2012 Nissan Frontier
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2012 Nissan Frontier is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 219 on record.
2012 Nissan Frontier at a glance
Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.
2012 Nissan Frontier recalls 3
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.
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. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
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 RE…
Fix: 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.
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.
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. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1-800-647-7261.
Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.
2012 Nissan Frontier common problems
The most-reported problem areas from 78 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
2012 Nissan Frontier safety ratings
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2012 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC 4WD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.
2012 Nissan Frontier MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.
What's a 2012 Nissan Frontier worth?
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 2012 Nissan Frontier costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($18,355) with the same model 5 model-years older ($9,471), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
2012 Nissan Frontier trims & engines on record
2012 Nissan Frontier vehicles on record
2012 Nissan Frontier SV V61N6AD0ER3CC479501
2012 Nissan Frontier S1N6BD0CT2CC446833
2012 Nissan Frontier SV1N6AD0ERXCC421224
2012 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X1N6AD0EV2CC442839
2012 Nissan Frontier SV1N6AD0CU2CC481490
2012 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X1N6AD0EV6CC423145
2012 Nissan Frontier S1N6BD0CT8CC410368
2012 Nissan Frontier SV1N6AD0ER1CC453785
2012 Nissan Frontier SV1N6AD0EV6CC475617
2012 Nissan Frontier SV1N6AD0CU6CC482318
2012 Nissan Frontier SV1N6AD0ER5CC407652
2012 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X1N6AD0CW1CC467923
2012 Nissan Frontier S1N6BD0CTXCC447678
2012 Nissan Frontier S1N6AD0ER0CC444284
2012 Nissan Frontier SV1N6AD0CW7CC411985
2012 Nissan Frontier SV1N6AD0EV9CC455006
2012 Nissan Frontier S1N6AD0ERXCC441599
2012 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X1N6AD0CW8CC420808
2012 Nissan Frontier S1N6AD0ER8CC443982
2012 Nissan Frontier SV1N6AD0CU3CC451589
2012 Nissan Frontier S1N6BD0CT8CC408507
2012 Nissan Frontier SV1N6AD0ER1CC462762
2012 Nissan Frontier SV1N6AD0EV7CC462469
2012 Nissan Frontier S1N6BD0CT0CC411398
Other Nissan Frontier model years
2012 Nissan Frontier — frequently asked questions
Does the 2012 Nissan Frontier have any safety recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2012 Nissan Frontier. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Nissan Frontier?
Based on 78 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, electrical system, structure.
What is the 2012 Nissan Frontier safety rating?
NHTSA gives the 2012 Nissan Frontier crash-test ratings of rollover 4★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).
What gas mileage does the 2012 Nissan Frontier get?
The U.S. EPA rates the 2012 Nissan Frontier at about 18 mpg combined (16 city / 21 highway).
How much is a 2012 Nissan Frontier worth?
Comparable 2012 Nissan Frontier listings run roughly $12,800–$23,700, typically around $18,355 (from 218 vehicles).
Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.