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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

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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

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

What owners actually said

78 reports
45,000 miles · Aug 5, 2014
Air Bags

AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND MAY NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10619144

54,000 miles · Jun 29, 2014
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

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 HANDLE SOMETIMES IT WILL END…

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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 HANDLE SOMETIMES IT WILL END UP LATCHING CLOSED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10606744

21,456 miles · Apr 7, 2014
Power Train

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.

NHTSA ODI #10578034

6,221 miles · Mar 25, 2014
SuspensionWheels

THE FRONTIER 2012 (NEW CAR) START LOOSING THE ALIGNMENT, THE DEALER WORKED THREE TIMES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, CHANGES THE ORIGINAL TIRES FOR A NEW 4 TIRES, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. IN 17 MONTHS THE CAR DAMAGE 6 NEW TIRES CHANGED BY THE DEALER DUE MY COMPLAINTS AND THEY DO NOT WANT TO ATTEND MY CAR ANYMORE NO MATTER THE WARRAN…

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THE FRONTIER 2012 (NEW CAR) START LOOSING THE ALIGNMENT, THE DEALER WORKED THREE TIMES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, CHANGES THE ORIGINAL TIRES FOR A NEW 4 TIRES, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. IN 17 MONTHS THE CAR DAMAGE 6 NEW TIRES CHANGED BY THE DEALER DUE MY COMPLAINTS AND THEY DO NOT WANT TO ATTEND MY CAR ANYMORE NO MATTER THE WARRANTY CAR. I APPLIED TO THE LEMON LAW, BECAUSE THE ENGINEER SEND BY NISSAN SAID THAT THE CAR IS WORKING PROPERLY. BUT SOME MECHANICS TELL ME THE CAR PROBLEM IS IN THE SUSPENSION, AT THIS MOMENT I CONTINUE WAITING FOR THE FLORIDA LEMON LAW RESULTS, BUT VERY AFRAID ABOUT THE INSECURE FEELING AT DRIVING MY CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10574843

17,750 miles · Mar 9, 2014
Power Train

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

NHTSA ODI #10568012

16,000 miles · Feb 21, 2014
Engine

ENGINE COOLANT SMELL AFTER DRIVING. RADIATOR GETS LOW ON COOLANT. OVERFLOW COOLANT LEVEL IS FULL WHEN ENGINE IS COLD. RADIATOR IS NOT PULLING COOLANT BACK FROM THE OVER FLOW WHEN THE ENGINE COOLS DOWN AFTER BEING OPERATED. THIS INDICATES A LEAK. NISSAN DEALER DID A VISUAL INSPECTION BUT AID THEY FOUND NOTHING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10565360

500 miles · Feb 14, 2014
Structure

TAILGATE DROPS DOWN WHILE DRIVING. THEN TAILGATE CAME OFF FRIGHT HINGE/LOCK . *TR

NHTSA ODI #10564328

25,012 miles · Jan 28, 2014
EnginePower TrainCrash

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.

NHTSA ODI #10561783

181,041 miles · Jul 24, 2013
Power Train

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.

NHTSA ODI #10531605

21,000 miles · Jun 12, 2013
Air Bags

DRIVING ON STRAIGHT HIGHWAY I DRIVE EVERY DAY AND BOTH CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOY WITHOUT IMPACT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10519589

Official recalls

3

14V052000 · 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.