The Lemon Index
201120132nd generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 18,679 in the U.S. in 2012 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 5 complaints in its first 3 years.
5 owner complaints, first 3 years 17–18 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2012 Jeep Wrangler 2972012 Toyota 4Runner 262012 Toyota FJ Cruiser
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 12V462000 (suspension) and 11V592000 (engine) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Nissan sent dealers 101 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “ALL MODEL YEAR 2012 AND NEWER NISSAN VEHICLES; EVAP LEAK DTC P0442, P0455, P0456 INFORMATION…”?
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 5 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 →
Problems Nissan told dealers about
Nissan sent dealers 101 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- ALL MODEL YEAR 2012 AND NEWER NISSAN VEHICLES; EVAP LEAK DTC P0442, P0455, P0456 INFORMATION…
- NISSAN; DTC P0456 CAUSED BY EVAP LEAK AT VENT CONTROL VALVE O-RING This bulletin does NOT…
- SERVICE INFORMATION Starting with 2010 Model Year, Nissan vehicles have been gradually…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 2
- Suspension · recall issued 2012
These vehicles may have been equipped with front wheel hubs that may not meet the design hardness specifications.
- Engine · recall issued 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 N…
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 Xterra SUV 4WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
| Nissan Xterra SUV RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,350–$3,550 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 4.0L 6-cyl.
Every Nissan Xterra year. 2012 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
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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-xterra/?y=2012" title="Nissan Xterra reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="399" 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-xterra/2012/">Lemon Index</a> (2012 Nissan Xterra reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2012 Nissan Xterra reliable?
We can't score it: only 18,679 were sold in the U.S. in 2012 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 5 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2012 Nissan Xterra problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (60%), engine (40%) and airbags (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Nissan Xterra have?
2 safety recalls (latest: suspension). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Nissan Xterra get?
17 to 18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2012 Nissan Xterra have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 60% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2012 Nissan Xterra cost in fuel a year?
About $3,350 to $3,550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Nissan Xterra have?
4.0L 6-cyl.
What Nissan Xterra year is better than the 2012?
Nearby, the 2010 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a third 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