2012 Nissan CUBE
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2012 Nissan CUBE has 24 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.3x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is transmission problems (25% of all complaints), specifically: on february 10th, after the car warmed up for 20 minutes, the car's rpm's would jump by 500 every few seconds. i brought the car in (dealership where i bought it) to have it looked at and showed them a video i had taken of it happening at 60 mph and 70 mph. since no warning lights were lit up on t.
24
Total Complaints
0
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
0.3x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems
TRANSMISSION
6 complaints- • ON FEBRUARY 10TH, AFTER THE CAR WARMED UP FOR 20 MINUTES, THE CAR'S RPM'S WOULD JUMP BY 500 EVERY FEW SECONDS. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN (DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT) TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AND SHOWED THEM A VIDEO I HAD TAKEN OF IT HAPPENING AT 60 MPH AND 70 MPH. SINCE NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE LIT UP ON T
- • CVT TRANSMISSION FAILING AT 73,000 MILES
- • CVT TRANSMISSION FAILURE ~ SAFETY ISSUE SLOW TO START ~ SAME AS 100'S OF REPORTS ON INTERNET CAR WAS AT WARRANTY END AND NISSAN SAID ONLY FIX FOR SMALL LEAK WAS TO REPLACE THE WHOLE CVT~ AS PER CURRENT PENDING CLASS ACTIONS AGAINST NISSAN FOR 2013-2017 CVTS BEING REPLACED REPEATEDLY WITH THE SAME FA
“ON FEBRUARY 10TH, AFTER THE CAR WARMED UP FOR 20 MINUTES, THE CAR'S RPM'S WOULD JUMP BY 500 EVERY FEW SECONDS. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN (DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT) TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AND SHOWED THEM A VIDEO I HAD TAKEN OF IT HAPPENING AT 60 MPH AND 70 MPH. SINCE NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE LIT UP ON T”
— NHTSA complaint filing
SPEED CONTROL
3 complaints- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN CUBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND JERKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE M
- • CVT TRANSMISSION FAILURE ~ SAFETY ISSUE SLOW TO START ~ SAME AS 100'S OF REPORTS ON INTERNET CAR WAS AT WARRANTY END AND NISSAN SAID ONLY FIX FOR SMALL LEAK WAS TO REPLACE THE WHOLE CVT~ AS PER CURRENT PENDING CLASS ACTIONS AGAINST NISSAN FOR 2013-2017 CVTS BEING REPLACED REPEATEDLY WITH THE SAME FA
- • PULLED OUT FROM STOP LIGHT, ZERO POWER. ZERO ACCELERATOR RESPONSE. JUST CREEP OUT SUPER SLOW AT IDLE AND CROSS THE INTERSECTION. VERY UNSAFE. CVT SEEMED TO BE IN LIMP-HOME MODE; NO LIGHTS ON THE DASH, NO WARNING, NO VIBRATION OR OTHER FAILURE.
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN CUBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND JERKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE M”
— NHTSA complaint filing
ELECTRICAL
3 complaints- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN CUBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN COULD NOT BE HEARD WHEN USED IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE HORN OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,900.
- • THE CAR WILL STOP RUNNING AND DIE. IT HAS BEEN WORKED ON AND THE FUSE BOX AND BRAKE LAMP LIGHT SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. WHEN IT DIES IT SMELL LIKE BURNING ELECTRICAL WIRING AND SMOKE COMES OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN KILLED HALF A DOZEN TIMES. I CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR SAFELY.
- • Problem # 1- is 3 out of 4 door lock actuators all of a sudden stopped working at the exact same time, except the driver door. This is a huge safety issue and causes the door to remain locked. This causes someone getting locked inside the vehicle or locked outside. (Google) all the review's as this
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN CUBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN COULD NOT BE HEARD WHEN USED IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE HORN OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,900.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
FUEL SYSTEM
3 complaints- • CVT TRANSMISSION FAILURE ~ SAFETY ISSUE SLOW TO START ~ SAME AS 100'S OF REPORTS ON INTERNET CAR WAS AT WARRANTY END AND NISSAN SAID ONLY FIX FOR SMALL LEAK WAS TO REPLACE THE WHOLE CVT~ AS PER CURRENT PENDING CLASS ACTIONS AGAINST NISSAN FOR 2013-2017 CVTS BEING REPLACED REPEATEDLY WITH THE SAME FA
- • 2013-2014 oxygen gas sensor Intermittently failed to operate, causing CO2 into the cabin. Issue not found Nissan instructed to take it to another dealer they found issue and replaced. 2025 same issue dealers cannot find major c02 entering cabin. Cannot drive car due to extreme c02 have blood test in
- • Problem # 1- is 3 out of 4 door lock actuators all of a sudden stopped working at the exact same time, except the driver door. This is a huge safety issue and causes the door to remain locked. This causes someone getting locked inside the vehicle or locked outside. (Google) all the review's as this
“CVT TRANSMISSION FAILURE ~ SAFETY ISSUE SLOW TO START ~ SAME AS 100'S OF REPORTS ON INTERNET CAR WAS AT WARRANTY END AND NISSAN SAID ONLY FIX FOR SMALL LEAK WAS TO REPLACE THE WHOLE CVT~ AS PER CURRENT PENDING CLASS ACTIONS AGAINST NISSAN FOR 2013-2017 CVTS BEING REPLACED REPEATEDLY WITH THE SAME FA”
— NHTSA complaint filing
OTHER
3 complaints- • ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS, WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, THERE WILL BE NO WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH---YOU DROP IN SPEED EVEN IF YOU HAVE THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. THIS WILL ALSO OCCUR AROUND TOWN AND WILL HAPPEN WHEN YOU TRY TO START MOVING FROM A RED LIGHT OR ENTER THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC FROM A SID
- • THE CAR WILL STOP RUNNING AND DIE. IT HAS BEEN WORKED ON AND THE FUSE BOX AND BRAKE LAMP LIGHT SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. WHEN IT DIES IT SMELL LIKE BURNING ELECTRICAL WIRING AND SMOKE COMES OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN KILLED HALF A DOZEN TIMES. I CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR SAFELY.
- • MY BACK SENSORS WENT OUT AND WAS CAUSING THE BACK TIRES TO BE IDLE WHILE I WAS DRIVING I IMMEDIATELY IMMEDIATELY GOT IT FIXED WITH MY STIMULUS MONEY
“ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS, WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, THERE WILL BE NO WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH---YOU DROP IN SPEED EVEN IF YOU HAVE THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. THIS WILL ALSO OCCUR AROUND TOWN AND WILL HAPPEN WHEN YOU TRY TO START MOVING FROM A RED LIGHT OR ENTER THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC FROM A SID”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 24 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐TRANSMISSION: ON FEBRUARY 10TH, AFTER THE CAR WARMED UP FOR 20 MINUTES, THE CAR'S RPM'S WOULD JUMP BY 500 EVERY FEW SECONDS. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN (DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT) TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AND SHOWED THEM A VIDEO I HAD TAKEN OF IT HAPPENING AT 60 MPH AND 70 MPH. SINCE NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE LIT UP ON T
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐SPEED CONTROL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN CUBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND JERKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE M
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN CUBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN COULD NOT BE HEARD WHEN USED IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE HORN OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,900.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐FUEL SYSTEM: CVT TRANSMISSION FAILURE ~ SAFETY ISSUE SLOW TO START ~ SAME AS 100'S OF REPORTS ON INTERNET CAR WAS AT WARRANTY END AND NISSAN SAID ONLY FIX FOR SMALL LEAK WAS TO REPLACE THE WHOLE CVT~ AS PER CURRENT PENDING CLASS ACTIONS AGAINST NISSAN FOR 2013-2017 CVTS BEING REPLACED REPEATEDLY WITH THE SAME FA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Nissan CUBE — Year Comparison
How does 2012 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
Full years-to-avoid analysis →NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 24
- Recalls
- 0
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 0
- Injury reports
- 0
- Segment avg
- 80
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2012 Nissan CUBE