Problems · NHTSA complaints

2012 Nissan Pathfinder problems

Owners filed 23 complaints about the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder with NHTSA between Jun 2013 and Nov 2025. The most-cited component is suspension (5).

Complaints
23
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Suspension5
  2. Engine5
  3. Air bags4
  4. Electrical system3
  5. Structure2
  6. Steering2
  7. Power train2
  8. Service brakes2
  9. Electronic stability control (esc)1
  10. Parking brake1
  11. Exterior lighting1
  12. Engine and engine cooling1
  13. Visibility1
  14. Other / unknown5

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20131
20141
20154
20162
20170
20183
20191
20201
20213
20221
20232
20242
20252

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Suspension

5 reports1 related recall
“Right lower control arm snapped while driving at highway speed (65MPH) causing vehicle into a 360 spin. Vehicle spun, was hard to control and tire blew out at speed. Others behind me or in front may have gotten involved if traffic was heavier at the time. Vehicle wasnt inspected, no police involved. No warning before incident. Incident happened with no symtons or prior knowledge”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 20, 2025SuspensionODI 11700670

Engine

5 reports
“There was no incident but now I’m scared to drive my vehicle that I’m still paying for and my insurance telling me if I don’t get the recall resolve it’s going to be an issue.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 4, 2023Steering, Air bags, EngineODI 11510111

Air bags

4 reports2 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH, A DEER JUMPED INTO THE ROAD CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO IT. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WAS NO INJURIES SUSTAINED AND THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 12, 2016Air bagsCrash reportedODI 10825803

Electrical system

3 reports1 fire
“The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked on the road outside his friend's residence. The contact stated that as he approached the vehicle, he saw smoke coming from the windows. The contact stated that when he opened the vehicle, he saw that the headliner of the vehicle and the seats had burned. The contact stated that the fire had extinguished itself as the windows were closed. The contact stated that he was able to start the vehicle and drive it to his residence. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact did not sustain any injuries. A police report was not filed. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that they could not assist as the vehicle was out of warranty. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 111,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 16, 2021Electrical systemFire reportedODI 11440673

Structure

2 reports
“The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, he noticed that the rear tires were abnormally damaged. The contact stated that upon further inspection, he noticed that the subframe was severely corroded and fractured. The dealer was notified of the failure and provided an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there would be no assistance because the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 10, 2024Suspension, StructureODI 11582196

Steering

2 reports
“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 complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 16, 2015SteeringODI 10764180
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.