN REVERSE IN A JERKING MOTION. THIS ONLY OCCURS IN REVERSE AND AT LOW SPEED. I INFORMED THE DEALERSHIP AT AN OIL CHANCE AND THE CONDITION WAS NOTED ON THE WORK ORDER. TECHNICIAN STATED THIS IS NORMAL IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE AND NO MALFUNCTION OR REPAIR WAS NOTED. SERVICE AT CONTINENTAL NISSAN COUNTRYSIDE ILLINOIS. *TR
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. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED FOR …
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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. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURE WAS CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,012.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE FRONT END VIBRATED AS THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE FELL TO THE GROUND. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE LINE BOLTS WERE SEPARATED AND CAUSED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TO FALL. AS A RESULT, T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE FRONT END VIBRATED AS THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE FELL TO THE GROUND. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE LINE BOLTS WERE SEPARATED AND CAUSED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TO FALL. AS A RESULT, THE TRANSFER CASE AND THE FLOOR BOARD WERE DAMAGED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 181,041. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
WITHOUT MUCH WARNING SIGNS OR WITHOUT ANY ACCIDENT, ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE VEHICLE STARTED JERKING AND MADE A HORRIBLE NOISE. AFTER INSPECTION BY THE SHOP, ALL SIX BOLTS ATTACHING THE FRONT DRIVE TO THE TRANSFER BOX WERE GONE. THE PARTS WENT LOOSE CAUSING SEVERE DAMAGE UNDERNEATH THE TRACK, WHICH WAS WORSENED BY THE TOWING. IF TH…
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WITHOUT MUCH WARNING SIGNS OR WITHOUT ANY ACCIDENT, ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE VEHICLE STARTED JERKING AND MADE A HORRIBLE NOISE. AFTER INSPECTION BY THE SHOP, ALL SIX BOLTS ATTACHING THE FRONT DRIVE TO THE TRANSFER BOX WERE GONE. THE PARTS WENT LOOSE CAUSING SEVERE DAMAGE UNDERNEATH THE TRACK, WHICH WAS WORSENED BY THE TOWING. IF THAT PARTS WOULD HAVE DETACHED AT HIGH SPEED, THE INCIDENT WOULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. THE ONLY WARNING WAS A LOW NOISE, ASSOCIATED WITH TIRE ROTATION AND THEN A LOUD "BANG" LIKE I HIT A STONE UNDERNEATH. THIS NOISE WAS PRESENT FOR 10 MINUTES BEFORE THE INCIDENT. I BELIEVE ALL 2012 NISSAN FRONTIERS SHOULD BE INSPECTED FOR THIS PROBLEM TO PREVENT FATALITIES. *TR
Official recalls
314V052000 · Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers
Feb 12, 2014
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 & remedy
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.
12V462000 · Suspension:front:hub
Sep 20, 2012
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 & remedy
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.
11V592000 · Engine And Engine Cooling
Dec 19, 2011
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 & remedy
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.