2012 Nissan XTERRA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
16 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
4,291 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 16 complaints (37.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 12.5% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 6.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 6.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 6 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
Power Train: 6; Air Bags: 4; Engine: 4; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Tires:Tread/Belt: 1; Unknown Or Other: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 10 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2013: 3; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 2; 2017: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 3; 2024: 3; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11011458 · 2017-07-29 (July 29, 2017)
PREMATURE CLUTCH FAILURE ON MY MANUAL TRANSMISSION. LESS THAN 48000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER AND THE CLUTCH IS GONE. THIS IS FAR TOO LITTLE TRAVEL FOR THE CLUTCH TO BE FAILING AT. DEGRADATION HAS ADVANCED RAPIDLY OVER A MATTER OF WEEKS AND DAYS AND NOW I FEAR HAVING MY FAMILY RIDE IN THE VEHICLE IN CASE THEY BECOMING STRANDED OR NEED TO AVOID A CRASH AND CANNOT DUE TO LOSS OF POWER. GENERAL CONSENSUS IS THAT THE CLUTCH IS TOO SMALL FOR THIS TRUCK. NISSAN CLAIMS THIS IS A WEAR ITEM AND WILL NOT COVER REPLACEMENT UNDER WARRANTY, OR ADMIT THERE IS…
Owner-reported narrative. 47,291 miles reported. Look up ODI 11011458 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11454387 · 2022-02-27 (February 27, 2022)
I recently had a diagnosis of radiator coolant mixing with transmission following my vehicle being towed bc I lost power while driving with no warning signs. I was given an estimate for repairs of $5000. I had the extended warranty but wasn't told of the radiator issues w Xterra. My vehicle mileage is 128,000. Just past the 100,000 mileage mark. I just read an article that states this is a known issue with Nissan Xterra where lawsuits were filed. I just paid $7000 loan in full. I would not have done this had I known I would need this $ to repai…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11454387 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11567759 · 2024-01-25 (January 25, 2024)
Extreme smell of gas after filling gas tank while out of town. Odor was so strong it required all windows to be down to drive without feeling affected by fumes and I was terrified that someone would fluck a cigarette out of a car somewhere, especially at a stop light, and cause an explosion. Once the gas tank was only half full or less, the odor diminished. Dealership found that this issue had been reported on other vehicles but did not qualify as a recall. Dealership found faulty gasket INSIDE gas tank and required the entire tank be replaced …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11567759 at NHTSA ↗