NissanGT-R2012Overview/nissan/gt-r/2012/base/

2012 Nissan GT-R

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 GT-R.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (AM6)

The 2012 Nissan GT‑R is classified as a passenger car and is equipped with an automatic AM6 transmission that delivers a combined fuel economy of 19 mpg (16 city/23 highway). Its powertrain relies on a 5.3‑quart oil capacity using 0W‑40 viscosity oil, reflecting the engineering focus on high‑performance durability. Within the broader 2009‑2013 complaint window, the 2012 model sits near the low end of reported issues, following the 2011 year that recorded just a single complaint after the 2009 peak of nineteen. This placement suggests that the 2012 GT‑R benefits from the early model’s refinements while maintaining a relatively strong reliability record for the generation.

Model year202420232022202120202019201820172012

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.3 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-40OEM · verified
Lug nut torque97 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/23/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 51R · 410 CCA battery, OE oil filter 152089E01A. Note the factory front wiper blades is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 51R · 410 CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter152089E01A
Engine air filter16546JF00A
Spark plug22401JF01D
Battery24410JF00A
Front wiper blades28890JF30A discontinued · alt 28890JF31A
Serpentine belt11720JF00A
Thermostat1305031U00 alt 21200KB50A
Cabin air filter27277VX01A

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AM6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length183.5 in
Overall width74.8 in
Overall height53.9 in
Wheelbase109.4 in
Curb weight3836 lb
Track (front / rear)62.2 / 63 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)53/47

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 23 / 19 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the GT-R of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

2.9–3.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 2.90 sec — 2012 Premium Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2012Premium Coupe 3.8L Twin-Turbo V62.90 sec11.20 sec530 hpAWD
2012Premium Coupe 3.8L Twin-Turbo V62.90 sec11.20 sec530 hpAWD
2012Premium Coupe 3.8L Twin-Turbo V62.90 sec11.20 sec530 hpAWD
2012Premium Coupe 3.8L Twin-Turbo V62.90 sec11.20 sec530 hpAWD
2012Premium Coupe 3.8L Twin-Turbo V63.50 sec11.90 sec530 hpAWD
2011Premium Coupe 3.8L Twin-Turbo V63.30 sec11.60 sec530 hpAWD
2011Premium Coupe 3.8L Twin-Turbo V63.50 sec11.80 sec530 hpAWD
2013Black Edition Coupe 3.8L Twin-Turbo V62.80 sec11.10 sec545 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.3 qt of 0W-40 engine oil, 75W-140 in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 97 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Differential Gear Oil75W-140
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.4 Pints
Engine OilSYNTHETIC · 0W-40
Engine Oil Capacity5.3 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsLower: 20 ft-lbs, upper; 9 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts97 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub166 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub166 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Ignition Coil Primary ResistanceExcept 0 or Between terminals 1 and 2 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary ResistanceExcept 0 Between terminals 1 and 3

Battery & A/C

Standard BCI Group Number51R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance410 cca

Service checks

Radiator Cap Pressure ReliefRadiator leak pressure testing, 5 psi.
Injector Primary Resistance11.1-14.5 ohms
Engine Compression116-141 psi. 14.5 maximum variation psi.
Engine Oil Pressure35 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM1000 rpm
Intake Valve Lash0.012-0.016 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.012-0.017 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket22 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.177; Rear: 0.177 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.181 in / 1.283 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.181 in / 1.283 in
Rotor Minimum Machining1.102 in / 1.205 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 7 stages
130 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
265 degrees65 degrees
365 degrees65 degrees
4Completely loosen all cylinder head bolts
530 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
6135 degrees135 degrees
7135 degrees; Cylinder head bolts are tightened by plastic zone tightening method. Whenever the size difference between (A) and (B) exceeds the limit (limit=0.16mm), replace them with new one. Apply new engine oil to threads and seat surfaces of cylinder head bolts.135 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 24,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 24,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 12,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Differential (inspect fluid level)
At 24,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 24,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Steering System (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 36,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 48,000 miIntake Manifold (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect alignment) · Transmission Assembly (inspect) · Underbody (inspect) · Wheel Hub Nut (torque)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
80
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
0
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

No owner complaints on record with NHTSA for this vehicle.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 80 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
NTB09-131C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB09-131C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB13-107G2024-05-20Electrical SystemVEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been…
NTB13-027D2024-05-20Electrical SystemCAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See…
NTB10-066C2024-05-20Electrical SystemCAN COMMUNICATION CODES – DIAGNOSTIC TIPS AND GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific GT-R. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2012 GT-R take?

5.3 qt of MOBIL 1 SYNTHETIC 0W-40 SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 GT-R have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the GT-R get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 23 highway / 19 combined mpg.