Home · 2012 Nissan Titan Xd · Complaints

What 22 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Nissan Titan Xd

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (22)Crash / fire / injury (4)Airbags (7)Body & structure (5)Brakes (4)Engine (4)Engine & cooling (2)Fuel system (2)Electrical system (1)Parking Brake (1)Steering (1)

Newest first · 22 complaints

Sep 9, 2025BrakesParking 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.

NHTSA ODI 11685933

Aug 11, 2025Brakes

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 significant risk. I am submitting this report to document the incident and to ensure that similar unsafe repair practices are investigated and prevented in the future. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11679840

Aug 7, 2024Airbags

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.

NHTSA ODI 11607112

Mar 5, 2024Airbags

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.

NHTSA ODI 11575514

Mar 15, 2023Airbags

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.

NHTSA ODI 11511956

Oct 11, 2021Engine

Cracked exhaust manifold leaking fumes into the cabin of vehicle

NHTSA ODI 11436325

Jul 6, 2019Engine

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

NHTSA ODI 11229825

May 28, 2019AirbagsCrash1 injury

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.

NHTSA ODI 11210367

Mar 11, 2019Engine & cooling

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.

NHTSA ODI 11185959

Jul 20, 2018Engine

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

NHTSA ODI 11112527

Jan 27, 2018SteeringAirbagsBody & structureCrash

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

NHTSA ODI 11065468

Aug 17, 2017Engine

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.

NHTSA ODI 11015896

Aug 13, 2017Body & structure

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.

NHTSA ODI 11014947

Jul 16, 2017Body & structure

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 ONLY PART WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY. NO OTHER PART UNDERNEATH HAD THIS CORROSION. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THIS WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN USE OF MATERIALS NOT SUITED FOR ANY WEATHER CONDITIONS. IF I HAD LEFT TO GET MY WIFE WITH THE TRUCK LIKE THIS, THE PIPE COULD HAVE FALLEN OFF ON THE HIGHWAY AND CAUSED SOME MAJOR ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI 11005586

Jun 22, 2017Brakes

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

NHTSA ODI 11000610

Jun 7, 2017

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.

NHTSA ODI 10993796

Mar 20, 2017AirbagsCrash1 injury

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.

NHTSA ODI 10967291

Dec 18, 2016Body & structure

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. THIS LEAVES A FLAPPING DOOR THAT WON'T CLOSE, OR IF YOU CAN CLOSE IT, YOU CAN'T REOPEN IT, EVEN FROM INSIDE. PARKED IN THE COLD.

NHTSA ODI 10936097

Oct 24, 2016Engine & coolingBody & structure

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 RUSTING TYPICALLY STARTS TO COMPLETELY RUST THROUGH AFTER THE 36 MONTH WARRANTY IS OVER BUT BEFORE 60 MONTHS. THIS DESIGN HAS NOW BEEN CHANGED ON THE LATEST RELEASE ON NISSAN TITANS (2016 MODELS) NISSAN IS WELL AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND EVEN REIMBURSED ME FOR A FIX OF THE PROBLEM BUT WOULD NOT DOCUMENT IT IN WRITING. THEY ONLY TOOK MY COMPLAINT VIA PHONE, THEN PROMISED TO PAY BACK BY CHECK, AND MADE ME HAVE THE WORK DONE AT MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALER. THIS ISSUE ISN'T BEING REPORTED ONLY BECAUSE MOST TITANS ARE WORK TRUCKS THAT ARE COMMONLY SERVICED BY THE OWNER THEMSELVES. HOWEVER THIS ISSUE CAN CAUSE A TAILPIPE TO FALL OFF ON A HIGHWAY THAT CAN OR EVEN MAY HAVE ALREADY CAUSED ACCIDENTS TO VEHICLES THAT ARE SIMPLY DRIVING BEHIND A NISSAN TITAN. LUCKILY I NOTICED THE HANGING TAILPIPE WHEN I WAS IN A PARKING LOT SO I STRAPPED IT UP TO THE BODY AND SAFELY DROVE IT HOME TO TEMPORARILY FIX TILL I COULD CONTACT NISSAN CORPORATE TO GET THEM TO HELP. I HAVE TO SAY THEY DID FIX THE ISSUE BUT ONLY AFTER I COMPLAINED. THE DEALERSHIP KNEW IMMEDIATELY WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND HOW TO FIX BUT ALSO WAS SENSITIVE TO MAKING THIS AN ISSUE AS THEY SEEM TO BE COVERING UP AND JUST HOPING THE OWNERS OF NISSAN TITANS WILL FIX THIS ISSUE THEMSELVES AS WE ARE EVERYDAY US CITIZENS THAT HANDLE PROBLEMS DAILY IN OUR LIVES. THIS ONE NISSAN SHOULD STAND UP TO AND HAVE A PROPER RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10918454

Nov 18, 2015Electrical systemBrakesFuel system

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. THE FLANGE IS POSITIONED TO HOLD WATER, DIRT AND SALT INDUCING CORROSION. ONCE THE FLANGE SEPARATES THE HEAT FROM THE EXHAUST MELTS THE REAR MAIN WIRING HARNESS IN LESS THAN 100 MILES OF DRIVING. THE MELTED HARNESS CAUSES FAILURE TO THE FUEL PUMP CIRCUIT RESULTING IN AN ENGINE STALL SITUATION AT HIGHWAY SPEED, WHICH RESULTS IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKE ASSIST AND ANTI LOCK BRAKES. THE AFFECTED PORTION OF THE REAR HARNESS ALSO CONTROLS THE STOP, TURN AND TAIL LAMP CIRCUITS. THE FAILURE AND RESULTING DAMAGE TO THE WIRING HAS POTENTIAL TO CREATE AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DRIVING SITUATION.

NHTSA ODI 10794689

Nov 19, 2014AirbagsCrash1 injury

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. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED A BROKEN BACK, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10659360

Oct 31, 2014Fuel system

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 NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

NHTSA ODI 10651636

Working with the data? Download all 22 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 14, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2012 Nissan Titan Xd verdict →