The Japanese manufacturers are not generally known for their trucks but the Nissan Frontier is a midsize pickup truck that has managed to incorporate a very practical yet rugged layout that the buyers look for. Nissan has successfully been able to prove the truck to be reliable as they have been able to sell almost 60,000 units of this vehicle. The truck is further supported by a rather impressive NHTSA report that carries just 66 complaints along with 3 recalls. However, things haven’t been all that easy due to tough competition from vehicles like the Chevrolet Colorado, the GMC Canyon, and the Ford Ranger. Even though reliability has been no major issue for the users, the truck is known to carry a transmission shifter issue that gets the module stuck in neutral.
User complaints and problems
Electrical Problems
- Instrument cluster – The users while driving discovered that the instrument panel would flicker, making it impossible for them to read the information displayed. The dealers were contacted and it was identified that the entire panel had to be replaced as the module was found to have a glitch.
- Battery – Users noticed the battery terminal to be corroded and took the car to get it inspected. The mechanics found one of the battery cell caps to be missing and it was said that the particular battery cell was damp. The entire battery had to be replaced but the root cause was unknown.
Mechanical Problems
- Engine – The owners started to notice a rough idle and it was said that the car would stall without any warning, making it dangerous for the occupants as well as the cars around. The mechanics were able to identify a leak and the source was said to be from between the heard due to a faulty head gasket. The gasket was replaced and driving the car in such conditions for a long period could cause the engine to fail.
- Propulsion system - Users found the car to have a missing when accelerating and the vehicle was said to lose a drastic amount of power. The car was taken for a diagnosis where it was found that the gas tank ventilation system had a pressure leak due to a faulty valve that had to be replaced.
- Transmission – The car was said to be impossible to drive as the shifter would not move out of neutral. It was suspected to be a faulty shifter and upon inspection, the metal bracket that puts pressure on some ridges to help keep the shifter locked in position came loose, causing it to butt up against the plastic physically preventing the shifter from traveling further. All the dealers had to do was realign the brackets and tighten the screws.
Safety Problems
- Seatbelt – The passenger seat warning light was said to stay on always and this led to the seatbelt not latching in place. The vehicle was taken to the dealers and it was found that the seat sensor had to be replaced.
- Airbags – The passenger airbag control unit had to be reprogramed as it was running faulty software that failed to read an occupied seat. This meant that the passenger airbag would not deploy during a crash.
Miscellaneous Problems
- Latches – The driver’s door latch was said to not function and it was said that the door could open while driving. This was soon inspected and it was found that the latch mechanism had broken. Dealers had to replace the entire lock on the driver’s door.
- Dashboard – The users found the dashboard to feel shiny when driving and the surface was said to feel tacky when touching. Forums online stated that the outer layer on the dashboard melted due to the heat and this was said to be a structural flaw with the vehicle.
2012 Nissan Frontier recalls
|
S. No. |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
12th February 2014 |
14V052000 |
Circuit breaker installation could cause short. |
An incorrectly installed circuit breaker may cause the main wire harness connected to the circuit breaker to face outwards, potentially contacting a metal bolt on the A-pillar. |
The circuit breaker orientation will be inspected and repaired if necessary. |
|
2. |
20th September 2012 |
12V462000 |
Wheel hubs may crack due to insufficient hardness. |
Wheel hubs that are manufactured below manufactured below hardness specification may wear prematurely and crack. |
Dealers will replace the wheel hub assemblies on both sides. |
|
3. |
19th December 2011 |
11V592000 |
Engine oil cooler connector bolt. |
If there is an engine leak, it could decrease the engine oil pressure and cause the engine to seize. |
Dealers will replace the connector bolts. |
Should you buy the 2012 Nissan Frontier?
Nissan indeed is one of the brands that is known to deliver reliable vehicles. The 2012 Nissan Frontier has been able to capture a decent number of users and it’s majorly due to the reliability quotient that comes along with this vehicle. The issues that the truck was recalled for were rather serious but Nissan was able to track them down at quite an early stage, which ensured the brand to have good customer support and relation. Even though the shifter on the Frontier was found to get stuck in certain vehicles, it was diagnosed as a simple issue that didn’t need any replacements. With all the factors lining up in favor of the Nissan Frontier, it is highly recommended to pick this vehicle if you’re looking for a daily drivable truck that carries very few issues.
