2021 Nissan Titan Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2021 Nissan Titan carries a complaint index of 78, ranking 5th worst among 19 model years, and is rated Avoid. Owners most often reported transmission and powertrain issues (45% of complaints) plus electrical failures, with 5 recalls including airbag control units and transmission parking pawl problems.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 78/100
- #5 of 19 Titan years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 55
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 15 city / 21 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2021 Nissan Titan problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain25 (45%)
- Electrical System10 (18%)
- Other8 (15%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras7 (13%)
- Brakes4 (7%)
- Engine4 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (7%)
- Fuel System2 (4%)
- Steering2 (4%)
- Airbags1 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Front crash-avoidance sensors triggered unexpected automatic braking that locked the truck to a stop at highway speed.
- Electrical system stalls with loss of power, flickering warning lights, and smoke from the engine bay, sometimes escalating to fire.
- Airbags failed to deploy in a frontal collision, resulting in injury.
- A persistent false low oil pressure warning appeared through the NissanConnect app shortly after purchase, with no fix offered.
- Rear leaf springs uncoiled within the first few thousand miles, causing squeaking and grinding noises.
- Tire sidewalls cracked at low mileage, tied to the Continental tire recall affecting Titan and Altima models.
2021 Nissan Titan recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V580000Aug 5, 2024Airbags7 vehicles
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021 and 2024 Titan vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) may be missing a spacer, which can allow the fastener to loosen and result in an unsecured ACU.
Risk: An unsecured ACU can prevent or delay air bags from deploying as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the ACU, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 19, 2024. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PD120.
- NHTSA 22V671000Sep 7, 2022Transmission & Powertrain197,230 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Titan, 2020-2022 Frontier, and 2023 Z vehicles. The transmission parking pawl may not engage when the vehicle is shifted into park, which can result in a vehicle rollaway.
Risk: A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised to apply the parking brake every time they park their vehicle. Dealers will perform the applicable repairs below, free of charge: Â Model Year 2020-2022 Frontier vehicles: reprogram Transmission Control Module (TCM) Â Model Year 2020-2022 Titan vehicles: reprogram TCM and Engine Control Module (ECM) Â Model Year 2023 Titan vehicles: reprogram TCM Â Model Year 2023 Z vehicles: reprogram TCM. Owner notification letters were mailed October 28, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
- NHTSA 22V457000Jun 24, 2022Transmission & Powertrain180,176 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Frontier and Titan vehicles. The transmission parking pawl may not engage when the vehicle is shifted into park, which can result in a vehicle rollaway.
Risk: A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised to apply the parking brake every time they park their vehicle. Dealers will replace the transmission parking pawl pin, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R22A2 R22A3.
2021 Nissan Titan fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 21 MPG
- Combined
- 18 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,450
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- 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.
2021 compared with other Titan years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Nissan Titan reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2021 Titan a complaint index of 78, the 5th worst of 19 model years tracked, earning an Avoid rating. Transmission and powertrain complaints make up 45% of reports.
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Nissan Titan?
- Transmission and powertrain issues account for 45% of complaints, followed by electrical system problems at 18% and collision avoidance/camera issues at 13%. Electrical complaints included 3 reported fires.
- Does the 2021 Nissan Titan have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2021 Titan, covering airbag control units, transmission parking pawl failures, turn signal bulbs, and Continental tire sidewall cracking. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2021 Titan compare to other Titan model years?
- The 2021 Titan ranks 5th worst out of 19 years with a complaint index of 78, worse than 2020 (39, Good) and 2022 (6, Best). Only 2005, 2006, 2017, and 2008 rank worse.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Nissan Titan?
- The 2021 Titan gets an EPA-rated 18 mpg combined (15 city/21 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,450.