Model year
2012 Nissan Xterra
NHTSA lists 2 recalls and 16 complaints for the 2012 Nissan Xterra (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are POWER TRAIN (6), AIR BAGS (4), ENGINE (4). NHTSA lists crash-test variants for this model year and marks the overall rating Not Rated. EPA rates it 17–18 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,700–$3,950, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 214 complaints
- 2001 150 complaints
- 2002 157 complaints
- 2003 72 complaints
- 2004 84 complaints
- 2005 845 complaints
- 2006 780 complaints
- 2007 557 complaints
- 2008 119 complaints
- 2009 19 complaints
- 2010 38 complaints
- 2011 24 complaints
- 2012 16 complaints
- 2013 4 complaints
- 2014 10 complaints
- 2015 10 complaints
Recalls
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
16 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 0, fire flag on 0, injury field 0, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV 4WD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | 3 · possibility 0.256 | — |
| SUV RWD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | 3 · possibility 0.246 | — |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xterra 2WD · 4L · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 16 | 22 | 18 | — | — | $3,700 |
| Xterra 4WD · 4L · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 15 | 20 | 17 | — | — | $3,950 |
| Xterra 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 Xterra at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.