Research · Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD

2012 Nissan TitanRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 22 owner complaints for the 2012 Nissan Titan. Most complaints involve air bags (7) and structure (5). The EPA rates it 14–15 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
14–15mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Apr 2012
Owner complaints
22
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$4,150est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Equipment: labels

Free remedy

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.”

EquipmentReported Apr 4, 2012NHTSA 12V143000

Equipment: labels

Free remedy

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."

EquipmentReported Mar 14, 2012NHTSA 12V102000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

22 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2014 – Sep 2025
  1. Air bags7
  2. Structure5
  3. Engine4
  4. Service brakes3
  5. Engine and engine cooling2
  6. Fuel/propulsion system2
  7. Service brakes, hydraulic1
  8. Parking brake1
  9. Steering1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Titan model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20041,046
2005891
2006430
2007139
2008133
200947
201046
201126
201222
201311
201410
201510
2017172
201890
201949
202023
202158
202214
202319
202415
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
3
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

7 reports4 crashes
“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 front driver's side air bag. The contact was informed that the front driver's air bag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the air bag warning light had been illuminated for almost a year. The contact stated that previously in 2021, the air bag software was updated under an unknown recall. In addition, the contact stated that in 2022, the front driver's air bag control module was replaced under manufacturer approval at no cost. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 132,172.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 7, 2024Air bagsODI 11607112

Structure

5 reports1 crash
“THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE STOPPED WORKING ON INSIDE OR OUTSIDE CREATING A TRAP. EGRESS CAN ONLY BE ACHIEVED BY CLIMBING OVER CONSOLES OR SEATS TO ESCAPE. NUMEROUS ONLINE FORUMS INDICATE THAT LATCHES DO FAIL IN NISSAN VEHICLES.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 13, 2017StructureODI 11014947

Engine

4 reports
“Cracked exhaust manifold leaking fumes into the cabin of vehicle”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 11, 2021EngineODI 11436325
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engines
5.6L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 5-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Titan 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
131815$4,150592
Titan 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.6 L, FFV · Rear-Wheel Drive
131815$4,150592
Titan 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.6 L · 4-Wheel Drive
121714$4,450635
Titan 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.6 L, FFV · 4-Wheel Drive
121714$4,450635
  • Titan 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.6 L
    13 city · 18 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Titan 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.6 L, FFV
    13 city · 18 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Titan 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.6 L
    12 city · 17 hwy · $4,450/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
  • Titan 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.6 L, FFV
    12 city · 17 hwy · $4,450/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

4 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2012 Nissan Titan as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 6553Vehicle 6552Vehicle 6167
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2012 Titan questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Nissan Titan have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 8, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2012 Nissan Titan problems?

Owners filed 22 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (7), structure (5), engine (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2012 Nissan Titan get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Nissan Titan at 14–15 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026