VehicleVerdict

2021 Nissan Titan problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2021 Nissan Titan sits mid-pack among Titan years: 67 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 64, with 5 recalls and no defect investigations.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 24 reports (36% of the total).

67

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

7

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2021 compare to other Titan years?

See all Titan years to avoid →

What are the most common 2021 Nissan Titan problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission2436%
Driver Assistance913%
Other812%
Electrical System812%
Brakes46%
Engine34%
Suspension34%
Steering23%
Fuel System23%
Speed Control11%
Body & Structure11%
Tires & Wheels11%
Airbags11%

Does the 2021 Nissan Titan have recalls?

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

24V580000AirbagsAugust 5, 2024 · 7 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

My 2021 Pro4x Titan with 6,400 miles has on numerous occasions not shifted up and out of 1st gear despite being in typical Drive, automatic transmission. I have owned the truck for just over 1 year and I have noticed this 10+ times when moving at slower speeds. I generally shift into Neutral and…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 17, 2022

I was traveling on the Interstate at about 50 miles an hour. I went under a bridge and my front crash avoidance sensors malfunctioned and the breaks were applied. My truck completely locked down to a stop and I could not get the truck to move. I in turn was hit in the rear end by a semi truck. The…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · June 23, 2023 · crash

My Titan had no real indicators or trouble codes but failed into limp mode and began to smoke and caught on fire! Nissan refused to investigate as they claimed the 2021 was unaffected but shares the same manufacturer plant and engine harness from the 2020.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 28, 2024 · fire

I took my vehicle in due to the open recall their are two and they informed me that the recall on both can not be fixed until they get the software need to make the repair. Both recalls are related and need to be fixed together. I have contacted the dealer and no solution is available at this time.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · October 3, 2022

I was traveling on the Interstate at about 50 miles an hour. I went under a bridge and my front crash avoidance sensors malfunctioned and the breaks were applied. My truck completely locked down to a stop and I could not get the truck to move. I in turn was hit in the rear end by a semi truck. The…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 23, 2023 · crash

2021 Nissan Titan — common questions

Is the 2021 Nissan Titan reliable?

It is close to typical for the Titan: 67 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2021 Titan problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (24 complaints), driver assistance (9 complaints), other (8 complaints).

Does the 2021 Nissan Titan have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2021 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.

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.