Model year guide

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 — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2012 Nissan Frontier at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints78
Combined18 mpg
Typical price$18,355

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2012 Nissan Frontier recalls 3

Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers NHTSA Campaign #14V052000 · 12/02/2014

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.

Engine And Engine Cooling NHTSA Campaign #11V592000 · 19/12/2011

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.

Suspension:front:hub NHTSA Campaign #12V462000 · 20/09/2012

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.

Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.

2012 Nissan Frontier safety ratings

Rollover★★★★★

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

Combined18 mpg
City16 mpg
Highway21 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,475

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2012 Nissan Frontier worth?

Low
$12,800
Typical price
$18,355
High
$23,700

From 218 comparable 2012 Nissan Frontier listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2012 Nissan Frontier costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$17,375
Depreciation (5 yrs)$8,900
Total$26,275
Per mile$0.35

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

Trims
SV · S · PRO-4X · SL · SV V6
Engines
4.0L · 2.5L

2012 Nissan Frontier vehicles on record

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.