2012 Nissan Frontier

Routine

Owners filed 80 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the airbags. It has been recalled 3 times.

Not among the Nissan Frontier years to avoid. Which Nissan Frontier years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
43,000 milesMedian miles at failure

65 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 20,000–30,000 miles.

Most common 2012 Nissan Frontier problems

23 of the 80 complaints (29%) are about the airbags.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags · airbags22
206
Power Train · transmission19
100
Engine10
000
Electrical System5
000
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration4
000
Unknown or Other3
000
Structure › Body · body and frame3
000
Seat Belts3
000
Suspension2
000
Wheels1
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses and Circuit Breakers14V052000
Filed Feb 12, 201413,535 vehiclesNissan North America, Inc.

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.

Risk. 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 › Hub12V462000
Filed Sep 20, 20122,417 vehiclesNissan North America, Inc.

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.

Risk. 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 Cooling11V592000
Filed Dec 19, 201114,718 vehiclesNissan North America, Inc.

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.

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.

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.

All 3 campaigns on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Tires
Filed Oct 20, 2026FL

Please see attachment below

Electrical System
Filed Oct 7, 2026CA

1. Frequent repeated multiple breakdown and damages to all and any MAF sensors, camshaft position sensors bank 2, VVT solenoid sensors as cause of short circuited and fire hazard high risk of IPDM and main loom wiring harnesses from careless, dangerous severe defective workmanship/installation/mounting of metal bolt and loom wiring together by the A-frame on passenger side, below glove box, on side wall/fender close to passenger door. It appears the factory and Nissan installed backward circuit breaker also. The thick black wire (possibly power wire) and loom harness wiring are rubbing into each other causing possible big hole on the wire/loom insulation resulting to overheating of wire and short circuiting all or most wiring/loom harnesses of entire engine and engine bay. 2. The dangerous rubbing of wire and bolt is extremely dangerous fire risk/hazard also endangering lives of vehicle occupants and commuters on the road and posing danger to the public and city/State infrastructures. 3. Already reported/notified both Nissan Consumer Affairs and local Nissan Dealer on 10/6/2026 and both of them malicously refused and declined to recognize the defect, issue, risk, danger, problem. And they also refused to perform necessary repair. 4. Manufacturer Nissan declined and refused to recognize and acknowledge the serious high danger and defective product and severely flawed manufacturing/mounting/assembly. Local police process unknown. 5. Engine sputtering and resulted to inoperative

Structure › Body
Filed Jun 8, 2025NJ

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 was unsafe to drive. They are now trying to resell the vehicle not disclosing that information.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 20, 2025PA

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 months ago. I am presently in Florida and have a long drive home back to Pennsylvania. My cellphone # is [XXX] and my email is [XXX] . My home address is as follows: [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Electrical System
Filed May 10, 2024179,002 milesHI

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 warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and stopped the vehicle. The contact shifted into park(P); however, several attempts were needed to restart the vehicle. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the cam shaft sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred and had the cam shaft sensor replaced again. Additionally, the contact stated that the ignition key was no longer working and turning the ignition switch. The contact then drove the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the cam shaft sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle failure had reoccurred, and the vehicle was not taken back to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 179,000.

Air Bags
Filed May 3, 2024CA

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.

Seat Belts
Filed Feb 20, 202483,333 milesWA

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, where it was diagnosed that the front passenger’s side seat belt assembly and the sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 89,333.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 14, 2023MD

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 bags are safely operative. Thank you very much.1031

Air Bags
Filed Nov 1, 2023CA

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 manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 26, 2023HI

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 manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 17, 2023TX

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 local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 30, 2023TX

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 manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Air Bags
Filed May 2, 2023NY

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT HAS APPEARED ON A VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 83,000 MILES . NO ACCIDENT HAS OCCURRED BUT ITY IS OF CONCERN SINCE OTHER MANUFACTURER MODELS HAVE HAD SAME PROBLEMS AND WERE REPAIRED BY DEALER THROUGH MANUFACTURER RECALL

Air Bags › Passenger Side Frontal › Cushion
Filed Mar 31, 202371,000 milesVA

The contact owns a 2012 Nisan Frontier. The contact stated that on multiple occasions while driving under 50 MPH, the supplemental air bag safety warning light remained illuminated. The VIN search confirmed that the vehicle has one open recall at this time NHTSA Campaign Number: 23E012000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the passenger seat belt assembly pretensioner, and passenger’s side seat cushion needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 71,000.

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Jun 17, 2021FL

Involved in a auto accident on June 11 2021. Airbags deployed, however, little rock type projectiles also exploded from the airbag landing all over the car and passenger causing a risk to the eyes, face and other body parts. Has not been taken to the dealer, auto I believe is totaled. Photos sent to adjuster along with photos of the car damage. No warnings. I have photos have the projectiles throughout the car and I have also collected a small sample in a zip bag.

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 25, 2021IL

THE PAINT ABOVE THE FRONT WHEEL WELL ON BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVERS SIDE OF MY 2012 NISSAN FRONTIER (BLUE) WITH 69,0000 MILES IS PEALING OFF IN CHUNKS. IF DO AN INTERNET SEARCH ON 'PAINT FLAKING NISSAN FRONTIER' YOU CAN SEE NUMEROUS PICTURES. TALKING WITH THE DEALER, PREVALENT ISSUE ON DARK COLORED FRONTIERS (BLUE IS ESPECIALLY PREVALENT. CLEARLY A FACTORY DEFECT AS THE PAINT IS NOT ADHERING TO THE PRIMER. TALKED TO NISSAN CONSUMER SUPPORT AND THEY BASICALLY SAY IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY SO GOOD LUCK WITH REPAIR. CLEARLY THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT POOR CUSTOMER SUPPORT. HAS IT BEEN FIXED? MY EXPECTATION IS THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN SOME COST SHARE FOR THIS REPAIR.

Engine
Filed Mar 15, 202128,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AN UNKNOWN WIRE NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRE WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO ASSISTANCE PROVIDED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FINANCED THROUGH AN AUTHORIZED NISSAN DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 28,000.*DT Consumer stated there is more accurate statement on BBB Complaint Form Complete.

Engine
Filed Oct 22, 2020136,291 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING UP A MOUNTAIN AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO NAPA NISSAN (510 SOSCOL AVE, NAPA, CA 94559) WHERE THE MECHANIC REPLACED TWO CAMSHAFT POSITIONING SENSORS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SAME CAMSHAFT SENSORS WERE REPLACED TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES BY THE SAME DEALER FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,291.

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Jul 15, 202093,000 milesDE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE FLOORBOARD UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER'S SEAT CAUSED BY EXTREME CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE INSPECTED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

Engine
Filed Jun 25, 202077,961 milesVA

THE VEHICLE WOULD RANDOMLY STALL WHILE DRIVING, PARTICULARLY WHEN SLOWING FOR A TRAFFIC SIGNAL. THE ENGINE STOPPING WOULD CAUSE ALL POWER ASSISTED FUNCTIONS TO CEASE MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER AND BRAKE. MOST RECENTLY THE VEHICLE WOULD START EXTREME HESITATION WHILE DRIVING AND I COULD NOT GET UP TO THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT OF 55 MPH. I HAD TO USE MY FLASHERS TO WARN OTHER DRIVERS THAT MY SPEED WAS ONLY APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. ALSO THE TRANSMISSION HAD DIFFICULTY SHIFTING. THIS WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY WHERE VEHICLES RAPIDLY APPROACHED FROM THE REAR. IT WOULDN'T NEGOTIATE A LARGE HII (LACK OF POWER) AND I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO MY HOME. RECEIPT BELOW. *TR

Power Train
Filed Feb 18, 202063,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HIS SON WHO OWNS A 2012 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUDDERED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION AFTER EXPERIENCING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO METRO NISSAN OF MONTCLAIR 9440 AUTOPLEX ST, MONTCLAIR, CA 91763, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 63,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Oct 28, 2019120,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. ALSO, WHILE AT A STOP WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT NO FAILURE CODE WAS FOUND. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Sep 17, 201946,000 milesVA

WHILE HOSING DOWN THE TRUCK THE PAINT ON MY FRONT FENDERS STARTED TO PEEL IN LARGE CHUNKS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP IT SHOULD NOT BE PEELING.

Engine
Filed Sep 11, 201968,500 milesCA

MY TRUCK HAS HAD WHAT FEELS TO ME LIKE A ROUGH IDLE FOR ABOUT AS LONG AS I'VE HAD IT. IT WAS FINE FOR SEVERAL YEARS BUT A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO THE TRUCK DIED AT A STOP LIGHT. IT STARTED RIGHT BACK UP AND I DIDN'T THINK I'D BE ABLE TO REPLICATE THIS FOR A MECHANIC SO I JUST KEPT DRIVING IT. IT ALSO DIED ONCE ON MY WIFE BUT SHE DIDN'T TELL ME ABOUT IT AT THE TIME. A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT LOWER SPEEDS DUE TO TRAFFIC. IT DIED ON ME AGAIN AND THIS TIME IT WOULDN'T START. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A NISSAN DEALER. THEY REPAIRED A PART IN THE TRANSMISSION AND GAVE IT BACK TO ME. IT SEEMED OK BUT AFTER ABOUT TEN MILES IT DIED AGAIN. I BROUGHT IT BACK AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THEY CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY AND GAVE IT BACK TO ME. IT IS STILL IDLING ROUGH. IT HASN'T DIED AGAIN YET BUT I'M AFRAID OF WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN IF IT DOES. I'VE LOOKED ONLINE AND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE TRUCKS. I THINK IT HAS SOME DEFECT THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED THROUGH A RECALL FOR THE SAFETY OF DRIVERS ON THE ROAD.

Structure › Body
Filed Jul 16, 2019109,000 milesNC

CALLED NISSAN A COUPLE OF TIMES REGARDING DEFAMATION OF PAINT IN 2012 FRONTIERS AND MY FRONT FENDERS ARE PEELING IN LARGE CHUNKS JUST AS SEVERAL OTHER 2012 BLUE NISSAN FRONTIERS

Engine
Filed Jul 9, 2019CA

TAKATA RECALL.. A TRANSMISSION ISSUE

Engine
Filed Jun 17, 201995,069 milesKS

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DETERMINED CODE PO488. THE VENTILATION SYSTEM FOR THE GAS TANK - DOES NOT FORM A VACUUM WHEN ENGINE RUNNING AND IMPACT FUEL DELIVERY.

Seat Belts
Filed Feb 10, 2019NY

THE PASSENGER SEAT WARNING LIGHT.AND SEAT SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED AND NOW THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT WILL NOT ENGAGE.I CANNOT HAVE A PASSENGER IN MY TRUCK BECAUSE OF THI PROBLEM.I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THI COULD BE SAFE AT ALL.THE MANUAL SAYS THAT WHEN THIS HAPPENS TO BRING IT IN TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE SENSOR AND THE SEAT BELT LATCH MUST BE REPLACED. I'VE OWNED.MANY VEHICLES IN MY LIFE AND NEVER EVER HAD A SEAT BELT FAILURE LIKE THIS .THIS IS DANGEROUS WHAT IF THIS OCCURS WHEN I HAVE A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE AND THE SEAT BELT.UNMATCHED OR WON'T UNMATCHED. HOW CAN THIS BE SAFE. NO ONE GETS INTO MY VEHICLES WITHOUT PUTTING ON THE SEAT BELTS IN N.Y.IT IS A VIOLATION

Suspension
Filed Dec 6, 201829,000 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A LOUD NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NISSAN OF SALEM (33 MAIN ST, SALEM, NH) AND ALL FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED, BUT THE NOISE GREW LOUDER. LATER, WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, A LOUD BANGING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE LEAF SPRINGS HAD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Sep 21, 201891,345 milesTX

THURSDAY MORNING SEPTEMBER 20TH 2018 DURING RUSH HOUR, WIFE'S 2012 NISSAN FRONTIER SV V6 SUDDENLY LOST SPEED CONTROL WHILE DRIVING ON HOUSTON BELTWAY 8 - A MULTI-LANE TOLL ROAD WHERE TRAFFIC IS AT AROUND 70 MPH. TAPPING THE GAS PEDAL WAS NOT ABLE TO CHANGE OR MAINTAIN THE VEHICLE SPEED. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE WENT FROM 70 MPH TO A COMPLETE STOP ON THE HIGHWAY. THE TRUCK CAN BE RESTARTED AFTER SITTING FOR A FEW MINUTES THOUGH.

Power Train
Filed Aug 8, 201883,000 milesPA

BOTH REAR AXLE SEALS FAILED DUE TO A FAULTY REAR AXLE HOUSING BREATHER VALVE. GEAR OIL BEGAN LEAKING ON TO REAR BRAKE PADS CREATING A SAFETY ISSUE. ALSO, SEALS AND BEARINGS COULD NOT BE REPLACED INDEPENDENTLY. A $15 PART FAILURE (BREATHER VALVE) CAUSED BOTH REAR AXLES TO BE REPLACED IN EXCESS OF $1000. NISSAN WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY CONSIDERATION OF GOOD WILL HELP UNLESS I PAID A DIAGNOSTIC FEE AT LOCAL DEALER. THIS CAME WITH NO GUARANTEE OF HELP.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 12, 201866,458 milesSC

THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE MIDDLE OF THE DASH IS ON AND THE SEAT BELT LIGHT IS ON AND BLINKING WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD

Seat Belts
Filed Dec 22, 201757,000 milesOK

SET BELTS AT TIME ARE HARD TO GET OFF AND AIRBAG LIGHT BLINKS ON AND OFF.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 19, 201765,000 milesIL

TAKATA RECALL - RECEIVED MAIL TELLING US ABOUT THE RECALL ON AIR BAGS. WILL BE TAKING INTO HAVE FIXED OR REPLACED

Air Bags
Filed Sep 14, 2017158,000 milesSC

THE SEATBELT HAS BEEN REPLACE TWO TIME AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS STILL ON, NOW YOU GOT TO REPLACE THE SEAT CUSION THIS COST 1766.67, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. ME AND MY WIFE WAS IN LAKE CITY S.C. ON HW 52 AND THE AIR BAG STARTING FLASHING FOR THE SECOND TIME.

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Jul 26, 201746,250 milesKY

I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND WHILE COMPLETELY STOPPED TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN ON A CITY STREET. THE CAR THAT HIT ME, A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA, WAS TRAVELLING, I BELIEVE, BETWEEN 45-50 MPH. BOTH VEHICLES WERE TOTALED. THE AIRBAG IN MY 2012 NISSAN FRONTIER DID NOT DEPLOY. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT IS NORMAL, BUT NISSAN WILL NOT COMMENT. WITHIN A WEEK OF THE ACCIDENT, I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FROM NISSAN REGARDING THE AIRBAG CONTROL UNIT NOT BEING CALIBRATED PROPERLY. I FIND IT STRANGE THAT NISSAN WILL NOT COMMENT ON NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG, YET SENDS ME A RECALL NOTICE FOR AN OUT OF CALIBRATION AIRBAG CONTROL UNIT.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 8, 2017105,549 milesWV

AIRBAG LIGHT ON SCANNED CODE B1035 CRASH SENSOR FAILED INSPECTED =DECAYED HOUSING

Suspension
Filed Apr 12, 201745,000 milesNY

NOTICED CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM REAR OF VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. REAR END BECAME LOOSE AND JUMPY OVER SMALL BUMP SIN THE ROAD AT EVEN LOW SPEEDS. INSPECTION AT SHOP DETERMINED THAT BOTH LEAF SPRINGS WERE CRACKED (SEE ATTACHED PHOTO). BROKEN SECTION OF THE LEAF SPRING HAD SLIPPED OUT OF LINE WITH THE OTHER LEAFS AND WAS JUTTING OUT UNDERNEATH THE BED OF THE TRUCK MECHANICS STATED THAT TOYOTA TACOMA'S RECENTLY HAD THE SAME SHOCK RECALLED.

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 24, 2017135,000 milesAZ

SUN VISOR PIVOT SIDE BRACKET IS VERY FLIMSY. CAUSED VISOR TO BREAK LOOSE AND FALL INTO STEERING WHEEL CAUSING MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL. NO CRASH RESULTED BUT COULD HAVE CAUSED ONE.

SteeringCrash2 injured
Filed Mar 21, 201772,000 milesOH

I BOUGHT NEW TIRES, SAME SIZE AND BRAND NAME AS THE LAST 4 TIRES BUT A DIFFERENT MODEL TYPE OF TIRES. AS I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON A 2 LANE ROAD, THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE FLEW OFF THE RIM. THE RIM SCRAPED THE ROADWAY AND FLIPPED MY TRUCK UPWARDS AND SPUN THE VEHICLE UP IN THE AIR OVER A GUARD RAIL AND I HIT INTO A CONCRETE CULVERT. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS. THE TIRES WERE INSTALLED BY A SHOP, BALANCED AND ALIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT BACK A FEW DAYS LATER TO THAT SAME SHOP DUE TO THE VEHICLE SHAKING VIGOROUSLY AT ROUGHLY 40 MPH. THE SHOP REBALANCED THE 4 TIRES AND ROTATED THEM. THE MECHANIC ADVISED ME THAT THE BACK DRIVER TIRE HAD LOST PSI AND WAS CLOSE TO 30 PSI, THE COLD PSI ON THE TIRE SAYS 50 PSI. THE MECHANIC ADVISED ME THAT A ROTATION WAS COMPLETED AND THAT TIRE WAS NOW IN THE FRONT PASSENGER LOCATION AND WAS INFLATED BACK TO 50 PSI. THE SHOP MECHANIC ALSO ADVISED ME THAT HE BELIEVED THE TIRE THAT WAS THEN IN THE FRONT PASSENGER LOCATION MAY BE FAULTY IN REGARDS TO THE WIRE INSIDE THE RUBBER OF THE TIRE AND ASKED WHERE I PURCHASED THE TIRES. AS I ENTERED THE HIGHWAY WITH SPEED LIMIT OF 70, I COULD MERELY APPROACH 60 MPH WITH VIGOROUS SHAKING. I ADVISED THE SHOP OF THIS, BUT DECIDED TO GO WITH ANOTHER SHOP TO CHECK THE BALANCING AND PREFORM A NEW BALANCING. THE NEW SHOP ADVISED ME THAT THE RIMS WERE NOT CLEANED PROPERLY FOR THE INITIAL SHOP'S WEIGHTS TO STAY ON AND SAID THE VEHICLE MAY HAD BEEN THROWING THEIR WEIGHTS OFF. UPON COMPLETION OF THE 3RD BA

Air Bags
Filed Feb 16, 201756,000 milesNY

AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS FLASHING. IT WAS PUT ON A MACHINE AND THE CODE IS B1134, L/F SIDE MODULE IS OPEN. MECHANIC SAYS IT MEANS IF I GET IN AN ACCIDENT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WON'T GO OFF.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 20, 201645,600 milesTX

ON THE WEEKEND SEPTEMBER 17 2016 A RED AIR BAG LIGHT ON MY DASHBOARD WAS AND IS BLINKING INTERMITTENT. I CALLED THREE NISSAN DEALERS AND WAS INFORMED THAT IT IS MOST LIKELY THE OCS SENSOR. UPON ASKING ABOUT THE RECALL ON NISSAN OCS SENSOR I WAS TOLD THAT THE FRONTIER WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. WE FEEL THAT THE OCS SENSOR ON ANY NISSAN VEHICLE SHOULD BE ON THE RECALL LIST,NO MATTER WHERE THE FRONTIER WAS MANUFACTURED. THE RED BLINKING LIGHT CAME ON AS WE WERE GOING HOME. AFTER I WAS TOLD THAT THE FRONTIER WAS ON THE LIST I WAS INFORMED THAT THE SENSOR WOULD COST ME $1180.00 WE FEEL THAT THIS IS NOT RIGHT OR FAIR.

Air Bags1 injured
Filed Aug 25, 201643,000 milesNV

SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON WHILE DRIVING 5-10 MPH ON FLAT ROAD. ALMOST KNOCKED ME OUT AND LEFT ME CONFUSED FOR AWHILE, AND CAUSED MY EARS TO RING ALL DAY. NISSAN NORTH AMERICA SENT SOME SORT OF REP TO LOCAL DEALER TO DOWNLOAD DATA FROM THE TRUCK TO DETERMINE WHAT HAPPENED. THEY THEN TOLD ME THAT "THE CONDITIONS WERE NOT MET" FOR AIRBAGS TO HAVE DEPLOYED. THEY REPLACED THE AIRBAG SYSTEM AND RETURNED IT TO ITS ORIGINAL CONDITION AT NO COST TO MYSELF. OTHER THAN THAT THEY DECLINED MULTIPLE TIMES TO HELP ME IN ANYWAY TO GET INTO ANOTHER NISSAN VEHICLE, I WAS WILLING TO STAY WITH NISSAN IF THEY WOULD HAVE WORKED WITH ME AND BOUGHT IT BACK AND/OR GOT ME INTO A NEWER FRONTIER. I WAS WILLING TO DO THIS BECAUSE APPARENTLY THE 2011 AND 2012 MODEL FRONTIERS ARE THE ONLY ONES EXPERIENCING THIS DEFECT, AS A RESULT OF THEIR ROLLOVER ANTICIPATION SOFTWARE WHICH FIRES THE CURTAIN AIRBAGS WHEN IT "THINKS" THAT A ROLLOVER IS EMINENT. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR FRONTIER WITH ONE INCIDENT RESULTING IN PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS FOR THE CHILDREN THAT WERE IN THE FRONTIER. THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST NISSAN OF NORTH AMERICA FOR THIS ISSUE THAT WAS STARTED BY ONE OF THE VICTIMS TO THIS NEGLIGENCE. APPARENTLY NISSAN KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM AND HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT AT ALL. THEY ALSO APPARENTLY REFUSED TO REPAIR SOME OF THE AIRBAGS IN SOME OF THESE INCIDENTS IN THE LAWSUIT. NOT HAPPY WITH NISSAN ALLOWING THIS VEHICLE TO STAY ON

Air Bags1 injured
Filed Aug 16, 201643,000 milesNV

SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS WRONGFULLY DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 5-10 MPH, WITH NO CRASH, AND ON A FLAT ROAD. CREATING AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR MYSELF AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD AROUND ME. THIS TRUCK HAS FAULTY PROGRAMMING THAT CONTROLS THESE AIRBAGS. THEY STATE THAT, INSTEAD OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYING IN A CRASH, THEY ARE PROGRAMMED TO "ANTICIPATE" A CRASH AND THEN DEPLOY. NISSAN NORTH AMERICA SENT AN ENGINEER TO THE DEALERSHIP TO DOWNLOAD DATA FROM THE TRUCK TO FIND OUT EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED, AND I ONLY RECEIVED LIMITED DATA UPON MY REQUEST. THEY SENT ME A FEW PAGES OF "HIGH FREQUENCY DATA" CHARTED IN COLUMNS WITH THE FIRST PAGE CONTAINING "FRONTAL DELTA-V" AND "LATERAL DELTA-V", THE SECOND PAGE WITH "FRONTAL G" AND "LATERAL G", AND THE THIRD PAGE WITH "VEHICLE SPEED" AND "ENGINE REVOLUTION". *DSY - SEE 10898639.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 27, 201650,000 milesSC

PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUALLY FLASHES WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE INDICATING AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. DEALERSHIP ADJUSTED SEAT BELT TENSION WHICH TEMPORARILY ( 2 WEEKS) FIXED ISSUE. DEALERSHIP NOW RECOMMENDS A NEW PASSENGER SEAT BOTTOM CUSHION TO REMEDY PROBLEM AT OWNER EXPENSE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND A RECALL ISSUE. IN REGARD TO THIS PROBLEM, NISSAN AND/OR SUB~CONTRACTORS PROVIDING SEAT CUSHIONS SHOULD BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR ALL SERVICE AND PARTS AND ANY ACCIDENTS AND/OR INJURIES INCURRED WHEN AIR BAG IS NOT DEPLOYED.

Engine
Filed Dec 29, 201515,000 milesFL

THE 2012 NISSAN FRONTIER HAS A RUBBER GROMMET ON THE CLUTCH PEDAL WHICH TRIGGERS SAFTEY SWITCH. THE GROMMET GOES BAD AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. CANNOT BE JUMPED. MUST BE TOWD OR FIXED ON THE SPOT. THESE GROMMETTS GO BAD IN 15,000 MILES AND IT COST 15.00 FOR A NEW ONE. YOU CANNOT MAINTAIN A PIECE OF RUBBER ON TE CLUTCH. REDICULOUS

Electrical System
Filed Aug 18, 201527,600 milesNC

MY AUTOMOBILE WAS ALWAYS SERVICED REGULARLY BY NISSAN DEALERS AND WAS LAST SERVICED ON 04 AUG 2015 AT MICHAEL JORDAN NISSAN, DURHAM NC. AT THAT TIME IT WAS NOTED THAT A BATTERY TERMINAL WAS CORRODED, WHICH I INDICATED I WOULD REPAIR MYSELF. ON 11 AUG, I INSPECTED MY BATTERY TERMINAL AND NOTICED THAT ONE OF THE BATTERY CELL CAPS WAS MISSING AND THE TOP OF THE BATTERY WAS DAMP AND DEBRIS HAD FALLEN INTO THE BATTERY CELLS AND THE POSITIVE BATTERY CLAMP WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. LOOKING ONLINE THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT NISSAN FRONTIER BATTERIES BLOWING THEIR CAPS OFF AND EVEN DESTROYING THE ECMS. WHEN I ATTEMPTED RESOLUTION WITH NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THE SERVICING DEALERSHIP I WAS ONLY OFFERED A REPLACEMENT BATTERY CAP AND A CHARGE OF $30 TO CLEAN THE TERMINALS. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A PATTERN OF FAILURE HERE THAT IS EQUIPMENT RELATED AND I AM DISTURBED THAT NISSAN IS NOT INTERESTED IN SOLVING THE ROOT CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. HAVING A BATTERY THAT BLOWS THE CAPS AND SPEWS ACID IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT SOUNDS LIKE A MANUFACTURER RESPONSIBILITY TO ME.

Power Train
Filed Aug 16, 201561,600 milesVT

I NOTICED A LEAK IN THE REAR END OF MY 2012 FRONTIER, COMING FROM THE RACK & PINION SEAL. I PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE. IT TURNS OUT THAT A BREATHER/SCREEN HAD RUSTED AND CAUSED PRESSURE TO BUILD, CAUSING THE SEAL TO LEAK. I BROUGHT IT TO MY LOCAL NISSAN SERVICE CENTER AND THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR IT UNDER WARRANTY, SAYING THAT NISSAN CONSIDERS IT "ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES". I KNOW OF OTHER MAKES AND MODELS THAT GO 100,000 OR 200,000+ MILES WITHOUT READ END ISSUES. I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER FRONTIER OWNERS AND FOUND THAT THEY HAVE HAD SIMILAR ISSUES, WITH AS LITTLE AS 13,000 MILES AND TRUCKS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND NISSAN SHOULD REPAIR THIS DEFECT UNDER WARRANTY.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jun 30, 201518,130 milesID

I FIRST NOTICED THE INCIDENT TODAY IN A DOWNTOWN AREA, SPEED OF 35 MPH. UPON REMOVING MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR THE RPM DROPPED TO 1000, NOT LOWER, AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE AT THE 35 MPH. AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY I WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE EVENT. AS I ENTERED OUR STREET I BRAKED REDUCING SPEED. THE VEHICLE RPM REMAINED AT 1000 AND THE SPEED WAS LOWER,BUT REQUIRING BRAKING TO SLOW COMPLETLY. I INSPECTED THE ACCELATOR PEDAL AREA, WITH MY WIFE TO VERIFY THAT NOTHING WAS BLOCKING THE ACCELATOR. MY WIFE AND I TOOK THE VEHICLE ON ANOTHER TEST DRIVE AND WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE EVENT, CRUSING AT 35 MPH WITH NO FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR, RPM AT 1000. THE OUTSIDE TEMP. WAS APPROX. 102/104F. WEATHER CLEAR AND DRY. THE VEHICLE WAS USED OVER THE WEEKEND FOR A ROUND TRIP OF APPROX. 700 MILES. THE VEHICLE IS SERVICED ON A REGULAR BASIS, MILEAGE UPON PARKING WAS 18,135. I THINK THIS IS POTENTIALLY A SERIOUS SAFE ISSUE. *TR

Power Train
Filed May 28, 201528,000 milesNJ

VEHICLE BECAME HARD TO PUT INTO GEAR, ESPECIALLY WHEN COLD. TOOK CAR TO THE DEALER, AND THEY SAID SOMETHING MUST HAVE SPILLED DOWN BY THE SHIFTER LINKAGE. I AM THE ONLY DRIVER, AND I DO NOT THINK THAT WAS THE CASE, BUT COULD NOT BE ABSOLUTELY SURE. I AM ONLY SUBMITTING THIS, BECAUSE I SAW SEVERAL OTHER POSTS WHERE PEOPLE COULD NOT SHIFT THEIR VEHICLES OUT OF PARK, NISSAN WOULD NOT HELP OUT WITH THE EXPENSE OF REPAIR SINCE THEY WERE OUT OF WARRANTY. ANYONE READING THIS SHOULD THINK LONG AND HARD BEFORE PURCHASING A NISSAN. THEY ARE NOT THE HIGH QUALITY VEHICLES THEY WERE AT ONE TIME.

Complaints 1-50 of 80, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2006
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202611100Routine
202510300Routine
202422310Routine
202366130Routine
2022112630Routine
202120200Routine
202023200Routine
201928110Routine
201825200Routine
201738111Fatalities reported
201644110Routine
201533010Routine
201442210Routine
201348110Routine
2012 — this page80300Routine
201164110Routine
201059600Routine
200937510Routine
2008136620Routine
2007520200Above average
2006617721Fatalities reported
2005532681Fatalities reported
200466430Routine
200377721Fatalities reported
2002124820Routine
2001134782Fatalities reported
2000189640Routine
199978500Routine
1998129500Routine

Compare every Frontier year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Feb 12, 2014. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.