What are the most common problems with the 2012 Nissan Titan?

The biggest complaint group is the air bags, with 7 complaints. The engine has 6 and the structure has 5.

Does the 2012 Nissan Titan have recalls?

Yes. The by-year fact shows the recall count for 2012. The Recalls section on this page lists them by code.

How many miles do Titan engine problems show up at?

For the engine group, the median mileage at failure is 56,000.

What is the gas mileage of the 2012 Nissan Titan?

See the fuel economy section of this page. It is generated from EPA data.

2012 Nissan Titan Problems, Recalls and MPG

Q: How many complaints does the 2012 Nissan Titan have?

NHTSA has 22 owner complaints on file.

NHTSA has 22 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Nissan Titan^[1]. The biggest group names the air bags, with 7 complaints^[2].

22owner complaints^[1]

2recalls^[3]

14–15MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Owners filed complaints in several groups, and here they are from biggest to smallest.

Air bags. 7 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe air bags that did not inflate during a collision, including a side impact. Some owners also describe a warning light and a dealer visit that could not finish the repair.
Engine. 6 complaints^[5]. Owners describe cracked exhaust manifolds that were replaced and cracked again, and worry about fumes getting into the cab. Some also describe a tailpipe that rusted off at its joint. The median mileage at failure is 56,000^[5].
Structure. 5 complaints^[6]. Owners describe door handles that stop working in cold weather, which can trap people inside. Others describe the tailpipe joint rusting through and leaving the pipe hanging under the truck.
Brakes. 4 complaints^[7]. Owners describe a shaking steering wheel that came back after the rotors were worked on. One describes a parking brake that stuck and locked a rear wheel at highway speed.
Fuel and propulsion system. 2 complaints^[8].
Electrical system. 1 complaint^[9].
Steering. 1 complaint^[10].
Unknown or other. 1 complaint^[11].

These are unverified reports sent to NHTSA, and one complaint can name more than one component^[1].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2012 Titan is necessarily included.

Equipment › Other › Labels (12V143), April 2012. About 26,626 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[12]
Equipment › Other › Labels (12V102), March 2012. About 918 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Titan 2WD, 5.6L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[4]	13 / 18 / 15	$4,450
Titan 4WD, 5.6L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel Drive^[14]	12 / 17 / 14	$4,800
Titan 2WD, 5.6L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Gasoline or E85, Rear-Wheel Drive^[15]	13 / 18 / 15	$4,450
Titan 4WD, 5.6L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Gasoline or E85, 4-Wheel Drive^[16]	12 / 17 / 14	$4,800

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
PU/EC 4WD^[17]	n/a	n/a	n/a	3	21.2%
PU/CC 4WD^[18]	n/a	n/a	n/a	3	21.2%
PU/EC RWD^[19]	n/a	n/a	n/a	4	19.1%
PU/CC RWD^[20]	n/a	n/a	n/a	4	19.1%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2012 Nissan Titan with 5.6L 8-cylinder^[21]	317 hp

How 2012 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Titan model year. The 2012 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2004	1,046	5
2005	891	4
2006	430	5
2007	139	1
2008	133	5
2009	47	3
2010	46	3
2011	26	1
2012	22	2
2013	11	3
2014	10	2
2015	12	1
2017	187	3
2018	90	4
2019	49	4
2020	23	5
2021	58	5
2022	13	4
2023	18	2
2024	15	2

NHTSA's counts for the Titan show 22 complaints and 2 recalls for 2012^[3]. Among the 20 model years listed, 6 have fewer complaints than 2012 and 13 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2014 (10) and the most are for 2004 (1,046)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2012 Titan?

The 2012 Nissan Titan has 22 complaints on file with NHTSA^[1]. Air bags are the largest group^[2], followed by the engine^[5] and structure^[6]. Part of the air bag group involves crashes, with 4 crashes and 3 injuries named^[2]. That makes it the group to look at most closely. Check the recalls section on this page and ask a mechanic to look at the exhaust and door latches before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Nissan Titan?: The biggest complaint group is the air bags, with 7 complaints^[2]. The engine has 6^[5] and the structure has 5^[6].
Does the 2012 Nissan Titan have recalls?: Yes. The by-year fact shows the recall count for 2012^[3]. The Recalls section on this page lists them by code.
How many complaints does the 2012 Nissan Titan have?: NHTSA has 22 owner complaints on file^[1].
How many miles do Titan engine problems show up at?: For the engine group, the median mileage at failure is 56,000^[5].
What is the gas mileage of the 2012 Nissan Titan?: See the fuel economy section of this page. It is generated from EPA data.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Nissan Titan

2004 1,046 complaints, 5 recalls
2006 430 complaints, 5 recalls
2007 139 complaints, 1 recall
2008 133 complaints, 5 recalls
2009 47 complaints, 3 recalls
2010 46 complaints, 3 recalls
2011 26 complaints, 1 recall
2012 this page
2013 11 complaints, 3 recalls
2014 10 complaints, 2 recalls
2015 12 complaints, 1 recall
2017 187 complaints, 3 recalls
2018 90 complaints, 4 recalls

Compare all model years of the Nissan Titan

Other Nissan models from 2012

2012 Nissan Maxima 107 complaints, 0 recalls
2012 Nissan Murano 135 complaints, 1 recall
2012 Nissan Pathfinder 23 complaints, 2 recalls
2012 Nissan Quest 93 complaints, 1 recall
2012 Nissan Versa 486 complaints, 10 recalls

All Nissan models

Similar cars from 2012: pickup trucks

2012 Chevrolet Colorado 42 complaints, 2 recalls

All pickup trucks we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 22 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Nissan Titan (4 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 3 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
7 complaints name the air bags component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Nissan Titan model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Titan 2WD, 5.6L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 18 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
6 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 56,000). NHTSA vehicle records
5 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
4 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
2 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
1 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
1 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
1 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 12V143, filed April 4, 2012: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
Recall 12V102, filed March 14, 2012: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Titan 4WD, 5.6L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 17 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Titan 2WD, 5.6L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Gasoline or E85, Rear-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 18 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Titan 4WD, 5.6L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Gasoline or E85, 4-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 17 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, PU/EC 4WD: rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 21.2%. NHTSA vehicle records
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, PU/CC 4WD: rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 21.2%. NHTSA vehicle records
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, PU/EC RWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 19.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, PU/CC RWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 19.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2012 Nissan Titan with 5.6L 8-cylinder: rated 317 hp. www.epa.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2012 Nissan Titan: problems, recalls and fuel economy