2012 Nissan Pathfinder Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 13%of 23 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 111,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder, 13% of the 23 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 111,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“We purchased the truck in 2018. Starting last year the truck starting losing power, not cutting on. Replaced the battery and have had 5 mechanics check it. Not one mechanic has been able to find the issue. Today my truck cut off in a tunnel with my children in the car. This could have and felt like an extremely dangerous situation. Upon further research Nissans losing power is a common issue. Nissan needs to take action and fix the malfunctions. I can’t afford to be without a car, nor should I have to repair an issue that Nissan is responsible for.”
NHTSA complaint #11421203, filed 2021-06“We bought a 2012 Nissan Pathfinder on september 17th, 2015 used for $27,999.00. We put $3,000.00 down payment on the vehicle. We were under the impression, and were told by our salesman that we didn't have to pay wi taxes and that any other taxes would be included in our loan. That proved to be false! If we would've known the il taxes wasn't included, we wouldn't have put such a larger down payment on the vehicle. We've had this vehicle now for almost 3 months and were thinking,... …”
NHTSA complaint #10808991, filed 2015-12“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11440673, filed 2021-11, 111,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11004962May 21, 2024VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this…
- 11004961May 21, 2024CAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 11004960May 21, 2024CAN COMMUNICATION CODES – DIAGNOSTIC TIPS AND GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10239062Jun 16, 2023SILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION Do not apply Silicone-based lubricants or grease to, or around, any interior electrical…
- 10239060Jun 16, 202312 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service Information lists NNA procedural recommendations for establishing good connections while…
- 10235707Apr 27, 2023VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this…
- 10235710Apr 17, 2023INTELLIGENT KEY REPLACEMENT OR SWAPPING BETWEEN VEHICLES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10208946Feb 22, 2022CAN COMMUNICATION â NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10192707Dec 17, 2015SERVICE INFORMATION The Intelligent Keys used on the various Nissan vehicles may not be interchangeable between models and years. See this bulletin for further detail.
- 10192687Nov 20, 2015SERVICE INFORMATION Design and process changes have been made to improve battery voltage at dealer receipt. Our goal is to deliver vehicles to customers with a 12 volt battery in…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 13% |
| 2025 | 7 | 13% |
| 2024 | 17 | 20% |
| 2023 | 24 | 22% |
| 2022 | 20 | 15% |
| 2020 | 12 | 23% |
| 2019 | 10 | 13% |
| 2018 | 14 | 18% |
| 2017 | 27 | 14% |
| 2016 | 11 | 10% |
| 2015 | 27 | 8% |
| 2014 | 33 | 6% |
| 2013 | 50 | 6% |
| 2012 | 3 | 13% |
| 2011 | 4 | 9% |
| 2010 | 2 | 5% |
| 2009 | 4 | 11% |
| 2008 | 21 | 6% |
| 2007 | 25 | 4% |
| 2006 | 34 | 4% |
| 2005 | 66 | 6% |
| 2004 | 1 | 1% |
| 2003 | 3 | 3% |
| 2002 | 5 | 3% |
| 2001 | 7 | 3% |
| 2000 | 5 | 4% |
| 1999 | 3 | 3% |
| 1998 | 5 | 3% |
| 1997 | 3 | 1% |
| 1996 | 11 | 7% |
| 1995 | 8 | 5% |
| 1994 | 4 | 4% |
| 1993 | 2 | 4% |
| 1992 | 2 | 7% |
| 1991 | 2 | 5% |
| 1990 | 1 | 3% |
| 1989 | 1 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder
5 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology