try.vin
Log in

NHTSA vehicle safety data

2012 Nissan Frontier Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2012 Nissan Frontier has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 80 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Nissan dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2012 Nissan Frontier, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2012 Nissan Frontier owner complaints

Owners have filed 80 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Nissan Frontier, describing incidents dated March 9, 2012 to October 6, 2026.

Most-cited components

  • Air Bags 23 complaints
  • Power Train 20 complaints
  • Engine 14 complaints
  • Unknown or Other 9 complaints
  • Electrical System 7 complaints
  • Structure 7 complaints

Of the 80 complaints on file, 4 report a crash; across all 80 complaints, owners report 8 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11772536 · Filed

    Please see attachment below

  • ODI #11769697 · Filed

    1. Frequent repeated multiple breakdown and damages to all and any MAF sensors, camshaft position sensors bank 2, VVT solenoid sensors as cause of short circuited and fire hazard high risk of IPDM and main loom wiring harnesses from careless, dangerous severe defective…

  • ODI #11665563 · Filed

    I was sold the 2012 Nissan Frontier SL from Lynne's Nissan City in Bloomfield, NJ being told it was a safe vehicle and passed their inspection. After bringing it to my mechanic I was informed the frame was so rusted it was unsafe to drive. They are now trying to resell the vehicle not disclosing…

Read all 80 complaints

Circuit Breaker Installation could cause Short

NHTSA #14V052000 · Electrical System — Wiring — Fuses and Circuit Breakers · NHTSA notice

Reported February 12, 2014 · Nissan North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 13,535 vehicles

Repair completion: 80.18% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified March 17, 2014 · Vehicles built November 28, 2012 – December 17, 2013 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

The bolt may wear through the wire harness covering, resulting in an electrical short which could cause a fire.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

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.

Wheel Hubs May Crack Due To Insufficient Hardness

NHTSA #12V462000 · Suspension — Front — Hub · NHTSA notice

Reported September 20, 2012 · Nissan North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 2,417 vehicles

Owners notified October 22, 2012 · Vehicles built June 19, 2012 – July 12, 2012 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

If the vehicle is driven in this condition, the wheel hub may break, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

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.

ENGINE OIL COOLER CONNECTOR BOLT

NHTSA #11V592000 · Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA notice

Reported December 19, 2011 · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 14,718 vehicles

Owners notified January 30, 2012

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

IF THERE IS AN ENGINE OIL LEAK, THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE WOULD DROP AND THE ENGINE COULD SEIZE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

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> .

Other Nissan Frontier model years

Check your 2012 Nissan Frontier VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Nissan Frontier at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Nissan VIN