NISSAN TITAN · model year

2012 NISSAN TITAN

28 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2012NISSANTITAN carries 28 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 6 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and 3/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2012 TITAN is air bags with 7 filings, followed by structure:body (4) and engine (4). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 54 investigation files overlapping the 2012 TITAN, and 5 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

28
Complaints
6
Crashes
0
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

28 filings

Crashes Reported

6 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: Not Rated/5 — Not rated · Front: Not Rated/5 · Side: Not Rated/5 · Rollover: 3/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS7
STRUCTURE:BODY4
ENGINE4
SERVICE BRAKES3
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
STEERING1
PARKING BRAKE1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC1

Recalls (2)

12V10200014/03/2012

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

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

12V14300004/04/2012

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

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

Recent Complaints

20250909PARKING BRAKE

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 rear passenger’s side wheel was locked. The contact stated that debris from the parking brakes was on the ground. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road, and the ABS warning light illuminated. The contact waited for a while, and the vehicle was restarted, and the contact continued driving to the residence. The contact stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle while driving to the residence. The contact stated that the parking brake, ABS, and the 4WD failed to function as intended. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Mileage: 130,000

20250909SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

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 rear passenger’s side wheel was locked. The contact stated that debris from the parking brakes was on the ground. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road, and the ABS warning light illuminated. The contact waited for a while, and the vehicle was restarted, and the contact continued driving to the residence. The contact stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle while driving to the residence. The contact stated that the parking brake, ABS, and the 4WD failed to function as intended. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Mileage: 130,000

20250811SERVICE BRAKES

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 the rotors were damaged/warped as a result. This failure created an immediate and severe safety risk. My father drove the vehicle shortly afterward, unaware of the problem, which could have led to complete brake failure at speed and a serious crash or fatality. The issue was later inspected and confirmed by a Pep Boys location in Tampa, FL, which documented that the prior service work left the brake assembly in an unsafe, dangerous condition. There were no warning lamps or dashboard messages prior to the discovery of the defect. The unsafe condition was only discovered after the truck was brought to another Pep Boys location for inspection. This defect and improper repair practice by the service provider placed my fathers safety and the safety of others at signifi

20240807AIR BAGS

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.

20240305AIR BAGS

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 dealer, who was unable to complete the recall and diagnosed a failure with the air bag inflator and air bag control module. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the internal manufacturer recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 132,000.

Mileage: 132,000

20230315AIR BAGS

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). The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

20211011ENGINE

Cracked exhaust manifold leaking fumes into the cabin of vehicle

20190706ENGINE

TAIL PIPE RUSTED OFF AT THE FLANGE BEHIND THE MUFFLER. THE DESIGN OF THE TAILPIPE AND EXHAUST HANGER IS FLAWED.

Mileage: 56,000

20190528CrashAIR BAGS

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, AND I FELL ASLEEP HIT A STREET SIGN, AND A POWER POLE, AND A MAILBOX. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON IMPACT OF ANY ITEM I HIT. I WAS TRAVELING AT 55MPH.

Mileage: 117,777

20190311ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

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.

Mileage: 147,000

20180720ENGINE

NISSAN TITAN HAS A CRACKED MANIFOLDS WHICH LEAKS EXHAUST INTO THE CAB OF THE VECHICLE. APPREANTLY THIS IS A KNOW ISSUE WITH NISSAN AND THE NEED TO GET A REAL FIX NOT A REPLACEMENT BUT A REPLACEMENT THAT WONT HAPPEN AGAIN

Mileage: 25

20180127CrashAIR BAGS

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

Mileage: 75,000

20180127CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

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

Mileage: 75,000

20180127CrashSTEERING

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

Mileage: 75,000

20170817ENGINE

EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKS: RIGHT SIDE REPLACED AT 78,000 MILES IS CRACKED AGAIN AT 130,000. LEFT SIDE CRACKED AND REPLACED AT 130,000. CONCERNED ABOUT CARBON MONOXIDE LEAKAGE.

Mileage: 130,000

20170813STRUCTURE:BODY

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.

Mileage: 109,000

20170716STRUCTURE:BODY

EXHAUST PIPE CONNECTION RUSTED THROUGH. SAME EXACT PROBLEM SOMEONE ELSE NOTED ON THEIR COMPLAINT. CONNECTION USED BETWEEN MUFFLER AND TAILPIPE COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY LEAVING THE TAILPIPE DANGLING FROM BOTTOM OF TRUCK. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DESIGN ISSUE IN WHICH ALL NISSAN TITAN TRUCKS SINCE ORIGINAL RELEASE HAD A CONNECTOR PIECE THAT IS NOT GALVANIZED FOR RUST PREVENTION WELDED TO THE BEGINNING OF THE TAILPIPE AND THE END OF THE MUFFLER PIPE EXTENSION. THESE PIECES ARE THEN BOLTED TOGETHER WITH BOLTS THAT AREN'T GALVANIZED. THE CONNECTION PIECES ARE FLANGED SO THEY HOLD WATER AND START RUSTING. THE TRUCK STARTED TO SHAKE EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE I WAS AT STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. COULD NOT FIGURE PROBLEM. I WAS GETTING MY TRUCK READY TO GET MY WIFE FROM THE AIRPORT WHEN MY SON NOTICE THE TAIL PIPE WAS CROOKED. WHEN HE LOOKED UNDERNEATH IT WAS COMPLETELY DISCONNECTED FROM MUFFLED. I LOOKED EXCEPT FOR THE CONNECTION FROM MUFFLER TO TAILPIPE EVERYTHING IS FINE. IN FACT IT IS THE ONL

Mileage: 60,000

20170622SERVICE BRAKES

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

Mileage: 27,502

20170607UNKNOWN OR OTHER

VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR, SERVICE ADVISOR AT CHAPMAN NISSAN, CLAIMS THAT THERE'S A SENSOR IN THE SHIFTER THAT HAS A TENDENCY TO GO BAD. SO THE COMPLETE SHIFTER HAD TO BE REPLACED. COST OVER A $1,000. VEHICLE BEING IN A STATIONARY POSITION, AFTER STARTING VEHICLE, SHIFTER WON'T ENGAGE.

Mileage: 41,926

20170320CrashAIR BAGS

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 PROGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

Mileage: 72,000

Compare 2012NISSANTITAN to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 5 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2012 NISSAN TITAN have?
The 2012 NISSAN TITAN has 28 NHTSA complaints, 6 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2012 NISSAN TITAN?
The 2012 NISSAN TITAN received an overall NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5, front crash rating of Not Rated/5, side crash rating of Not Rated/5, and rollover rating of 3/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2012 NISSAN TITAN?
Yes, the 2012 NISSAN TITAN has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 NISSAN TITAN?
The most-complained component for the 2012 NISSAN TITAN is AIR BAGS with 7 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STRUCTURE:BODY and ENGINE.
Is the 2012 NISSAN TITAN safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2012 NISSAN TITAN has an NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.