2012 Nissan Juke
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.

- Class
- Small Station Wagons
- Body styles
- 4 Dr SUV Sv AWD/Sl AWD, 4 Dr SUV Sv FWD/Sl FWD
- Engines
- 1.6L 4-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 29 combined · 27 city / 32 hwy
- Length
- 162.6 in
- Curb weight
- 2,895–3,153 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 4 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 29 MPG combined — 17% better than the average 2012 small station wagon (24.7 MPG).
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 5 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2012 Nissan Juke is a small station wagon offered with a 1.6L 4-cyl turbo engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 163 inches long and 70 inches wide on a 100-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,153 lb (4 Dr SUV Sv AWD/Sl AWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 29 MPG combined (27 city / 32 highway), 17% better than the 2012 small station wagon average of 24.7 MPG, for an estimated $2,850 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 76 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
What changed for 2012
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2011 Juke — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 Juke →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Dr SUV Sv AWD/Sl AWD | 162.6 in | 69.7 in | 61.8 in | 99.6 in | 60.2 / 59.4 in | 3,153 lb | 60/40 |
| 4 Dr SUV Sv FWD/Sl FWD | 162.6 in | 69.7 in | 61.8 in | 99.6 in | 60.2 / 60.2 in | 2,895 lb | 60/40 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Juke | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AV-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 27 / 32 / 29 | +17% | $2,850 | 306 |
| Juke AWD | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AV-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 25 / 29 / 27 | +9% | $3,050 | 329 |
| Juke | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 / 30 / 27 | +9% | $3,050 | 329 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 Nissan Juke.
Similar 2012 small station wagons
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Nissan Juke (this car) | 29 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2012 Honda Fit | 31 MPG | Not rated | 11 |
| 2012 Kia Soul | 28 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2012 Scion xB | 24 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2012 Nissan Cube | 28 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2012 Toyota Matrix | 29 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
Recalls (4)
Fuel System, Gasoline · Mar 7, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V156000 · 49,385 vehicles
- Problem
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Nissan Juke vehicles previously remedied under recall 12V-069. During that recall remedy, the fuel pressure sensor may not have been properly tightened, potentially causing the sensor to loosen and leak fuel.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the fuel pressure sensor to the proper torque, free of charge. The recall began on April 24, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
Fuel System, Gasoline · Nov 28, 2014
NHTSA campaign 14V683000 · 133,592 vehicles
- Problem
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Nissan Juke, 2012-2013 Infiniti M56, QX56, and 2014-2015 Infiniti Q70 (V8 engine vehicles only), and QX80 vehicles. The fuel pressure sensors may not have been sufficiently tightened during production. As a result, the fuel pressure sensor may loosen with vehicle usage and cause a fuel leak.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could cause a vehicle fire.
- Fix
- Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will re-torque the fuel pressure sensors free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Seats · Jul 12, 2012
NHTSA campaign 12V328000 · 11,076 vehicles
- Problem
- NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 JUKE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 3, 2012, THROUGH MAY 26, 2012. DUE TO AN INCOMPLETE WELD PENETRATION, THE REAR SEAT BACK STRIKER MAY PARTIALLY SEPARATE IN A CRASH.
- Risk
- IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE REAR SEAT BACK MAY NOT BE SECURED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE REAR SEAT OCCUPANTS.
- Fix
- NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED SEAT BACK STRIKERS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 20, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-647-7261.
Fuel System, Gasoline · Feb 24, 2012
NHTSA campaign 12V069000 · 79,275 vehicles
- Problem
- NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 JUKE, INFINITI QX AND INFINITI M VEHICLES. THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSORS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE CORRECT SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR MAY LOOSEN DUE TO HEAT AND VIBRATION CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK.
- Risk
- FUEL MAY LEAK FROM THE PRESSURE SENSOR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
- Fix
- NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSORS, AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 2, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-647-7261.
Not every 2012 Nissan Juke is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2012 Nissan Juke buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 27 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 14 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
- Electrical System — 13 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 65,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 Nissan Juke. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Juke years
Compare all years →Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Nissan. How we calculate this →