2012-2021 Nissan NV Problems: 4 Known Issues
2012-2021 model years · 310+ owner reports · Updated October 2026
According to Au7o's analysis of 310+ owner reports, the 2012-2021 Nissan NV has 4 documented known issues. No issues are rated critical, indicating generally reliable ownership. The most commonly reported issue is Radiator Plastic End Tank Cracking and Coolant Leak with 110 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $50 to $3,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
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All 4 Known Issues
NHTSA Recalls3 recalls
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2012-2017 NV Cargo and NV Passenger Van, 2013-2015 Titan and Armada and 2011-2012 Infiniti QX56 vehicles. Due to a manufacturing issue, the air bag inflator may not function properly or may rupture during deployment.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2017 Nissan NV200, Sentra, NV3500 Van, NV3500 Bus, NV200 Taxi, NV1500, NV2500 Van, Chevrolet City Express, 2017-2018 Frontier, Versa Note, and Versa Sedan vehicles that have a mechanical (physical) key ignition system. In these models, over time, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Nissan NV problems?
According to Au7o's analysis of 310+ owner reports, the 2012-2021 Nissan NV has 4 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Radiator Plastic End Tank Cracking and Coolant Leak, Automatic Transmission Overheating Under Load, Fuel Gauge Sending Unit Failure. None are rated critical, but regular maintenance is recommended.
Is the Nissan NV reliable?
The 2012-2021 Nissan NV has 4 known issues documented across 310+ owner reports. No issues are rated critical, suggesting generally good reliability. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Nissan NV problems?
Repair costs for known Nissan NV issues range from $50 to $3,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What year Nissan NV is the most reliable?
Reliability varies across model years of the Nissan NV. Based on documented issues, problems are most commonly reported in earlier model years. Au7o recommends checking the specific known issues for your target year before purchasing, and having a pre-purchase inspection performed by a qualified mechanic. Our known issues database covers the 2012-2021 Nissan NV with 4 documented issues documented across 310+ owner reports.
What is the 2012-2021 Nissan NV Radiator Plastic End Tank Cracking and Coolant Leak?
The Nissan NV cargo van uses a radiator with plastic end tanks that develop cracks from heat cycling and vibration inherent to commercial van use. The cracks typically form at the crimp joint between the plastic tank and aluminum core. The V8 NV 2500/3500 models are more suscepti… Repairs typically run $200-$600. Severity: medium.
What is the 2012-2021 Nissan NV Automatic Transmission Overheating Under Load?
The Nissan NV 1500/2500/3500 V6 models and 2012-2016 V8 models use a 5-speed automatic transmission (RE5R05A), and 2017-2021 V8 models use a 7-speed automatic; these can overheat under heavy load conditions — particularly when the van is loaded to its GVWR in hot weather. The fac… Repairs typically run $150-$3,000. Severity: medium.
What is the 2012-2021 Nissan NV Fuel Gauge Sending Unit Failure?
The NV's fuel level sending unit fails, causing inaccurate fuel gauge readings. The gauge may read full when the tank is half empty, drop suddenly to empty, or fluctuate erratically. The issue is caused by the float arm rheostat wearing out from fuel sloshing (common in commercia… Repairs typically run $200-$500. Severity: medium.
What is the 2012-2021 Nissan NV Rear Cargo Door Hinge Pin Wear and Door Sagging?
The NV cargo van's large rear barn-style cargo doors suffer from hinge pin wear that causes the doors to sag and become difficult to close. Commercial and delivery vans experience this more rapidly due to high door cycle counts. The heavy steel doors put significant stress on the… Repairs typically run $50-$400. Severity: low.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.