Crash Test Rating
Source   NHTSA
MPG (up to)
15 City / 22 HWY
Horsepower
266
Seats
7
Front passenger 3/4 w/ wheels turned.

Positive Owner Reviews

accountCircle luz M
Comfortable and spacious pathfinders.
Is smooth but just has a small noise it sounds like when is a rough street it shaked something on the bottom it sounds like a metal part. It has enough space inside, is very comfortable I like it we keep it clean. It is easy to rise the back seats so we can fit 7-8 persons.
accountCircle Amy M
The gas mileage is not the greatest on this vehicle
Love the third row for when we need extra space, backup camera is very helpful, and rides really smooth
accountCircle Adilene U
The mom car that is very sleek and stylish.
It is such a nice car. Not to big and not too small. It is good for going to trips. It is one of the better cars that I have. It is sort of a mom car. But not a soccer mom car. It is a little bigger so you can but a lot of stuff in the back. And it looks really nice with the kind of frost gray kind of finish.
accountCircle Levi R
Spacious Interior and hard working vehicle.
Really good vehicle. Bought used and couldn't be happier. Decent gas mileage for the size. Has a ton of seating and space for storing things. We've fit 5 or 6 people and several dogs in it at the same time.
accountCircle Leigh M
Pathfinder - a spacious and comfortable vehicle.
My pathfinder is reliable. I have not had any mechanical issue with it. My only complaint is the road noise I hear while I am driving. I have always felt that it is a little loud, but it is a minor issue for me. I love the look of my pathfinder. I prefer the style of the 2012 model than the later models. The best thing about my pathfinder is all of the room it has. We bought it because we needed a vehicle that could move a lot of things, and it has been the perfect choice. You can lay the seats down and have an incredible amount of room. I also love the third row seating. It is perfect for a road trip with friends, or if you have a family. Again, there is plenty of space.
accountCircle Rony P
It is very reliable, and gets good gas mileage in both highway and city driving.
My vehicle is very efficient. I like the mileage, and it runs smoothly. Despite the age, the vehicle is very good on performance.
accountCircle Louann W
The room inside and comfort, also easy to handle, great mileage.
This is the third Pathfinder I have owned. It is very versatile. Easy to handle and safe to drive.
accountCircle ADRIANA Z
A very reliable vehicle with minimum issues.
We have had the vehicle for 8 years and the only problems that we have had is an issue with the ac. One of the pipes got clogged and we had to take it to the shop. We have only had to regular wear and tear issues such as having to change out the tires. The transmission has been good, the sound system is great, and the interior is good. We expect to have many more years with this vehicle as it has been a very reliable source of transportation for our family.

Negative Owner Reviews

accountCircle savannah C
They did a good job with the TV.
It originally had cotton seats, but I wanted leather. They did a terrible job of putting the leather in, they left the seats in the car while they replaced them, and the seat belts are very hard to buckle in the back because they fall down in between the seats if they are not buckled. The back panels of the two back rows of seats are all falling off and they didn't do a very good job of trying to fix it. Also, the side trim on the doors are still the cotton so it just throws the whole thing off with cotton on the sides with leather seats. There is also a hole in my roof that they made and didn't bother to fix.
accountCircle Kevin I
Transmission work is expensive.
No complaints. Big size. I wanted something with room but wouldn't kill me on gas. It's great for everyday usage.
accountCircle ziyad F
It lost a lot of value, obviously, it's because its a Nissan.
Transmission seems to be failing when the car comes to complete stop but it is also very old. Everything else in the car works good. I really like the long sunroof that extends all the way to the back and it also comes with many features built within the car.
accountCircle Michelle G
Know that it is the perfect starter car for a young graduate student.
It has a lot if room inside. I do not like that there is no place to put purse in from when someone is on passenger side.
accountCircle Morgan P
I love my Nissan! Read this to find out why!
My car is somewhat comfortable. The passenger seat is difficult for taller people to sit in because there is not much wiggle room. I do love the 3rd row seating though. My kids love all the room they have in the middle row. It is gets really decent gas mileage. All in all it is a nice reliable vehicle.
accountCircle Susan S
Great family SUV that is reliable.
No problems. The vehicle is great. Just not quite enough space in the middle and third rows. We haven't had any issues yet. The only issue I can think of was when we first purchased the vehicle the check engine light kept coming on for an exhaust leak.
accountCircle Maria V
Would recommend to purchase.
The Nissan pathfinder SUV is an affordable vehicle with not to many mechanical problems but when there is the parts are a little expensive. It is definitely a gas saver and spacey for a small family. Would recommend to purchase if you don't like to big of SUV's.
accountCircle Julie T
Great looking car not so good on the gas mileage.
Not very comfortable and very loud. While driving it is hard to hear inside the car it is a very noisy car. Love the style and color also like the leather and heated seats. There is a lot of room For the smaller size of SUV. The engine is great and has a lot of get up when taking off. Not good gas mileage.

Nissan Pathfinder Models

Models also known as Trim Levels, are used to identify a vehicle's level of equipment or special features.

car
S
266 HP 17 MPG 7 Seats
car
SV
266 HP 17 MPG 7 Seats
car
Silver Edition
266 HP 17 MPG 7 Seats
car
LE
266 HP 17 MPG 7 Seats
Photos may not match model

2012 Nissan Pathfinder Owner Reviews

4.32
88 Reviews
close Write Review
5 stars 50%
4 stars 32%
3 stars 18%
2 stars 0%
1 star 0%
accountCircle Raquel P on June 25, 2021
2012 Nissan pathfinder le - a winner!
I love my 2012 Nissan pathfinder le. I bought it used in 2014 and have never had a problem with anything at all! I love the way it drives and accelerates. It is very safe on the road! It has a built-in backup camera which I use all of the time. I also love how the second and third rows fold down. That has came in handy for the moves that I have made over the past 6 years. It is a great SUV for whether you are single or have a spouse and kids!
accountCircle Laurie F on May 24, 2021
This Nissan pathfinder is the ultimate in driving experience.
It is a reliable car. The maintenance is up to date. Gas mileage is pretty good. Tires are new. A little bit of damage on the right side passenger side but does not affect door closing or opening. Seats 7 comfortably. Huge cargo space. Seats are grey interior. Floorboards are clean.

Pros from Owners

likeFilled Kate K.

The care is easy to drive and steer. It fits well in parking spaces. It has good visibility. The car sits high off the ground which makes it better to see and drive. It is smooth over bumps for the most part.

likeFilled Evvie J.

I like the body style, drives like a truck but sweating like a car, has 3rd row seating, it Has anchors for car seats and a keyless design that's very convenient, this SUV is very dependable, I have only needed one repair in 80,000 miles.

likeFilled Riley S.

The vehicle is big enough to hold all your friends and family. No need to worry who will be getting a seatbelt this time. Enough your Nissan that can drive safely in any turan and is safe enough for even a teenage driver to handle.

likeFilled Angela M.

Pros -it rarely has any service repair issues. Drives very well. Gets great gas mileage. It has third row seats which is great when you have children. The third row seats also fold over for additional storage which is awesome for grocery shopping. The second row seats also fold over for larger items you may need to haul when you do not have a truck.

likeFilled Allison S.

Good gas mileage, roomy. Runs well, the seats fold down flat in the back allowing you to haul a lot cargo. Have not spent much on repairs. Can seat 7 people. I like the boxer rugged looking shape unlike the new versions and other midsize SUV.

Cons from Owners

dislikeFilled Kate K.

I wish it has more space in between rows. I would like more leg space in the second row. I wish I had 4 wheel drive in the car. I would like a better sound system. I wish it had better towing capabilities.

dislikeFilled Evvie J.

I have always driven Nissan. I looked for this year make and model specifically. The only cons i can think of is that it could be more roomy in the interior of the vehicle and a motorized hatch would be great but didn't come on this year pathfinder.

dislikeFilled Riley S.

The Nissan pathfinder is an amazing car however the dark interior and exterior make the car hot in the summer, so be were. Nothing else would ever be wrong with this car. So get your hands on one today.

dislikeFilled Angela M.

There really is not but one con that I had an issue with. After a few years of owning my car the paint around the front vendors on both sides started peeling down to the primer. Of course it does not affect the performance of the car but it is very unsightly. I washed and waxed my car regularly so I honestly think it must have been a manufacturing defect.

dislikeFilled Allison S.

No good place to put your purse as it has a center shifting column. I wish it had an auto lift and closure for the trunk. The back seat cup holder broke off. Other than that I really like my car. The radio does not turn on to the last station and volume like it is suppose to.

Ranks #13 Midsize SUV by Owners

The 2012 Nissan Pathfinder has an average owner rating of 4.42 out of 5 which ranks it #13 of 22 other Midsize SUVs.

1
car
4.88
2
car
4.69
13
car
4.32

Ranks #9 Midsize SUV by Fuel Economy

The 2012 Nissan Pathfinder has a combined MPG of 24 which ranks it #9 of 22 other Midsize SUVs.

1
car
29 MPG
2
Tie
car
27 MPG
9
Tie
car
22 MPG

Is The 2012 Nissan Pathfinder A Good Car?

Yes, I rarely ever have any problems with this car. It looks nice and its has up to date technology. It has 3 row seating which is also very nice for my family.
Shanon C.
The 2012 Nissan Pathfinder is a very good vehicle. It drives smoothly and is roomy, making it a good family car
Christina L.
Yes, it has not given me any problems. I maintain it and drive it every day. The only complaint is mileage.
Leticia P.

How Reliable Is The 2012 Nissan Pathfinder?

I have not had any major problem with my car so far. I've had it going on two years now and it has held up very good.
Shanon C.
The 2012 Nissan Pathfinder is a very reliable car with no evident or particular problems to take note of
Samantha S.
Yes, it does not have problems. The mileage is not great, but it is a large car. I love it and am very happy with it.
Deb U.

Is The 2012 Nissan Pathfinder A Good Value?

$12,000. I pay 259 a month and I think this is fairly priced for a decent vehicle. Insurance is a bit much but I pay it anyways oh well.
Shanon C.
The 2012 Nissan Pathfinder costs under thirty thousand dollars, which is a good value for the size and quality
Gabrielle B.
I don't remember, but it is a good value. It is worth every penny and does not require a lot of maintenance like other cars.
Judy R.

Related Articles for 2012 Nissan Pathfinder

From the Vehicle History blog

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2020 Nissan Pathfinder Review: Reasonably Reliable Midsize SUV With Reasonable Ownership Costs
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2019 Nissan Pathfinder Review: Reliable Midsize SUV With Average Ownership Costs As It Ages
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2018 Nissan Pathfinder Review: Reasonably Dependable Midsize SUV With Average Running Costs
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2017 Nissan Pathfinder Review: Unreliable Midsize SUV With Expensive Ownership Costs
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2007 Nissan Pathfinder Review: A Practical Compromise Between Daily-Driver Convenience and Off-Road Power

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder starter relay location?

Answer: The 2012 Nissan Pathfinder has a starter relay that can be found in the engine bay of Your SUV. The first thing You need to do is go to the front of the vehicle, and using the prop arm at the left side of the...

What's the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder fuel filter location?

Answer: The 2012 Nissan Pathfinder fuel filter location is found by watching: https://www.Youtube.com/watch?v=prK3mvAOOS8 Vehicle parts will eventually become ineffective. The fuel filter needs to be replaced every...

What are some of the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder battery problems?

Answer: The 2012 Nissan Pathfinder can have a couple of issues go wrong with the battery. If the battery is old then it may simply not hold a charge any longer. If this is the case then You will need to replace it,...

2012 Nissan Pathfinder: What is the towing capacity including torque, payload, and tongue weight?

Answer: The 2012 Nissan Pathfinder is going to have a towing capacity of either 6000 or 7000 pounds. If Your vehicle is equipped with the standard V6 engine it is going to be 6000 pounds and if You have the upgraded V8...

2012 Nissan Pathfinder: What is the oil type and capacity?

Answer: The 2012 Nissan Pathfinder uses SAE 5w-30 full synthetic oil. The 4.0l engine has a capacity of 5.4 quarts while the 5.6l can hold 6.9 quarts. Oil is important because it is a lubricant for the engine parts, it...

Answers are provided by third parties. We do not guarantee accuracy of responses

Safety & Reliability

NHTSA Logo
NHTSA Crash Test

Overall

Front

Not Rated

Rollover

Side

Not Rated
*National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
IIHS Logo
IIHS Crash Test

Moderate Overlap Front

Side

Roof Strength

Driver-side Overlap Front

Not Rated
*Insurance Institute for Highway Safety