CarBrief

NHTSA has 23 owner complaints on file for this Pathfinder[1]. The engine group is the largest, with 6[2].

23owner complaints[1]
2recalls[3]
15–17MPG combined (EPA)[4]

Most reported problems

Owners filed complaints across several parts of the vehicle, and these are the groups, biggest first. - Engine. 6 complaints[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe a rumbling sound when pressing the gas, fluids mixing inside the engine, a failed engine mount, and power that faded or cut out while driving. - Unknown or other. 5 complaints[5]. These reports do not point to one clear part. - Suspension. 5 complaints[6]. Owners describe a wobbling feel at road speed, a broken control arm, and a rusted, cracked subframe. - Air bags. 4 complaints[7]. Owners describe a warning light that kept flashing after a repair visit, and a crash where the bags did not open. - Electrical system. 3 complaints[8]. Owners describe a truck that lost power and shut off, and one report of smoke inside a parked vehicle. - Power train. 2 complaints[9]. - Steering. 2 complaints[10]. - Brakes. 2 complaints[11].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2012 Pathfinder is necessarily included.

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
Pathfinder 2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive[4] 15 / 22 / 17 $4,850
Pathfinder 4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel Drive[14] 14 / 20 / 16 $5,150
Pathfinder 4WD, 5.6L 8-cyl, Automatic (S5), Premium, 4-Wheel Drive[15] 13 / 18 / 15 $5,500

Safety ratings

Version Overall Frontal Side Rollover Rollover risk
SUV 4WD[16] n/a n/a n/a 3 22.8%
SUV RWD[17] n/a n/a n/a 3 23.7%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine Horsepower
2012 Nissan Pathfinder with 4.0L 6-cylinder[18] 266 hp

How 2012 compares with other years

1995: 170 complaints, 0 recalls19951996: 159 complaints, 3 recalls1997: 217 complaints, 2 recalls1998: 149 complaints, 2 recalls19981999: 104 complaints, 2 recalls2000: 112 complaints, 2 recalls2001: 230 complaints, 3 recalls20012002: 156 complaints, 5 recalls2003: 110 complaints, 3 recalls2004: 67 complaints, 3 recalls20042005: 1,050 complaints, 2 recalls2006: 837 complaints, 3 recalls2007: 561 complaints, 1 recalls20072008: 328 complaints, 4 recalls2009: 37 complaints, 3 recalls2010: 40 complaints, 4 recalls20102011: 45 complaints, 2 recalls2012: 23 complaints, 2 recalls2320122013: 890 complaints, 11 recalls20132014: 585 complaints, 12 recalls2015: 321 complaints, 6 recalls2016: 107 complaints, 2 recalls20162017: 186 complaints, 2 recalls2018: 78 complaints, 3 recalls2019: 76 complaints, 2 recalls20192020: 48 complaints, 0 recalls2022: 136 complaints, 5 recalls2023: 107 complaints, 1 recalls20232024: 86 complaints, 2 recalls2025: 55 complaints, 1 recalls2026: 12 complaints, 0 recalls2026
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Pathfinder model year. The 2012 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19951700
19961593
19972172
19981492
19991042
20001122
20012303
20021565
20031103
2004673
20051,0502
20068373
20075611
20083284
2009373
2010404
2011452
2012232
201389011
201458512
20153216
20161072
20171862
2018783
2019762
2020480
20221365
20231071
2024862
2025551
2026120

NHTSA's counts for the Pathfinder show 23 complaints and 2 recalls for 2012[3]. Among the 31 model years listed, 1 have fewer complaints than 2012 and 29 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2026 (12) and the most are for 2005 (1,050)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2012 Pathfinder?

The complaint record for this Pathfinder is modest in size, at 23 complaints in total[1]. The engine and suspension groups draw the most attention from owners[2][6]. The air bag reports matter because they include crashes[7]. These are unverified owner reports, and they are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold. Check the recalls and the other sections on this page before you decide.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder?
Owners filed 23 complaints with NHTSA[1]. The engine group is the largest, with 6 complaints[2], followed by suspension[6] and unknown or other[5].
Does the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder have any recalls?
Yes, recalls exist for this model year[3]. The Recalls section on this page lists each one.
How many complaints have been filed about the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder?
NHTSA has 23 complaints on file[1]. One complaint can name several components.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder get?
See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
Is the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder a reliable SUV?
Owner complaints are one clue, and they are summarized above[1]. The safety section and the by-year comparison on this page add more context.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Nissan Pathfinder

Compare all model years of the Nissan Pathfinder

Other Nissan models from 2012

All Nissan models

Similar cars from 2012: suvs

All suvs we cover

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 23 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder (2 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 1 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 6 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Nissan Pathfinder model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for Pathfinder 2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 22 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. 5 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 5 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 4 complaints name the air bags component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 3 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 2 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 2 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 2 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. Recall 12V462, filed September 20, 2012: Suspension › Front › Hub. NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 11V592, filed December 19, 2011: Engine And Engine Cooling. NHTSA recall database
  14. EPA rating for Pathfinder 4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 20 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for Pathfinder 4WD, 5.6L 8-cyl, Automatic (S5), Premium, 4-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 18 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV 4WD: rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 22.8%. NHTSA vehicle records
  17. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV RWD: rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 23.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
  18. EPA Test Car List, 2012 Nissan Pathfinder with 4.0L 6-cylinder: rated 266 hp. www.epa.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.