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2012 Nissan Frontier SL Crew 2WD Auto (5-speed automatic)

The 2012 Nissan Frontier SL Crew 2WD Auto (5-speed automatic) is a 261-hp V6 pickup truck with a 5-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. It starts at $29,790 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 4,257 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypePickup
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$29,790 ($42,168 *)
Engine
Engine TypeVQ40DE 4.0L DOHC V6
Horsepower261 hp @ 5,600 rpm
Torque281 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Drivetrain
Drive TypeRear-wheel drive
Transmission
Transmission5-speed automatic transmission
1st Gear3.84
2nd Gear2.35
3rd Gear1.53
4th Gear1
5th Gear0.84
Reverse2.76
Fuel Economy
Tank Capacity21 gal
Dimensions & Weight
Wheelbase126 in
Curb Weight4,257 lbs
Weight Distribution (F/R)55% / 45%
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Side crash Not rated
Rollover ★★★★★ (21.2 % risk)
Tested variant: 2012 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC RWD
Other tested variants (3)
  • 2012 Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC RWD: overall not rated
  • 2012 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC 4WD: overall not rated
  • 2012 Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC 4WD: 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

Most-cited areas
Air Bags23
Power Train20
Engine13
Unknown Or Other9
Electrical System7
Structure7
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Oct 20, 2026 · Tires
“Please see attachment below”
Oct 7, 2026 · Electrical System, Engine
“1. Frequent repeated multiple breakdown and damages to all and any MAF sensors, camshaft position sensors bank 2, VVT solenoid sensors as cause of short circuited and fire hazard high risk of IPDM and…”
Jun 8, 2025 · Structure
“I was sold the 2012 Nissan Frontier SL from Lynne's Nissan City in Bloomfield, NJ being told it was a safe vehicle and passed their inspection. After bringing it to my mechanic I was informed the…”
Apr 20, 2025 · Electrical System
“CD player will not play any CD's and my CD's are stuck inside. The radio only works intermittently and you can hear a sound like there is an electrical connection problem somewhere. This problem…”
May 10, 2024 · Electrical System, Engine And Engine Cooling
“The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the steering was difficult to turn. The contact stated…”

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.

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