Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 78 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Nissan Frontier, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 18 | 23% |
| Power train | 18 | 23% |
| Structure | 6 | 8% |
| Engine | 6 | 8% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 4% |
| Unknown or other | 3 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 4% |
| Seat belts | 2 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 3% |
| Suspension | 2 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I was sold the 2012 Nissan Frontier SL from Lynne's Nissan City in Bloomfield, NJ being told it was a safe vehicle and passed their inspection. After bringing it to my mechanic I was informed the frame was so rusted it w
NHTSA complaint: Structure
CD player will not play any CD's and my CD's are stuck inside. The radio only works intermittently and you can hear a sound like there is an electrical connection problem somewhere. This problem started about 2 month
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the steering was difficult to turn. The contact stated that the check engine
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
We were told about the recall, never got a recall letter in the mail. When we went to Nissan, they said they couldn’t help us if only we had the recall letter.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH in cold weather with the seat belt connected, the seat belt warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, wher
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
Took vehicle to dealership for recall. Air bag light on dashboard was flashing. Dealer said air bag was ok and they did not go any further to find the problem. The light is still flashing, so I do not know if my air b
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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. The contact stated that the manufacture
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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 not yet available. The contact stated that the manuf
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2012 Nissan Frontier. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 circ
Risk: The bolt may wear through the wire harness covering, resulting in an electrical short which could cause a fire.
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 bega
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
Risk: IF THERE IS AN ENGINE OIL LEAK, THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE WOULD DROP AND THE ENGINE COULD SEIZE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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 manuf
Risk: If the vehicle is driven in this condition, the wheel hub may break, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
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 Custome
| Reliability raw | 64 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 70 | good |
| Maintenance | 83 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 80 | excellent |
| Performance | 71 | good |
| Efficiency | 31 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other pickup trucks in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 78 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 18 of them (23%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 64/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 70/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2012 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 69/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.