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2012 Nissan Titan

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.

Nissan Titan
Pictured: 2021 Nissan Titan Crew Cab PRO-4X in Super Black, Front Right, 2024-03-08. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD
Body styles
Crew Cab L/Box 4X4 Sv, Crew Cab S/Box 4X4 S, Crew Cab S/Box 4X4 Sl/Pro-4x, Crew Cab S/Box 4X4 Sv
Engines
5.6L 8-cyl
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline, FFV
MPG (best)
15 combined · 13 city / 18 hwy
Length
221.7–242.1 in
Curb weight
4,881–5,721 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
2 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 15 MPG combined, 12% below the 2012 standard pickup truck average of 17 MPG.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2012 Nissan Titan is a standard pickup truck offered with a 5.6L 8-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive.

It measures about 242 inches long and 79 inches wide on a 159-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,721 lb (Crew Cab L/Box 4X4 Sv).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 15 MPG combined (13 city / 18 highway), 12% worse than the 2012 standard pickup truck average of 17 MPG, for an estimated $4,450 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 20 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2012

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2011 Titan — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 Titan →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
Crew Cab L/Box 4X4 Sv242.1 in78.7 in76.8 in159.4 in67.7 / 67.7 in5,721 lb55/45
Crew Cab S/Box 4X4 S222.4 in78.7 in76.8 in139.8 in67.7 / 67.7 in5,331 lb55/45
Crew Cab S/Box 4X4 Sl/Pro-4x222.4 in78.7 in76.8 in139.8 in67.7 / 67.7 in5,558 lb55/45
Crew Cab S/Box 4X4 Sv222.4 in78.7 in76.8 in139.8 in67.7 / 67.7 in5,483 lb55/45
King Cab S/Box 2WD S221.7 in78.7 in75.2 in139.8 in67.7 / 67.7 in4,881 lb55/45
King Cab S/Box 2WD Sv221.7 in78.7 in75.2 in139.8 in67.7 / 67.7 in5,035 lb55/45

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Titan 2WD5.6L 8-cylAutomatic 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive13 / 18 / 15-12%$4,450592
Titan 2WD FFV5.6L 8-cylAutomatic 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive13 / 18 / 15-12%$4,450592
Titan 4WD5.6L 8-cylAutomatic 5-spd4-Wheel Drive12 / 17 / 14-12%$4,800635
Titan 4WD FFV5.6L 8-cylAutomatic 5-spd4-Wheel Drive12 / 17 / 14-12%$4,800635
Spend $10,250Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
17 MPG2012 Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 Nissan Titan.

Similar 2012 standard pickup trucks

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2012 Nissan Titan (this car)15 MPGNot rated2
2012 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup16 MPGNot rated6

Recalls (2)

Equipment › Other › Labels · Apr 4, 2012

NHTSA campaign 12V143000 · 26,626 vehicles

Problem
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.”
Risk
THE OMISSION OF THE RIM SIZE MAY LEAD TO AN INCORRECT TIRE/WHEEL COMBINATION WHICH MAY INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF A CRASH.
Fix
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.
Equipment › Other › Labels · Mar 14, 2012

NHTSA campaign 12V102000 · 918 vehicles

Problem
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."
Risk
AN INCORRECT CAPACITY LABEL MAY LEAD TO VEHICLE OVERLOADING. VEHICLE OVERLOADING MAY INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF A CRASH.
Fix
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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2012 Nissan Titan is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

20Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
3Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
2Injuries reported
72,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags6
Structure › Body4
Engine4
Service Brakes3
Engine And Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe2
Electrical System1
Fuel/Propulsion System1
Structure › Frame And Members › Underbody Shields1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
15/11: 116/10: 116/12: 117/03: 117/06: 217/07: 117/08: 218/01: 118/07: 119/03: 119/05: 119/07: 121/10: 123/03: 124/03: 124/08: 125/08: 125/09: 115/1117/0317/0819/0321/1024/08max 2

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2012 Nissan Titan buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 6 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Structure › Body — 4 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
  4. Engine — 4 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 72,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 Nissan Titan. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Titan years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2024 Titan17226.4 inNot rated215
2023 Titan18226.4 inNot rated218
2022 Titan18226.4 inNot rated414
2021 Titan18226.4 inNot rated558
2020 Titan18226.4 in★★★★★523
2019 Titan18226.4 in★★★★★449
2018 Titan18226.4 in★★★★★490
2017 Titan18226.4 in★★★★★3187
2015 Titan15242.1 inNot rated112
2014 Titan15242.1 inNot rated210
2013 Titan15242.1 inNot rated39
2011 Titan15242.1 inNot rated117

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Nissan. How we calculate this →