2012 Nissan Pathfinder Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2012 Nissan Pathfinder ranks 20th out of 20 model years for reported problems, meaning it has the fewest complaints relative to other years. It carries a complaint index of 0 and earns a Best verdict, with only 23 complaints and 2 recalls on record.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 0/100
- #20 of 20 Pathfinder years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 23
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 16
- 14 city / 20 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2012 Nissan Pathfinder problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine6 (26%)
- Other5 (22%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (22%)
- Airbags4 (17%)
- Brakes3 (13%)
- Electrical System3 (13%)
- Steering2 (9%)
- Structure & Body2 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (9%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy during a crash after a collision at 75 mph.
- A parked vehicle caught fire, with smoke and burning coming from the headliner and seats at 111,000 miles.
- The rear window reportedly exploded without warning while driving at 65 mph.
- A rumbling noise under acceleration was linked to reported cross-contamination of engine coolant and transmission fluid at 130,000 miles.
- Steering became harder to turn and pulled to the right, with excessive front tire wear noted at 37,535 miles.
- The engine reportedly seized suddenly while driving on the freeway at 55-65 mph, losing power down to 10 mph, at 82,000 miles.
2012 Nissan Pathfinder recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 12V462000Sep 20, 2012Suspension, Wheels & Tires2,417 vehicles
Suspension:front:hub
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2012 Frontier, Pathfinder, and Xterra two-wheel drive vehicles manufactured from June 19, 2012, through July 12, 2012. These vehicles may have been equipped with front wheel hubs that may not meet the design hardness specifications. A wheel hub that was manufactured below hardness specification may wear prematurely and eventually crack.
Risk: If the vehicle is driven in this condition, the wheel hub may break, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replaced the left and right side front wheel hub assemblies free of charge. The safety recall began on October 22, 2012. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1-800-647-7261.
- NHTSA 11V592000Dec 19, 2011Engine14,718 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2011 infiniti fx, model year 2012 infiniti m, model year 2011-2012 nissan frontier, model year 2011-2012 nissan xterra, model year 2011-2012 nissan pathfinder, and model year 2012 nissan nv vehicles. Some of the bolts that connect the engine oil cooler and the engine oil filter to the engine in these vehicles may have been manufactured to below specification strength. As a result, the bolt may break at the oil filter attachment point and can cause an engine oil leak.
Risk: If there is an engine oil leak, the engine oil pressure would drop and the engine could seize, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector bolts free of charge. The safety recall began on january 30, 2012. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
2012 Nissan Pathfinder fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 14 MPG
- Highway
- 20 MPG
- Combined
- 16 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $5,000
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2012 compared with other Pathfinder years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2012 model ranks 20th out of 20 years and carries a complaint index of 0, earning a Best verdict relative to other Pathfinder years.
- What problems does the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder have?
- NHTSA lists 23 complaints, with Engine as the top problem area at 26% of complaints, followed by Suspension, Wheels & Tires at 22% and Airbags at 17%. Median mileage at failure across all reports is 87,000.
- Does the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls: one for front wheel hub assemblies (campaign 12V462000) and one for engine connector bolts (campaign 11V592000). Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2012 Pathfinder compare to other years?
- The 2012 model has far fewer complaints than years like 2005 (1,050 complaints, Avoid) or 2013 (890 complaints, Avoid), making it one of the better years in the lineup based on NHTSA data.