Is the 2012 Nissan PATHFINDER reliable?

The 2012 Nissan PATHFINDER has 35 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.3x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: excellent. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2012 Nissan PATHFINDER?

Top problems: ENGINE (6 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (6 complaints, avg repair $500); SUSPENSION (5 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2012 Nissan PATHFINDER?

Yes, there are 2 recall(s): ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB. Contact any Nissan dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Nissan PATHFINDER?

The 2012 Nissan PATHFINDER gets 17 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2824. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2012 Nissan PATHFINDER?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2012 Nissan PATHFINDER is approximately $1,617/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2012 Nissan PATHFINDER

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2012 Nissan PATHFINDER has 35 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.3x the segment average of 121. The most common issue is engine problems (17% of all complaints), specifically: while driving i was hearing a rumbling sound everytime i press the gas pedal. i took it to nissan of brandon on 4-11-14 and was informed that i have cross contamination of engine coolant and transmission fluid. nissan advised it would be $5800 to fix. there was a civil lawsuit filed against nissan t. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 2 crash reports 1 injury

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

6 complaints

17%

• WHILE DRIVING I WAS HEARING A RUMBLING SOUND EVERYTIME I PRESS THE GAS PEDAL. I TOOK IT TO NISSAN OF BRANDON ON 4-11-14 AND WAS INFORMED THAT I HAVE CROSS CONTAMINATION OF ENGINE COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID. NISSAN ADVISED IT WOULD BE $5800 TO FIX. THERE WAS A CIVIL LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST NISSAN T
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE DEALER NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE MOUNT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.
• WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THE ENGINE WILL ALL OF A SUDDEN SEIZE. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES, 2 TIMES ON THE FREEWAY AT 55 - 65 MPH, SEIZED IN MOTION, STEPPED ALL THE WAY DOWN ON GAS AFTER ENGINE SEIZED, ENGINE REVS, HARDLY ANY POWER, ALMOST DOWN TO 10 MPH IN LESS THAN 10 SECONDS. BOTH TIMES, WAS

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“WHILE DRIVING I WAS HEARING A RUMBLING SOUND EVERYTIME I PRESS THE GAS PEDAL. I TOOK IT TO NISSAN OF BRANDON ON 4-11-14 AND WAS INFORMED THAT I HAVE CROSS CONTAMINATION OF ENGINE COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID. NISSAN ADVISED IT WOULD BE $5800 TO FIX. THERE WAS A CIVIL LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST NISSAN T”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Nissan PATHFINDER

Based on 15 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 111K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 100-150K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (2)

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING19/12/2011

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.

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

Fix: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2012 Nissan PATHFINDER

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,824

Per month

$235

Per mile

23.5¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$3,201/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,182/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Nissan PATHFINDER

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,617

Full coverage / month

$135

Liability only / year

$639

vs US avg

-3%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1617

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Nissan PATHFINDER Service Intervals

Oil change

5K mi / 6 mo

Tire rotation

5K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

105K mi

Spark plugs

105K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

CVT-equipped models (Altima, Sentra, Rogue, Pathfinder) MUST use Nissan NS-3 CVT fluid, not conventional ATF. Frequent CVT service extends life significantly.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Nissan New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Nissan. If you're buying a used 2012 PATHFINDER, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Nissan dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 35 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: WHILE DRIVING I WAS HEARING A RUMBLING SOUND EVERYTIME I PRESS THE GAS PEDAL. I TOOK IT TO NISSAN OF BRANDON ON 4-11-14 AND WAS INFORMED THAT I HAVE CROSS CONTAMINATION OF ENGINE COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID. NISSAN ADVISED IT WOULD BE $5800 TO FIX. THERE WAS A CIVIL LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST NISSAN T
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: WE BOUGHT A 2012 NISSAN PATHFINDER ON SEPTEMBER 17TH, 2015 USED FOR $27,999.00. WE PUT $3,000.00 DOWN PAYMENT ON THE VEHICLE. WE WERE UNDER THE IMPRESSION, AND WERE TOLD BY OUR SALESMAN THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE TO PAY WI TAXES AND THAT ANY OTHER TAXES WOULD BE INCLUDED IN OUR LOAN. THAT PROVED TO BE F
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SUSPENSION: The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle started to wobble as if the steering wheel was being turned to the left and to the right repeatedly. The contact stated the vehicle wobbled more violently after driving over bumps in the roa
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: 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..
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Nissan dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)