Nissan›Cube›2012›Overview/nissan/cube/2012/base/

2012 Nissan Cube

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

Body VANTransmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

The 2012 Nissan Cube arrives as a van paired exclusively with an automatic transmission utilizing variable gear ratios, delivering EPA ratings of 26 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. Routine service calls for 4.3 quarts of 5W-30 API oil, underscoring the mechanical requirements of its power train. In the model's six-year run from 2009 to 2014, this model year occupies a middle ground in reliability terms: while the 2009 launch year accumulated 100 owner complaints, the 2012 model generated just 19 complaints with zero recalls issued, positioning it as a marked improvement over early production though not as trouble-free as the 2013 model that recorded only three complaints.

Model year2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.3 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque72-87 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy26/30/28 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 410 CCA battery, OE oil filter 1520865F0E. 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 35 · 410 CCAOEM · verified

Tail / brake / turnTURNOEM · verified

Tire sizeP195-60R15OEM · verified

Wheel / rim8 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	1520865F0E
Engine air filter	16546ED000
Spark plug	22401JD01B
Front wiper blades	288901FC3A alt 288901FC2A
Serpentine belt	11720ED80C
Thermostat	212306N20A alt 212303RC0A
Cabin air filter	272771FC0A

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (variable gear ratios)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	156.7 in
Overall width	66.9 in
Overall height	65 in
Wheelbase	99.6 in
Curb weight	2804 lb
Track (front / rear)	58.3 / 58.3 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	51/49

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	26 / 30 / 28 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	98 cu ft
Cargo volume	11 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

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

9.1–9.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.10 sec — 2009 S

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2010	SL 1.8L I-4	9.30 sec	17.20 sec	122 hp	FWD
2009	S 1.8L I-4	9.10 sec	17.00 sec	122 hp	FWD
2009	S 1.8L I-4	9.30 sec	17.20 sec	122 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.3 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 72-87 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0-22.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. 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

Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.3 qt

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts	80 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	20 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	25 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0-22.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	72-87 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	92 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
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	13, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance	5 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPM	Idle rpm

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.00 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	4.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	410 cca

Service checks

Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	Radiator leak pressure testing, 5 psi.
Injector Primary Resistance	11.1-14.5 ohms
Engine Compression	174-217 psi. 15 maximum variation psi.
Engine Oil Pressure	9 psi @ Idle, 29 psi @ 2000
Intake Valve Lash	0.010-0.013 in
Exhaust Valve Lash	0.011-0.015 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	62 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.059 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.0014 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.945 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	0.945 in
Rotor Minimum Machining	0.866 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

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

1.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 4.3 ft. lbs., Step 3: 7.0

1.4 ft. lbs

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

20 ft. lbs., Step 2: Back off 360 degrees, Step 3: 14 ft. lbs., Step 4: 60

20 ft. lbs

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

51 ft. lbs., step 2: 720 degrees, step 3: 22 ft. lbs., step 4: 60

51 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages

1	30 ft. lbs.	30 ft. lbs
2	100 degrees.	100 degrees
3	Loosen all bolts in reverse order.
4	30 ft. lbs.	30 ft. lbs
5	100 degrees.	100 degrees
6	100 degrees.; Check diameter of bolts at two points, 11 mm and 45 mm from the end. Whenever the difference between these two points exceeds the limit of 0.15 mm, replace bolts. Apply new engine oil to bolt threads and seating surface.	100 degrees

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

25 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60

25 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	Brake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
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) · Drive Belt (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Exterior Lighting (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.

The 2012 Nissan Cube sits in a favorable position within the first-generation arc, as federal complaints declined steadily from a peak of 100 in the 2009 launch year to just 19 by 2012, continuing downward to single digits in 2013-2014. Recalls followed a similar improving trajectory, dropping from three in 2009 and two in 2010 to zero in both 2011 and 2012, before tickling back up to one each in 2013 and 2014. The 2012 model also benefits from 94 technical service bulletins, nearly matching the generation's high-water mark of 98 in 2011, suggesting Nissan had accumulated substantial dealer-level repair guidance by this point in the production run. The target year's top complaint area is Power Train with five reports out of 19 total, followed by Air Bags and Unknown/Other at two each, with zero crash or fire complaints on record. Notably, one investigation persisted into 2012, consistent with the single investigation carried across every model year from 2010 onward, though the data does not specify its nature. For a buyer considering a used Cube, the 2012 model year represents one of the strongest choices in the generation — early teething problems had largely been resolved, recall exposure is absent, and the complaint volume is among the lowest recorded.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’09 ’10 ’11’12’13 ’14

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 19 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train5

Unknown Or Other2

Air Bags2

Electrical System,Fuel/Propulsion System1

Fuel/Propulsion System1

Electrical System,Unknown Or Other1

Vehicle Speed Control,Engine1

Power Train,Vehicle Speed Control,Fuel/Propulsion System1

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 94 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…
NTB19-071D	2024-09-19	Air Bags	DTC B00A0-00 STORED This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last…
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…

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 Cube. 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 35 battery Vehicles taking 4.3 qt Engine oil filter 1520865F0E Engine air filter 16546ED000 Spark plug 22401JD01B Front wiper blades 288901FC3A

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 Cube take?

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

Does the 2012 Cube have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Cube get?

EPA figures are 26 city / 30 highway / 28 combined mpg.