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.
Of the 2012 reports, 2 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 1 person was injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
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
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: service brakes
2 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Feb 16, 2020
WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES THEY SEEMED TO REACT NORMALLY. THEN THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. AT THAT POINT IT WAS BRAKING BUT NOT AS EFFICIENTLY AS IT SHOULD. THE INEFFICIENCY OF THE BRAKES WOULD HAVE CAUSED ME TO OVERSHOOT THE STOPPING POINT OF THE INTERSECTION. RATHER THAN STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION, I APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR TO GET THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. THE BRAKES CONTINUED TO OPERATE IN THAT MANNER FOR THE REMINDER OF THAT TRIP. ON ALL SUBSEQUENT USES OF THE TRUCK, WHICH WAS TO GET BACK TO OUR HOMETOWN DEALERSHIP, THE BRAKES DID RESPOND NORMALLY. IT HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER SINCE 2/9/20 AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY HAVE CHECKED DTC'S, WIRING, VACUUM HOSES, ROTORS, PADS, BRAKE BOOSTER, MASTER CYLINDER, AND FLUID AND CANNOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS.*DT
Parking brake, Service brakes, Jul 10, 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...