2012 Nissan Frontier: problems, recalls and what it’s worth

Known problems on the 2012 Nissan Frontier

No generation-wide weak spot is flagged in GarageIntel’s research for this year and model. A specific car can still have its own problems, so get it inspected.

2012 Nissan Frontier recalls

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2012 Nissan Frontier. Repairs are free at a dealer for the brand, and a dealer can confirm by VIN which were already done.

• ElectricalFire risk

  The bolt may wear through the wire harness covering, resulting in an electrical short which could cause a fire.

  Details 14V052000

  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.

  Fix: 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.

• Suspension

  If the vehicle is driven in this condition, the wheel hub may break, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.

  Details 12V462000

  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.

  Fix: 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.

• Engine & cooling

  IF THERE IS AN ENGINE OIL LEAK, THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE WOULD DROP AND THE ENGINE COULD SEIZE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

  Details 11V592000

  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.

  Fix: 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.

2012 Nissan Frontier safety investigations and free repairs

No open safety investigations.

Free repairs to ask about (warranty extensions):

• Airbags: VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN 2005-2013 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER, AND XTERRA; DRIVER AIR BAG COVER CAMPAIGN ID #: PC945 and PC948 APPLIED VEHICLES:…
• Exhaust and emissions: OBD II EVAP Tube Warranty Enhancement The update below was sent out to Regions and Dealers in August of this year.

A dealer for the brand can check these by VIN.

Source: NHTSA, Sep 24, 2026.

2012 Nissan Frontier safety and fuel

From NHTSA’s crash tests and the EPA’s fueleconomy.gov.

What owners complain about

78 complaints filed with NHTSA for this year and model, about average.

Other Nissan Frontier years

2010 2011 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024