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ProblemsByVin File / 2012-NISSAN-NV NHTSA data synced 3 days ago
Nissan

2012 Nissan NV problems

The 2012 Nissan NV has 1 critical safety recall on file — the kind NHTSA opens when crashes, fires, or injuries are documented. Read those first.

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2012 Nissan NV
Photo: DY5W-sport / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · representative photo of the Nissan NV
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Reliability score
Not rated

No owner complaints on NHTSA yet, so the reliability score is provisional. 4 active recalls on file — read those first.

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Critical
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Severe
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Moderate
Should you avoid this 2012 NV?
Not enough data for a verdict

Only 0 NHTSA complaints on file — too few for a confident call. The 4 active recalls above remain authoritative; read those first.

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.

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Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2012 NV's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->

Active recalls showing 3 of 4

critical NHTSA 20V188000 March 30, 2020

Nissan North America, Inc

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or Infiniti customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
severe NHTSA 13V095000 March 15, 2013

Nissan is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 NV vehicles manufactured from December 20, 2010, through January 4, 2013 and are equipped with steering column-mounted transmission shift levers

As a consequence of the incorrect display, although the gear indicator may display that the vehicle is in Park, the vehicle may not be properly secured allowing the vehicle to roll away unexpectedly, increasing the risk of personal injury or a vehicle crash.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will correct the installation of the transmission lever gear selector plate lock clip, free of charge. The recall began on April 15, 2013. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1-800-647-7261.
severe NHTSA 11V592000 December 19, 2011

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

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.
View all 4 recalls →

Common questions

Is the 2012 Nissan NV reliable?

Limited NHTSA data. Only 0 owner complaints have been filed for the 2012 Nissan NV, which is not enough for a meaningful reliability score. Active recalls (if any) are listed on this page and remain authoritative — those are verified defects regardless of complaint volume. For a confident reliability read we look for at least 10 owner complaints in the federal database.

Should you avoid the 2012 Nissan NV?

Only 0 NHTSA complaints on file — too few for a confident call. The 4 active recalls above remain authoritative; read those first. We don't issue a buy/avoid verdict on the 2012 Nissan NV without a meaningful complaint sample — doing so off a handful of filings would be guesswork.

What should I check before buying a used 2012 Nissan NV?

There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on the 2012 Nissan NV to flag a standout failure pattern. Run the VIN for open recalls — those are free to fix regardless of warranty — get a standard pre-purchase inspection, and ask the seller for service records.

Is the 2012 Nissan NV a good used car to buy?

Hard to say from federal data alone — only 0 owner complaints have been filed. Lean on the recall list above, a pre-purchase inspection, and a vehicle-history report on the specific VIN. Our data tells you what the model is known for; a history report tells you what that exact car has been through.

What's the most common problem on the 2012 Nissan NV?

No problem area has crossed our reporting threshold yet, which is a good sign for this vehicle.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

Major repair items haven't been flagged often enough on this vehicle to single one out.

How do I check if my Nissan NV 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 NV?

Hard to say from NHTSA data alone with only 0 complaints on file. A quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. The decision comes down to your specific situation: vehicle cost, miles on it, how long you plan to keep it, and whether you can absorb a $3K–$8K repair without straining cashflow. With limited public data on this vehicle, lean on the recall list above and check owner forums before committing.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 3 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Nissan/NV. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Nissan. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you purchase through them.
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