2012 Nissan Frontier Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 9%of 80 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 27,600miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Nissan Frontier, 9% of the 80 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 27,600 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Side curtain airbags deployed for no reason while driving 5-10 MPH on flat road. Almost knocked me out and left me confused for awhile, and caused my ears to ring all day. Nissan north america sent some sort of rep to local dealer to download data from the truck to determine what happened. They then told me that the conditions were not met for airbags to have deployed. They replaced the airbag system and returned it to its original condition at no cost to myself. …”
NHTSA complaint #10898639, filed 2016-08, 43,000 miles“My automobile was always serviced regularly by Nissan dealers and was last serviced on 04 aug 2015 at michael jordan Nissan, durham nc. At that time it was noted that a battery terminal was corroded, which I indicated I would repair myself. On 11 aug, I inspected my battery terminal and noticed that one of the battery cell caps was missing and the top of the battery was damp and debris had fallen into the battery cells and the positive battery clamp was severely corroded. …”
NHTSA complaint #10749470, filed 2015-08, 27,600 miles“The instrument panel began to flicker and would not display accurate information (engine alerts, tire alerts, not displaying turn signals, speedometer, etc). This occurred while driving and it was not possible to accurately determine vehicle speed or if there were other issues actually wrong with the truck. Dealership has determined the instrument cluster module has a problem and is being replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10482661, filed 2012-10, 1,120 miles“Again! While traveling apx 55 MPH, vehicle lost power, engine surging, sputtering, some warning lights on dash illuminated. Was able to restart and drive another mile or 2. No luck. Vehicle was towed 80 plus miles back to dealer. Another crank position replaced and problem was fixed for now, this is the second time in less than a year!! Id this happened on a busy multi lane highway while towing something it might have had a different outcome!!”
NHTSA complaint #10486244, filed 2012-11, 21,325 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11588145, filed 2024-05, 179,002 milesRelated recalls
- 14V052000Feb 12, 2014Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2012 through 2014 Frontier vehicles manufactured from November 28, 2012, through December…Covers: Nissan Frontier 2012–2014
Related service bulletins
- 11004962May 21, 2024VEHICLE 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…
- 11004961May 21, 2024CAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 11004960May 21, 2024CAN 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.
- 10239062Jun 16, 2023SILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION Do not apply Silicone-based lubricants or grease to, or around, any interior electrical…
- 10239060Jun 16, 202312 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service Information lists NNA procedural recommendations for establishing good connections while…
- 10235707Apr 27, 2023VEHICLE 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…
- 10235710Apr 17, 2023INTELLIGENT KEY REPLACEMENT OR SWAPPING BETWEEN VEHICLES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10208946Feb 22, 2022CAN COMMUNICATION â NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10192013Mar 15, 20212010-2015 NISSAN; AUTO DOOR UNLOCK DOES NOT WORK This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10123360Oct 6, 2017Air Bag Control Unit Reprogram Voluntary Service Campaign UPDATE October 6, 2017 The announcement from August 15, 2017 has been revised to include: - Claims information for…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 9% |
| 2024 | 3 | 14% |
| 2023 | 30 | 45% |
| 2022 | 31 | 28% |
| 2021 | 6 | 30% |
| 2020 | 3 | 13% |
| 2019 | 5 | 18% |
| 2018 | 5 | 20% |
| 2017 | 6 | 16% |
| 2016 | 2 | 5% |
| 2015 | 3 | 9% |
| 2014 | 6 | 14% |
| 2013 | 8 | 17% |
| 2012 | 7 | 9% |
| 2011 | 6 | 9% |
| 2010 | 9 | 15% |
| 2008 | 13 | 10% |
| 2007 | 28 | 5% |
| 2006 | 31 | 5% |
| 2005 | 38 | 7% |
| 2004 | 5 | 8% |
| 2003 | 3 | 4% |
| 2002 | 13 | 10% |
| 2001 | 11 | 8% |
| 2000 | 14 | 7% |
| 1999 | 3 | 4% |
| 1998 | 23 | 18% |
Other parts of the 2012 Nissan Frontier
23 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
20 complaintsEngine
13 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Nissan Frontier
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology