Research · Small Station Wagons

2012 Nissan JukeRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 87 owner complaints for the 2012 Nissan Juke. Most complaints involve engine (29) and fuel/propulsion system (15). The EPA rates it 27–29 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
27–29mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Mar 2018
Owner complaints
87
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,750est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Fuel system, gasoline

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Nissan Juke vehicles previously remedied under recall 12V-069. During that recall remedy, the fuel pressure sensor may not have been properly tightened, potentially causing the sensor to loosen and leak fuel.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Mar 7, 2018NHTSA 18V156000

Fuel system, gasoline

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Nissan Juke, 2012-2013 Infiniti M56, QX56, and 2014-2015 Infiniti Q70 (V8 engine vehicles only), and QX80 vehicles. The fuel pressure sensors may not have been sufficiently tightened during production. As a result, the fuel pressure sensor may loosen with vehicle usage and cause a fuel leak.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Nov 28, 2014NHTSA 14V683000

Seats

Free remedy

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 JUKE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 3, 2012, THROUGH MAY 26, 2012. DUE TO AN INCOMPLETE WELD PENETRATION, THE REAR SEAT BACK STRIKER MAY PARTIALLY SEPARATE IN A CRASH.

SeatsReported Jul 12, 2012NHTSA 12V328000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

87 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2012 – Oct 2025
  1. Engine29
  2. Fuel/propulsion system15
  3. Electrical system14
  4. Power train12
  5. Air bags6
  6. Vehicle speed control6
  7. Fuel system, gasoline5
  8. Suspension2
  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 Juke model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2011153
201287
2013103
201459
201534
201628
201714
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
5
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

29 reports
“The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Juke. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and decelerated to approximately 5 MPH. The accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but recurred at various speeds. The vehicle was towed to two different independent mechanics who were unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 23, 2025EngineODI 11695304

Fuel/propulsion system

15 reports
“Recently a strong gas smell in cabin after starting engine for the third time. After noticing the smell of gasoline a faulty fuel pressure sensor was serviced 12/2/2015. No charge at Puente Hills Nissan. Smell of gasoline again. $782.56 paid to Cerritos Nissan on 1/25/19. Although 2012 Nissan Jukes had a factory recall due to gasoline smell, I was told that my VIN number was not included.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 20, 2022Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11470111

Electrical system

14 reports
“I purchased this Nissan 2012 from Hyundai Santa Maria. It has had a problem starting consistently. There are recorded records all over the net. Simply google Nissan Juke Push Button won't start. I have already spent some money trying to figure out the issue. People have been stranded in my car Calling triple A. It drains the batteries which are $250 each. Nissan indicates that the remote keyless entry that stalls in the accesory mode. It has been 10 yrs an people are having to dump their cars. Mine I pay $224 a month an 11k loan for it to sit in my driveway. It is a danger as if the car cannot be started in a hazardous situation then someone will die. The contact stated that Nissan has not offered any assistance so far. The contact was informed by Nissan that their vehicle does not apply to the recall and recommended that they pay for diagnostic testing.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 3, 2023Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11542425
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Station Wagons
Engines
1.6L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (AV-S6) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-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 27, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Juke
Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
273229$2,750306
Juke
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
253027$2,950329
Juke AWD
Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
252927$2,950329
  • Juke
    Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo
    27 city · 32 hwy · $2,750/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • Juke
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo
    25 city · 30 hwy · $2,950/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • Juke AWD
    Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo
    25 city · 29 hwy · $2,950/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 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
Nissan Juke SUV AWD
Frontal crash
3 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
15.1%
Overall
4 / 5
Nissan Juke SUV FWD
Frontal crash
3 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
15.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 6555Vehicle 6176
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 Juke questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Nissan Juke have?

4 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2012 Nissan Juke problems?

Owners filed 87 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (29), fuel/propulsion system (15), electrical system (14). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2012 Nissan Juke get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Nissan Juke at 27–29 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2012 Nissan Juke?

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

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026