2012 Nissan Xterra — Full Specifications
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Running gear matters most — before anything else, UK: check tyre prices at TirendoUS: check wheel & tyre prices at WheelHero for this car's fitment.
The 2012 Nissan Xterra is an SUV powered by a 4L 6-cyl regular gasoline engine. Its most fuel-efficient configuration returns around 22 mpg (UK) / 18 mpg (US EPA) combined, with 20–22 mpg (UK) across all configurations. Owners often keep a Nissan Xterra workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2011 Nissan Xterra: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 22 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged.
Full Specifications
| Engine | 4L 6-cyl |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic 5-spd |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 22 combined / 19 urban / 26 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 18 combined / 16 city / 22 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 307 g/km |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,700 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 3 configurations for the 2012 Nissan Xterra, all with the 4L 6-cyl engine. Combined fuel economy ranges from 17 to 18 mpg (US), or 20 to 22 mpg (UK), depending on engine, transmission and drive. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 20 | 17 (15/20) | 325 | $3,950 |
| 4L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 22 | 18 (16/22) | 307 | $3,700 |
| 4L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 20 | 17 (16/20) | 325 | $3,950 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Owner Essentials for the 2012 Nissan Xterra
Running Costs: 2012 Nissan Xterra
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2012 Nissan Xterra at 22 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,653 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $3,700 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Planning a road trip? Grab a road trip packing list. Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2012 Nissan Xterra Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
No NHTSA crash-test rating is on record for this model year. The NHTSA rates only a subset of vehicles each year; you can browse every rated vehicle on our NHTSA Safety Ratings hub.
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns that include the 2012 Nissan Xterra (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Suspension (1), Engine and engine cooling (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Suspension — campaign 12V462000, reported 20 September 2012. Risk: If the vehicle is driven in this condition, the wheel hub may break, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
- Engine and engine cooling — campaign 11V592000, reported 19 December 2011. Risk: IF THERE IS AN ENGINE OIL LEAK, THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE WOULD DROP AND THE ENGINE COULD SEIZE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Owners have filed 16 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Nissan Xterra. The most-reported areas are Power train (6), Air bags (4), Engine (4). That is close to the median of 13 complaints across the 6 Nissan Xterra model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2012 Nissan Xterra
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Suspension (1 recall campaign) — Listen for knocks over bumps and check tyre wear for signs of alignment problems.
- Engine cooling (1 recall campaign) — Check coolant level, look for leaks and make sure the temperature stays steady in traffic.
- Transmission & drivetrain (6 owner complaints) — On the test drive, watch for hesitation, jerking or slipping between gears and ask for transmission service history.
- Air bags (4 owner complaints) — Confirm any air bag inflator or module recalls were completed — enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Nissan Xterra compare to similar SUVs? For context, SUVs in our database average around 27 mpg (UK) combined — this model's 22 mpg figure is 5 mpg below that average. Its 307 g/km CO₂ figure is 54 g/km higher than the 253 g/km average for SUVs on this site. This comparison is based on 1824 SUVs in our dataset.
Nissan models in our database average about 29 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2012 Nissan Xterra's 22 mpg is 7 mpg below that make average. Its 307 g/km CO₂ figure is 67 g/km higher than the 240 g/km Nissan average.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2012 Nissan Xterra
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2012 Nissan Xterra have?
It's fitted with a 4L 6-cyl regular gasoline engine, paired with a automatic 5-spd transmission.
What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Nissan Xterra?
The most efficient configuration returns around 22 mpg (UK) combined, or 18 mpg on the US EPA cycle. Across all configurations the UK combined figure runs from 20 to 22 mpg.
How much does the 2012 Nissan Xterra cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $3,700 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2012 Nissan Xterra have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns that include the 2012 Nissan Xterra (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Suspension (1), Engine and engine cooling (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2012 Nissan Xterra?
Among the 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Power train (6 complaints), Air bags (4 complaints), Engine (4 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
Is the Nissan Xterra's fuel economy good for an SUV?
It returns around 22 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 27 mpg among the SUVs we track.