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Check by VIN to confirm the
exact model and see every recall for it.
Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
US recalls (3)
Electrical system: wiring, fuses and circuit breakers
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: 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.
Suspension: front, hub
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: 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.
Engine and engine cooling
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: 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.
Canadian recalls (3)
Show 3 Canadian recalls
Airbag
2023-02-10 · campaign 2023-053
Issue:
On certain vehicles, the plastic emblem on the steering wheel airbag cover could detach and become a projectile when the airbag inflates in a crash.
Note: This recall is for certain vehicles that had the steering wheel airbag replaced.
Safety Risk:
Projectiles in the occupant compartment could increase the risk of an injury.
Corrective Actions:
Nissan will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, replace the steering wheel airbag cover.
Electrical
2014-02-12 · campaign 2014-039
On certain vehicles, a circuit breaker was installed incorrectly during vehicle assembly, and could cause damage to the wiring harness, potentially disabling power seat and sunroof functions, discharging the battery and/or causing a short. A short circuit may cause an overheat condition which could result in property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect and affect repairs as necessary.
Steering
2012-09-19 · campaign 2012-310 · 13 vehicles
On certain 2wd vehicles, the front hubs may have been manufactured incorrectly and could crack. This could allow the wheel to wobble, causing a noticeable vibration and, as a result, the driver may experience difficulty controlling the direction of the vehicle. Ultimately, the hub may break, allowing the wheel to separate from the vehicle. The errant wheel assembly could strike a vehicle, a stationary object, or a bystander. These issues could result in property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace both front wheel hub assemblies.
Owner complaints (80)
Owners filed 80 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Nissan Frontier (4 crashes, 8 injuries reported). Among 29 model years of this model, it ranks #10 for the most complaints (median 64).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|
| Air bags | 23 | |
| Power train | 20 | |
| Engine | 13 | |
| Unknown or other | 9 | |
| Electrical system | 7 | |
| Structure | 7 | |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | |
| Seat belts | 5 | |
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2012 Nissan Frontier.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|
| 2012 Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC RWD | – | – | – | 3★ |
| 2012 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC RWD | – | – | – | 3★ |
| 2012 Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC 4WD | – | – | – | 4★ |
| 2012 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC 4WD | – | – | – | 4★ |
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for each 2012 Nissan Frontier version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| Frontier 2WD 2.5 L Automatic 5-spd | 17 | 22 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Frontier 2WD 2.5 L Manual 5-spd | 19 | 23 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Frontier 2WD 4.0 L Automatic 5-spd | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Frontier 2WD 4.0 L Manual 6-spd | 16 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Frontier 4WD 4.0 L Automatic 5-spd | 14 | 19 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Frontier 4WD 4.0 L Manual 6-spd | 16 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
Need this data in your app?
Recalls, complaints, crash ratings and fuel economy as a JSON API. Decode up to 50 VINs per call and get a daily feed of new recalls.
Explore the API →Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport
Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada).
Recalls updated 2026-10-30.