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2012 Nissan Juke
Buyable, but go in with open eyes: this car has specific known issues to check before money changes hands.
87 owner complaints · 4 recalls · data verified July 25, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Buy-rated alternatives from this era
Other 2010–2014 cars in the same rough price bracket with a clean, matured Buy verdict, worth cross-shopping before you commit to the 2012 Nissan Juke.
Why caution?
4 recall campaigns (3 safety-critical). Confirm every one shows "remedy completed" on the seller's VIN.
Engine problems dominate (33% of complaints).
Very few owner complaints for its age and sales volume.
Complaint reports have faded. Early issues appear resolved or aged out.
Score breakdown, by factor
Full methodology →#284 of 471Among the 2012 models with a matured record, the 2012 Nissan Juke ranks #284, scoring higher than 10% of them. See the 2012 ranking →
Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
4/5 overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating · 2012 Nissan Juke SUV AWD
Rollover risk in a single-vehicle crash: 15%
No open NHTSA defect investigations on file.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2012 Nissan Juke, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Engine (29) · Fuel system (20) · Electrical system (14) · Airbags (6)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint. Treat them as a rough guide.
Engine
33%29 complaints · 2 in the last 2 years
“Belt in the engine snapped made the car overheat leak oil and radiator fluid. Mechanic said there was a recal for this issue.”
Fuel system
23%20 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“The car smelling of burning and is not safe to drive.”
Electrical system
16%14 complaints
“PROBLEMS WITH CONSTANT BATTERY DRAINAGE. EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS JUST PARKED AND NOTHING ON BATTERY DRAINS RANDOMLY AND OUT OF NOWHERE. I HAVE REPLACED BATTERY 7 TIMES …”
Transmission & drivetrain
14%12 complaints · typically near 80k mi
“2012 NISSAN JUKE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING NISSAN TO REVIEW THE CASE AND BE REIMBURSED OR COMPENSATE…”
Check it against this car’s mileage
Type the odometer reading on the actual car you’re looking at to see which of these problem areas owners tend to report before it, around it, or after it.
We can place 1 of this model's commonly reported problem areas against a mileage. Nothing is stored.
Read all 87 owner complaints in their own words → · just the 6 crash/fire/injury reports →
Recalls (4)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Fuel System, Gasoline · 18V156000
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.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the fuel pressure sensor to the proper torque, free of charge. The recall began on April 24, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
Fuel System, Gasoline · 14V683000
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.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could cause a vehicle fire.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will re-torque the fuel pressure sensors free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Seats · 12V328000
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.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE REAR SEAT BACK MAY NOT BE SECURED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE REAR SEAT OCCUPANTS.
Fix: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED SEAT BACK STRIKERS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 20, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-647-7261.
Fuel System, Gasoline · 12V069000
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 JUKE, INFINITI QX AND INFINITI M VEHICLES. THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSORS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE CORRECT SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR MAY LOOSEN DUE TO HEAT AND VIBRATION CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK.
Risk: FUEL MAY LEAK FROM THE PRESSURE SENSOR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
Fix: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSORS, AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 2, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-647-7261.
Questions to ask the seller
Questions worth asking the seller of this Nissan before you buy, drawn from its public record:
- NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2012 Nissan Juke. Can you run this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and confirm each one shows "Remedy Completed"?
- Owners of this model report engine problems more than anything else. Has this car shown any engine symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Owners of this model report fuel system problems more than anything else. Has this car shown any fuel system symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Has this car been in any accident or had any structural, airbag, or flood-related repair? Do you have a clean title and a recent history report (Carfax / AutoCheck)?
- How many owners has it had, do you have the maintenance records, and why are you selling it?
- Are you open to me having an independent mechanic inspect it before we settle on a price?
Before you hand over money
Verify the recall work was done
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2012 Nissan JUKE beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2012? See how every Juke model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2012 Nissan Juke against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.