2012 Nissan Pathfinder MPG and Fuel Cost

The 2012 Nissan Pathfinder is rated 15 to 17 mpg combined across 3 EPA-tested gas versions; the best is the 4.0L 6-cyl · RWD · 5-speed automatic.

EPA fuel economy

2012 Nissan Pathfinder · 3 EPA-tested versions

Best EPA rating

17MPG combined

15 city 22 highway

$4,850 a year to fuel

4.0L 6-cyl · RWD · 5-speed automatic

Best version costs $12,250 more in fuel over 5 years vs the average new vehicle (EPA)

Fuel cost: 15,000 miles a year at EPA's $5.48 a gallon (premium gas).

Data: US EPA, fueleconomy.govUpdated Sep 30, 2026

At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $4,850 to $5,500 a year. Ratings for the best versions are unchanged from 2011.

Fewer complaints than a typical Pathfinder year

The 2012 drew 2 owner complaints in its first three years, against 37 for a typical Pathfinder year. Best years are picked only from 2016 on, since counts for older years say less: owners filed fewer complaints in the early 2010s.

Years to avoid: 2013 to 2015, 2022, and 2023. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.

Every Pathfinder year ranked The 2012 Pathfinder's recalls and problems

Every 2012 Pathfinder version

EPA's ratings for each version it tested. Fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current prices.

Version	Combined	City / Hwy	Fuel / year
4.0L 6-cyl · RWD · 5-speed automatic Best EPA listing: Pathfinder 2WD · Premium fuel	17 mpg	15 / 22	$4,850
4.0L 6-cyl · 4WD · 5-speed automatic EPA listing: Pathfinder 4WD · Premium fuel	16 mpg	14 / 20	$5,150
5.6L 8-cyl · 4WD · 5-speed automatic EPA listing: Pathfinder 4WD · Premium fuel	15 mpg	13 / 18	$5,500

Fuel cost at your prices

EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $5.48 a gallon for premium gas. Change the numbers to match your driving.

Version	Per year	Per month	5 years
4.0L 6-cyl · RWD · 5-speed automatic	$4,835	$403	$24,176
4.0L 6-cyl · 4WD · 5-speed automatic	$5,137	$428	$25,687
5.6L 8-cyl · 4WD · 5-speed automatic	$5,480	$457	$27,400

At the default settings the results match EPA's annual cost before EPA rounds it to the nearest $50.

Nissan Pathfinder MPG by model year

The best-rated version in each model year; the highlighted year is this page. Gas: 17 to 23 mpg (2010 to 2020, 2022 to 2026); 23 since 2015. Hybrid: 26 mpg (2014 to 2015).

Best gas version
Best hybrid version

2012: gas 17 mpg · hybrid not offered

Show as a table

Nissan Pathfinder best combined mpg by model year
Model year	Best gas version	Best hybrid version
2010	18	–
2011	17	–
2012	17	–
2013	22	–
2014	22	26
2015	23	26
2016	23	–
2017	23	–
2018	23	–
2019	23	–
2020	23	–
2021	–	–
2022	23	–
2023	23	–
2024	23	–
2025	23	–
2026	23	–

Every Pathfinder year's ratings in one table

How the 2012 Pathfinder compares

2012 midsize SUVs covered on this site, ranked by their best combined rating. Fuel cost is for each model's cheapest version to run, at EPA's prices.

2012 model	Best combined	Best gas	Fuel / year
Lexus RX Best: hybrid	29 mpg	21 mpg	$2,850
Toyota Highlander Best: hybrid	28 mpg	22 mpg	$2,400
Kia Sorento Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,800
Ford Edge Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,800
Ford Explorer Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,900
Hyundai Santa Fe Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,900
Honda Pilot Best: gas	20 mpg	20 mpg	$3,350
Nissan Murano Best: gas	20 mpg	20 mpg	$3,350
Jeep Grand Cherokee Best: gas	19 mpg	19 mpg	$3,550
Chevrolet Traverse Best: gas	19 mpg	19 mpg	$3,550
Dodge Durango Best: gas	19 mpg	19 mpg	$3,550
Mazda CX-9 Best: gas	19 mpg	19 mpg	$3,550
GMC Acadia Best: gas	19 mpg	19 mpg	$3,550
Buick Enclave Best: gas	19 mpg	19 mpg	$3,550
Nissan Pathfinder This page Best: gas	17 mpg	17 mpg	$4,850

2012 Pathfinder recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 23 owner complaints for the 2012 Pathfinder.

Most-reported area: engine (5 complaints, 22%).

See the 2012 Pathfinder recalls and problems

Questions

Does 4WD lower the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder's gas mileage?

Yes. On versions that differ only in drive, 4WD lowers the combined rating by 1 mpg: the 4.0L 6-cyl gets 17 mpg combined with two-wheel drive and 16 with 4WD.

Does the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder need premium gas?

Yes. EPA lists the 4.0L 6-cyl versions and the 5.6L 8-cyl on premium.

How does the 2012 Pathfinder's MPG compare with the 2011?

For 2012, the best gas version is rated 17 mpg, the same as the year before.

Sources and method

US EPA and Department of Energy fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov), file dated Sep 29, 2026.
EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.47, midgrade $5.07, premium $5.48, diesel $6.38 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Oct 2, 2026 and complaint file dated Oct 2, 2026.

Ratings are EPA estimates. Real-world mileage depends on how, where and in what weather you drive. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.