Research · Midsize Cars

2012 Infiniti M37Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 32 owner complaints for the 2012 Infiniti M37. Most complaints involve steering (11) and air bags (8). The EPA rates it 21 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
21mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
32
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$3,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2012 Infiniti M37 as of Oct 29, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

32 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2012 – Aug 2026
  1. Steering11
  2. Air bags8
  3. Power train6
  4. Engine6
  5. Electrical system4
  6. Seats2
  7. Vehicle speed control2
  8. Electronic stability control (esc)2
  9. Service brakes2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each M37 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201136
201232
201317
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Steering

11 reports1 crash
“When the steering wheel is adjusted up, down or the telescopic adjustment is used a loud pop is heard, the casing comes apart and it is no longer possible to turn the wheel left or right.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 23, 2021SteeringCrash reportedODI 11421979

Air bags

8 reports
“The front passenger airbag warning light came on with a dash warning flashing light. I isolated the fault to the passenger seat weight sensor, which prevents the airbag from deploying when a passenger of less than 90 pounds is sensed in the front seat. The time from the onset of the warning light to discovery of the actual fault was less than a week and this was facilitated by a mechanic with a sophisticated enough OBD reader to flesh out Infiniti codes. I called my local Infiniti dealer in Tacoma, WA and they were able to supply a part number but it has been discontinued for the 2011-2013 Infiniti M37 models. Without this sensor working, the passenger airbag may not deploy in the event of a collision, and that is unsatisfactory/downright unacceptable. These cars will operate for 20 plus years and are otherwise engineered to last 200/000 miles. I have 90,000 miles on the odometer and the car is otherwise in great shape, but I may be forced to scrap it if I can't resolve the weight sensor malfunction.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 16, 2026Air bagsODI 11711442

Power train

6 reports
“The contact owns a 2012 Infiniti M37. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated upon depressing the accelerator pedal without warning. The contact also stated that while driving on an incline, the vehicle lost power upon depressing the accelerator pedal and rolled backward, forcing the contact to depress the accelerator pedal to the floorboard to maintain momentum and resume driving. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with the Intelligent Power Distribution Module (IPDM) relay. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 28, 2026Power train, Electrical systemODI 11760232
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
3.7L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S7)
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
M37
Auto (S7), 6 cyl, 3.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
182621$3,800423
  • M37
    Auto (S7), 6 cyl, 3.7 L
    18 city · 26 hwy · $3,800/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Infiniti M37 4 DR AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
11.3%
Overall
4 / 5
Infiniti M37 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
11.3%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 29, 2026Vehicle 6558Vehicle 6180
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2012 M37 questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Infiniti M37 have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 29, 2026.

What are the most common 2012 Infiniti M37 problems?

Owners filed 32 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (11), air bags (8), power train (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2012 Infiniti M37 get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Infiniti M37 at 21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

How safe is the 2012 Infiniti M37?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2012 Infiniti M37 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 29, 2026