Makes›Nissan›Frontier›2012

2012 Nissan Frontier

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.

Nissan Frontier
Pictured: Nissan Frontier (D41) Pro-4X Automesse Ludwigsburg 2022 1X7A5885. Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Small Pickup Trucks 2WD
Body styles
Crew Cab 4x2 Sv, Crew Cab 4X4 Pro-4x, Crew Cab 4X4 Sl, Crew Cab 4X4 Sv
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
21 combined · 19 city / 23 hwy
Length
205.5–219.3 in
Curb weight
3,728–4,676 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
3 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 5 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2012 Nissan Frontier is a small pickup truck offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 4.0L 6-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive.

It measures about 206 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 126-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,343 lb (Crew Cab 4x2 Sv).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 21 MPG combined (19 city / 23 highway), 10% better than the 2012 small pickup truck average of 19.1 MPG, for an estimated $3,200 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 61 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2012

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2011 Frontier — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 Frontier →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
Crew Cab 4x2 Sv205.9 in72.8 in70.1 in125.6 in61.8 / 61.8 in4,343 lb57/43
Crew Cab 4X4 Pro-4x205.5 in72.8 in70.1 in126 in61.8 / 61.8 in4,557 lb57/43
Crew Cab 4X4 Sl219.3 in72.8 in70.1 in139.8 in61.8 / 61.8 in4,676 lb57/43
Crew Cab 4X4 Sv205.9 in72.8 in70.1 in125.6 in61.8 / 61.8 in4,559 lb57/43
King Cab 4X4 Sv/Pro-4x205.5 in72.8 in69.7 in126 in61.8 / 61.8 in4,326 lb57/43
King Cab S/Box 4x2 S205.5 in72.8 in68.5 in126 in61.8 / 61.8 in3,728 lb57/43

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Frontier 2WD2.5L 4-cylManual 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive19 / 23 / 21+10%$3,200423
Frontier 2WD2.5L 4-cylAutomatic 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive17 / 22 / 19-1%$3,550468
Frontier 2WD4.0L 6-cylAutomatic 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive15 / 20 / 17-11%$3,950523
Frontier 2WD4.0L 6-cylManual 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive16 / 20 / 17-11%$3,950523
Frontier 4WD4.0L 6-cylManual 6-spd4-Wheel Drive16 / 20 / 17-5%$3,950523
Frontier 4WD4.0L 6-cylAutomatic 5-spd4-Wheel Drive14 / 19 / 16-11%$4,200555
Spend $4,000Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
19.1 MPG2012 Small Pickup Trucks 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 Nissan Frontier.

Similar 2012 small pickup trucks

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2012 Nissan Frontier (this car)21 MPGNot rated3
2012 Ford F-15019 MPGNot rated4
2012 Chevrolet Colorado21 MPGNot rated2
2012 GMC Canyon21 MPGNot rated2
2012 Honda Ridgeline17 MPGNot rated11
2012 Suzuki Equator21 MPGNot rated2

Recalls (3)

Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses And Circuit Breakers · Feb 12, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V052000 · 13,535 vehicles

Problem
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.
Fix
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 › Hub · Sep 20, 2012

NHTSA campaign 12V462000 · 2,417 vehicles

Problem
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.
Fix
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 Cooling · Dec 19, 2011

NHTSA campaign 11V592000 · 14,718 vehicles

Problem
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.
Fix
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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2012 Nissan Frontier is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

61Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
3Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
8Injuries reported
51,946 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags18
Power Train15
Unknown Or Other9
Engine9
Electrical System5
Seat Belts5
Vehicle Speed Control4
Structure › Body3
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
18/08: 118/09: 118/12: 119/02: 119/06: 119/07: 219/09: 219/10: 120/02: 120/06: 120/07: 120/10: 121/03: 221/06: 123/03: 123/05: 123/06: 123/10: 223/11: 224/02: 124/05: 225/04: 125/06: 126/10: 218/0819/0219/0920/0621/0323/0523/1125/04max 2

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2012 Nissan Frontier buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 18 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Power Train — 15 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  4. Engine — 9 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 51,946 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 Nissan Frontier. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Frontier years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 Frontier21–Not rated00
2026 Frontier21224 inNot rated111
2025 Frontier21224 inNot rated39
2024 Frontier21224 inNot rated322
2023 Frontier21224 inNot rated166
2022 Frontier20224 in★★★★★6112
2021 Frontier20205.5 inNot rated220
2020 Frontier20205.5 inNot rated223
2019 Frontier21205.5 in★★★★★128
2018 Frontier21205.5 inNot rated225
2017 Frontier21205.5 inNot rated138
2016 Frontier21205.5 inNot rated144

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Nissan. How we calculate this →