2012 Nissan Frontier: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2012 Nissan Frontier: 3 recalls, 79 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #11V592000 · 2011 · 14,718 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If there is an engine oil leak, the engine oil pressure would drop and the engine could seize, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector bolts free of charge. The safety recall began on January 30, 2012.
Suspension Vehicle recall #12V462000 · 2012 · 2,417 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If the vehicle is driven in this condition, the wheel hub May break, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The fix: 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.
Electrical Vehicle recall #14V052000 · 2014 · 13,535 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: The bolt May wear through the wire harness covering, resulting in an electrical short which could cause a fire.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 8 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (23): the most common themes are warning light on (4), fails to deploy (2).
- Transmission & drivetrain (20): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (14), noise or vibration (2), leaks (2).
- Engine (13): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (6), warning light on (3), overheating (2).
- Other / unknown (9): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (2).
The 2012 Nissan Frontier has 79 owner complaints, ranking #10 of 29 Frontier model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 116). Complaints peaked in 2015 (16 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 43,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2011 (64 complaints, 1 recalls), 2013 (48 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 | 23 | 21 | Regular |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 22 | 19 | Regular |
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | Regular |
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 20 | 17 | Regular |
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 16 | 20 | 17 | Regular |
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2012 Nissan Frontier.
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FAQ
Does the 2012 Nissan Frontier have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2012 Nissan Frontier. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2012 Nissan Frontier problems?
Owners have filed 79 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (23), transmission & drivetrain (20), engine (13).
What gas mileage does the 2012 Nissan Frontier get?
EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (2.5 L, Manual 5-spd), across 6 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2012 Nissan Frontier repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.