Of the 3 engine complaints filed for the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder,
here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
0 (0%)
25-50k
1 (33.3%)
50-75k
0 (0%)
75-100k
1 (33.3%)
100-125k
0 (0%)
125-150k
1 (33.3%)
150k+
0 (0%)
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted.
Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits
and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
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
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.
What owners are reporting
3 most recent
engine · 28,000 mi
· filed 11/09/2015
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Nissan pathfinder. While the vehicle was undergoing routine maintenance, the dealer noticed that the passenger side engine mount failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 28,000.
engine · 82,000 mi
· filed 05/18/2018
While vehicle is in motion, the engine will all of a sudden seize. This has happened 5 times, 2 times on the freeway at 55 - 65 MPH, seized in motion, stepped all the way down on gas after engine seized, engine revs, hardly any power, almost down to 10 MPH in less than 10 seconds. Both times, was afternoon rush hour and while trying to get to the shoulder lane, I had to cross 2-3 lanes of very…
engine · 130,000 mi
· filed 04/21/2014
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…
Had engine trouble with your 2012 Nissan Pathfinder?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 3 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 3 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 80,000 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover engine issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Nissan/Pathfinder.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.