The Lemon Index
202020222nd generation
45 owner complaints, first 3 years 17–18 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2021 Ford F-150 1112021 Chevrolet Silverado 622021 Ram 1500 102
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 8 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 24V580000 (airbags), 22V671000 (transmission & drivetrain) and 22V457000 (transmission & drivetrain) done? It has 5 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Has it ever braked hard for no reason? Ask whether the safety-system software was updated.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Nissan sent dealers 136 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “2020-2021 titan/titan xd; tcm communication error causing a no start condition if you confirm…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Nissan's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 45 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 1K to 47K miles (2K to 76K km) on the car (8 of all 45 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
The transmission would jerk and clunky when coming to a stop and vibrate, shifting hard upon acceleration. Dealership refuses to acknowledge the problem.
2021 Nissan Titan owner · NHTSA complaint 11464136
More owner reports
The transmission lags, slips gears, shift’s harshly. When slowing down shifting from second to first gear around 15th, there is a very noticeable clunk in the transmission.
NHTSA complaint 11450516
Downshifting during braking causes sudden and unpredictable forward jumping. During normal braking, the truck will jump two to three feet forward without warning or any way to prevent it.
NHTSA complaint 11488834
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 19.9M views · 2016–2024 Nissan Titan
Most-watched topics
- Steering & suspension123K views
2019 Nissan Titan Front Lower Ball Joint Replacement - Shop Story Time IncludedSouth Main Auto LLC · 123K views - Transmission & shifter122K views
How to refill transmission on 2017 Nissan Titan (Gas)BearLeAMechanic · 63K views · 2 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door90K views
2016 & UP NISSAN TITAN / TITAN DIESEL CABIN AIR FILTER REPLACEMENTJohn the Mechanic · 90K views - Oil changes & service34K views
2017 - 2019 Nissan Titan - How To Reset Oil Life After Oil Change DIYPYR Automotive · 34K views
Before you buy, watch
2024 Nissan Titan Pro4X - 6 Month Owners Review - Should You Buy the Final Titan?Videozar · 159K views
2023 Nissan Titan SV: The Only Reliable Pickup Truck Left On The MarketBen Hardy · 86K views
2024 Nissan Titan Most Reliable NEW Half-Ton Truck? 0% for 60 months! Why Not?The Car Guy Online · 86K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2021 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Nissan told dealers about
Nissan sent dealers 136 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- 2020-2021 titan/titan xd; tcm communication error causing a no start condition if you confirm…
- CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been…
- DRIVE SHAFT BOOT SERVICE INFORMATION SERVICE INFORMATION If a Drive Shaft (Axle Shaft) Boot on…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 5
- Airbags · recall issued 2024
The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) may be missing a spacer, which can allow the fastener to loosen and result in an unsecured ACU.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2022
The transmission parking pawl may not engage when the vehicle is shifted into park, which can result in a vehicle rollaway.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2022
The transmission parking pawl may not engage when the vehicle is shifted into park, which can result in a vehicle rollaway.
Show all 5 recalls
- Lights · recall issued 2021
The front right and/or left turn signal bulb can crack and fail to illuminate.
- Tires · recall issued 2021
On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Titan Crew Cab PU/CC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Nissan Titan Crew Cab PU/CC RWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Nissan Titan King Cab PU/EC 4WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| Nissan Titan King Cab PU/EC RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $4,200–$4,400 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 5.6L 8-cyl.
Every Nissan Titan year. 2021 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 1 older years (2004–2004, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 14 Nissan Titan years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2021 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/nissan-titan/?y=2021" title="Nissan Titan reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="491" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/nissan-titan/2021/">Lemon Index</a> (2021 Nissan Titan reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2021 Nissan Titan reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew about one and a half times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 169; 100 is average, lower is better). The Nissan Titan year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2011.
What are the most common 2021 Nissan Titan problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (51%), automatic emergency braking (13%) and electrical (9%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2021 Nissan Titan have?
5 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Nissan Titan get?
17 to 18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2021 Nissan Titan safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
Does the 2021 Nissan Titan have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 51% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2021 Nissan Titan cost in fuel a year?
About $4,200 to $4,400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2021 Nissan Titan have?
5.6L 8-cyl.
What Nissan Titan year is better than the 2021?
Nearby, the 2020 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about half as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2011 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works