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2012 Nissan Cube Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
19
Latest Mar 17, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
9
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2012 Nissan Cube, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Powertrain (other)628.6%
  • Fuel system314.3%
  • Driver assistance314.3%
  • Electrical314.3%
  • Airbags29.5%
  • Engine14.8%
  • Seat belts14.8%
  • Tires & wheels14.8%
  • Visibility14.8%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I PURCHASE MY 2012 NISSAN CUBE ON JANUARY 2019 W 93K ON JUN 2019 STARTED A NOISE .IT BECAME INCREASINGLY WORST, TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC HE ROAD TEST THE CAR ,AND TOLD ME IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION I GOOGLE THE CVT TRANS AND FIND OUT THAT NISSAN HAVE TROUBLE WITH THOSE TRANS ,THEY EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON SOME MODELS FROM 2000 TO 2010 I TOOK IT TO RT.46 NISSAN ON TOTOWA NJ TO MAKE SURE THAT WAS THE PROBLEM AND IT WAS .THEY WANT $4163.00 TO REPAIR/REPLACE THE TRANS THAT THEY KNOW HAVE A BUNCH OF PROBLEMS ..TWICE THE CAR STALL WHEN I`M DRIVING I`M NOT GOING TO PAY FOR A TRANS.THAT HAS A HISTORY OF PROBLEMS,I FEEL NISSAN SHOULD EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON 2012 MODELS I`M SURE MY COMPLAIN IT`S NOT THE ONLY ONE

NHTSA ID 11241206 · filed Aug 1, 2019

I OWN A 2012 NISSAN CUBE WITH 80,000 MILES ON IT. MY TEENAGER WAS DRIVING THE CAR WHEN IT STALLED OUT ON HER AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. IT EVENTUALLY CAUGHT ENOUGH TO ACCELERATE AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IT IS AN INTERNAL FAILURE OF SEVERAL SENSORS ON THE CVT TRANSMISSION. I HAVE READ ONLINE AT MULTIPLE SITES THAT THIS IS A LARGELY OCCURRING INCIDENT WITH NISSAN AND THESE MODELS. A TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT FAIL AT 80,000 MILES! IT IS A DANGEROUS OCCURRENCE THAT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY TO THE DRIVER IF ON AN INTERSTATE OR OTHERWISE BUSY HIGHWAY (WE LIVE IN A METROPOLITAN CITY). THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED, AS NISSAN IS NOT OFFERING ANY WARNINGS, RECALLS OR ASSISTANCE TO THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID 11229700 · filed Jul 5, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Problem # 1- is 3 out of 4 door lock actuators all of a sudden stopped working at the exact same time, except the driver door. This is a huge safety issue and causes the door to remain locked. This causes someone getting locked inside the vehicle or locked outside. (Google) all the review's as this is a common thing people are reporting. Problem #2- My daughter said she almost passed out because he gas tank started to leak because the hose connector is plastic and integrated into the gas tank. The only way to fix this is replace the gas tank at $600+. (Google) this is a common problem that people are reporting. My vehicle only has 40k miles on it and its already a fire hazard because fuel is leaking from a plastic cheap fitting. This is the fitting that the fill hose connects to the gas tank. No warning signs until gas fumes filled the cab. This is a fire hazard and also can cause the driver to pass out because of the fumes in the vehicle. No inspections just phone calls to the service department. They want to charge me $175 to just tell me what is broken that I already know. So I called local dealership and they confirmed the symptoms are likely due to broken actuators, and plastic gas fittings.

NHTSA ID 11724834 · filed Mar 17, 2026

2013-2014 oxygen gas sensor Intermittently failed to operate, causing CO2 into the cabin. Issue not found Nissan instructed to take it to another dealer they found issue and replaced. 2025 same issue dealers cannot find major c02 entering cabin. Cannot drive car due to extreme c02 have blood test indicating c02 in blood. Extreme situation both times!

NHTSA ID 11641891 · filed Feb 11, 2025

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

PULLED OUT FROM STOP LIGHT, ZERO POWER. ZERO ACCELERATOR RESPONSE. JUST CREEP OUT SUPER SLOW AT IDLE AND CROSS THE INTERSECTION. VERY UNSAFE. CVT SEEMED TO BE IN LIMP-HOME MODE; NO LIGHTS ON THE DASH, NO WARNING, NO VIBRATION OR OTHER FAILURE.

NHTSA ID 11130850 · filed Sep 23, 2018

CVT TRANSMISSION FAILURE ~ SAFETY ISSUE SLOW TO START ~ SAME AS 100'S OF REPORTS ON INTERNET CAR WAS AT WARRANTY END AND NISSAN SAID ONLY FIX FOR SMALL LEAK WAS TO REPLACE THE WHOLE CVT~ AS PER CURRENT PENDING CLASS ACTIONS AGAINST NISSAN FOR 2013-2017 CVTS BEING REPLACED REPEATEDLY WITH THE SAME FAILING TRANSMISSION ENDED IN REPAIR COST TO CUSTOMER. NISSAN OFFERED TO PAY FOR PARTS BUT NOT LABOR. WHY WOULD I PAY TO PUT THE SAME BAD PART ON THE CAR? WHY IS THERE NOT A CLASS ACTION FOR 2012 NISSANS? THIS CAR HAD A FUEL LEAK THAT TOOK MANY MONTHS TO REPAIR AND FIND. THEN THE A/C WAS NOT WORKING AND MECHANIC SAID IT MIGHT BE RELATED TO THE OPEN ENDED TEMP GAGE FOR OUTSIDE TEMP THAT THIS MODEL DID NOT HAVE, ONLY FIX HE HAD WAS ELECTRICAL TAPE WHICH I TOLD NISSAN WAS NOT A GOOD FIX AND HAVE WORK ORDER THROUGH NISSAN FOR THIS. A/C WAS O RING WHICH MAY RELATE BACK TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE THE WHOLE THING BASICALLY WAS SHAKING APART. SO THE DEALER FILLED THE A/C AND FAILED TO FIND ORING LEAK AND ALSO FAILED TO FIND TRANSMISSION LEAK WHEN I TOLD THEM I WANTED EVERYTHING CHECKED PER THE WARRANTY ENDING. MASTER MECHANIC FOUND IT WHEN I BROUGHT IT BACK NOW THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME LABOR ON NEW CVT ONLY I READ CVT BREAK REPEATEDLY AND SOME PEOPLE HAD BOUGHT 3 OR 4 TRANSMISSIONS! THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL OF ALL CVTS.

NHTSA ID 11104822 · filed Jun 29, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Problem # 1- is 3 out of 4 door lock actuators all of a sudden stopped working at the exact same time, except the driver door. This is a huge safety issue and causes the door to remain locked. This causes someone getting locked inside the vehicle or locked outside. (Google) all the review's as this is a common thing people are reporting. Problem #2- My daughter said she almost passed out because he gas tank started to leak because the hose connector is plastic and integrated into the gas tank. The only way to fix this is replace the gas tank at $600+. (Google) this is a common problem that people are reporting. My vehicle only has 40k miles on it and its already a fire hazard because fuel is leaking from a plastic cheap fitting. This is the fitting that the fill hose connects to the gas tank. No warning signs until gas fumes filled the cab. This is a fire hazard and also can cause the driver to pass out because of the fumes in the vehicle. No inspections just phone calls to the service department. They want to charge me $175 to just tell me what is broken that I already know. So I called local dealership and they confirmed the symptoms are likely due to broken actuators, and plastic gas fittings.

NHTSA ID 11724834 · filed Mar 17, 2026

THE CAR WILL STOP RUNNING AND DIE. IT HAS BEEN WORKED ON AND THE FUSE BOX AND BRAKE LAMP LIGHT SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. WHEN IT DIES IT SMELL LIKE BURNING ELECTRICAL WIRING AND SMOKE COMES OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN KILLED HALF A DOZEN TIMES. I CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR SAFELY.

NHTSA ID 11339412 · filed Jul 14, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHING ON AND OFF WHEN DRIVING

NHTSA ID 11051860 · filed Dec 2, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN CUBE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED AND THE SEAT BELT WAS LATCHED. MENTOR NISSAN (6960 CENTER ST, MENTOR, OH 44060 (855) 349-3669) WAS CONTACTED, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED DUE TO THE DIAGNOSTIC FEES. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE FAILURE ONLINE AND FOUND A NISSAN TSB (NTB13-055) REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED BY A LOCAL DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,106.

NHTSA ID 11040028 · filed Oct 26, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

PULLED OUT FROM STOP LIGHT, ZERO POWER. ZERO ACCELERATOR RESPONSE. JUST CREEP OUT SUPER SLOW AT IDLE AND CROSS THE INTERSECTION. VERY UNSAFE. CVT SEEMED TO BE IN LIMP-HOME MODE; NO LIGHTS ON THE DASH, NO WARNING, NO VIBRATION OR OTHER FAILURE.

NHTSA ID 11130850 · filed Sep 23, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE LATCHING MECHANISM FOR THE DRIVER KEEPING COMING UNLATCHED WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE TO CLICK IT INTO PLACE A FEW TIME BEFORE I START DRIVING BUT SOMETIMES THAT'S NOT ENOUGH. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A FEW MONTHS NOW.

NHTSA ID 10960165 · filed Mar 11, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I CHANGED THE ORIGINAL TYRES OF THE CAR AFTER 3 YEARS OF NORMAL WEAR OUT AND REPLACED THEM IN OCTOBER 2015 WITH PIRELLI CINTURAUTO P6 TYRES. I DRIVE AN AVERAGE OF 10,000 MILES PER YEAR, THE AIR PRESSURE IN THE TYRES IS THE CORRECT ONE AS SPECIFIED BY THE CAR, AND I DRIVE ON COUNTRY ROADS BUT VERY CAREFULLY. IN DECEMBER 2016 THE RIGHT FRONT TYRE SHOWED A BULGE ON ITS SIDEWALL SO I REPLACED IT IMMEDIATELY WITH ANOTHER CINTURAUTO P6. IN JANUARY 2017 THE LEFT FRONT TYRE SHOWED A SIMILAR BULGE ON ITS SIDEWALL SO I REPLACED IT IMMEDIATELY WITH ANOTHER CINTURAUTO P6. IN MAY 2017 THIS LEFT FRONT TYRE WHICH HAD BEEN REPLACED IN JANUARY 2017 SHOWED ONCE AGAIN A SIMILAR BULGE ON ITS SIDEWALL SO, ONCE AGAIN, I REPLACED IT WITH ANOTHER CINTURAUTO P6. AND NOW, IN NOVEMBER 2017 THE BACK RIGHT TYRE HAS EXPLODED, I WAS NOT AWARE IF THERE HAD BEEN A BULGE IN THE SIDEWALL OF THIS RIGHT BACK TYRE AS I WOULD HAVE REPLACED IT IMMEDIATELY IF I HAD SEEN ONE. PIRELLI BLAMES MY DRIVING AND DOES NOT OFFER ME ANY WARRANTY. I BLAME PIRELLI BECAUSE I DON'T THINK A TYRE SHOULD BE SO DELICATE AND BECAUSE I NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE ORIGINAL TYRES OF THE CAR WITH A SIMILAR TYPE OF DRIVING. AS THE TYRES HAVE BEEN FAILING ONE AT A TIME I HAVE HAD TO KEEP REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE TYRES FOR THE SAME MODEL BUT THIS LAST EXPLOSION HAS SCARED ME AND I AM GOING TO REPLACE ALL FOUR TYRES WITH OTHERS THAT ARE NOT SO DELICATE.

NHTSA ID 11048182 · filed Nov 24, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

MY WINDSHIELD HAS BEEN BROKE THREE DIFFERENT TIMES. I NOTICE THAT EVERYTHING SEEMS TO HIT THE WINDSHIELD. THE WIND SHIELD IS ALMOST VERTICALLY THE RESULT OF WHICH IS THAT EVERY ROCK OR PIECE OF ROAD DEBRIS DOESN'T BOUNCE OFF THE WINDSHIELD, BUT BREAKS AND CRACKS THE WINDSHIELD. I HAVE BEEN ONLINE TO FIND THAT SEVERAL NISSAN OWNER ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUES. ONE IS ON THE 5TH WINDSHIELD WITHIN 6 MONTHS ANOTHER 3 MONTHS IN A SHORT TIME. MINE HAS HAPPENED WITH IN THREE MONTHS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10614807 · filed Jul 20, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .