2012 Nissan Cube Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHING ON AND OFF WHEN DRIVING
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .