WHILE HOSING DOWN THE TRUCK THE PAINT ON MY FRONT FENDERS STARTED TO PEEL IN LARGE CHUNKS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP IT SHOULD NOT BE PEELING.
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
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.
What owners actually said
78 reportsMY TRUCK HAS HAD WHAT FEELS TO ME LIKE A ROUGH IDLE FOR ABOUT AS LONG AS I'VE HAD IT. IT WAS FINE FOR SEVERAL YEARS BUT A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO THE TRUCK DIED AT A STOP LIGHT. IT STARTED RIGHT BACK UP AND I DIDN'T THINK I'D BE ABLE TO REPLICATE THIS FOR A MECHANIC SO I JUST KEPT DRIVING IT. IT ALSO DIED ONCE ON MY WIFE BUT SH…
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MY TRUCK HAS HAD WHAT FEELS TO ME LIKE A ROUGH IDLE FOR ABOUT AS LONG AS I'VE HAD IT. IT WAS FINE FOR SEVERAL YEARS BUT A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO THE TRUCK DIED AT A STOP LIGHT. IT STARTED RIGHT BACK UP AND I DIDN'T THINK I'D BE ABLE TO REPLICATE THIS FOR A MECHANIC SO I JUST KEPT DRIVING IT. IT ALSO DIED ONCE ON MY WIFE BUT SHE DIDN'T TELL ME ABOUT IT AT THE TIME. A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT LOWER SPEEDS DUE TO TRAFFIC. IT DIED ON ME AGAIN AND THIS TIME IT WOULDN'T START. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A NISSAN DEALER. THEY REPAIRED A PART IN THE TRANSMISSION AND GAVE IT BACK TO ME. IT SEEMED OK BUT AFTER ABOUT TEN MILES IT DIED AGAIN. I BROUGHT IT BACK AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THEY CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY AND GAVE IT BACK TO ME. IT IS STILL IDLING ROUGH. IT HASN'T DIED AGAIN YET BUT I'M AFRAID OF WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN IF IT DOES. I'VE LOOKED ONLINE AND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE TRUCKS. I THINK IT HAS SOME DEFECT THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED THROUGH A RECALL FOR THE SAFETY OF DRIVERS ON THE ROAD.
CALLED NISSAN A COUPLE OF TIMES REGARDING DEFAMATION OF PAINT IN 2012 FRONTIERS AND MY FRONT FENDERS ARE PEELING IN LARGE CHUNKS JUST AS SEVERAL OTHER 2012 BLUE NISSAN FRONTIERS
TAKATA RECALL.. A TRANSMISSION ISSUE
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DETERMINED CODE PO488. THE VENTILATION SYSTEM FOR THE GAS TANK - DOES NOT FORM A VACUUM WHEN ENGINE RUNNING AND IMPACT FUEL DELIVERY.
THE PASSENGER SEAT WARNING LIGHT.AND SEAT SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED AND NOW THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT WILL NOT ENGAGE.I CANNOT HAVE A PASSENGER IN MY TRUCK BECAUSE OF THI PROBLEM.I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THI COULD BE SAFE AT ALL.THE MANUAL SAYS THAT WHEN THIS HAPPENS TO BRING IT IN TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE SENSOR AND THE SEAT BELT LATC…
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THE PASSENGER SEAT WARNING LIGHT.AND SEAT SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED AND NOW THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT WILL NOT ENGAGE.I CANNOT HAVE A PASSENGER IN MY TRUCK BECAUSE OF THI PROBLEM.I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THI COULD BE SAFE AT ALL.THE MANUAL SAYS THAT WHEN THIS HAPPENS TO BRING IT IN TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE SENSOR AND THE SEAT BELT LATCH MUST BE REPLACED. I'VE OWNED.MANY VEHICLES IN MY LIFE AND NEVER EVER HAD A SEAT BELT FAILURE LIKE THIS .THIS IS DANGEROUS WHAT IF THIS OCCURS WHEN I HAVE A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE AND THE SEAT BELT.UNMATCHED OR WON'T UNMATCHED. HOW CAN THIS BE SAFE. NO ONE GETS INTO MY VEHICLES WITHOUT PUTTING ON THE SEAT BELTS IN N.Y.IT IS A VIOLATION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A LOUD NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NISSAN OF SALEM (33 MAIN ST, SALEM, NH) AND ALL FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED, BUT THE NOISE GREW LOUDER. LATER, WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, A LOUD BANGING NOISE WAS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A LOUD NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NISSAN OF SALEM (33 MAIN ST, SALEM, NH) AND ALL FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED, BUT THE NOISE GREW LOUDER. LATER, WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, A LOUD BANGING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE LEAF SPRINGS HAD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.
THURSDAY MORNING SEPTEMBER 20TH 2018 DURING RUSH HOUR, WIFE'S 2012 NISSAN FRONTIER SV V6 SUDDENLY LOST SPEED CONTROL WHILE DRIVING ON HOUSTON BELTWAY 8 - A MULTI-LANE TOLL ROAD WHERE TRAFFIC IS AT AROUND 70 MPH. TAPPING THE GAS PEDAL WAS NOT ABLE TO CHANGE OR MAINTAIN THE VEHICLE SPEED. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE WENT FROM 70 MPH TO A…
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THURSDAY MORNING SEPTEMBER 20TH 2018 DURING RUSH HOUR, WIFE'S 2012 NISSAN FRONTIER SV V6 SUDDENLY LOST SPEED CONTROL WHILE DRIVING ON HOUSTON BELTWAY 8 - A MULTI-LANE TOLL ROAD WHERE TRAFFIC IS AT AROUND 70 MPH. TAPPING THE GAS PEDAL WAS NOT ABLE TO CHANGE OR MAINTAIN THE VEHICLE SPEED. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE WENT FROM 70 MPH TO A COMPLETE STOP ON THE HIGHWAY. THE TRUCK CAN BE RESTARTED AFTER SITTING FOR A FEW MINUTES THOUGH.
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.
THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE MIDDLE OF THE DASH IS ON AND THE SEAT BELT LIGHT IS ON AND BLINKING WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD
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.
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