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2012 Nissan Frontier Reliability & Recall Report

Based on 3 NHTSA recalls and 78 owner complaints. All data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — free, no signup required.

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This is a known problem year for the Nissan Frontier

The 2012 model year has significantly more owner complaints than average for this model. Consider a different year if possible.

C
69/100

Use Caution — 2012 Nissan Frontier

The 2012 Nissan Frontier has elevated complaints or recalls that warrant careful consideration. Have any open recalls resolved before purchase and inspect the vehicle thoroughly.

3
NHTSA Recalls
3 recalls on record
78
Owner Complaints
Filed with NHTSA
4
Crashes + Injuries
In NHTSA complaints

Own or buying a 2012 Nissan Frontier?

Check your specific VIN for open recalls, market value, full specs, and a free AI buyer summary.

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NHTSA Recalls — 2012 Nissan Frontier (3)

All recalls listed below must be repaired by an authorized Nissan dealer at no charge to the owner.

🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #14V052000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #11V592000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #12V462000
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Most Common Problems — 2012 Nissan Frontier

Based on 78 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Bars show relative complaint frequency.

Air Bags
22
Power Train
20
Structure
7
Engine
7
Electrical System
6
Vehicle Speed Control
5
Seat Belts
3
Unknown Or Other
3
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Nissan Frontier — Complaints by Year

Spike in a year = known problem year. The 2012 model year is highlighted.

2010 0 complaints 2011 64 complaints 2012 78 complaints 2013 48 complaints 2014 42 complaints 2015 33 complaints 2016 42 complaints

⚠ Years to avoid: 2012 — These model years show significantly elevated complaint activity.

✅ Best model years: 2010 — Lowest complaint rates for this model.

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Frequently Asked Questions — 2012 Nissan Frontier

Is the 2012 Nissan Frontier reliable?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2012 Nissan Frontier has 3 recalls and 78 owner complaints. This model year shows elevated issues — consider alternatives or a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How many recalls does the 2012 Nissan Frontier have?
The 2012 Nissan Frontier has 3 NHTSA recalls. Affected systems include: see recall details above. All recalls are repaired free at authorized dealers.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Nissan Frontier?
The most commonly reported problems for the 2012 Nissan Frontier are: Air Bags, Power Train, Structure, Engine. See the complaint breakdown above for full details.
Is the 2012 Nissan Frontier safe to buy?
The 2012 Nissan Frontier has some safety and reliability items to review before buying. Ensure all 3 recalls are completed at a dealer. A pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic is strongly recommended.
What year Nissan Frontier should I buy?
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the best years for the Nissan Frontier are: 2010. These show the lowest complaint rates. Years to avoid: 2012.
Data source: All recall and complaint data is sourced directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public API. Data is cached and refreshed every 7 days. Recall and complaint counts reflect data available at the time of last cache update. For the most current recall status on a specific vehicle, enter the VIN above or visit NHTSA.gov/recalls.