DecodedCars2012 Nissan Xterra
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.
- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV 4WD S/Pro-4x/Sv
- Engines
- 4.0L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 18 combined · 16 city / 22 hwy
- Length
- 178.3 in
- Curb weight
- 4,370 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- Few owner complaints12 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 228 for similar models.
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 18 MPG combined, 14% below the 2012 SUV - average of 20.9 MPG.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 22 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2012 Nissan Xterra is a SUV - offered with a 4.0L 6-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive.
It measures about 178 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,370 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 18 MPG combined (16 city / 22 highway), 14% worse than the 2012 SUV - average of 20.9 MPG, for an estimated $3,700 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 12 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 Xterra — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 Xterra →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV 4WD S/Pro-4x/Sv | 178.3 in | 72.8 in | 74.8 in | 106.3 in | 61.4 / 61.4 in | 4,370 lb | 56/44 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xterra 2WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 22 / 18 | -14% | $3,700 | 494 |
| Xterra 4WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 15 / 20 / 17 | -11% | $3,950 | 523 |
| Xterra 4WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 16 / 20 / 17 | -11% | $3,950 | 523 |
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 Xterra.
Similar 2012 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Nissan Xterra (this car) | 18 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2012 Toyota RAV4 | 24 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2012 Honda CR-V | 26 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2012 Hyundai Tucson | 25 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2012 Subaru Forester | 23 MPG | Not rated | 15 |
| 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan | 24 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2012 Kia Sportage | 25 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
Recalls (2)
Suspension › Front › Hub · Sep 20, 2012
NHTSA campaign 12V462000 · 2,417 vehicles
- Problem
- 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 specifications. A wheel hub that was manufactured below hardness specification may wear prematurely and eventually crack.
- Risk
- If the vehicle is driven in this condition, the wheel hub may break, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
- Fix
- Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replaced the left and right side front wheel hub assemblies free of charge. The safety recall began on October 22, 2012. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1-800-647-7261.
Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 19, 2011
NHTSA campaign 11V592000 · 14,718 vehicles
- Problem
- 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 BOLTS THAT CONNECT THE ENGINE OIL COOLER AND THE ENGINE OIL FILTER TO THE ENGINE IN THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO BELOW SPECIFICATION STRENGTH. AS A RESULT, THE BOLT MAY BREAK AT THE OIL FILTER ATTACHMENT POINT AND CAN CAUSE AN ENGINE OIL LEAK.
- Risk
- IF THERE IS AN ENGINE OIL LEAK, THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE WOULD DROP AND THE ENGINE COULD SEIZE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Fix
- NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CONNECTOR BOLTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Not every 2012 Nissan Xterra is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2012 Nissan Xterra buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 3 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Air Bags — 3 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Power Train — 3 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 6,800 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 Xterra. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Xterra years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 Xterra | 18 | 178.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 10 |
| 2014 Xterra | 18 | 178.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 9 |
| 2013 Xterra | 18 | 178.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 3 |
| 2011 Xterra | 18 | 178.3 in | Not rated | 2 | 16 |
| 2010 Xterra | 18 | 178.3 in | Not rated | 4 | 27 |
| 2009 Xterra | 18 | 178.3 in | Not rated | 2 | 11 |
| 2008 Xterra | 17 | 178.3 in | Not rated | 3 | 74 |
| 2007 Xterra | 17 | 178.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 226 |
| 2006 Xterra | 17 | 178.3 in | Not rated | 2 | 221 |
| 2005 Xterra | 17 | 178.3 in | Not rated | 1 | 159 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Nissan. How we calculate this →