Sign inCreate free garage
Research

2012 Nissan 3 SeriesRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 16 owner complaints for the 2012 Nissan 3 Series. Most complaints involve power train (12) and air bags (3).

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
—
No EPA rating found
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
16
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
—
No EPA estimate
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2012 Nissan 3 Series as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

16 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2012 – Mar 2020
  1. Power train12
  2. Air bags3
  3. Engine2
  4. Other / unknown1

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 3 Series model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
19962
2003275
2004144
200583
200653
200773
200824
2009153
2010110
201140
201216
201317
201410
20153
20163
20175
20182
20191
20201
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

12 reports
“PROBLEM STARTED WITH AN IGNITION ISSUE WHERE THE CAR WOULD TURN ON AND WOULD GO THROUGH THE NORMAL START AND INSTEAD OF HAVING THE ENGINE TURN ON IT WOULD CRANK BUT THEN SHUT OFF. CAR WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE NOT IN ANY KIND OF WEATHER THAT COULD CAUSE ISSUES. MY BATTERY ENDED UP DYING AT SOME POINT AS WELL. THE CAR WAS PARKED AND COVERED. SOME HEAT BUT NOTHING TOO HOT. AND RECENTLY, THERE WAS A LOSS IN POWER WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY CAUSING TO CAR TO BE UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. IT WOULD RESTART AFTER BEING SHUT OFF BUT THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. THE DEALERSHIP WAS ABLE TO REPLICATED THE ENGINE NOT IGNITING ON FULLY BEFORE SHUTTING DOWN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 26, 2018Power trainODI 11081398

Air bags

3 reports
“THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. MY AIRBAGS NEED TO BE REPLACED THEY TOLD ME. ARE NOT WORKING. MY CAR WAS TESTED AT DEALER ALSO.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 2, 2020Air bagsODI 11315565

Engine

2 reports
“I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND MY CLUTCH PEDDLE SLOWLY KEPT GETTING GOING DOWN AND NOT COMING UP. THEN I WAS A COUPLE OF BLOCKS AWAY FROM MY HOUSE AND IT WAS COMPLETELY STUCK AND I COULD NOT DRIVE MY CAR.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 18, 2017EngineODI 11016105
All 2012 3 Series problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2012 Nissan 3 Series as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 6173
05 —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.
07 —FAQ

2012 3 Series questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Nissan 3 Series have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 30, 2026.

What are the most common 2012 Nissan 3 Series problems?

Owners filed 16 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (12), air bags (3), engine (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026