2012 Nissan Xterra problems and recalls

Owners filed 7 complaints on the 2012 Nissan Xterra in the last three full years, out of 16 on record. The most cited component is the Power Train.

16
Complaints
2
Recalls
0
Crash reports
0
Fire reports
0
Injuries
52.6
Severity index

Severity index 52.6 Medium. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 52.6p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Components cited in complaints

Power TrainPower Train: 6 complaints (37.5%)6 38%Air BagsAir Bags: 4 complaints (25.0%)4 25%EngineEngine: 4 complaints (25.0%)4 25%TiresTires: 1 complaints (6.2%)1 6%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 1 complaints (6.2%)1 6%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 1 complaints (6.2%)1 6%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
POWER TRAIN637.5%
AIR BAGS425.0%
ENGINE425.0%
TIRES16.2%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM16.2%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER16.2%

Complaints filed per year

0232013: 32014: 12015: 12016: 22017: 12022: 12023: 32024: 32026: 1 (partial year)1331415161722232426
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20133
20141
20151
20162
20171
20221
20233
20243
2026 (year to date)1
Filings in 2022 to 2024 ran 1.8x those in 2015 to 2017 (7 against 4).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
11V59200019/12/2011ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGNISSAN 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 ENGIN
12V46200020/09/2012SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUBNissan 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 whee
Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.