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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

Other model years Selected 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

Power Train complaints

20 reports
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63,000 miles · Feb 18, 2020
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HIS SON WHO OWNS A 2012 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUDDERED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION AFTER EXPERIENCING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO METRO NISSAN OF MONTCLAIR 9440 AUTOPLEX ST, MONTCLAIR, CA…

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TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HIS SON WHO OWNS A 2012 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUDDERED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION AFTER EXPERIENCING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO METRO NISSAN OF MONTCLAIR 9440 AUTOPLEX ST, MONTCLAIR, CA 91763, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 63,000.

NHTSA ODI #11309885

83,000 miles · Aug 8, 2018
Power Train

BOTH REAR AXLE SEALS FAILED DUE TO A FAULTY REAR AXLE HOUSING BREATHER VALVE. GEAR OIL BEGAN LEAKING ON TO REAR BRAKE PADS CREATING A SAFETY ISSUE. ALSO, SEALS AND BEARINGS COULD NOT BE REPLACED INDEPENDENTLY. A $15 PART FAILURE (BREATHER VALVE) CAUSED BOTH REAR AXLES TO BE REPLACED IN EXCESS OF $1000. NISSAN WOULD NOT PROVI…

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BOTH REAR AXLE SEALS FAILED DUE TO A FAULTY REAR AXLE HOUSING BREATHER VALVE. GEAR OIL BEGAN LEAKING ON TO REAR BRAKE PADS CREATING A SAFETY ISSUE. ALSO, SEALS AND BEARINGS COULD NOT BE REPLACED INDEPENDENTLY. A $15 PART FAILURE (BREATHER VALVE) CAUSED BOTH REAR AXLES TO BE REPLACED IN EXCESS OF $1000. NISSAN WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY CONSIDERATION OF GOOD WILL HELP UNLESS I PAID A DIAGNOSTIC FEE AT LOCAL DEALER. THIS CAME WITH NO GUARANTEE OF HELP.

NHTSA ODI #11118452

15,000 miles · Dec 29, 2015
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

THE 2012 NISSAN FRONTIER HAS A RUBBER GROMMET ON THE CLUTCH PEDAL WHICH TRIGGERS SAFTEY SWITCH. THE GROMMET GOES BAD AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. CANNOT BE JUMPED. MUST BE TOWD OR FIXED ON THE SPOT. THESE GROMMETTS GO BAD IN 15,000 MILES AND IT COST 15.00 FOR A NEW ONE. YOU CANNOT MAINTAIN A PIECE OF RUBBER ON TE CLUTCH. REDI…

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THE 2012 NISSAN FRONTIER HAS A RUBBER GROMMET ON THE CLUTCH PEDAL WHICH TRIGGERS SAFTEY SWITCH. THE GROMMET GOES BAD AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. CANNOT BE JUMPED. MUST BE TOWD OR FIXED ON THE SPOT. THESE GROMMETTS GO BAD IN 15,000 MILES AND IT COST 15.00 FOR A NEW ONE. YOU CANNOT MAINTAIN A PIECE OF RUBBER ON TE CLUTCH. REDICULOUS

NHTSA ODI #10816669

61,600 miles · Aug 16, 2015
Power Train

I NOTICED A LEAK IN THE REAR END OF MY 2012 FRONTIER, COMING FROM THE RACK & PINION SEAL. I PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE. IT TURNS OUT THAT A BREATHER/SCREEN HAD RUSTED AND CAUSED PRESSURE TO BUILD, CAUSING THE SEAL TO LEAK. I BROUGHT IT TO MY LOCAL NISSAN SERVICE CENTER AND THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR IT UNDER W…

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I NOTICED A LEAK IN THE REAR END OF MY 2012 FRONTIER, COMING FROM THE RACK & PINION SEAL. I PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE. IT TURNS OUT THAT A BREATHER/SCREEN HAD RUSTED AND CAUSED PRESSURE TO BUILD, CAUSING THE SEAL TO LEAK. I BROUGHT IT TO MY LOCAL NISSAN SERVICE CENTER AND THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR IT UNDER WARRANTY, SAYING THAT NISSAN CONSIDERS IT "ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES". I KNOW OF OTHER MAKES AND MODELS THAT GO 100,000 OR 200,000+ MILES WITHOUT READ END ISSUES. I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER FRONTIER OWNERS AND FOUND THAT THEY HAVE HAD SIMILAR ISSUES, WITH AS LITTLE AS 13,000 MILES AND TRUCKS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND NISSAN SHOULD REPAIR THIS DEFECT UNDER WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI #10749003

28,000 miles · May 28, 2015
Power Train

VEHICLE BECAME HARD TO PUT INTO GEAR, ESPECIALLY WHEN COLD. TOOK CAR TO THE DEALER, AND THEY SAID SOMETHING MUST HAVE SPILLED DOWN BY THE SHIFTER LINKAGE. I AM THE ONLY DRIVER, AND I DO NOT THINK THAT WAS THE CASE, BUT COULD NOT BE ABSOLUTELY SURE. I AM ONLY SUBMITTING THIS, BECAUSE I SAW SEVERAL OTHER POSTS WHERE PEOPLE COULD…

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VEHICLE BECAME HARD TO PUT INTO GEAR, ESPECIALLY WHEN COLD. TOOK CAR TO THE DEALER, AND THEY SAID SOMETHING MUST HAVE SPILLED DOWN BY THE SHIFTER LINKAGE. I AM THE ONLY DRIVER, AND I DO NOT THINK THAT WAS THE CASE, BUT COULD NOT BE ABSOLUTELY SURE. I AM ONLY SUBMITTING THIS, BECAUSE I SAW SEVERAL OTHER POSTS WHERE PEOPLE COULD NOT SHIFT THEIR VEHICLES OUT OF PARK, NISSAN WOULD NOT HELP OUT WITH THE EXPENSE OF REPAIR SINCE THEY WERE OUT OF WARRANTY. ANYONE READING THIS SHOULD THINK LONG AND HARD BEFORE PURCHASING A NISSAN. THEY ARE NOT THE HIGH QUALITY VEHICLES THEY WERE AT ONE TIME.

NHTSA ODI #10722059

51,946 miles · Apr 8, 2015
Power Train

TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WILL NOT GO INTO DRIVE, STRANDING DRIVER AND VEHICLE IN CUSTOMER'S DRIVEWAY. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE ASSEMBLY THAT HAS FAILED ON SEVERAL OTHER FRONTIERS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. VEHICLE IS DISABLED UNTIL REPAIRED. PARTS FOR THE REPAIR ARE DEALER ONLY AND THE REPAIR IS OVER $600! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10704430

50,007 miles · Apr 8, 2015
Power Train

TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WILL NOT GO INTO DRIVE, STRANDING DRIVER AND VEHICLE IN CUSTOMER'S DRIVEWAY. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE ASSEMBLY THAT HAS FAILED ON SEVERAL OTHER FRONTIERS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. VEHICLE IS DISABLED UNTIL REPAIRED. PARTS FOR THE REPAIR ARE DEALER ONLY AND THE REPAIR IS OVER $600!

NHTSA ODI #10704425

39,200 miles · Mar 31, 2015
Power Train

SHIFTER FOR THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT GO INTO DRIVE STANDING THE DRIVER AND VEHICLE. SHIFTER ASSEMBLY IS DEFECTIVE AND VEHICLE IS SITTING AT NISSAN DEALERSHIP WAITING FOR REPAIR. NISSAN IS REFUSING TO COVER THE COST OF REPLACEMENT OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS IS THE 8TH 2012 NISSAN FRONTIER SHIFTER FAILURE SO FAR OUT OF THE 66 2012 N…

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SHIFTER FOR THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT GO INTO DRIVE STANDING THE DRIVER AND VEHICLE. SHIFTER ASSEMBLY IS DEFECTIVE AND VEHICLE IS SITTING AT NISSAN DEALERSHIP WAITING FOR REPAIR. NISSAN IS REFUSING TO COVER THE COST OF REPLACEMENT OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS IS THE 8TH 2012 NISSAN FRONTIER SHIFTER FAILURE SO FAR OUT OF THE 66 2012 NISSAN FRONTIERS WE HAVE IN OUR NJ FLEET. NO TSB OR RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS HIGH FREQUENCY ISSUE, AND NISSAN IS REFUSING COVER THE COST OF THE DEFECTIVE SHIFTER REPAIRS FOR BEING 3000 MILES OUT OF THE 36K BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE REFUSAL TO COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR; CASE #18171024. NISSAN C.A. TOOK 3 WEEKS TO RESPOND WITH A DENIAL. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN OUT OF SERVICE FOR OVER 3 WEEKS AND COUNTING AND THE REPAIR COST IS $595. CUSTOMERS SHOULD NOT BE FORCED TO PAY THE COSTS TO REPAIR, ESPECIALLY DEALERSHIP RATES AND PART PRICES BECAUSE THE PARTS ARE DEALER ONLY ITEMS, HIGH FREQUENCY FAILURES CAUSED BY KNOWN DEFECTS.

NHTSA ODI #10702868

34,214 miles · Mar 31, 2015
Power Train

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

NHTSA ODI #10702854

30,216 miles · Mar 31, 2015
Power Train

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

NHTSA ODI #10702850

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.