YearToAvoid

2011 Nissan Titan Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

15/100

#12 most-complained of 14 Titan years

The 2011 Nissan Titan ranks 12th out of 14 model years for reported problems, with a complaint index of 15 and 26 NHTSA complaints, earning it a "Best" verdict relative to other Titan years. It has 1 recall, for a cracking airbag cover.

Complaints
26
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
1 / 1
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
14.5
12.5 city / 17.5 hwy

Top 2011 Nissan Titan problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Other5 (19%)
  2. Engine4 (15%)
  3. Airbags3 (12%)
  4. Electrical System3 (12%)
  5. Fuel System3 (12%)
  6. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (12%)
  7. Seat Belts2 (8%)
  8. Structure & Body2 (8%)
  9. Transmission & Powertrain2 (8%)
  10. Brakes1 (4%)

What owners report

  • Owners report smoke coming from under the hood shortly after startup, in one case tied to a reported fire at 47,000 miles.
  • Some describe rising oil consumption paired with visible smoke on startup, noticed around 60,000 miles.
  • Side or curtain airbags reportedly failed to deploy during a passenger-side collision at 71,000 miles.
  • Electrical complaints describe an audible ticking from the A/C system followed by loss of heat or cooling, requiring dash removal to access the part.
  • Power windows are reported to drop on their own and resist staying up, especially after the truck sits for a while.
  • Rear seatbelts reportedly lock up on passengers, requiring repeated unbuckling and relatching to reset.
2011 Nissan Titan complaints: complaints filed per month3Jan 2011Dec 2011Oct 2013Sep 2015Oct 2017Nov 2019Apr 2025
30 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2011 to Apr 2025; peak Dec 2011 (3).

2011 Nissan Titan recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 23V067000Feb 10, 2023Airbags404,690 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal

    Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2008-2011 Titan, Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder, Armada, and 2008-2009 Quest vehicles. The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.

    Risk: A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver’s airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are PC944, PC945, and PC946.

2011 Nissan Titan fuel economy and fuel cost

City
12.5 MPG
Highway
17.5 MPG
Combined
14.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,475
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2011 compared with other Titan years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010Caution6246314.5
2011Best1526114.5
2012Good3122214.5
2013Best2311314.5

All Nissan Titan years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2011 Nissan Titan reliable?
Relative to other Titan model years, the 2011 ranks well, placing 12th worst out of 14 years with a complaint index of 15 and only 26 NHTSA complaints logged.
What is the top problem area for the 2011 Nissan Titan?
Engine complaints make up the largest share at 15%, including reports of smoke and oil consumption, with a median failure mileage of 74,300 miles for that category.
Does the 2011 Nissan Titan have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2011 Titan, covering a driver's airbag cover with a resin emblem that can crack and detach; none of the recalls are do-not-drive.
How does the 2011 Titan compare to other years like 2017 or 2018?
The 2011 Titan is far better positioned than the 2017 (complaint index 100, Avoid), 2018 (85, Avoid), and 2021 (92, Avoid) model years.
What is the fuel economy of the 2011 Nissan Titan?
The 2011 Titan is rated at 14.5 mpg combined (12.5 city / 17.5 highway) by the EPA, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,475.

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.