2012 Nissan Pathfinder Problems and Complaints

Senior Editor,

Updated on August 26, 2024

The Pathfinder, Nissan’s higher-grade midsize SUV, though not the most sought-out product in the segment, has generally been known to be a dependable vehicle. Having been in the market since 2008 (2005 if you consider the same generation), Nissan has had a lot of time in their hands to sort out all that was wrong with the platform initially. However, there are a few mileage-related issues in this SUV that owners must be aware of, something which we have discussed in detail in this section.

So do the low complaint and recall numbers against this SUV put it in front of the pack as far as desirability goes is something we’ll find out with this article. With a decent reliability rating of 80/100, the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder still falls behind popular models like the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Ford Explorer, the Honda Pilot, and the Toyota Highlander. Check out the Youtube video below by "1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets only Mechanics Know" and find out what are the common Pathfinder issues.

2012 Nissan Pathfinder User Complaints and Problems

Mechanical Complaints

Engine problems- Though mostly reliable, the Engine on the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder is known to experience issues with the timing chains, with high mileage. A ticking noise that goes away with oil pressure, excessive misfiring, and loss of power are some indications of a failing timing chain unit. Nissan has an ongoing service bullet on these and the fix includes the replacement of the timing chains along with the guides to prolong the life of the engine. Engine oil leak from the oil cooler is also another possible high-mileage complaint and this issue has a recall on it (ID-11V592000) for inspection and replacements of the cooler bolts.

Transmission Problems- General transmission issues on the2012 Nissan Pathfinder include shift actuator failures, slippage, overheating, and excessive jerking and lurching. Apart from this, high mileage units may experience mixing of coolant and transmission fluid, an issue Nissan is becoming quite infamous for these days with their big SUVs and trucks. This is not some inherent fault and regular check-ups and maintenance should prevent this issue. A pink coloring transmission fluid or reduction in coolant levels are some indications of this problem.

Electric System complaints

Fuel gauge issues- Erratic fuel gauge has been a common issue reported by 2012 Nissan Pathfinder owners. This issue has been seen in many high displacement Nissan vehicles from this era and the fault is mainly traced to the float sensor that is a part of the fuel lift pump in the fuel tank. Though replacement of the float is possible as a cheaper fix, the age and condition of the fuel pump are taken into consideration and the replacement of the entire fuel pump may be advised by the dealer. The error codes related to this issue are P0460 and P0461.

Starting Problems- Starting problem is a widely seen issue on the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder with high mileage, but mostly comes in as a cheap and easy fix. The primary faults can be detected as a faulty starter relay (when there is no crank) or a failing ignition coil pack (when it cranks but has a no-start condition). The issue is rarely traced to negative conditions with the transmission as well.

2012 Nissan Pathfinder Recalls

S. No	Date	NHTSA ID	Issues Noticed	Additional Remarks	Remedy
1	20th September 2012	12V462000	Wheel hubs may crack due to insufficient hardness	These vehicles may have been equipped with front-wheel hubs that may not meet the design hardness specifications, possibly resulting in their separation from the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.	The dealers will replace the left and right-side front wheel hub assemblies free of charge. The safety recall began on October 22, 2012.
2	19th December 2011	11V592000	Engine oil cooler connector bolt	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, possibly causing an oil leak that may lead to an engine seizure or a crash.	The dealers will replace the connector bolts free of charge. The safety recall began on January 30, 2012.

Should you buy a used 2012 Nissan Pathfinder?

The Nissan Pathfinder has always been a dependable midsize SUV. Apart from a few mileage–related issues with the engine and transmission, which is something common for this class of vehicles, there is nothing prominently or inherently wrong with this vehicle. Competent authorities like JD Power do rate the overall quality and reliability of the 2012 Pathfinder as “great”, which yet again proves our point here. However, the dated overall appeal has cost it some points here pushing it way back to the bottom of the pack when it comes to style, drivability, and tech. In all, though it comes out as one of the more sorted out SUVs this model year, the crude setup and an evident replacement coming in next year, do prevent us from recommending the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder as one of the top picks for this segment as things stand.