2012 Nissan PATHFINDER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
23 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
87,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 23 complaints (21.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 13.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 8.7% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 8.7% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 4.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 5 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Suspension | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
Engine: 5; Unknown Or Other: 5; Air Bags: 4; Suspension: 4; Electrical System: 3; Power Train: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Steering: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 11 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 2 |
2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 4; 2016: 2; 2018: 3; 2019: 1; 2020: 1; 2021: 3; 2022: 1; 2023: 2; 2024: 2; 2025: 2
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11309506 · 2020-02-16 (February 16, 2020)
WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES THEY SEEMED TO REACT NORMALLY. THEN THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. AT THAT POINT IT WAS BRAKING BUT NOT AS EFFICIENTLY AS IT SHOULD. THE INEFFICIENCY OF THE BRAKES WOULD HAVE CAUSED ME TO OVERSHOOT THE STOPPING POINT OF THE INTERSECTION. RATHER THAN STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION, I APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR TO GET THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. THE BRAKES CONTINUED TO OPERATE IN THAT MANNER FOR THE REMINDER OF THAT TRIP. ON ALL SUBSEQUENT USES OF THE TRUCK, WHICH WAS TO GET BACK TO OUR HOMETOWN DEALERSHIP, THE BRAK…
Owner-reported narrative. 64,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11309506 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11421203 · 2021-06-16 (June 16, 2021)
We purchased the truck in 2018. Starting last year the truck starting losing power, not cutting on. Replaced the battery and have had 5 mechanics check it. Not one mechanic has been able to find the issue. Today my truck cut off in a tunnel with my children in the car. This could have and felt like an extremely dangerous situation. Upon further research Nissans losing power is a common issue. Nissan needs to take action and fix the malfunctions. I can’t afford to be without a car, nor should I have to repair an issue that Nissan is responsibl…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11421203 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10583934 · 2014-04-21 (April 21, 2014)
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 TO REPAIR OR REIMBURSE THE OWNERS FOR OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE. HOWEVER, BECAUSE THE LAW SUIT ONLY COVERED UP TO 100,000 MILES AND I'M AT 130,000 NISSAN WILL NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 130,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10583934 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11110419 · 2018-07-10 (July 10, 2018)
IF THE TRANSMISSION IN THE "N" POSITION (NEUTRAL), THE PARKING BREAK CAN'T HOLD THE CAR ON INCLINE SPACE! THAT PROBLEM EXIST IN ALL NISSAN PATHFINDERS YEAR 2012 AND UP, WE FIND IT IN THE OTHER PATHFINDERS ON THE DEALERSHIP TOO (THAT MEANS IT IS NOT THE SINGLE PROBLEM JUST WITH MY CAR), BUT THE DEALERSHIP TECHNICIAN TOLD ME THAT THIS IS NORMAL FOR THIS MODEL(?!?) IF THE TRANSMISSION IN THE "P" POSITION (PARK) THAT PROBLEM DOES NOT EXIST (BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION HOLDS THE CAR) BUT THE PARKING BREAK ITSELF CAN NOT HOLD THE CAR ON INCLINE!…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11110419 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10764180 · 2015-09-16 (September 16, 2015)
STEERING THE VEHICLE, GRADUALLY BECAME HARDER (IT WOULD PULL SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT. WHEN CHECKING AIR PRESSURE, I NOTICED THE FRONT TIRES WERE WORN EXCESSIVELY. I THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR, WHERE I WAS TOLD I MUST HAVE HIT A CURVE OR HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, NEITHER WAS THE CASE. I HAD TO HAVE THE COMPLETE FRONT-END OF THE VEHICLE REPLACED BY AUTO NATION SOUTH BAY NISSAN OF HAWTHORNE,CA INVOICE #685460, WHICH INCLUDED: RACK AND PINION, STEERING ANGLE SENSOR, GEAR AND LINKAGE, SWITCH ASSEMBLY COMBINATION, AND CORE.
Owner-reported narrative. 37,535 miles reported. Look up ODI 10764180 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11517890 · 2023-04-19 (April 19, 2023)
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 road. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact’s husband checked the under carriage and observed that the driver's side …
Owner-reported narrative. 156,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11517890 at NHTSA ↗