Photo: Cutlass / CC0 / Wikimedia Commons
2012 Nissan Frontier: common problems and reliability
An average Frontier year.
78 owner complaints, most about air bags. 3 recalls.
Should I buy a 2012 Frontier?The 2012 Nissan Frontier has 78 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and power train. Owners most often flag timing chain/guide complaints (2005+ models): mentioned as a potential maintenance item.
Safety record for the 2012 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2012 Nissan Frontier vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Frontier years only. How we score it
Is 2012 a good year for the Frontier?
Across the 29 Frontier model years we track, complaint volume runs from 25 (2018) to 1,234 (2006). With 78 complaints, the 2012 Frontier sits about the same as the model's median of 74.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2012 Frontier
electrical system:wiring:fuses and circuit breakers
Campaign 14V052000Nissan 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.
engine and engine cooling
Campaign 11V592000NISSAN 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.
suspension:front:hub
Campaign 12V462000Nissan 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 owners say across generations
Sentiment is bifurcated by generation and is generally positive for well-maintained, post-2010 models.
- IsolatedTiming chain/guide complaints (2005+ models)
Mentioned as a potential maintenance item.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Frontier. See the full Frontier owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Frontier listings typically run $13,127–$32,339.
Other Frontier model years
Compare every Frontier year side by side to see how 2012 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Frontier against its rivals
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