ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
2012 Nissan Frontier
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 78 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Nissan Frontier, most frequently naming the airbags, powertrain (other) and engine categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 113 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 2012 | 1 | 1 |
| May 2012 | 1 | 2 |
| Aug 2012 | 1 | 3 |
| Oct 2012 | 2 | 5 |
| Nov 2012 | 1 | 6 |
| Feb 2013 | 1 | 7 |
| May 2013 | 1 | 8 |
| Jun 2013 | 1 | 9 |
| Jul 2013 | 1 | 10 |
| Jan 2014 | 1 | 11 |
| Feb 2014 | 2 | 13 |
| Mar 2014 | 2 | 15 |
| Apr 2014 | 1 | 16 |
| Jun 2014 | 1 | 17 |
| Aug 2014 | 1 | 18 |
| Sep 2014 | 1 | 19 |
| Mar 2015 | 8 | 27 |
| Apr 2015 | 2 | 29 |
| May 2015 | 2 | 31 |
| Jun 2015 | 1 | 32 |
| Aug 2015 | 2 | 34 |
| Dec 2015 | 1 | 35 |
| Apr 2016 | 1 | 36 |
| Aug 2016 | 2 | 38 |
| Sep 2016 | 1 | 39 |
| Feb 2017 | 1 | 40 |
| Mar 2017 | 2 | 42 |
| Apr 2017 | 1 | 43 |
| Jul 2017 | 2 | 45 |
| Sep 2017 | 1 | 46 |
| Nov 2017 | 1 | 47 |
| Dec 2017 | 1 | 48 |
| Jul 2018 | 1 | 49 |
| Aug 2018 | 1 | 50 |
| Sep 2018 | 1 | 51 |
| Dec 2018 | 1 | 52 |
| Feb 2019 | 1 | 53 |
| Jun 2019 | 1 | 54 |
| Jul 2019 | 2 | 56 |
| Sep 2019 | 2 | 58 |
| Oct 2019 | 1 | 59 |
| Feb 2020 | 1 | 60 |
| Jun 2020 | 1 | 61 |
| Jul 2020 | 1 | 62 |
| Oct 2020 | 1 | 63 |
| Mar 2021 | 2 | 65 |
| Jun 2021 | 1 | 66 |
| Mar 2023 | 1 | 67 |
| May 2023 | 1 | 68 |
| Jun 2023 | 1 | 69 |
| Oct 2023 | 2 | 71 |
| Nov 2023 | 2 | 73 |
| Feb 2024 | 1 | 74 |
| May 2024 | 2 | 76 |
| Apr 2025 | 1 | 77 |
| Jun 2025 | 1 | 78 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Airbags2325.8%
- Powertrain (other)2022.5%
- Engine1314.6%
- Body & structure77.9%
- Electrical66.7%
- Seat belts66.7%
- Driver assistance55.6%
- Suspension33.4%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
3 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govSUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11665563
- Incident
- May 20, 2025
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)
- NHTSA ID
- 11655718
- Incident
- Mar 5, 2025
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11588145
- Incident
- Feb 9, 2024
- Mileage
- 179,002 mi
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 ID
- 11586752
- Incident
- Aug 1, 2023
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11572981
- Incident
- Dec 4, 2023
- Mileage
- 83,333 mi
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
- NHTSA ID
- 11555023
- Incident
- Oct 31, 2023
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11553068
- Incident
- Feb 9, 2023
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11552123
- Incident
- Oct 15, 2023
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
STRUCTURE:BODY
CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label” may be needed. HINT: Certification Label = FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) label. These items may be available from Nissan by request if certain criteria are met. This bulletin lists the criteria and provides an application form for such replacements. · The “VIN Plate/Label” (metal plate or vinyl label) is attached to the instrument panel or body on the driver side at the base of the windshield (see Figure 1). · The “Certification Label” (vinyl adhesive label) is located on the lower area of the driver side B-Pillar (see Figure 1).
STRUCTURE:BODY
CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label” may be needed. HINT: Certification Label = FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) label. These items may be available from Nissan by request if certain criteria are met. This bulletin lists the criteria and provides an application form for such replacements. · The “VIN Plate/Label” (metal plate or vinyl label) is attached to the instrument panel or body on the driver side at the base of the windshield (see Figure 1). · The “Certification Label” (vinyl adhesive label) is located on the lower area of the driver side B-Pillar (see Figure 1).
AIR BAGS
VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN 2005-2013 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER, AND XTERRA; DRIVER AIR BAG COVER CAMPAIGN ID #: PC945 and PC948 APPLIED VEHICLES: 2005-2013 Frontier (D40) 2005-2012 Pathfinder (R51) 2005-2013 Xterra (N50) Check Service COMM or Dealer Business Systems (DBS) National Service History to confirm campaign eligibility. INTRODUCTION Nissan is conducting this voluntary safety recall campaign on certain specific model year 2005-2012 Pathfinder, and 2005-2013 Frontier and Xterra vehicles to inspect and, if necessary, replace the Driver Air Bag Cover. This service will be performed at no charge to the customer for parts or labor. IDENTIFICATION NUMBER Nissan has assigned identification number PC945 and PC948 to this campaign. This number must appear on all communication and documentation of any nature dealing with this campaign. DEALER RESPONSIBILITY It is the dealer’s responsibility to check Service COMM or Dealer Business Systems (DBS) National Service History for the campaign status on each vehicle falling within the range of this voluntary safety recall which for any reason enters the service department. This includes vehicles purchased from private parties or presented by transient (tourist) owners and vehicles in a dealer’s inventory. Federal law requires that new vehicles in dealer inventory which are the subject of a safety recall must be corrected prior to sale. Failure to do so can result in civil penalties by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. While federal law applies only to new vehicles, Nissan strongly encourages dealers to correct any used vehicles in their inventory before they are retailed.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAN COMMUNICATION CODES – DIAGNOSTIC TIPS AND GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 7 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 19 | 3 | 0 | 53.3 |
| 2023 | 64 | 1 | 0 | 52.1 |
| 2022 | 110 | 6 | 0 | 57.8 |
| 2021 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 45.2 |
| 2020 | 23 | 2 | 0 | 57.3 |
| 2019 | 29 | 1 | 0 | 46.3 |
| 2018 | 25 | 2 | 0 | 45.2 |
| 2017 | 38 | 1 | 0 | 49.1 |
| 2016 | 43 | 1 | 0 | 44.7 |
| 2015 | 33 | 0 | 0 | 38.4 |
| 2014 | 42 | 2 | 0 | 51.0 |
| 2013 | 48 | 1 | 0 | 47.2 |
| 2012Viewing | 78 | 3 | 0 | 47.6 |
| 2011 | 64 | 1 | 0 | 41.8 |
| 2010 | 59 | 6 | 1 | 51.8 |
| 2009 | 37 | 5 | 1 | 50.8 |
| 2008 | 136 | 6 | 1 | 51.1 |
| 2007 | 520 | 2 | 1 | 47.2 |
| 2006 | 616 | 7 | 2 | 55.0 |
| 2005 | 532 | 6 | 1 | 52.5 |
| 2004 | 66 | 4 | 0 | 52.4 |
| 2003 | 77 | 7 | 0 | 53.9 |
| 2002 | 124 | 8 | 0 | 54.3 |
| 2001 | 134 | 7 | 1 | 59.8 |
| 2000 | 189 | 6 | 0 | 56.4 |
| 1999 | 78 | 5 | 0 | 52.3 |
| 1998 | 129 | 5 | 0 | 53.1 |
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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.