2012 Nissan Frontier
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 80
- Recalls
- 3
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Air bags
Campaigns on file for 2012
None on file
29% of complaints
Complaints per year
2012: 80 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1998 | 129 |
| 1999 | 78 |
| 2000 | 189 |
| 2001 | 134 |
| 2002 | 124 |
| 2003 | 77 |
| 2004 | 66 |
| 2005 | 532 |
| 2006 | 617 |
| 2007 | 520 |
| 2008 | 136 |
| 2009 | 37 |
| 2010 | 59 |
| 2011 | 64 |
| 2012 | 80 |
| 2013 | 48 |
| 2014 | 42 |
| 2015 | 33 |
| 2016 | 44 |
| 2017 | 38 |
| 2018 | 25 |
| 2019 | 28 |
| 2020 | 23 |
| 2021 | 20 |
| 2022 | 112 |
| 2023 | 66 |
| 2024 | 22 |
| 2025 | 10 |
| 2026 | 9 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Air bags
29% · 23 reportsMost commonly citing cushion.
Show complaint excerpts
Involved in a auto accident on June 11 2021. Airbags deployed, however, little rock type projectiles also exploded from the airbag landing all over the car and passenger causing a risk to the eyes, face and other body parts.
NHTSA ODI report, 2021-06-17
Side curtain airbags wrongfully deployed while driving at about 5-10 MPH, with no crash, and on a flat road. Creating an extremely dangerous situation for myself and others on the road around me.
NHTSA ODI report, 2016-08-16
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Frontier. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23E012000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable.
NHTSA ODI report, 2023-11-01
Power train
25% · 20 reportsShow complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that the vehicle would not accelerate beyond 30 MPH. The vehicle then began jerkin violently and caused the contact to bounce off a side railing.
NHTSA ODI report, 2014-01-28
Also filed under Engine
Engine
16% · 13 reportsShow complaint excerpts
1.
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-10-07
Also filed under Electrical system
Electrical system
9% · 7 reportsStructure
9% · 7 reportsMost commonly citing body and frame and members.
Safety timeline
3 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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R
2012-01-30Engine and engine cooling11V592000 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…
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.
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2012-10-22Suspension12V462000 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…
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…
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2014-03-17Electrical system14V052000 Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2012 through 2014 Frontier vehicles manufactured from November 28, 2012, through December 17, 2013.
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.
Buy-smart checklist
2012 Nissan Frontier — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Air bags: 23 reports on file for this year.
- Power train: 20 reports on file for this year.
- Engine: 13 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 11V592000 · Engine and engine cooling
- Recall 12V462000 · Suspension
- Recall 14V052000 · Electrical system
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2012 Nissan Frontier reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Nissan Frontier is rated "typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Nissan Frontier?
- The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 29% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2012 Nissan Frontier have?
- 3 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.