DecodedCars2012 Nissan Pathfinder
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.
- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV 4WD Le V6, 4dr SUV 4WD S V6, 4dr SUV 4WD Svv6
- Engines
- 4.0L 6-cyl, 5.6L 8-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 17 combined · 15 city / 22 hwy
- Length
- 192.1 in
- Curb weight
- 4,700–4,945 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- Few owner complaints21 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 139 for similar models.
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 17 MPG combined, 19% below the 2012 SUV - average of 20.9 MPG.
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 27 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2012 Nissan Pathfinder is a SUV - offered with 2 engines (4.0L 6-cyl and 5.6L 8-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive.
It measures about 192 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,945 lb (4dr SUV 4WD Le V6).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 17 MPG combined (15 city / 22 highway), 19% worse than the 2012 SUV - average of 20.9 MPG, for an estimated $4,850 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
What changed for 2012
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2011 Pathfinder — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 Pathfinder →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV 4WD Le V6 | 192.1 in | 72.8 in | 72.4 in | 112.2 in | 62.2 / 61.8 in | 4,945 lb | 51/49 |
| 4dr SUV 4WD S V6 | 192.1 in | 72.8 in | 72.4 in | 112.2 in | 62.2 / 61.8 in | 4,700 lb | 51/49 |
| 4dr SUV 4WD Svv6 | 192.1 in | 72.8 in | 72.4 in | 112.2 in | 62.2 / 61.8 in | 4,846 lb | 51/49 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pathfinder 2WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 22 / 17 | -19% | $4,850 | 523 |
| Pathfinder 4WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 14 / 20 / 16 | -16% | $5,150 | 555 |
| Pathfinder 4WD | 5.6L 8-cyl | Automatic (S5) | 4-Wheel Drive | 13 / 18 / 15 | -21% | $5,500 | 592 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder.
Similar 2012 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Nissan Pathfinder (this car) | 17 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2012 Toyota 4Runner | 19 MPG | Not rated | 8 |
| 2012 Ford Explorer | 23 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2012 Toyota Highlander | 28 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 19 MPG | Not rated | 10 |
| 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe | 21 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe | 23 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
Recalls (2)
Suspension › Front › Hub · Sep 20, 2012
NHTSA campaign 12V462000 · 2,417 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- If the vehicle is driven in this condition, the wheel hub may break, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
- 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 19, 2011
NHTSA campaign 11V592000 · 14,718 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
Not every 2012 Nissan Pathfinder is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2012 Nissan Pathfinder buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 5 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Air Bags — 4 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Suspension — 4 owner reports. Drive over bumps and listen for clunks; look for uneven tire wear.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 92,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Pathfinder years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Pathfinder | 23 | 197.2 in | Not rated | 0 | 15 |
| 2025 Pathfinder | 23 | 197.2 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 56 |
| 2024 Pathfinder | 23 | 197.2 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 86 |
| 2023 Pathfinder | 23 | 197.2 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 107 |
| 2022 Pathfinder | 23 | 197.2 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 136 |
| 2020 Pathfinder | 23 | 198.4 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 48 |
| 2019 Pathfinder | 23 | 198.4 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 76 |
| 2018 Pathfinder | 23 | 198.4 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 78 |
| 2017 Pathfinder | 23 | 198.4 in | Not rated | 2 | 188 |
| 2016 Pathfinder | 23 | 197.2 in | Not rated | 2 | 107 |
| 2015 Pathfinder | 26 | 197.2 in | Not rated | 6 | 321 |
| 2014 Pathfinder | 26 | 197.2 in | Not rated | 12 | 531 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Nissan. How we calculate this →