Nissan Titan Best and Worst Years (2005–2024)
Nissan Titan years to avoid are 2005, 2006, 2008, 2017, and 2021, based on NHTSA complaint counts and recall campaigns. The best years, with the fewest reported problems, are 2011, 2013, 2014, 2022, and 2024.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2005Avoid 2006Avoid 2008Avoid 2017Avoid 2021Best 2011Best 2013Best 2014Best 2022Best 2024
- Model years
- 19
- 2005–2024
- NHTSA complaints
- 2,213
- Recall campaigns
- 31
- Crashes reported
- 77
- Fires reported
- 38
- Top problem area
- Transmission & Powertrain
Titan Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Nissan Titan problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Avoid | 100 | 891 | 11 | 7 | 4 | Transmission & Powertrain | 14 | — |
| 2006 | Avoid | 94 | 430 | 14 | 10 | 5 | Transmission & Powertrain | 14 | — |
| 2007 | Caution | 72 | 139 | 4 | 1 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | 14 | — |
| 2008 | Avoid | 83 | 133 | 7 | 1 | 5 | Engine | 14 | — |
| 2009 | Caution | 67 | 47 | 8 | 2 | 3 | Engine | 14 | — |
| 2010 | Good | 44 | 46 | 3 | 0 | 3 | Brakes | 14.5 | — |
| 2011 | Best | 17 | 26 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Engine | 14.5 | — |
| 2012 | Good | 28 | 22 | 4 | 0 | 2 | Airbags | 14.5 | — |
| 2013 | Best | 11 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 3 | Structure & Body | 14.5 | — |
| 2014 | Best | 0 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 2 | Brakes | 14.5 | — |
| 2015 | Good | 33 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 1 | Airbags | 14.5 | — |
| 2017 | Avoid | 89 | 187 | 5 | 9 | 3 | Engine | 18 | — |
| 2018 | Caution | 61 | 90 | 3 | 1 | 4 | Engine | 18 | 4★ |
| 2019 | Caution | 56 | 47 | 3 | 2 | 4 | Engine | 18 | 4★ |
| 2020 | Good | 39 | 22 | 2 | 1 | 5 | Electrical System | 18 | 4★ |
| 2021 | Avoid | 78 | 55 | 3 | 3 | 5 | Transmission & Powertrain | 18 | — |
| 2022 | Best | 6 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 4 | Transmission & Powertrain | 18 | — |
| 2023 | Caution | 50 | 17 | 3 | 0 | 2 | Transmission & Powertrain | 18 | — |
| 2024 | Best | 22 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Transmission & Powertrain | 17 | — |
Titan years to avoid: what went wrong
2005 Nissan Titan Index 100 · 891 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2005 Titan has the highest complaint index of any model year, with 891 complaints. Transmission and powertrain problems make up 53% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 66,254 miles. Engine issues (14%) failed around 84,000 miles, and fuel system complaints (12%) reported failures near 110,000 miles. Owners also reported brake shimmy that led to loss of control, and reports of seat and engine fires. NHTSA lists four recall campaigns for this year, covering an engine control relay, fuel gauge accuracy, and an air conditioning condenser fan motor.
2005 transmission & powertrain problems →2005 engine problems →2005 fuel system problems →
2006 Nissan Titan Index 94 · 430 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2006 Titan carries a complaint index of 94. Transmission and powertrain problems account for 45% of complaints, failing at a median of 59,936 miles. Engine complaints (19%) failed around 86,000 miles, and suspension issues (14%) around 60,500 miles. Owners reported airbags failing to deploy in crashes and vehicle fires starting in door panels and engine compartments shortly after purchase. Five recall campaigns apply to this year, including the same engine relay, fuel gauge, and air conditioning fan motor issues seen in 2005.
2006 transmission & powertrain problems →2006 engine problems →2006 suspension, wheels & tires problems →
2017 Nissan Titan Index 89 · 187 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2017 Titan has a complaint index of 89, driven largely by engine problems, which make up 59% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 22,062 miles. Owners reported airbags deploying without a crash, transmission shifters popping out of gear unexpectedly, and unintended acceleration events. Electrical system complaints (18%) failed around 22,124 miles. Three recall campaigns cover this year, including an alternator harness wiring defect, a load-carrying capacity labeling issue, and a rear seatbelt assembly defect in crew cab models.
2017 engine problems →2017 electrical system problems →2017 transmission & powertrain problems →
2008 Nissan Titan Index 83 · 133 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2008 Titan has a complaint index of 83. Engine problems lead at 23% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 91,000 miles, followed by transmission and powertrain issues (22%) failing near 63,298 miles. Owners reported brake failure leading to collisions and airbags that did not deploy during crashes. Later reports describe wiring harnesses melting near the frame. NHTSA lists five recall campaigns for 2008, including a driver airbag cover defect, fuel gauge inaccuracy, and a brake pedal pivot pin manufacturing flaw.
2008 engine problems →2008 transmission & powertrain problems →2008 fuel system problems →
2021 Nissan Titan Index 78 · 55 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2021 Titan has a complaint index of 78. Transmission and powertrain issues make up 45% of complaints. Owners reported automatic emergency braking triggering unexpectedly at highway speed, vehicles stalling with dashboard warnings and smoke, and airbags failing to deploy in a frontal collision. Electrical system complaints (18%) failed around a median of 39,878 miles. Five recall campaigns apply to this year, including an airbag control unit missing a spacer and two separate transmission parking pawl recalls that can allow a rollaway.
Most common Nissan Titan problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Transmission & Powertrain887 (40%)
- Engine484 (22%)
- Fuel System236 (11%)
- Electrical System230 (10%)
- Brakes228 (10%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires218 (10%)
- Other127 (6%)
- Airbags117 (5%)
- Structure & Body86 (4%)
- Steering54 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Which Nissan Titan years should I avoid?
- NHTSA data points to 2005, 2006, 2008, 2017, and 2021 as the Nissan Titan years to avoid, based on complaint volume, complaint index, and recall campaigns compared to other Titan years.
- What is the best year for the Nissan Titan?
- The 2011, 2013, 2014, 2022, and 2024 Titan model years rate as Best, with complaint indexes as low as 0 and 6, far below the worst year (2005) at an index of 100.
- What is the most common problem with the Nissan Titan?
- Transmission and powertrain issues are the top complaint category across all Titan years, accounting for 887 of 2,213 total complaints, or 40%. Engine problems rank second at 22%.
- Does the 2017 Nissan Titan have engine problems?
- Yes. Engine issues make up 59% of 2017 Titan complaints, with a median failure mileage of 22,062 miles, and the year carries a complaint index of 89 and three recall campaigns.
- How many recalls does the Nissan Titan have overall?
- Across all 19 covered model years (2005-2024), NHTSA lists 31 recall campaigns for the Nissan Titan, totaling 2,213 owner complaints.