2012 Nissan Pathfinder: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 23 owner complaints on record; most reports concern engine.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Sep 2012
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 23 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Right lower control arm snapped while driving at highway speed (65MPH) causing vehicle into a 360 spin. Vehicle spun, was hard to control and tire blew out at speed. Others behind me or in front may have gotten involved if traffic was heavier at the time. Vehicle wasnt inspected, no police involved. No warning before incident. Incident happened with no symtons or prior knowledge”Owner report · Suspension · Nov 2025
“The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, he noticed that the rear tires were abnormally damaged. The contact stated that upon further inspection, he noticed that the subframe was severely corroded and fractured. The dealer was notified of the failure and provided an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there would be no assistance because the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000.”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2024
“Rear lower control arm broke while driving. Vehicle had to be moved on a rollback. Upon replacing control arm, cracks have been found at several points on the crossmember subframe. As it stands, the vehicle is a danger to have on the road.”Owner report · Suspension · Sep 2023
Show 7 more owner reports
“There was no incident but now I'm scared to drive my vehicle that I'm still paying for and my insurance telling me if I don't get the recall resolve it's going to be an issue.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2023
“Check engine light comes on and vehicle will not cycle through gears. Will go into drive, reverse, neutral but not 1st, second, third. Vehicle will go back to normal after I disconnect the battery for a few minutes but the same issue will happen a few days later”Owner report · Power Train · May 2022
“We purchased the truck in 2018. Starting last year the truck starting losing power, not cutting on. Replaced the battery and have had 5 mechanics check it. Not one mechanic has been able to find the issue. Today my truck cut off in a tunnel with my children in the car. This could have and felt like an extremely dangerous situation. Upon further research Nissans losing power is a common issue. Nissan needs to take action and fix the malfunctions. I can't afford to be without a car, nor should I have to repair an issue that Nissan is responsible for.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2021
“When driving at any time, morning, afternoon.... Check engine light will go on and within seconds, minutes..., engine will rev, seize and when pressing gas, engine will rev but barely any propulsion. If driving at 60mph, engine will seize and speed will drop immediately. No control of motor or speed. This is the 15th time I'm 2 years that this has happened.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Apr 2019
“I bought my nissan pathfinder june 2012 brand new...I haven't had any issues with my vehicle until august 2, 2018 in my garage I tried to start it but it wouldn't crank. I had it towed to nissan service....I was told it shouldn't be doing this if you bought your car new...after diagnosis they told me it was my computer (ecm)so, is that normal for a 6 year old car?also, no warning signs or anything..”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Aug 2018
“If the transmission in the "n" position (neutral), the parking break can't hold the car on incline space! That problem exist in all nissan pathfinders year 2012 and up, we find it in the other pathfinders on the dealership too (that means it is not the single problem just with my car), but the dealership technician told me that this is normal for this model(?!?) if the transmission in the "p" position (park) that problem does not exist (because the transmission holds the car) but the parking break itself can not hold the car on incline! I did not find the same problem on any other models/makes...”Owner report · Service Brakes · Feb 2018
“The gear shift will not engage allowing me to shift from p to d and put the car in gear without manually overriding and sticking a screw driver down in the shifter assembly.*jb*jb”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Feb 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2012 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Pathfinder by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?
NHTSA has 23 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder. The most complained-about area is engine.
Does the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning suspension:front:hub. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.