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2012 Nissan NV

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 NV.

Body VAN

The 2012 Nissan NV enters the full-size van segment with a 5.4-quart oil capacity spec'd for 5W-30 API lubricant, a detail that underscores its commercial-grade powertrain expectations. Reliability data paints a mixed but clarifying picture: just three total owner complaints surface across the model year, yet the leading category — Power Train — signals where durability scrutiny concentrates, while four recalls indicate manufacturer-identified issues warranting correction. For researchers, this combination of low complaint volume but targeted powertrain focus and active recall history positions the 2012 NV as a model year where documented factory interventions may outweigh organic owner reports in assessing long-term viability.

Model year2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.4 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque138 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 27F W/TOW PKG. · 710 W/TOW PKG. CCA battery, OE oil filter 152089E01A. Note the factory front wiper blades is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 27F W/TOW PKG. · 710 W/TOW PKG. CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeLT245-70R17OEM · verified

Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	152089E01A
Engine air filter	165467S000
Spark plug	22401ZE01B
Battery	244109CA0B
Front wiper blades	288901PA0A discontinued
Serpentine belt	11720EA20A
Thermostat	13050ZA000 alt 2120031U1B

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	240.6 in
Overall width	79.9 in
Overall height	83.9 in
Wheelbase	146.1 in
Curb weight	5807 lb
Track (front / rear)	68.9 / 68.9 in

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the NV of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.40 sec — 2012 2500 HD SV V8 Cargo Van (HR)

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2012	2500 HD SV V8 Cargo Van (HR) 5.6L V8	8.40 sec	16.60 sec	317 hp	RWD
2012	2500 HD SV V8 Cargo Van (LR) 5.6L V8	8.40 sec	16.40 sec	317 hp	RWD
2017	3500 HD SL V8 Cargo Van (HR) 5.6L V8	7.50 sec	15.90 sec	317 hp	RWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.4 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 138 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-7-3-6-5-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	Nissan Matic-S
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	11.2
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	SYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	5.5 Pints
Differential Gear Oil	SYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	5.5 Pints
Differential Gear Oil	SYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts	65 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	65 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	22 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	6 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	25 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	25.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	8 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	8 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts

138 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Cylinder Firing Order	1-8-7-3-6-5-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	CVT: 650, MT: 600 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	50 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance	Except 0 or Between terminals 1 and 2 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	Except 0 Between terminals 1 and 3
Ignition Timing	20, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance	5 degrees

Battery & A/C

Standard BCI Group Number	27F W/TOW PKG.
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	710 W/TOW PKG. cca
Optional BCI Group Number	24F W/OUT TOW PKG.
Optional BCI Cranking Performance	650 W/OUT TOW PKG. cca
Standard BCI Group Number	27F W/TOW PKG.
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	710 W/TOW PKG. cca
Optional BCI Group Number	24F W/OUT TOW PKG.
Optional BCI Cranking Performance	650 W/OUT TOW PKG. cca

Service checks

Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	Radiator leak pressure testing, 5 psi.
Pressure Test	20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	176-183 °F
Injector Primary Resistance	11.1-14.5 ohms
Engine Compression	142-185 PSI. 14 Maximum variation PSI
Engine Compression	192-220 PSI. 14 maximum variation PSI.
Intake Valve Lash	0.012-0.016 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	45 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	118 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket	45 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	118 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0004 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.0016 in / 0.0028 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.496 in / 1.181 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages

Bolts 9-12

1.4 ft. lbs

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages

1.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 4.3 ft. lbs., Step 3: 7.6

1.4 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

22 ft. lbs., Step 2: Back off 360 degrees, Step 3: 11 ft. lbs., Step 4: 90

22 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

14 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

33 ft. lbs., step 2: 84-90

33 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

69 ft. lbs., step 2: 90

69 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

1	72 ft. lbs.	72 ft. lbs
2	loosen all bolts in reverse order.
3	29 ft. lbs.	29 ft. lbs
4	90 degrees	90 degrees
5	90 degrees; Check diameter of bolts at two point, 11 mm and 48 mm from the end. Whenever the difference between these two point exceed the limit of 0.11 mm, replace bolts.	90 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages

1	33 ft. lbs.	33 ft. lbs
2	70 degrees	70 degrees
3	loosen all bolts in reverse order
4	33 ft. lbs.	33 ft. lbs
5	60 degrees	60 degrees
6	60 degrees; Check diameter of bolts at two points, 12 mm and 55 mm from the end. Whenever the difference between these two points exceeds the limit of 0.23 mm, replace bolts. Apply new engine oil to threads and seating surface of mounting bolts.	60 degrees

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

Bolts 1-10

29 ft. lbs

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

Bolts 17-24

16 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant at 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft (inspect)
At 30,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 30,000 mi	Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
At 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 105,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 180,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 2012 Nissan NV dominate in one area — the power train, 2 of 3 reports (67%), well ahead of the next concern. NHTSA has issued no recalls for this vehicle, so these are owner-reported concerns only. 0 of the reports describe a crash and 0 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the power train pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

119

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 3 complaints on record, top 2 components.

Power Train2

Air Bags1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 119 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
NTB09-131C	2026-04-13	Structure	CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB09-131C	2026-04-13	Structure	CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB13-107G	2024-05-20	Electrical System	VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been…
NTB13-027D	2024-05-20	Electrical System	CAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See…
NTB10-066C	2024-05-20	Electrical System	CAN COMMUNICATION CODES – DIAGNOSTIC TIPS AND GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific NV. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 27F battery Vehicles taking 5.4 qt Engine oil filter 152089E01A Engine air filter 165467S000 Spark plug 22401ZE01B Battery 244109CA0B

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2012 NV take?

5.4 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 NV have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.