2012 Nissan CUBE
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2012 Nissan CUBE has 24 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.6x the segment average of 40. 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
0.6x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
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
When Problems Appear on the 2012 Nissan CUBE
Based on 16 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 52K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.
TRANSMISSION
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2012 Nissan CUBE
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
5-Year Gas Price History
EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Nissan CUBE
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Nissan CUBE Service Intervals
CVT-equipped models (Altima, Sentra, Rogue, Pathfinder) MUST use Nissan NS-3 CVT fluid, not conventional ATF. Frequent CVT service extends life significantly.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Nissan New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
These are the terms for a new Nissan. If you're buying a used 2012 CUBE, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Nissan dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
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
- 40
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2012 Nissan CUBE