Does the 2012 Nissan Xterra have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2012 Nissan Xterra, the most recent reported on September 20, 2012 (Suspension: front, hub). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Nissan Xterra?

Owners have filed 16 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is power train (6 complaints), followed by air bags (4).

How many 2012 Nissan Xterra complaints mention a crash or fire?

0 of 16 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 0 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2012 Nissan Xterra recalls and problems

2 recalls and 16 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2012 Nissan Xterra.

recalls

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2012 Nissan Xterra recalls

Suspension: front, hub

NHTSA campaign 12V462000 · reported September 20, 2012 · Nissan North America, Inc. · 2,417 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The risk: If the vehicle is driven in this condition, the wheel hub may break, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The 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.

Engine and engine cooling

NHTSA campaign 11V592000 · reported December 19, 2011 · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. · 14,718 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The 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.
The 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Power train6
Air bags4
Engine4
Fuel/propulsion system1
Tires1
Unknown or other1

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Jun 21, 2026 · Tires
Was driving on highway with my children when a loud sound filled the cabin as if I had just runover something large. About a minute later we began hearing a thumping sounds and the car was losing momentum, and I suspected we had suffered a blow-out. The right rear passenger tire was shredded. Because no one noticed…

Jan 25, 2024 · Power train
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…

Jan 25, 2024 · Power train
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.

Jan 25, 2024 · Fuel/propulsion 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…

Sep 12, 2023 · Unknown or other
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…

Xterra model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes
2009	3	19	0
2010	4	38	4
2011	2	24	0
2012	2	16	0
2013	0	4	1
2014	0	10	0
2015	0	10	0

Across all years, the 2005 Xterra has the most complaints (845). All Nissan Xterra years →

Questions

Does the 2012 Nissan Xterra have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2012 Nissan Xterra, the most recent reported on September 20, 2012 (Suspension: front, hub). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Nissan Xterra?: Owners have filed 16 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is power train (6 complaints), followed by air bags (4).
How many 2012 Nissan Xterra complaints mention a crash or fire?: 0 of 16 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 0 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received June 21, 2026.