Model year
2012 Nissan Pathfinder
NHTSA lists 2 recalls and 23 complaints for the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are ENGINE (5), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (5), AIR BAGS (4). NHTSA lists crash-test variants for this model year and marks the overall rating Not Rated. EPA rates it 15–17 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $4,850–$5,500, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 112 complaints
- 2001 230 complaints
- 2002 156 complaints
- 2003 110 complaints
- 2004 67 complaints
- 2005 1,050 complaints
- 2006 837 complaints
- 2007 561 complaints
- 2008 328 complaints
- 2009 37 complaints
- 2010 40 complaints
- 2011 45 complaints
- 2012 23 complaints
- 2013 890 complaints
- 2014 575 complaints
- 2015 321 complaints
- 2016 105 complaints
- 2017 187 complaints
- 2018 78 complaints
- 2019 76 complaints
- 2020 48 complaints
- 2022 136 complaints
- 2023 107 complaints
- 2024 86 complaints
- 2025 55 complaints
- 2026 12 complaints
Recalls
12V462000 · Sep 20, 2012
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…
11V592000 · Dec 19, 2011
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…
Complaints
23 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 2, fire flag on 1, injury field 1, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
No investigations are matched to this name.
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV 4WD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | 3 · possibility 0.228 | — |
| SUV RWD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | 3 · possibility 0.237 | — |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pathfinder 2WD · 4L · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 15 | 22 | 17 | — | — | $4,850 |
| Pathfinder 4WD · 4L · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 14 | 20 | 16 | — | — | $5,150 |
| Pathfinder 4WD · 5.6L · Automatic (S5) · 4-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 13 | 18 | 15 | — | — | $5,500 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2012 Nissan Pathfinder at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.