Nissan · Xterra · 2012
2
Recalls
15
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2012 Nissan Xterra has 2 recalls and 15 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: power train (5 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
The 2012 Nissan Xterra page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is power train with 5 reported complaints.
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
Nissan states that they have no repair solution on NHTSA Recall 23E-012 as of the date of this complaint. Nissan states that this is a safety issue. The originally reported issue is allegedly >8 months old without resolution. This safety issue presents a clear and on-going da...
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The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Xterra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23E012000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a rea...
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The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Xterra. 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 repa...
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I recently had a diagnosis of radiator coolant mixing with transmission following my vehicle being towed bc I lost power while driving with no warning signs. I was given an estimate for repairs of $5000. I had the extended warranty but wasn't told of the radiator issues w Xterra....
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Clutch burnt out with 5 min between 1st incidence of barely slipping and total failure leaving me stranded on roadside with little notice and nowhere safe to pull off.
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 ...
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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 a...
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VEHICLE'S ENGINE SEIZED WHILE BEING OPERATED AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED. REASON GIVEN BY DEALERSHIP WHEN TOWED IN WAS NO OIL IN THE ENGINE HOWEVER THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT FOR EITHER OIL OR ENGINE ISSUE DISPLAYED AT ANY TIME LEADING UP TO ENGINE FAILURE. THERE HAD BEEN A PREVIOUS O...
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ACCELERATION POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIR...
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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 ...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 15 total
View Full Complaint LogThe strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2012 Nissan models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
The 2012 Nissan Xterra has 2 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 15 owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Nissan Xterra.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2012 Nissan Xterra.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2012 Nissan Xterra are power train (5 reports), air bags (4 reports), engine (3 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 2 recalls on record for the 2012 Nissan Xterra. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.