VehicleVerdict

2020 Nissan Titan problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2020 Nissan Titan is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 33 owner complaints run below the Titan median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (7), transmission (7), and engine (4), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

33

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2020 compare to other Titan years?

Titan NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted1,295 complaints2004: 1,295 complaints2005: 1,104 complaints2006: 545 complaints2007: 195 complaints2008: 174 complaints2009: 66 complaints2010: 61 complaints2011: 31 complaints2012: 28 complaints2013: 19 complaints2014: 12 complaints2015: 15 complaints2016: 288 complaints2017: 251 complaints2018: 123 complaints2019: 64 complaints2020: 33 complaints2021: 67 complaints2022: 21 complaints2023: 26 complaints2024: 18 complaints
Titan NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Titan years to avoid →

What are the most common 2020 Nissan Titan problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System721%
Transmission721%
Engine412%
Fuel System412%
Speed Control26%
Driver Assistance26%
Other26%
Lighting13%
Brakes13%
Airbags13%
Suspension13%
Tires & Wheels13%

Does the 2020 Nissan Titan have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

22V671000TransmissionSeptember 7, 2022 · 197,230 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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: • Model Year 2020-2022 Frontier vehicles: reprogram Transmission Control Module (TCM) • Model Year 2020-2022 Titan vehicles: reprogram TCM and Engine Control Module (ECM) • Model Year 2023 Titan vehicles: reprogram TCM • 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.

22V457000TransmissionJune 24, 2022 · 180,176 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

21V471000LightingJune 23, 2021 · 30,799 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Titan, Titan XD, and Versa vehicles. The front right and/or left turn signal bulb can crack and fail to illuminate.

Consequence

Inoperable front turn signals cannot alert on-coming drivers and/or pedestrians that the vehicle will be turning, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the bulbs as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 20, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's numbers for this recall are PM986 and PC811.

21V169000Tires & WheelsMarch 11, 2021 · 36,141 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Altima and 2018-2021 Titan vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.

Consequence

Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC798.

20V759000EngineDecember 8, 2020 · 7,583 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Titan and Titan XD pickup trucks. The engine wiring harness could contain an exposed wire that can cause an electrical short or arcing if it contacts another wire.

Consequence

An electrical short can impair the performance of the engine, transmission, or fuel pump, increasing the risk of an engine stall and a crash. An electrical short or arcing increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine harness, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“When driving under normal road conditions and slowing down to stop at a light or stop sign the transmission shifts down abruptly to 1st gear and lunges forward like you have been hit in the rear end. Been doing this since new and dealer cannot diagnose or repair the issue. Seems common on these new…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 11, 2023

“The contact's husband owned a 2020 Nissan Titan. The contact stated while her husband was driving 65-75 MPH, he noticed a smoke odor. The contact's husband veered to the side of the road and immediately exited the vehicle. The contact's husband saw flames between the cabin and the rear of the…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 26, 2023 · fire

“The EVAP Canister and Control Valve clogs with road dust/dirt. Fuel vapors have nowhere to exits the system and fuel will overflow when fueling the vehicle. Fuel vapors have no way to exit the tank when the fuel cap is in place, creating an over pressure. This condition exist on previous year…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · February 1, 2022

“I WAS SITTING AT A LIGHT WAITING TO TURN LEFT. THE ENGINE STARTED TO IDLE AT ALMOST 2000 TOMS. I WENT TO ACCELERATE TO TURN LEFT AND I HAD COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER IN THE INTERSECTION. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT GO ABOVE IDLE SPEED OF ABOUT 1100 RPM. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD TO PULL OVER. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 25, 2021

“Truck was exiting highway driver tried to disengage cruise control, would not disengage. Driver put truck in neutral to slow down truck but didnt slow down enough to avoid accident. Driver and passenger are in hospital with several injuries. The air bags did not deploy during accident. Insurance is…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · June 22, 2024 · crash

2020 Nissan Titan — common questions

Is the 2020 Nissan Titan reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 33 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Titan year, with 5 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2020 Titan problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (7 complaints), transmission (7 complaints), engine (4 complaints).

Does the 2020 Nissan Titan have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2020 Nissan Titan. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Nissan Titan years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Titan years to avoid are 2004, 2005, 2006, 2016, 2017, 2007, 2008, 2018. The cleanest record among Titan years belongs to 2014.

How safe is the 2020 Nissan Titan?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2020 Nissan Titan earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.