2012 Nissan Xterra: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 16 owner complaints on record; most reports concern power train.
Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days · latest recall Sep 2012
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Sep 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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 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 unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2023
Show 7 more owner reports
“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. My vehicle mileage is 128,000. Just past the 100,000 mileage mark. I just read an article that states this is a known issue with Nissan Xterra where lawsuits were filed. I just paid $7000 loan in full. I would not have done this had I known I would need this $ to repair my vehicle.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2022
“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.”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2021
“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 receipts from Charlottesville Nissan Dealership.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Apr 2016
“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 oil leak approximately 10 months earlier which had been repaired. There had been no incidents in the interim and no indication of issues. There was a recall related to the oil filter and engine but according to nissan, my vehicle was not subject to the recall. I was forced to pay in advance of work being started for a full engine replacement despite the fact that I had only 4 months left on my 39 month lease. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2015
“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 repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 23,633. The VIN was unavailable.”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2014
“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. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2012 nissan xterra. After moving the vehicle from a parking spot, the contact noticed oil leaking under the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing on two separate occasions, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 1,500.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2012
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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: 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: 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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2012 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Xterra by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Nissan Xterra reliable?
NHTSA has 16 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2012 Nissan Xterra. The most complained-about area is power train.
Does the 2012 Nissan Xterra have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning suspension:front:hub. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.