2012 Nissan Xterra Problems
- Complaints
- 16filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 4,291miles, 6 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —no overall rating published
- EPA fuel economy
- 18 mpgcombined, 4.0L 6-cyl RWD · 16 city / 22 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 Nissan Xterra (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 2012 Nissan Xterra. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 6 complaints (38% of the total), followed by air bags (4) and engine (4). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 4,291 miles. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 101 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 6 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Air bags complaints overlap with 10 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Air bags4 25%
- Engine4 25%
- Fuel system1 6.3%
- Other or unknown1 6.3%
- Tires1 6.3%
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “Premature clutch failure on my manual transmission. Less than 48000 miles on the odometer and the clutch is gone. This is far too little travel for the clutch to be failing at. Degradation has advanced rapidly over a matter of weeks and days and now I fear having my family ride in the vehicle in case they becoming stranded or need to avoid a crash and cannot due to loss of power. General consensus is that the clutch is too small for this truck. Nissan claims this is a wear item and will not cover replacement under warranty, or admit there is an issue at all. …”
NHTSA complaint #11011458, filed 2017-07, 47,291 milesAir bags: “I'm filing a complaint before I have an incident. I own a Nissan Xterra. Many other Nissan Xterra owners have had spontaneous side curtain air bag deployment when traveling very slowly, generally on dirt roads. Some of these deployments have caused injuries. The problem appears to be common on all 2nd generation Nissan xterras (2006-2016). The following links are to Xterra forum threads and professional publications about random airbag deployment in xterras. There are many more documented cases of this online, the links below are a taste. …”
NHTSA complaint #10909867, filed 2016-09Engine: “Vehicle would not start, because of a broken clutch pedal stopper. This broken part prevented the depressed clutch pedal from activating the clutch safety switch. This is a safety defect, because this a 4wd vehicle intended for off-road use; had this part broken in the middle of nowhere, a serious safety-related incident could have occurred. Also, this part broke a just 1540 miles on a vehicle that has not be abused. Vehicle had to be towed to dealership. Part was replaced under warranty.”
NHTSA complaint #10507354, filed 2013-04, 1,540 milesFuel system: “Extreme smell of gas after filling gas tank while out of town. Odor was so strong it required all windows to be down to drive without feeling affected by fumes and I was terrified that someone would fluck a cigarette out of a car somewhere, especially at a stop light, and cause an explosion. Once the gas tank was only half full or less, the odor diminished. Dealership found that this issue had been reported on other vehicles but did not qualify as a recall. Dealership found faulty gasket INSIDE gas tank and required the entire tank be replaced at a cost to me of more than $2000. …”
NHTSA complaint #11567759, filed 2024-01Mileage when problems were reported
100% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 1,540 and 23,633 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2012 Nissan Xterra. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xterra · SUV 4WD | not rated | — | — | — | 3 · 25.6% risk |
| Xterra · SUV RWD | not rated | — | — | — | 3 · 24.6% risk |
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2012 Nissan Xterra version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xterra 2WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Xterra 4WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Xterra 4WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | 6-speed manual | 16 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 12V462000Sep 20, 2012Suspension › Front › HubCovers: Nissan Xterra 2012, Frontier 2012, Pathfinder 2012
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…
- 11V592000Dec 19, 2011Engine and engine coolingCovers: Nissan Xterra 2011–2012, Pathfinder 2011–2012, Infiniti FX 2011 +3 more
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…
Recall details for the 2012 Nissan Xterra → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 101 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11031705Apr 13, 2026Body and structure. 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…
- 11031704Apr 13, 2026Body and structure. 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…
- 11007001Jul 8, 2024Air 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)…
- 11004962May 21, 2024Electrical 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.
- 11004961May 21, 2024Electrical 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.
- 11004960May 21, 2024Electrical 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.
- 11001201Apr 30, 2024Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). WINDOW GLASS WARRANTY INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 11001194Apr 30, 2024Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 11001191Apr 30, 2024Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). WINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10243708Sep 21, 2023Steering. DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Other model years of the Nissan Xterra
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 10 | 66,000 | 0 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 2014 | 10 | 68,090 | 0 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 2012 | 16 | 4,291 | 2 | — | 18 | — | Rising |
| 2011 | 24 | 54,000 | 2 | — | 18 | — | Rising |
| 2010 | 38 | 81,900 | 4 | — | 18 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Falling |
| 2009 | 19 | 66,550 | 3 | — | 18 | — | Falling |
| 2008 | 119 | 95,000 | 6 | — | 17 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Stable |
| 2007 | 557 | 89,468 | 1 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 780 | 81,460 | 3 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 845 | 88,684 | 3 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 84 | 59,000 | 2 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 72 | 72,700 | 3 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 157 | 80,000 | 5 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 150 | 65,000 | 3 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 214 | 72,000 | 3 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
All Nissan Xterra model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012 Nissan Xterra have?
NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 2012 Nissan Xterra as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2012 Nissan Xterra is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 6 complaints (38% of the total), followed by air bags with 4.
Has the 2012 Nissan Xterra been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Nissan Xterra get?
The EPA rates the 2012 Nissan Xterra (Xterra 2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2012 Nissan Xterra reported?
Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 4,291 miles and the middle half falls between 1,540 and 23,633 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.