Model year
2012 Nissan Frontier
NHTSA lists 3 recalls and 80 complaints for the 2012 Nissan Frontier (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are AIR BAGS (22), POWER TRAIN (20), ENGINE (13). NHTSA lists crash-test variants for this model year and marks the overall rating Not Rated. EPA rates it 16–21 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,200–$4,200, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 189 complaints
- 2001 134 complaints
- 2002 124 complaints
- 2003 77 complaints
- 2004 66 complaints
- 2005 532 complaints
- 2006 617 complaints
- 2007 520 complaints
- 2008 136 complaints
- 2009 37 complaints
- 2010 59 complaints
- 2011 64 complaints
- 2012 80 complaints
- 2013 48 complaints
- 2014 42 complaints
- 2015 33 complaints
- 2016 43 complaints
- 2017 38 complaints
- 2018 25 complaints
- 2019 28 complaints
- 2020 23 complaints
- 2021 20 complaints
- 2022 112 complaints
- 2023 66 complaints
- 2024 22 complaints
- 2025 9 complaints
- 2026 11 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
14V052000 · Feb 12, 2014
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…
12V462000 · Sep 20, 2012
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…
11V592000 · Dec 19, 2011
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…
Complaints
80 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 4, fire flag on 0, injury field 8, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
No investigations are matched to this name.
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew Cab PU/CC 4WD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | 4 · possibility 0.198 | — |
| Crew Cab PU/CC RWD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | 3 · possibility 0.212 | — |
| King Cab PU/EC 4WD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | 4 · possibility 0.198 | — |
| King Cab PU/EC RWD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | 3 · possibility 0.212 | — |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frontier 2WD · 2.5L · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 17 | 22 | 19 | — | — | $3,550 |
| Frontier 2WD · 2.5L · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 23 | 21 | — | — | $3,200 |
| Frontier 2WD · 4L · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 15 | 20 | 17 | — | — | $3,950 |
| Frontier 2WD · 4L · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 16 | 20 | 17 | — | — | $3,950 |
| Frontier 4WD · 4L · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 14 | 19 | 16 | — | — | $4,200 |
| Frontier 4WD · 4L · Manual 6-spd · 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 16 | 20 | 17 | — | — | $3,950 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2012 Nissan Frontier at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.