2012 Nissan Frontier
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Airbags & Restraints
Airbags & Restraints leads by volume: 26 of 78 complaints (33%) mention it.
Complaints filed rose from 64 in 2011 to 78 in 2012.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | vs. 2012 Small Pickup Trucks 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,950–3,900 | 2,950–3,900 | 2,950–3,900 | 2,950–3,650 | 2,950–3,650 | |
| Combined MPG | 16–21 | 16–21 | 16–21 | 17–21 | 17–21 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 14–19 / 19–23 | 14–19 / 19–23 | 14–19 / 19–23 | 15–19 / 21–23 | 15–19 / 21–23 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 423–555 | 423–555 | 423–555 | 427–515 | 425–515 | |
| Complaints filed | 59 | 64 | 78 | 48 | 42 | |
| Recalls issued | 6 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 3 | 4 | 8 | 2 | 3 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2012 Nissan Frontier have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2012 Nissan Frontier?
Airbags & Restraints: 26 of 78 NHTSA complaints (33%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Nissan Frontier get?
EPA rates it 16–21 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Nissan Frontier?
EPA estimates $2,950–$3,900 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
EPA-Rated Configurations (6)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 5-spd | 4 | 2.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 2WD | 17 mpg | 22 mpg | 19 mpg | $3,300 | 468 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 2WD | 19 mpg (high) | 23 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | $2,950 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 4.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 2WD | 15 mpg | 20 mpg | 17 mpg | $3,650 | 523 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 4.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 2WD | 16 mpg | 20 mpg | 17 mpg | $3,650 | 523 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 4.0L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 4WD | 14 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | 16 mpg (low) | $3,900 (high) | 555 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 6 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 4.0L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 4WD | 16 mpg | 20 mpg | 17 mpg | $3,650 | 523 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 26 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 9 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS · Campaign 14V052000 · Feb 12, 2014
Defect: 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.
Consequence: The bolt may wear through the wire harness covering, resulting in an electrical short which could cause a fire.
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.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB · Campaign 12V462000 · Sep 20, 2012
Defect: 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.
Consequence: If the vehicle is driven in this condition, the wheel hub may break, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING · Campaign 11V592000 · Dec 20, 2011
Defect: 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.
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.
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.