VehicleVerdict

2012 Nissan Titan problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 28 complaints on file for the 2012 Nissan Titan — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

28

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

6

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2012 compare to other Titan years?

Titan NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted1,295 complaints2004: 1,295 complaints2005: 1,104 complaints2006: 545 complaints2007: 195 complaints2008: 174 complaints2009: 66 complaints2010: 61 complaints2011: 31 complaints2012: 28 complaints2013: 19 complaints2014: 12 complaints2015: 15 complaints2016: 288 complaints2017: 251 complaints2018: 123 complaints2019: 64 complaints2020: 33 complaints2021: 67 complaints2022: 21 complaints2023: 26 complaints2024: 18 complaints
Titan NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Titan years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Nissan Titan problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags725%
Engine621%
Body & Structure518%
Brakes518%
Fuel System27%
Other14%
Steering14%
Electrical System14%

Does the 2012 Nissan Titan have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

12V143000OtherApril 4, 2012 · 26,626 units

Defect

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.”

Consequence

THE OMISSION OF THE RIM SIZE MAY LEAD TO AN INCORRECT TIRE/WHEEL COMBINATION WHICH MAY INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF A CRASH.

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.

12V102000OtherMarch 14, 2012 · 918 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

AN INCORRECT CAPACITY LABEL MAY LEAD TO VEHICLE OVERLOADING. VEHICLE OVERLOADING MAY INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF A CRASH.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN TITAN. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, A TRUCK REVERSING COLLIDED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION, BUT WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · December 16, 2016 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN TITAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS RUSTED AND CRACKED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 6, 2019

“TAMARA RECALL AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING ACCIDENT ON INTERSTATE 70 EAST BOUND FROM GRAND JUNCTION COLORADO RESULTED IN BENT FRAME OF 2012 NISSAN TITAN”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · January 26, 2018 · crash

“AT 27,000 MILES HAD SHIMMY IN STEERING WHEEL AND DEALER TURN ROTORS AT 45,000 HAD SAME PROBLEM DEALER ALINED WHEELS AT 58,000 THE SAME PROBLEM REPLACED ROTORS AT 93,000 AGAIN SAME PROBLEM TURNED ROTORS AND ADDED PADS”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 1, 2014

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN TITAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, THE FUEL LEAKED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ORVR VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · July 15, 2014

2012 Nissan Titan — common questions

Is the 2012 Nissan Titan reliable?

The record is thin — 28 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2012 Titan problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (7 complaints), engine (6 complaints), body & structure (5 complaints).

Does the 2012 Nissan Titan have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 Nissan Titan. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Nissan Titan years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Titan years to avoid are 2004, 2005, 2006, 2016, 2017, 2007, 2008, 2018. The cleanest record among Titan years belongs to 2014.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.