2012 Nissan Pathfinder: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder: 2 recalls, 23 owner complaints and up to 17 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #11V592000 · 2011 · 14,718 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If there is an engine oil leak, the engine oil pressure would drop and the engine could seize, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector bolts free of charge. The safety recall began on January 30, 2012.
Suspension Vehicle recall #12V462000 · 2012 · 2,417 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If the vehicle is driven in this condition, the wheel hub May break, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 1 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (5): the most common themes are warning light on (2), electrical failure (2).
- Other / unknown (5): the most common themes are warning light on (2), electrical failure (2).
- Suspension (5): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (3).
- Airbags (4): the most common themes are fails to deploy (2).
The 2012 Nissan Pathfinder has 23 owner complaints, ranking #35 of 36 Pathfinder model years for complaints (well below the 203 average). Complaints peaked in 2015 (4 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 87,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2011 (45 complaints, 2 recalls), 2013 (890 complaints, 11 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 22 | 17 | Premium |
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 14 | 20 | 16 | Premium |
| 5.6 L 8-cyl | Automatic (S5) | 4-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 15 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder.
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FAQ
Does the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2012 Nissan Pathfinder problems?
Owners have filed 23 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (5), other / unknown (5), suspension (5).
What gas mileage does the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder get?
EPA ratings run up to 17 mpg combined (4.0 L, Automatic 5-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2012 Nissan Pathfinder repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.