2012 Nissan Xterra recalls and problems

The 2012 Nissan Xterra has 2 safety recalls and 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Nissan dealer.

Recalls

Complaints

Crashes / fires

0 / 0

Injuries / deaths

0 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2012 Nissan Xterra vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2012 Nissan Xterra recalls

Recall 12V-462: Suspension

Reported Sep 20, 2012 · 2,417 vehicles affected · Nissan North America, Inc.

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.

Recall 11V-592: Engine and Engine Cooling

Reported Dec 19, 2011 · 14,718 vehicles affected · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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.

2012 Nissan Xterra problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Power Train	6
Engine	4
Air Bags	4
Unknown or Other	1
Fuel/Propulsion System	1
Tires	1

Most reported parts

Tires › Tread/Belt — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 6,800 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2012 Nissan Xterra complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Power Train · reported Jan 25, 2024

1) Rubber stopper under clutch pedal has failed multiple times, preventing vehicle from starting in various locations, usually parking lots and mostly after dark which presents potential safety concerns. This is a rubber part that allows vehicle to start only when clutch is depressed. I request that several/multiple of these be provided at no cost to keep in glove compartment since the poor quality of part manufacturing will most definitely cause future failure of each in the future. In addition, an explanation and instructions for removing broken part and replacing with new part is difficult…

Power Train · reported Jan 25, 2024

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.

Fuel/Propulsion System · reported Jan 25, 2024

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. I can get…

Unknown or Other · reported Sep 12, 2023

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 danger and hazard to the vehicle driver. Please escalate.

Air Bags · reported Jul 10, 2023

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 reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Other Nissan Xterra years

2015 2014 201320122011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Compare all Nissan Xterra years · All Nissan models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Nissan Xterra have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2012 Nissan Xterra: 12V-462 (suspension), 11V-592 (engine and engine cooling). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2012 Nissan Xterra?

Owners report power train problems most often (6 reports), followed by engine (4). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 6,800 miles.

Are Nissan recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Nissan dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.