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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Truck |
| Base Price | $17,600–$22,753 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2012 Nissan Frontier at 6.5/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this truck. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 7.4/10, while Technology at 5.8/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional truck — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability is the weak spot: 6.1/10, under the class average. Review the recall record on this page and price in extra maintenance headroom. The safety score of 7.4/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 6.6/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology scores 5.8/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.
Priced from $17,600–$22,753, 10 MPG, seating 5, the Nissan Frontier sits in the budget-friendly tier of the truck market. The value score of 6.5/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 14 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Our take: The 2012 Nissan Frontier is a passable truck but not a standout one. Weaknesses in performance and value and reliability and technology hold it back from being a strong recommendation. It may suit buyers with specific needs it serves well, but we'd encourage comparing at least two or three higher-scored alternatives before deciding.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2012 Nissan Frontier ranks #514 of 515 trucks in the Carivo database — better than 0% of the segment. Its 6.5/10 overall score is 0.9 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $17,600 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $35,138 by about 50%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Truck ranking →
Across the Frontier model years we've scored, the 2012 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.6/10 | $32,846 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.6/10 | $32,846 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.6/10 | $31,890 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.4/10 | $30,933 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.5/10 | $29,976 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.2/10 | $29,019 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.2/10 | $28,063 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.2/10 | $27,106 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.2/10 | $26,149 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.1/10 | $25,193 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.1/10 | $24,236 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.1/10 | $23,279 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Electrical system / Wiring / Fuses and circuit breakers 12/02/2014 · 14V052000 | 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… |
|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling 19/12/2011 · 11V592000 | 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… |
| Suspension / Front / Hub 20/09/2012 · 12V462000 | 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… |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
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