Air bags: air bag
Free remedy
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.
Research · Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD · 3 NHTSA variants
2021 Nissan TitanRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 58 owner complaints for the 2021 Nissan Titan. Most complaints involve power train (26) and electrical system (11). The EPA rates it 17–18 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.
Combined MPG
17–18mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Aug 2024
Owner complaints
58
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$4,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN
Power train: automatic transmission
Free remedy
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.
Power train: automatic transmission
Free remedy
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.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
58 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2020 – Oct 2026
- Power train26
- Electrical system11
- Forward collision avoidance5
- Engine4
- Service brakes4
- Fuel/propulsion system3
- Suspension3
- Vehicle speed control2
- Back over prevention2
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
By model year
Complaints for each Titan model year we’ve synced.
View as table
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 1,046 |
| 2005 | 891 |
| 2006 | 430 |
| 2007 | 139 |
| 2008 | 133 |
| 2009 | 47 |
| 2010 | 46 |
| 2011 | 26 |
| 2012 | 22 |
| 2013 | 11 |
| 2014 | 10 |
| 2015 | 10 |
| 2017 | 172 |
| 2018 | 90 |
| 2019 | 49 |
| 2020 | 23 |
| 2021 | 58 |
| 2022 | 14 |
| 2023 | 19 |
| 2024 | 15 |
- Crashes reported
- 3
- Fires reported
- 3
- Injuries reported
- 1
- Deaths reported
- 0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Power train
26 reports
“My 2021 Nissan Titan has rolled away on several occasions, when the shift lever is in the parked position. I needed to use the foot parking brake and wheel chucks to stop and secure the vehicle.”
Electrical system
11 reports1 crash3 fires
“The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Titan. The contact stated while in a grocery store parking lot, the vehicle failed to start. The contact called her husband, who replaced the battery; however, the failure recurred at a later date. The contact stated that the battery was replaced four times since 2021 due to the same failure, but the issue persisted. Additionally, the battery gauge fluctuated erratically. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.”
Forward collision avoidance
5 reports1 crash
“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 local Nissan dealership started that it was a known.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
3 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
- Engines
- 5.6L 8-cyl
- Transmissions
- Automatic (S9)
- Drive
- Rear-Wheel Drive · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Titan 2WD Auto (S9), 8 cyl, 5.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 21 | 18 | $4,300 | 503 |
| Titan 4WD Auto (S9), 8 cyl, 5.6 L · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 18 | $4,300 | 515 |
| Titan 4WD PRO-4X Auto (S9), 8 cyl, 5.6 L · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | $4,550 | 518 |
- 18mpg comb.
- 18mpg comb.
- 17mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
4 tested variants
Overall rating
—/ 5
Not ratedNissan Titan King Cab PU/EC 4WD
- Frontal crash
- Not rated
- Side crash
- Not rated
- Side pole
- Not rated
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 19.8%
Overall
— / 5
Nissan Titan King Cab PU/EC RWD
- Frontal crash
- Not rated
- Side crash
- Not rated
- Side pole
- Not rated
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 19.8%
Overall
4 / 5
Nissan Titan Crew Cab PU/CC 4WD
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 3 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 22.8%
Overall
4 / 5
Nissan Titan Crew Cab PU/CC RWD
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 19.8%
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
2021 Titan questions
How many recalls does the 2021 Nissan Titan have?
5 safety recalls as of Nov 7, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
What are the most common 2021 Nissan Titan problems?
Owners filed 58 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (26), electrical system (11), forward collision avoidance (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2021 Nissan Titan get?
The EPA rates the 2021 Nissan Titan at 17–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).
How safe is the 2021 Nissan Titan?
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2021 Nissan Titan 4 out of 5 stars overall.
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 7, 2026