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

- 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
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew Cab 4x2 Sv | 205.9 in | 72.8 in | 70.1 in | 125.6 in | 61.8 / 61.8 in | 4,343 lb | 57/43 |
| Crew Cab 4X4 Pro-4x | 205.5 in | 72.8 in | 70.1 in | 126 in | 61.8 / 61.8 in | 4,557 lb | 57/43 |
| Crew Cab 4X4 Sl | 219.3 in | 72.8 in | 70.1 in | 139.8 in | 61.8 / 61.8 in | 4,676 lb | 57/43 |
| Crew Cab 4X4 Sv | 205.9 in | 72.8 in | 70.1 in | 125.6 in | 61.8 / 61.8 in | 4,559 lb | 57/43 |
| King Cab 4X4 Sv/Pro-4x | 205.5 in | 72.8 in | 69.7 in | 126 in | 61.8 / 61.8 in | 4,326 lb | 57/43 |
| King Cab S/Box 4x2 S | 205.5 in | 72.8 in | 68.5 in | 126 in | 61.8 / 61.8 in | 3,728 lb | 57/43 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frontier 2WD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 / 23 / 21 | +10% | $3,200 | 423 |
| Frontier 2WD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 22 / 19 | -1% | $3,550 | 468 |
| Frontier 2WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 20 / 17 | -11% | $3,950 | 523 |
| Frontier 2WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 20 / 17 | -11% | $3,950 | 523 |
| Frontier 4WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 16 / 20 / 17 | -5% | $3,950 | 523 |
| Frontier 4WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 16 | -11% | $4,200 | 555 |
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
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Nissan Frontier (this car) | 21 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2012 Ford F-150 | 19 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2012 Chevrolet Colorado | 21 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2012 GMC Canyon | 21 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2012 Honda Ridgeline | 17 MPG | Not rated | 11 |
| 2012 Suzuki Equator | 21 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
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.
Not every 2012 Nissan Frontier is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2012 Nissan Frontier buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 18 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Power Train — 15 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Engine — 9 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 51,946 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- 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 →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Frontier | 21 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 Frontier | 21 | 224 in | Not rated | 1 | 11 |
| 2025 Frontier | 21 | 224 in | Not rated | 3 | 9 |
| 2024 Frontier | 21 | 224 in | Not rated | 3 | 22 |
| 2023 Frontier | 21 | 224 in | Not rated | 1 | 66 |
| 2022 Frontier | 20 | 224 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 112 |
| 2021 Frontier | 20 | 205.5 in | Not rated | 2 | 20 |
| 2020 Frontier | 20 | 205.5 in | Not rated | 2 | 23 |
| 2019 Frontier | 21 | 205.5 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 28 |
| 2018 Frontier | 21 | 205.5 in | Not rated | 2 | 25 |
| 2017 Frontier | 21 | 205.5 in | Not rated | 1 | 38 |
| 2016 Frontier | 21 | 205.5 in | Not rated | 1 | 44 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Nissan. How we calculate this →