The 2012 Nissan Pathfinder has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 17,135 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 35 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SUSPENSION12V4620002012-09-202,417 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
If the vehicle is driven in this condition, the wheel hub may break, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
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 COOLING11V5920002011-12-1914,718 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
IF THERE IS AN ENGINE OIL LEAK, THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE WOULD DROP AND THE ENGINE COULD SEIZE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
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.
Complaints by component
ENGINE
5
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
5
AIR BAGS
4
2crashes1injuries
SUSPENSION
4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
3
1fires
POWER TRAIN
2
SERVICE BRAKES
2
STEERING
2
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1
Total complaints35
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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…”
“Rear subframe sagging and unsafe due to rust and corrosion.”
“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…”
“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…”
“Rear lower control arm broke while driving. Vehicle had to be moved on a rollback. Upon replacing control arm, cracks have been found at several points on the crossmember subframe. As it stands, the vehicle is a danger to have on the road.”
“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…”
“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…”
“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.”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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