2011 Nissan Titan Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2011 Nissan Titan carries 1 open NHTSA recall — most recently covering frontal. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Exhaust manifold and tailpipe failure.” Nissan owner's manuals split service into Schedule 1 (severe) and Schedule 2 (normal). Most US drivers fall under Schedule 1. The biggest preventable failure on Nissan vehicles is CVT transmission damage from extended fluid intervals — owners of Altima, Rogue, Sentra, Pathfinder, and Murano with CVT should not skip it.

1 Open Recall

Source: NHTSA

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Campaign #23V067000 · Oct 2, 2023

Issue: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2008-2011 Titan, Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder, Armada, and 2008-2009 Quest vehicles. The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.

Risk: A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.

Fix: Dealers will replace the driver’s airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are PC944, PC945, and PC946.

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2011 Nissan Titan.

Reported to NHTSA

Exhaust manifold and tailpipe failure

ENGINE

3 NHTSA complaints · 2016-10 → 2020-09

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN TITAN. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE VEHICLE. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND MANIFOLD GASKETS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10920320
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN TITAN. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS ON VARIOUS DAYS, A LOUD VIBRATING NOISE COULD BE HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED ON BOTH SIDES. THE
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10984256
IN 2017 AT 60,062 MILES THE TAIL PIPE CORRODED FELL OFF. A REPAIR WAS MADE AT THE EAU CLAIRE NISSAN DEALERSHIP WERE THE CUT AND CLAMPED IT BACK TOGETHER. AGAIN AS I WRITE THIS THE TAIL PIPE HAS CORRODED AND FELL OFF. I HAVE SPOKE WITH THE DEALERSHIP IN EAU CLAIRE AS WELL AS
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11360446

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Power window and body electrical malfunction

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

3 NHTSA complaints · 2015-01 → 2019-07

TRUCK WAS PARKED AND WHEN WE RETURNED THE WINDOWS WERE DOWN. IT HAPPENED A SECOND TIME TODAY (JAN.27,2015) MY HUSBAND CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT AND WAS ASKED IF IT HAD HAPPENED BEFORE.THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE A FLUKE AND IT NEVER HAPPENED AGAIN TILL TODAY. *TR
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10679094
WINDOWS WON'T STAY UP WHEN THE CAR IS SHUT ALL THE WINDOWS GO DOWN VERY HARD TO KEEP THEM UP WHEN THE CAR IS BEEN SITTING FOR A WHILE THE WINDOWS GO DOWN HARD TO KEEP THE CAR LOCKED UP WHEN THE WINDOWS WON'T STAY UP
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11032020
THE FIRST ISSUE IS THE A/C SYSTEM. WHEN THE SYSTEM IS BEING RUN ON THE MAXIMUM SETTING THERE IS A AUDIBLE TICKING SOUND. THIS SOUND HAS BEEN ATTRIBUTED TO A PART INSIDE THE AC UNIT THAT'S MADE OF PLASTIC THAT GOES BAD REALLY QUICK. THE RESULT OF THIS IS NO AC OR NO HEAT AND A
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11233308

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Suspension and frame component failure

SUSPENSION

3 NHTSA complaints · 2011-10 → 2025-04

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN TITAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND TRAVELING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD IT WOULD FEEL AS IF THE FRONT END WAS GOING TO FALL APART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10430178
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN TITAN. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT HEARD A THUMPING SOUND. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS LEANING LOW, AND THE STRUT AND SPRING ASSEMBLY BRACKET DETACHED FROM THE FRAME AND
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11078308
The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Titan. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear end of the vehicle when the vehicle drove over into an object on the roadway. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11654726

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HVAC defrost and heater failure

VISIBILITY/WIPER

2 NHTSA complaints · 2012-10 → 2016-10

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN TITAN. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 65 MPH WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER AND THE DEFROST FAILED TO DEFROST THE WINDOWS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE ELECTRIC CONDENSER FOR THE AIR CONDITIONER UNIT AND DEFROST NEEDED TO
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10478074
WHEN OPERATING A/C CLIMATE CONTROLS, THE HEATER DOES NOT BLOW HOT AIR, BUT RATHER COLD AIR. WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN ONE DAY, I HAD SET THE CONTROLS TO DE-FOG THE WINDSHIELD, ONLY TO MAKE THE SCENARIO MUCH WORSE DUE TO ABSENCE OF HOT AIR NEEDED TO DEHUMIDIFY THE INTERIOR
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10914314

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Rear seat belt lock-up

SEAT BELTS

2 NHTSA complaints · 2011-01 → 2011-12

THE REAR SEATBELTS ON MY 2011 NISSAN TITAN CREW CAB LOCK UP WHILE THERE IS PASSENGERS IN THE REAR SEAT. THEY ARE CAUSING THEM TO BECOME SO UNCOMFORTABLE THAT I HAVE TO STOP AND LET THEM RESET THE BELTS, UNBUCKLING AND RELATCHING. THIS WORKS FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THE PROCEDURE
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10378710
(1) I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SEATBELTS IN THE BACK SEAT OF MY 2011 NISSAN TITAN. THEY TIGHTEN UP ON THE OCCUPANTS AND I HAVE TO STOP MY TRUCK IN ORDER TO RELEASE THEM, BUT THEN THEY TIGHTEN UP AGAIN. A SWITCH FOR ADULTS OR CHILDREN MAY FIX THE PROBLEM. (2) AS
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10439774

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Air bag deployment malfunction

AIR BAGS

3 NHTSA complaints · 2011-11 → 2024-06

SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WHILE GOING OVER A BUMP/HITTING A POTHOLE DURING A TURN-NO WHEELS LEFT THE GROUND AND PASSENGER KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS BY DEPLOYMENT. SEE THIS PROBLEM MENTIONED IN FORUMS YET NO RECALL AND DEALERS UNABLE TO ASSESS PROBLEM WITHOUT SPECIALIST TO CHECK COMPUTER
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10436148
VEHICLE SIDE OR CURTAIN AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING A VIOLENT T-BONE COLLISION IN WHICH ANOTHER VEHICLE STRUCK THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE TRUCK AT MODERATE SPEED. HAD ANY PASSENGERS BEEN SEATED IN THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, SERIOUS INJURIES OR WORSE WOULD HAVE RESULTED
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10690572

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Steering column failure

STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 NHTSA complaints · 2018-09 → 2021-12

THE TRUCK WILL NOT SHIFT FROM PARK. YOU HAVE TO STICK SOMETHING DOWN INTO THE COLUMN TO UNLOCK IT. BREAKS AND EVERYTHING ELSE WORK FINE IT'S SOMETHING IN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT IS FAULTY AND WILL COST CLOSE TO 1000 TO REPLACE
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11129742
My steering column broke while driving down the road. Almost caused me to wreck
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11444718

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Driveline and transmission failure

POWER TRAIN

2 NHTSA complaints · 2013-09 → 2015-03

WHILE DRIVING MY TRUCK I NOTICED SMOKE PULLED OVER INTO A LOT LOOKED UNDER TRUCK AND NOTICED FLUID EVERYWHERE. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO NISSAN DEALER. THEY STATED TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE SPLIT CAUSED FLUID TO LEAK OUT THAT CAUSED TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. TRUCK STILL UNDER POWER TRAIN
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10542298
AT 35000 THIS VEHICLE DEVELOPED A SEVERE VIBRATION/SHAKE AT 42-48MPH. NISSAN REPLACED FAILED REAR DIFFERENTIAL, FRONT DIFFERENTIAL AND TRANSFER CASE. SEVERE VIBRATION/SHAKING CONDITION IS STILL PRESENT. NISSAN IS NOT ATTEMPTING ANY FURTHER REPAIRS, CLAIMS NORMAL BODY FLEXING. *TR
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10702327

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Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

Replace synthetic-blend or full-synthetic oil every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1. Schedule 2: 7,500 miles. VR30DDTT (3.0L twin-turbo): full synthetic only.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 5,000 mi

Rotate tires every 5,000 miles. Front-wheel-drive Nissans (Altima, Sentra, Versa) wear front tires fast — don't skip rotations.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

CVT Fluid (NS-3)

Every 60,000 mi

Nissan officially calls CVT fluid 'lifetime,' but independent technicians and Nissan TSBs recommend replacement every 60,000 miles to prevent CVT failure. Use Nissan NS-3 fluid only — substitutes destroy the belt-and-pulley system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Rogue and Pathfinder front pads typically last 35,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 2 years. Dark or amber fluid indicates moisture contamination.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles, sooner if driving on dusty unpaved roads.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs

Every 105,000 mi

Iridium-tipped spark plugs are rated 105,000 miles on QR25, MR20, and VQ35 engines. VR30DDTT: 60,000 miles due to higher cylinder pressures.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Long-Life Coolant

Every 75,000 mi

Nissan Long-Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue/green): first change at 105,000 miles, then every 75,000. Do not mix with other coolant chemistries.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Transfer Case / Rear Diff (AWD models)

Every 60,000 mi

Rogue AWD, Murano AWD, Pathfinder 4WD: replace transfer case fluid and rear differential fluid every 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Located behind the glove box on Altima, Rogue, and Sentra.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

27 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

1

complaints mentioning a crash

1

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2011 Nissan Titan reflects Nissan's published service intervals and the Maintenance Reminder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.