2012 Nissan Pathfinder

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Engine is the leading concern among 23 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 25th highest complaint count among 25 Pathfinder model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 23

Of the 2012 reports, 2 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 1 person was injured.

Primary concernEngine5 reports · 22% of complaints
Owner complaints23Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship2 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Engine5
  2. Suspension5
  3. Other or unspecified5
  4. Air bags4
  5. Electrical system3
  6. Power train2
  7. Service brakes2
  8. Steering2

Recalls and investigations

  1. Suspension, front, hubSep 20, 2012

    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.

    If the vehicle is driven in this condition, the wheel hub may break, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.

    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.

    Campaign 12V462000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. Engine and engine coolingDec 19, 2011

    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.

    IF THERE IS AN ENGINE OIL LEAK, THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE WOULD DROP AND THE ENGINE COULD SEIZE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

    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.

    Campaign 11V592000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: air bags

4 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Steering, Air bags, Engine, Mar 4, 2023

    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.

  2. Air bags, Feb 29, 2016, crash

    I WAS IN A 40MPH CAR ACCIDENOT AND MY FRONT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

  3. Air bags, Feb 12, 2016, crash

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH, A DEER JUMPED INTO THE ROAD CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO IT. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WAS NO INJURIES SUSTAINED AND THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

  4. Air bags, Sep 28, 2015

    I RECEIVED THE RECALL LETTER, TOOK MY CAR IN, THEY SAID IT WAS DONE, IT WAS NOT DONE CORRECTLY, I TOOK IT BACK WAS TOLD IT WAS A CLIP NOT CLIPPED CORRECTLY,. THE AIRBAG LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AGAIN. I CALLED AND TOLD THE RECALL WAS EXPIRED AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY.. I'M DRIVING W IT FLASHING STILL.. I FEAR ONE DAY IT WILL GO OFF ON ITS OWN. I AM 68 YRS OLD AND LOW INCOME ... I CANNOT PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS NOT REPAIRED... MY CAR WAS FINE BEFORE THEY TOUCHED IT ...HOW DO I GET THEM TO HAVE MY CAR REPAIRED?