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2012 Nissan Xterra

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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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

Limited mileage data: 6 of 16 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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.

  • Power Train. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Engine complaints

4 reports
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Mileage unknown · Feb 27, 2022
Engine

I recently had a diagnosis of radiator coolant mixing with transmission following my vehicle being towed bc I lost power while driving with no warning signs. I was given an estimate for repairs of $5000. I had the extended warranty but wasn't told of the radiator issues w Xterra. My vehicle mileage is 128,000. Just past the 100,…

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I recently had a diagnosis of radiator coolant mixing with transmission following my vehicle being towed bc I lost power while driving with no warning signs. I was given an estimate for repairs of $5000. I had the extended warranty but wasn't told of the radiator issues w Xterra. My vehicle mileage is 128,000. Just past the 100,000 mileage mark. I just read an article that states this is a known issue with Nissan Xterra where lawsuits were filed. I just paid $7000 loan in full. I would not have done this had I known I would need this $ to repair my vehicle.

NHTSA ODI #11454387

1,500 miles · Sep 14, 2016
Engine

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 REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…

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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 REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500.

NHTSA ODI #10906374

6,800 miles · Mar 10, 2015
Engine

VEHICLE'S ENGINE SEIZED WHILE BEING OPERATED AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED. REASON GIVEN BY DEALERSHIP WHEN TOWED IN WAS NO OIL IN THE ENGINE HOWEVER THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT FOR EITHER OIL OR ENGINE ISSUE DISPLAYED AT ANY TIME LEADING UP TO ENGINE FAILURE. THERE HAD BEEN A PREVIOUS OIL LEAK APPROXIMATELY 10 MONTHS EARLIER WHICH HAD …

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VEHICLE'S ENGINE SEIZED WHILE BEING OPERATED AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED. REASON GIVEN BY DEALERSHIP WHEN TOWED IN WAS NO OIL IN THE ENGINE HOWEVER THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT FOR EITHER OIL OR ENGINE ISSUE DISPLAYED AT ANY TIME LEADING UP TO ENGINE FAILURE. THERE HAD BEEN A PREVIOUS OIL LEAK APPROXIMATELY 10 MONTHS EARLIER WHICH HAD BEEN REPAIRED. THERE HAD BEEN NO INCIDENTS IN THE INTERIM AND NO INDICATION OF ISSUES. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE OIL FILTER AND ENGINE BUT ACCORDING TO NISSAN, MY VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECT TO THE RECALL. I WAS FORCED TO PAY IN ADVANCE OF WORK BEING STARTED FOR A FULL ENGINE REPLACEMENT DESPITE THE FACT THAT I HAD ONLY 4 MONTHS LEFT ON MY 39 MONTH LEASE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10693208

1,540 miles · Apr 6, 2013
EnginePower Train

VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, BECAUSE OF A BROKEN CLUTCH PEDAL STOPPER. THIS BROKEN PART PREVENTED THE DEPRESSED CLUTCH PEDAL FROM ACTIVATING THE CLUTCH SAFETY SWITCH. THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT, BECAUSE THIS A 4WD VEHICLE INTENDED FOR OFF-ROAD USE; HAD THIS PART BROKEN "IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE," A SERIOUS SAFETY-RELATED INCIDENT COU…

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VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, BECAUSE OF A BROKEN CLUTCH PEDAL STOPPER. THIS BROKEN PART PREVENTED THE DEPRESSED CLUTCH PEDAL FROM ACTIVATING THE CLUTCH SAFETY SWITCH. THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT, BECAUSE THIS A 4WD VEHICLE INTENDED FOR OFF-ROAD USE; HAD THIS PART BROKEN "IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE," A SERIOUS SAFETY-RELATED INCIDENT COULD HAVE OCCURRED. ALSO, THIS PART BROKE A JUST 1540 MILES ON A VEHICLE THAT HAS NOT BE ABUSED. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. PART WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10507354

Official recalls

2

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.