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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 (2)
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 (2)
Show 2 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.
Engine
2011-12-20 · campaign 2011-436 · 528 vehicles
On certain vehicles, the engine oil cooler stud (onto which the oil filter is mounted) could fail. This could cause an engine oil leak, which could illuminate the instrument panel's engine oil warning lamp. Abnormal noise and rough engine performance may also be noticed and, in the worst case, the engine could fail and stop suddenly while the vehicle is in motion. Engine failure would result in lost vehicle propulsion which, in conjunction with traffic and road conditions, and the driver's reactions, could increase the risk of a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the engine oil cooler connector stud.
Owner complaints (16)
Owners filed 16 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Nissan Xterra. Among 16 model years of this model, it ranks #13 for the most complaints (median 84).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|
| Power train | 6 | |
| Engine | 4 | |
| Air bags | 4 | |
| Unknown or other | 1 | |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | |
| Tires | 1 | |
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2012 Nissan Xterra.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|
| 2012 Nissan Xterra SUV RWD | – | – | – | 3★ |
| 2012 Nissan Xterra SUV 4WD | – | – | – | 3★ |
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for each 2012 Nissan Xterra version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| Xterra 2WD 4.0 L Automatic 5-spd | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Xterra 4WD 4.0 L Automatic 5-spd | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Xterra 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.