NHTSA (USA)High Risk
At a glance
What can fail
The Air Bag Control Unit may lack a spacer, allowing its fastener to loosen and leave the unit unsecured.
What the fix does
This page covers 5 recalls, 51 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2021 Nissan Titan.
18 mpg combined
13.1 L/100km
Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted.
The dominant pattern in 2021 Nissan Titan complaints centers on the powertrain, specifically the nine-speed automatic transmission. Owners frequently report the transmission downshifting abruptly and unexpectedly, sometimes dropping multiple gears at once, with accompanying engine surge and a noticeable jolt to the vehicle. Some describe the truck entering limp mode without warning. Electrical complaints come in second, with owners reporting infotainment and backup camera failures that recur even after repairs, along with isolated reports of the vehicle failing to shut off normally and displaying instrument cluster warnings. A smaller cluster of complaints involves the forward collision avoidance system activating without an apparent obstacle in the road. The transmission shudder and unintended downshift pattern accounts for the largest share of complaints by a wide margin.
51
Total Complaints
3
Crash-Related
2
Fire-Related
1
With Injuries
By System
The 2021 Nissan Titan has 5 recalls, the most serious being a transmission fault where the parking pawl may not engage when shifted into park, leaving the truck free to roll away on its own.
The same parking pawl defect appears across multiple filings covering overlapping model year ranges, but the core problem is the same: the mechanism that physically locks the transmission when you put the truck in park can fail to catch, and the vehicle can move without warning. On the tire side, certain trucks equipped with Continental tires may have one or more tires that were over-cured during production, making the sidewall prone to cracking and sudden air loss or causing the tread and belt to separate from the tire while driving. There is also an airbag concern: the airbag control unit may be missing a small spacer that keeps its mounting fastener tight, and if the unit works loose from its mount, it may not fire the airbags reliably in a crash. Rounding out the list, the front turn signal bulbs can develop cracks and stop lighting up, leaving the truck unable to signal a turn to oncoming drivers or pedestrians.
At a glance
What can fail
The Air Bag Control Unit may lack a spacer, allowing its fastener to loosen and leave the unit unsecured.
What the fix does
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Dealers will replace the Air Bag Control Unit at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission parking pawl may fail to engage when shifting into park, allowing the vehicle to roll away unexpectedly.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the transmission control module (and engine control module on some Titans) to fix the pawl engagement issue.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission parking pawl may fail to engage when shifted into park, allowing the vehicle to roll away unintentionally.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the transmission parking pawl pin at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front right and/or left turn signal bulb can crack and stop working, preventing the turn signal from lighting up.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the bulbs and replace them if needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Continental tires on these vehicles may have been over-cured during manufacturing, which can weaken the tire structure and increase failure risk.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect your tires and replace any affected ones at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.