Does the 2012 Nissan Frontier have any recalls?

Transport Canada lists 3 campaigns and the U.S. NHTSA lists 3 for the 2012 Nissan Frontier. Matched by make, model, and model year. Many recalls affect only specific VIN ranges — confirm with your dealer using your full VIN.

How do I know if a recall applies to my 2012 Nissan Frontier?

Recalls are matched by make, model and model year, but many cover only certain VIN ranges. Confirm with your manufacturer or dealer using your full VIN, or use the official Transport Canada or NHTSA lookup.

Are recall repairs free?

Yes. In both Canada and the United States the manufacturer must fix a recalled defect at no charge, through a franchised dealer.

RECALLS — MAKE · MODEL · YEAR

2012 Nissan Frontier recalls

6 safety recall campaigns have been filed for the 2012 Nissan Frontier with Transport Canada and the U.S. NHTSA. Here is what both agencies say.

Canadian recalls: 03
U.S. recalls: 03
Total campaigns: 06

Transport Canada recalls

Airbag#2023053February 10, 2023
10,846 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, the plastic emblem on the steering wheel airbag cover could detach and become a projectile when the airbag inflates in a crash. Note: This recall is for certain vehicles that had the steering wheel airbag replaced. Safety Risk: Projectiles in the occupant compartment could increase the risk of an injury. Corrective Actions: Nissan will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, replace the steering wheel airbag cover.
Electrical#2014039February 12, 2014
1,373 units affected
On certain vehicles, a circuit breaker was installed incorrectly during vehicle assembly, and could cause damage to the wiring harness, potentially disabling power seat and sunroof functions, discharging the battery and/or causing a short. A short circuit may cause an overheat condition which could result in property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect and affect repairs as necessary.
Steering#2012310September 19, 2012
13 units affected
On certain 2wd vehicles, the front hubs may have been manufactured incorrectly and could crack. This could allow the wheel to wobble, causing a noticeable vibration and, as a result, the driver may experience difficulty controlling the direction of the vehicle. Ultimately, the hub may break, allowing the wheel to separate from the vehicle. The errant wheel assembly could strike a vehicle, a stationary object, or a bystander. These issues could result in property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace both front wheel hub assemblies.

Canadian data updated August 24, 2026

U.S. NHTSA recalls

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS#14V052000February 12, 2014
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.
Risk: 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.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB#12V462000September 20, 2012
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.
Risk: 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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING#11V592000December 19, 2011
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.
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.
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.

Does this recall apply to my vehicle?

Matched by make, model, and model year. Many recalls affect only specific VIN ranges — confirm with your dealer using your full VIN.

What to do

Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer in both countries. To confirm a recall applies to your specific vehicle, or to book the work, contact your manufacturer or dealer with your full VIN, or use the official channel:

NHTSA recall lookup (search by VIN) — U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Defects and recalls database — Transport Canada

Check a 2012 Nissan Frontier VIN

A VIN decode confirms your vehicle's exact model year, trim and assembly plant, then runs this same recall check against it.

Data sources and coverage limits →