2012 Nissan Frontier PRO4X Crew 4WD Manual (6-speed manual)
All photo credits
- Photo: 2011 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab SV in Arctic White, Front Left, 09-25-2023 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2010 Nissan Frontier King Cab SE in Avalanche, front right, 07-07-2026 by Cutlass, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Bug Doctor, Exterminators (29659564326) by Mike Mozart from Funny YouTube, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 2012 Nissan Frontier PRO4X Crew 4WD Manual (6-speed manual) is a 261-hp V6 pickup truck with a 6-speed manual transmission and four-wheel drive. It starts at $29,920 MSRP.
It makes 261 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 281 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm.
The Frontier has a curb weight of 4,385 lb.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | Pickup |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $29,920 ($42,352 *) |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | VQ40DE 4.0L DOHC V6 |
| Horsepower | 261 hp @ 5,600 rpm |
| Torque | 281 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | Four-wheel drive |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual transmission |
| 1st Gear | 4.37 |
| 2nd Gear | 2.52 |
| 3rd Gear | 1.74 |
| 4th Gear | 1.28 |
| 5th Gear | 1 |
| 6th Gear | 0.77 |
| Reverse | 3.97 |
| Fuel Economy | |
| Tank Capacity | 21 gal |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Wheelbase | 126 in |
| Curb Weight | 4,385 lbs |
| Weight Distribution (F/R) | 55.4% / 44.6% |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 2012 Nissan Frontier PRO4X Crew 4WD Manual (6-speed manual) with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
| Overall | Not rated |
| Frontal crash | Not rated |
| Side crash | Not rated |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ (19.8 % risk) |
Other tested variants (3)
- 2012 Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC 4WD: overall not rated
- 2012 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC RWD: overall not rated
- 2012 Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC RWD: overall not rated
Recalls
3 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2012 Nissan FRONTIER. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Feb 12, 2014 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2012 through 2014 Frontier vehicles manufactured from November 28, 2012, through December 17, 2013. In the affected vehicles, a circuit breaker may have been installed incorrectly causing the main wire harness connected to the circuit breaker to face outward, potentially contacting a metal bolt located on the A-pillar.
Consequence: The bolt may wear through the wire harness covering, resulting in an electrical short which could cause a fire.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the circuit breaker orientation. If the circuit breaker orientation is incorrect, dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The recall began on March 17, 2014. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
NHTSA campaign 14V052000
Sep 20, 2012 · SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB
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.
Consequence: If the vehicle is driven in this condition, the wheel hub may break, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
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.
NHTSA campaign 12V462000
Dec 19, 2011 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
Consequence: IF THERE IS AN ENGINE OIL LEAK, THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE WOULD DROP AND THE ENGINE COULD SEIZE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.
NHTSA campaign 11V592000
80 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2012 Nissan FRONTIER
Owner Complaints
80 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Nissan FRONTIER (4 mention a crash, 5 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov
| Air Bags | 23 |
| Power Train | 20 |
| Engine | 13 |
| Unknown Or Other | 9 |
| Electrical System | 7 |
| Structure | 7 |
Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2012 NISSAN FRONTIER. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.