YearToAvoid

2016 Nissan Titan XD Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 137 engine complaints for the 2016 Nissan Titan XD, 70% of all 197 complaints filed for the model year, with a median failure mileage of 23,700. No related recalls are listed for this engine issue.

Engine complaints
137
70% of 197
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
23,700 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners report sudden violent shaking or clunking followed by loud bangs, stalling, and smoke or fire from the engine bay.
  • Several drivers describe the 5.0L Cummins diesel losing power or shutting down at highway speed, sometimes with no warning lights.
  • Owners describe diesel exhaust fumes entering the cabin during regeneration cycles, causing nausea or respiratory irritation.
  • Some report a dead pedal or delayed acceleration lag of several seconds when pulling away from a stop or merging into traffic.
  • Owners describe the engine missing or misfiring around 1700 rpm, with dealers unable to diagnose the cause.
  • One report mentions the oil pan filled with metal fragments after a violent shaking episode, suggesting internal engine damage.

When 2016 Nissan Titan XD engine complaints were filed

First complaint Oct 13, 2016, latest Sep 5, 2026.

2016 Nissan Titan XD engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter272016 Q42018 Q12019 Q42021 Q12022 Q42024 Q22025 Q3
137 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2016 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2023 Q4 (27).

Engine recalls for the 2016 Nissan Titan XD

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Titan XD model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 2016137 (70%)
  2. 20200 (0%)
  3. 20210 (0%)
  4. 20220 (0%)
  5. 20230 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems on the 2016 Nissan Titan XD?
NHTSA lists 137 engine complaints for the 2016 Titan XD, which is 70% of the 197 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2016 Nissan Titan XD engine?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for this engine issue.
At what mileage do these engine problems tend to happen?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA is 23,700 miles.
Do the engine complaints involve fires or crashes?
NHTSA data for this component shows 2 fires and 2 crashes among the reported engine complaints, with no injuries reported.
What kinds of engine failures do owners describe?
Owners describe sudden power loss, stalling, violent shaking, diesel fumes entering the cabin, and delayed acceleration, based on NHTSA complaint narratives.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.