MYRModel Year Report

2012 Nissan Pathfinder

○ Not enough data
2012 Nissan Pathfinder
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:40:21.585Z

Only 23 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 23 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

Complaints
23

Too few to rank

Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 2012

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
—

Not enough data

Complaints per year

1986: 1 complaint 1986 1987: 19 complaints 1988: 17 complaints 1989: 15 complaints 1990: 40 complaints 1991: 40 complaints 1991 1992: 30 complaints 1993: 49 complaints 1994: 101 complaints 1995: 170 complaints 1996: 159 complaints 1996 1997: 217 complaints 1998: 149 complaints 1999: 104 complaints 2000: 112 complaints 2001: 230 complaints 2001 2002: 156 complaints 2003: 110 complaints 2004: 67 complaints 2005: 1,050 complaints 2006: 837 complaints 2006 2007: 561 complaints 2008: 328 complaints 2009: 37 complaints 2010: 40 complaints 2011: 45 complaints 2012: 23 complaints 2012 23 2013: 890 complaints 2014: 576 complaints 2015: 321 complaints 2016: 105 complaints 2017: 186 complaints 2018: 78 complaints 2019: 76 complaints 2020: 53 complaints 2022: 136 complaints 2022 2023: 107 complaints 2024: 89 complaints 2025: 57 complaints 2026: 15 complaints
1986: 1 complaint 1986 1987: 19 complaints 1988: 17 complaints 1989: 15 complaints 1989 1990: 40 complaints 1991: 40 complaints 1992: 30 complaints 1992 1993: 49 complaints 1994: 101 complaints 1995: 170 complaints 1995 1996: 159 complaints 1997: 217 complaints 1998: 149 complaints 1998 1999: 104 complaints 2000: 112 complaints 2001: 230 complaints 2001 2002: 156 complaints 2003: 110 complaints 2004: 67 complaints 2004 2005: 1,050 complaints 2006: 837 complaints 2007: 561 complaints 2007 2008: 328 complaints 2009: 37 complaints 2010: 40 complaints 2011: 45 complaints 2012: 23 complaints 2012 23 2013: 890 complaints 2014: 576 complaints 2015: 321 complaints 2016: 105 complaints 2016 2017: 186 complaints 2018: 78 complaints 2019: 76 complaints 2019 2020: 53 complaints 2022: 136 complaints 2023: 107 complaints 2023 2024: 89 complaints 2025: 57 complaints 2026: 15 complaints 2026
1986: 1 complaint 1986 1987: 19 complaints 1988: 17 complaints 1988 1989: 15 complaints 1990: 40 complaints 1990 1991: 40 complaints 1992: 30 complaints 1992 1993: 49 complaints 1994: 101 complaints 1994 1995: 170 complaints 1996: 159 complaints 1996 1997: 217 complaints 1998: 149 complaints 1998 1999: 104 complaints 2000: 112 complaints 2000 2001: 230 complaints 2002: 156 complaints 2002 2003: 110 complaints 2004: 67 complaints 2004 2005: 1,050 complaints 2006: 837 complaints 2006 2007: 561 complaints 2008: 328 complaints 2008 2009: 37 complaints 2010: 40 complaints 2010 2011: 45 complaints 2012: 23 complaints 2012 23 2013: 890 complaints 2014: 576 complaints 2014 2015: 321 complaints 2016: 105 complaints 2016 2017: 186 complaints 2018: 78 complaints 2018 2019: 76 complaints 2020: 53 complaints 2020 2022: 136 complaints 2023: 107 complaints 2023 2024: 89 complaints 2025: 57 complaints 2025 2026: 15 complaints

2012: 23 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19861
198719
198817
198915
199040
199140
199230
199349
1994101
1995170
1996159
1997217
1998149
1999104
2000112
2001230
2002156
2003110
200467
20051,050
2006837
2007561
2008328
200937
201040
201145
201223
2013890
2014576
2015321
2016105
2017186
201878
201976
202053
2022136
2023107
202489
202557
202615

Known problem areas

Only 23 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

Engine

5 of 23 total reports mention: engine.

Show complaint excerpts

While vehicle is in motion, the engine will all of a sudden seize.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-05-18

Suspension

5 of 23 total reports mention: suspension, most commonly citing rear.

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-04-10

Also filed under Structure

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-02-28

Air bags

4 of 23 total reports mention: air bags.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I was in a 40MPH car accidenot and my front airbags did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2016-02-29

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2016-02-12

Electrical system

3 of 23 total reports mention: electrical system.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked on the road outside his friend's residence. The contact stated that as he approached the vehicle, he saw smoke coming from the windows.

NHTSA ODI report, 2021-11-16

Steering

2 of 23 total reports mention: steering.

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2012-01-30Engine and engine cooling11V592000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2012-10-22Suspension12V462000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2012 Nissan Pathfinder — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine: 5 reports on file for this year.
  • Suspension: 5 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 4 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 11V592000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 12V462000 · Suspension
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder?
The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.