The 2012 Nissan Titan carries 2 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering labels. Owners report 5 recurring issue clusters, led by “Exhaust manifold cracking with cabin fume leaks.” Nissan owner's manuals split service into Schedule 1 (severe) and Schedule 2 (normal). Most US drivers fall under Schedule 1. The biggest preventable failure on Nissan vehicles is CVT transmission damage from extended fluid intervals — owners of Altima, Rogue, Sentra, Pathfinder, and Murano with CVT should not skip it.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Campaign #12V143000 · Apr 4, 2012
Issue: 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
Campaign #12V102000 · Mar 14, 2012
Issue: 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.
What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2012 Nissan Titan.
ENGINE
4 NHTSA complaints · 2017-08 → 2021-10
“Cracked exhaust manifold leaking fumes into the cabin of vehicle”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN TITAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS RUSTED AND CRACKED”
“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”
STRUCTURE
4 NHTSA complaints · 2015-11 → 2019-07
“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”
“THE TAIL PIPE ON A 2 1/2 YEAR OLD 2012 NISSAN TITAN PREMATURELY SEPARATED AT THE FLANGE IN FRONT OF THE REAR AXLE. THE REASON THE FLANGE SEPARATED WAS THE POOR DESIGN”
“TAIL PIPE RUSTED OFF AT THE FLANGE BEHIND THE MUFFLER. THE DESIGN OF THE TAILPIPE AND EXHAUST HANGER IS FLAWED”
STRUCTURE
2 NHTSA complaints · 2016-12 → 2017-08
“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”
“IN COLDER TEMPERATURES, THE DOOR HANDLES FREEZE AND WILL NOT WORK FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THE DOOR WILL ALSO NOT CLOSE AS THE LATCH MECHANISM SIMPLY WILL NOT ENGAGE”
AIR BAGS
7 NHTSA complaints · 2014-11 → 2024-08
“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”
“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”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 NISSAN TITAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY”
SERVICE BRAKES
3 NHTSA complaints · 2017-06 → 2025-09
“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”
“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”
“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”
Issues on other model years
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.
We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.
Critical for safety and preventing major damage
Replace synthetic-blend or full-synthetic oil every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1. Schedule 2: 7,500 miles. VR30DDTT (3.0L twin-turbo): full synthetic only.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$120–$160
Shop
~$85–$115
DIY
~$25–$55
Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.
Rotate tires every 5,000 miles. Front-wheel-drive Nissans (Altima, Sentra, Versa) wear front tires fast — don't skip rotations.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.
Nissan officially calls CVT fluid 'lifetime,' but independent technicians and Nissan TSBs recommend replacement every 60,000 miles to prevent CVT failure. Use Nissan NS-3 fluid only — substitutes destroy the belt-and-pulley system.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$360–$500
Shop
~$255–$355
DIY
~$80–$180
CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.
Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Rogue and Pathfinder front pads typically last 35,000-50,000 miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.
Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 2 years. Dark or amber fluid indicates moisture contamination.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$180–$200
Shop
~$125–$140
DIY
~$10–$25
DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.
Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently
Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles, sooner if driving on dusty unpaved roads.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.
Iridium-tipped spark plugs are rated 105,000 miles on QR25, MR20, and VQ35 engines. VR30DDTT: 60,000 miles due to higher cylinder pressures.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$390
Shop
~$200–$275
DIY
~$25–$100
Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.
Nissan Long-Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue/green): first change at 105,000 miles, then every 75,000. Do not mix with other coolant chemistries.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$330
Shop
~$200–$235
DIY
~$25–$60
Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.
Rogue AWD, Murano AWD, Pathfinder 4WD: replace transfer case fluid and rear differential fluid every 60,000 miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$105–$140
Shop
~$75–$100
DIY
~$15–$40
AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.
Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort
Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Located behind the glove box on Altima, Rogue, and Sentra.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.
Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)
32 crashes 2010–2024
FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number
Owner-reported problem signals
Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.
4
complaints mentioning a crash
0
complaints mentioning a fire
Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle
Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.
How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.
This maintenance schedule for the 2012 Nissan Titan reflects Nissan's published service intervals and the Maintenance Reminder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.