SERVICE INFORMATION The applied vehicles are equipped with automatic door locks that lock all doors when the vehicle speed reaches 15 MPH. There is no instruction in the Owner?s Manual on auto-lock function deactivation. All doors unlock automatically when the ignition is placed in the OFF position (models with Intelligent Key system) or when the key is removed from the ignition switch (models without Intelligent Key system). The auto-unlock function can be deactivated by the driver in accordance with Owner?s Manual Instructions. Please see this bulletin for further details.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 Nissan Frontier cruise control problems
moderate 5 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Complaints
5
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
When does it fail?
Of the 5 cruise control complaints filed for the 2012 Nissan Frontier, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA cruise control complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering cruise control on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
NISSAN: CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT SET AND DTC P0605 IS STORED.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE INFORMATION The "Lock / Unlock request buttons" that are located on the outside door handles of vehicles with Intelligent Key can be disabled (or enabled) through either the "Comfort & Conv." settings of the Audio/Visual/Navigation system, orthrough the "Combination Meter settings" depending on the vehicle model, year and trim level. NOTE: In some instances this feature may be unintentionally disabled. Please verify the status of this feature before any further diagnostic is performed. Please see this bulletin for further details.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Nissan frontier. While reversing out of a parking lot, the vehicle accelerated on its own. Also, while at a stop with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle accelerated without warning. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, but no failure code was found. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of…
Thursday morning september 20th 2018 during rush hour, wife's 2012 Nissan frontier sv v6 suddenly lost speed control while driving on houston beltway 8 - a multi-lane toll road where traffic is at around 70 MPH. Tapping the gas pedal was not able to change or maintain the vehicle speed. As a result, vehicle went from 70 MPH to a complete stop on the highway. The truck can be restarted after…
Had cruise control trouble with your 2012 Nissan Frontier?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2012 Nissan Frontier?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 5 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $600 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Based on the 5 complaints filed, cruise control issues most often appear around 61,847 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Nissan/Frontier.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.