Model year guide

2012 Nissan Pathfinder

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2012 Nissan Pathfinder is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 145 on record.

2012 Nissan Pathfinder at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints23
Combined16 mpg
Typical price$18,036

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2012 Nissan Pathfinder recalls 2

Engine And Engine Cooling NHTSA Campaign #11V592000 · 19/12/2011

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 RE…

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.

Suspension:front:hub NHTSA Campaign #12V462000 · 20/09/2012

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.

Fix: 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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2012 Nissan Pathfinder common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 23 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.

2012 Nissan Pathfinder safety ratings

Rollover★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder SUV 4WD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2012 Nissan Pathfinder MPG & running costs

Combined16 mpg
City14 mpg
Highway20 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,750

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2012 Nissan Pathfinder worth?

Low
$13,700
Typical price
$18,036
High
$21,800

From 145 comparable 2012 Nissan Pathfinder listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2012 Nissan Pathfinder costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$23,750
Depreciation (5 yrs)$11,300
Total$35,050
Per mile$0.47

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($18,036) with the same model 5 model-years older ($6,727), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2012 Nissan Pathfinder trims & engines on record

Trims
S · SV · LE
Engines
4.0L

2012 Nissan Pathfinder vehicles on record

2012 Nissan Pathfinder S5N1AR1NB2CC634256 2012 Nissan Pathfinder 2012 Nissan Pathfinder SV5N1AR1NN2CC640665 2012 Nissan Pathfinder 2012 Nissan Pathfinder S5N1AR1NBXCC638314 2012 Nissan Pathfinder S5N1AR1NB7CC607859 2012 Nissan Pathfinder 2012 Nissan Pathfinder S5N1AR1NN6CC611718 2012 Nissan Pathfinder 2012 Nissan Pathfinder S5N1AR1NN8CC611140 2012 Nissan Pathfinder S5N1AR1NN5CC611869 2012 Nissan Pathfinder 2012 Nissan Pathfinder SV5N1AR1NB4CC604711 2012 Nissan Pathfinder 2012 Nissan Pathfinder S5N1AR1NB6CC622305 2012 Nissan Pathfinder 2012 Nissan Pathfinder LE5N1AR1NN1CC634257 2012 Nissan Pathfinder LE5N1AR1NB2CC600415 2012 Nissan Pathfinder 2012 Nissan Pathfinder SV5N1AR1NN1CC625820 2012 Nissan Pathfinder 2012 Nissan Pathfinder LE5N1AR1NBXCC616541 2012 Nissan Pathfinder 2012 Nissan Pathfinder LE5N1AR1NB0CC614846 2012 Nissan Pathfinder SV5N1AR1NB6CC623454 2012 Nissan Pathfinder 2012 Nissan Pathfinder SV5N1AR1NB5CC607715 2012 Nissan Pathfinder 2012 Nissan Pathfinder LE5N1AR1NN6CC623903 2012 Nissan Pathfinder SV5N1AR1NBXCC614367 2012 Nissan Pathfinder 2012 Nissan Pathfinder SV5N1AR1NB3CC639773 2012 Nissan Pathfinder 2012 Nissan Pathfinder S5N1AR1NN6CC610455 2012 Nissan Pathfinder 2012 Nissan Pathfinder LE5N1AR1NN2CC624790 2012 Nissan Pathfinder 2012 Nissan Pathfinder S5N1AR1NN4CC621129 2012 Nissan Pathfinder 2012 Nissan Pathfinder LE5N1AR1NN9CC621210 2012 Nissan Pathfinder 2012 Nissan Pathfinder LE5N1AR1NB2CC608028

Other Nissan Pathfinder model years

2022 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995

2012 Nissan Pathfinder — frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder?

Based on 23 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are suspension, engine, structure.

What is the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder crash-test ratings of rollover 3★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder at about 16 mpg combined (14 city / 20 highway).

How much is a 2012 Nissan Pathfinder worth?

Comparable 2012 Nissan Pathfinder listings run roughly $13,700–$21,800, typically around $18,036 (from 145 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.