Nissan Cube problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 19 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
Above-average reliability for the segment. Few systemic issues on file.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.6/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2012 Nissan Cube? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- powertrain — 6 owner reports · tends to show around 94,214 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- electrical — 3 owner reports · tends to show around 28,950 mi · ~$850 to fix
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 8.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is powertrain (~$2,500) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2012 Nissan Cube
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 2 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Nissan cube. While driving various speeds and while the vehicle was parked, the front passenger seat air bag warning indicator illuminated when the passenger seat was occupied and the seat belt was latched. Mentor Nissan (6960 center st, mentor, oh…
Pulled out from stop light, zero power. Zero accelerator response. Just creep out super slow at idle and cross the intersection. Very unsafe. CVT seemed to be in limp-home mode; no lights on the dash, no warning, no vibration or other failure.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Nissan cube. The contact stated that the horn could not be heard when used in emergency situations. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who indicated that the horn operated as normal. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The failure mileage…
I purchase my 2012 Nissan cube on january 2019 w 93k on jun 2019 started a noise .it became increasingly worst, took it to the mechanic he road test the car ,and told me it was the transmission I google the CVT trans and find out that Nissan have trouble with those trans ,they…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Under investigation 1 open at NHTSA
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA21002 on NHTSA →
How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →
Common questions
Is the 2012 Nissan Cube reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.6 out of 10 based on 19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Nissan Cube is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2012 Nissan Cube?
On the NHTSA data, the 2012 Nissan Cube does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.6/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2012 Nissan Cube?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 6 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 94,214 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2012 Nissan Cube a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 19 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 94,214 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2012 Nissan Cube?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 6 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 94,214 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 94,214 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Nissan Cube has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2012 Nissan Cube?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 19 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.