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    Nissan Frontier

    EPA MPG: 17 mpg

    RECALL ALERT:
    There are 3 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

    Reliability

    Overall Reliability

    We expect the 2025 Frontier will be less reliable than the average new car. This prediction is based on data from 2022 and 2023 models, and the Nissan brand score.

    The 2012 Nissan Frontier has been recalled 3 times by NHTSA. View Recalls
    Most Common Trouble Spots
    Common Trouble Spot
    Common Trouble Spot

    Owner Reported Trouble Spots

    The Reliability score is based on our latest subscriber survey of 2012 Nissan Frontier owners. The owner comments describe problems respondents experienced with this vehicle.

    Exhaust

    Muffler, pipes, catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, heat shields, leaks.

    What Owners Say

    Catalytic converter

    "all 3 cats were replaced"

    Anonymous, ME (2012 Nissan Frontier SV 4.0-L V6)
    Other/unsure

    "The tire pressure light is on constantly without any loss of tire pressure. No mechanic has been able to fix the issue yet including replacing all the gauges."

    Anonymous, MA (2012 Nissan Frontier S 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

    "Almost overheated. I took it to Nissan Dealer's service. Asked for the coolant to be flushed and an oil change. Advisor suggested to troubleshoot the overheating issue for $250. Advisor indicated that then was leaks at the coolant reservoir and heater inlet and outlet. By the way, the valve covers are leaking. Air bag recall. Cost would be $5000. I have not seen any puddles under my truck. I ordered parts for replacing the reservoir and heater inlet and outlet. We installed the reservoir and heater lines. I rate Nissan as poor for design for maintenance. They ran the heater hose/metal under the Fuse box. That was a problem!!! We were able to force it under the fuse box. Who the does that??? To replace the valve covers and gaskets requires the removal of the intake manifold. Labor intensive. I remember 2 years ago, replacing the spark plugs. that was a royal pain!! Also, I had to replace the front discs because the OEM discs have material issues. The discs warped when you hit water. I went to Summit Racing and upgraded! Fixed their cheap quality metals in their discs. Oh one more issue, another Nissan design issue, there is no heater vent on the driver's floor. Who does that??? Nissan One told me to get an electric blanket that plugs into the cigarette lighter."

    Anonymous, FL (2012 Nissan Frontier SL 4.0-L V6)

    "The rear differential was leaking and the gears are worn."

    Anonymous, VA (2012 Nissan Frontier SL 4.0-L V6)

    Brakes

    Premature pad/rotor wear, pulsation or vibration, antilock system, parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, squeaking, brake failure, regenerative braking.

    What Owners Say

    Antilock braking system (ABS)

    "Started 2020 all the time. Sensors rusted and were replaced"

    Anonymous A., NY (2012 Nissan Frontier SV 4.0-L V6)

    "They wanted $1500 to fix it. I said no."

    Anonymous, WI (2012 Nissan Frontier SL 2.5-L 4 Cyl)
    Calipers

    "Noticed uneven breaking. Seized calipers too damaged to repair/rebuild new calipers rotors and pads replaced."

    Anonymous, ON (2012 Nissan Frontier SL 2.5-L 4 Cyl)
    Other brakes problem

    "Recently because light went on on the dash warning us"

    Anonymous, NH (2012 Nissan Frontier SV 4.0-L V6)

    Steering And Suspension

    Shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage (includes rack and pinion), power steering (pumps and hoses, leaks), wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension.

    What Owners Say

    Ball joints

    "During the safety inspection required for license plate renewal, both front ball joints failed and had to be replaced."

    Anonymous A., MO (2012 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X 4.0-L V6)
    Springs or torsion bars

    "Leaf spring, back drivers side broke in half."

    Anonymous, NY (2012 Nissan Frontier 4.0-L V6)
    Wheel bearings

    "needed fight front wheel bearing replaced"

    Anonymous, ME (2012 Nissan Frontier SV 4.0-L V6)

    Paint And Trim

    Paint (fading, chalking, peeling, or cracking), loose interior or exterior trim or moldings, rust.

    What Owners Say

    Paint (fading, chalking, cracking, or peeling)

    "Paint does not stay vibrant"

    Anonymous, FL (2012 Nissan Frontier Unsure)

    Engine Electrical

    Alternator, starter, hybrid battery replacement, hybrid battery related systems, regular battery, battery cables, engine harness, coil, ignition switch, electronic ignition, spark plugs and wires failure, auto stop/start.

    What Owners Say

    Heated or cooled seats

    "All bottom and back leather front seats coming apart at all sowed seams very expensive"

    Anonymous A., SC (2012 Nissan Frontier SL 4.0-L V6)

    Electrical Accessories

    Cruise control, clock, warning lights, body control module, keyless entry, wiper motor or washer, tire pressure monitor, interior or exterior lights, horn, gauges, 12V power plug, USB ports, alarm or security system, remote engine start, heated or cooled seats, heated steering wheel, headlights, automatic headlights, automatic wipers, wireless charging pad.

    What Owners Say

    Other electrical system problem

    "While driving all electronics died. Engine still running no exhilarator response. Turned vehicle off/on, vehicle returned to normal. This issue has occurred four time, Battery/grounding points/ positive battery cable. Replaced or cleaned and reconnected. Not positive issue has been resolved."

    Anonymous, ON (2012 Nissan Frontier SL 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

    Engine Major

    Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbocharger or supercharger, timing chain or belt.

    What Owners Say

    Other major engine problem

    "Cam shaft sensor failed so the truck would just stall while the vehicle was in motion. Very dangerous."

    Anonymous A., CT (2012 Nissan Frontier SV 4.0-L V6)

    Climate System

    AC compressor, blower (fan) motor, condenser, evaporator, heater system, automatic climate system, electrical failure, refrigerant leakage.

    What Owners Say

    Refrigerant leaks

    "one of the hoses developed leaks replaced both due to condition and age"

    Anonymous, CA (2012 Nissan Frontier S 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

    Body Hardware

    Windows, locks and latches, doors or sliding doors, tailgate, trunk or hatch, mirrors, seat controls (power or manual), seat belts, sunroof, convertible top, glass defect.

    What Owners Say

    Seat controls - power

    "Driver front seat power seat drive quit very expensive"

    Anonymous A., SC (2012 Nissan Frontier SL 4.0-L V6)

    In-car Electronics

    Infotainment system (audio, GPS, phone), rear entertainment system, backup or other camera/sensors, head-up display.

    What Owners Say

    Hardware replacement

    "Head unit CD player stopped working and continually tried to eject CDs, but was unable to. It would try, unsuccessfully, to eject CDs for about 1 minute, clicking loudly the whole time. The problem happened every time the engine was started and also any time one of the CD player controls was selected (eject, next CD, etc). This was my second factory head unit. When it failed this time I replaced it with an aftermarket head unit by Kenwood. The Kenwood uses up/down arrows to control the volume, and the user interface is amazingly bad, but it includes Apple Carplay & Android Auto, plays music from a USB stick, and I was able to add front and rear cameras."

    Anonymous A., CA (2012 Nissan Frontier SV 4.0-L V6)

    Engine Minor

    Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, fuel leaks, oil leaks.

    Transmission Minor

    Gear selector and linkage, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission, leaks.

    Transmission Major

    Transmission rebuild or replacement, torque converter, premature clutch replacement.

    Noises And Leaks

    Squeaks, rattles, wind noises, seals and/or weather stripping, air and water leaks.

    Engine Cooling

    Radiator, cooling fan, water pump, thermostat, antifreeze leaks, overheating.

    Drive System

    Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, four-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive components, driveline vibration, electrical failure, traction control, electronic stability control.

    Fuel System/Emissions

    Sensors (O₂, or oxygen, sensor), emission-control devices (includes EGR), fuel-injection system, fuel gauge/sender, fuel pump, problems filling up the tank.

    2012 Pickup trucks Reliability

    No Data Available

    Nissan vs. Other New Car Brands Reliability

    Reliability History
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    Overall Reliability Verdict
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    POTENTIAL TROUBLE SPOTS
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    Engine Minor
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    Engine Cooling
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    Engine Electrical
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    Transmission Major
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    Drive System
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    Fuel System/Emissions
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    Exhaust
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    Steering and Suspension
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    Brakes
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    Climate System
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    Build Quality
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    Electrical Accessories
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    Body Hardware
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    Paint/Trim
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    Noises/Leaks
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    In-car Electronics
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    Reliability indicates how models have performed in the past, providing the basis for predicting how the vehicles will hold up in the year ahead. These charts provide the most comprehensive reliability information available to consumers. Based on information received from our latest subscriber survey for over 300,000 vehicles, our reliability history charts give you a rundown on how 2000 through 2024 vehicles are holding up in 20 potential trouble spots, ranging from the engine, transmission, electric motor, EV charging, and brakes to power equipment and the electrical accessories. NA indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year.
    Recalls
    PROVIDED BY
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
    Feb 12, 2014
    The bolt may wear through the wire harness covering, resulting in an electrical short which could cause a fire.
    Summary:
    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.
    What should you do:
    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.
    For more information:
    Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
    NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 14V052000
    Potential Number of Units Affected: 13535
    SUSPENSION
    Sep 20, 2012
    If the vehicle is driven in this condition, the wheel hub may break, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
    Summary:
    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.
    What should you do:
    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.
    For more information:
    Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
    NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 12V462000
    Potential Number of Units Affected: 2417
    ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
    Dec 19, 2011
    IF THERE IS AN ENGINE OIL LEAK, THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE WOULD DROP AND THE ENGINE COULD SEIZE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
    Summary:
    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.
    What should you do:
    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.
    For more information:
    OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
    NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 11V592000
    Potential Number of Units Affected: 14718
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