Reliable Auto DB

2012 Nissan Titan reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2012 Nissan Titan has 22 complaints with NHTSA after 15 years, or 1 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Titan years here — under the median of the other years, which is 1. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Labels.

2012 Nissan Titan
Photo by SsmIntrigue, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

22

Per year

1

Recalls

2

Years on the road

15

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Air bags (7 of 22), then Structure (5) and Engine (4). Those filings include 4 that report a crash and 3 that report an injury.

Next to 2013

The 2013 Titan has 11 complaints, 1 per year. The 2012 has fewer complaints per year than the 2013.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2012 Nissan Titan. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (2)

Recall Labels 2012-04-04 · NHTSA campaign 12V143000
Summary NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 TITAN AND ARMADA VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 12, 2011, THROUGH MARCH 13, 2012. THE PART 567 CERTIFICATION LABELS ON THE VEHICLES DO NOT CONTAIN RIM SIZE INFORMATION. THUS, THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, “TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS.”
Remedy NISSAN WILL SUPPLY OWNERS WITH A NEW LABEL AND INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW INSTALL THE LABEL OR THE OWNER WILL HAVE THE OPTION OF TAKING THEIR VEHICLE TO A NISSAN DEALER TO HAVE THE NEW LABEL INSTALLED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 28, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-615-725-1000.
Recall Labels 2012-03-14 · NHTSA campaign 12V102000
Summary CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 NISSAN TITAN VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 10, 2011, THROUGH JULY 22, 2011, EQUIPPED WITH THE SPORTS APPEARANCE PACKAGE HAVE INCORRECT SEATING CAPACITY INFORMATION DISPLAYED ON THE TIRE PLACARD. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."
Remedy NISSAN WILL SUPPLY OWNERS WITH A NEW LABEL AND INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW INSTALL THE LABEL OR THE OWNER WILL HAVE THE OPTION OF TAKING THEIR VEHICLE TO A NISSAN DEALER TO HAVE THE NEW LABEL INSTALLED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 28, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-615-725-1000.

Complaints by component (22 total)

Air bags
7
Structure
5
Engine
4
Service brakes
3
Engine and engine cooling
2
Fuel and propulsion system
2
Electrical system
1
Hydraulic brakes
1
Parking brake
1
Steering
1
Show 2 more Show less
Crash-flagged

4

Fire-flagged

0

Injury reports

3

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

22014120152201662017220183201912021120232202422025
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "The contact owned a 2012 Nissan Titan. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated that the parking brake failed to release, and the…"
    Hydraulic brakes, Parking brake · filed 2025-09-09
  • "On [XXX], my 2012 Nissan Titan was serviced by Pep Boys in Gainesville, FL for brake-related work. After they returned the truck, the brake assembly was reinstalled incorrectly — the caliper was not secured properly and…"
    Service brakes · filed 2025-08-11
  • "The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Titan. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the vehicle was diagnosed with a failed…"
    Air bags · filed 2024-08-07
  • "The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Titan. The contact received notification of a Nissan internal air bag recall before which the air bag warning light was flashing on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the…"
    Air bags · filed 2024-03-05
  • "The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Titan. The contact received notification of Manufacturer Recall Number: PC947 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The NHTSA Campaign Number: (TBD).…"
    Air bags · filed 2023-03-15

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2012 Nissan Titan Crew Cab PU/CC 4WD Not rated Not rated Not rated 3 stars
2012 Nissan Titan Crew Cab PU/CC RWD Not rated Not rated Not rated 4 stars
2012 Nissan Titan King Cab PU/EC 4WD Not rated Not rated Not rated 3 stars
2012 Nissan Titan King Cab PU/EC RWD Not rated Not rated Not rated 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Titan two-wheel drive 5.6L, 8-cyl Automatic 5-speed Rear-wheel drive 13 18 15 MPG $4300
Titan two-wheel drive 5.6L, 8-cyl Automatic 5-speed Rear-wheel drive 13 18 15 MPG $4300
Titan four-wheel drive 5.6L, 8-cyl Automatic 5-speed Four-wheel drive 12 17 14 MPG $4650
Titan four-wheel drive 5.6L, 8-cyl Automatic 5-speed Four-wheel drive 12 17 14 MPG $4650

Specs and fitment

2nd generation (H61), 2012–present
Body styles Pickup
Oil 0W-20 (5.6L V8) , 7 qt capacity
Tire size 265/70R18 to 275/65R18 (trim dependent)
Towing capacity 9,320 lbs

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA campaign 18V240000. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Nissan Titan, 2016 and 2018 Nissan Titan XD vehicles. Accessories installed on these vehicles reduced the load carrying capacity, however, a Load Carrying Capacity modification label was not installed, possibly allowing the vehicle to be overloaded. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims." An overloaded vehicle can increase the risk of a crash. Nissan will notify owners and provide a new modification label, with installation instructions, free of charge. The recall began on June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.

Compare

Next year 2013 Nissan Titan See every Nissan Titan model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Nissan Titan reliable?

The 2012 Nissan Titan has 22 complaints with NHTSA after 15 years, or 1 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Titan years here — under the median of the other years, which is 1. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Labels.

What are common problems with a 2012 Nissan Titan?

The complaints owners file most often name Air bags (7 of 22), then Structure (5) and Engine (4). Those filings include 4 that report a crash and 3 that report an injury.

Is the 2012 Nissan Titan more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2013 Titan has 11 complaints, 1 per year. The 2012 has fewer complaints per year than the 2013.

Has the 2012 Nissan Titan been recalled?

The 2012 Nissan Titan has 2 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2012 Nissan Titan?

Owners have filed 22 complaints about the 2012 Nissan Titan with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2012 Nissan Titan get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2012 Nissan Titan is 14.5 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Nissan Titan take?

US Titans with the 5.6L V8 in this catalog use 0W-20 (about 7 qt with filter).

Does NHTSA campaign 18V240000 cover the Nissan Titan?

It covers certain 2016-2018 Titan and 2016/2018 Titan XD vehicles: installed accessories reduced the load rating of the cargo bed; dealers inspect and remedy as directed.

What generation years does this Titan catalog cover?

The US Titan generation tracked here starts at model year 2012 and continues (A61 redesign era).