The Lemon Index
201120131st generation
Better than average · most complaints: engine
23 owner complaints, first 3 years 27–29 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2012 Jeep Liberty 1772012 Mazda CX-72012 Ford Flex 54
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 16,000 and 51,000 miles (26,000–83,000 km) (the middle half of the 20 complaints, of all 23 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 18V156000 (fuel system, gasoline), 14V683000 (fuel system, gasoline) and 12V328000 (seats) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Nissan sent dealers 121 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Check engine light will be illuminated due to deterioration of the timing change over time and…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Nissan's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 23 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 16K to 51K miles (26K to 83K km) on the car (20 of all 23 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
The timing chain has gone bad and I have noticed the same problem with other jukes. I would like to know if there has been a recall yet?
2012 Nissan Juke owner · NHTSA complaint 10564971
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 24.2M views · 2011–2017 Nissan Juke
Most-watched topics
- Infotainment, battery & electrical298K views
Nissan Juke radio removal 2014 model.MAS Audio · 215K views · 3 videos - Timing chain & engine231K views
Nissan Juke Front CV Axle Replacement Passenger Side 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 How to GuidePancake Breakfast · 69K views · 4 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door210K views
2014 Nissan Juke blower motor replacementJC Cook · 94K views · 4 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring163K views
Nissan Juke 2014 service light/interval reset procedureIsmail R · 135K views · 2 videos
Show 4 more
- No-start: theft light, key & ignition141K views
2012 NISSAN JUKE Won't Crank...Only Clicks...No Start Issue...Fixed...Peter L · 62K views · 3 videos - Brakes & ABS127K views
Nissan Juke Brake Pads and Rotor Replacement - 2011-2017 - How ToChad Williams · 87K views · 2 videos - Cooling system84K views
2014 Nissan Juke Overheating issue solvedEddie's Customs & Restorations · 84K views - Steering & suspension54K views
How to Replace Front Lower Control Arms with Ball Joint 2011-2017 Nissan JukeTRQ · 35K views · 2 videos
Before you buy, watch
Nissan Juke SUV (2011-2014) review - CarBuyerCarbuyer · 920K views
Nissan Juke SUV 2014 review - CarbuyerCarbuyer · 717K views
Should you buy a Nissan Juke Nismo RS? Test drive and review (2015)Shifting Metal · 54K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2012 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Nissan told dealers about
Nissan sent dealers 121 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Check engine light will be illuminated due to deterioration of the timing change over time and…
- CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been…
- ALL MODEL YEAR 2012 AND NEWER NISSAN VEHICLES; EVAP LEAK DTC P0442, P0455, P0456 INFORMATION…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2018
During that recall remedy, the fuel pressure sensor may not have been properly tightened, potentially causing the sensor to loosen and leak fuel.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2014
The fuel pressure sensors may not have been sufficiently tightened during production.
- Seats · recall issued 2012
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 JUKE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 3, 2012, THROUGH MAY 26, 2012.
Show all 4 recalls
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2012
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 JUKE, INFINITI QX AND INFINITI M VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Juke SUV AWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Nissan Juke SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,600–$2,800 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 1.6L 4-cyl.
Every Nissan Juke year. 2012 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 5 Nissan Juke years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2012 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/nissan-juke/?y=2012" title="Nissan Juke reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="330" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/nissan-juke/2012/">Lemon Index</a> (2012 Nissan Juke reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2012 Nissan Juke reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 52; 100 is average, lower is better). The Nissan Juke year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2014.
What are the most common 2012 Nissan Juke problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (22%), transmission & drivetrain (22%) and electrical (22%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Nissan Juke have?
4 safety recalls (latest: fuel system, gasoline). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Nissan Juke get?
27 to 29 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2012 Nissan Juke safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2012 Nissan Juke problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 16,000 and 51,000 miles (26,000–83,000 km) (the middle half of the 20 complaints, of all 23 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2012 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2012 Nissan Juke have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 22% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2012 Nissan Juke cost in fuel a year?
About $2,600 to $2,800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Nissan Juke have?
1.6L 4-cyl.
What Nissan Juke year is better than the 2012?
Nearby, the 2014 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit under half as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works