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2021 Nissan Titan Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2021 Nissan Titan carries 5 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering tires and bulbs. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “9-speed transmission harsh shifting and lurching.” 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.

5 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

TIRES

Campaign #21V169000 · Nov 3, 2021

Issue: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:BULBS

Campaign #21V471000 · Jun 23, 2021

Issue: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Campaign #22V457000 · Jun 24, 2022

Issue: 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.

Risk: A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Campaign #22V671000 · Jul 9, 2022

Issue: 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.

Risk: A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE

Campaign #24V580000 · May 8, 2024

Issue: 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.

Risk: An unsecured ACU can prevent or delay air bags from deploying as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

Fix: 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.

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2021 Nissan Titan.

Reported to NHTSA

9-speed transmission harsh shifting and lurching

POWER TRAIN

24 NHTSA complaints · 2020-12-01 → 2026-07-08

“The truck is prone to harsh transmission shifting. It is abrupt and harsh enough when coming to a stop to create a safety issue. If one is not hard on the brakes at the time, the truck will lurch forward with the last downshifts, with the potential to strike pedestrians or”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11437446
“I brought my Nissan Titan HD in for service at Bayou Nissan on July 26 for a Transmission Issue. The truck jerks when downshifting, the jerk can throw you forward with a hard downshift when coming to a stop. This has at times locked my seatbelt and thrown passengers forward”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11486742
“The first was going at a moderate speed, it’s a nine speed transmission. It shifted down into second gear, revving the engine horribly and throwing me forward somewhat. If this had happened at highway speeds it could have locked up the back wheels causing me to loose control”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11737220

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Automatic emergency braking false activation under bridges

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

5 NHTSA complaints · 2021-10-04 → 2023-06-30

“The vehicles automatic emergency braking system falsely triggers under certain conditions. It most commonly occurs when the the vehicle travels under bridges in sunny, clear conditions. Presumably, the vehicle believes that the shadow cast by the bridge is an object when it is”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11502402
“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…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11529728
“The emergency braking driver assist is panic braking going over railroad tracks. It is "seeing" the railroad tracks as a vehicle and emergency braking with no cars around. The problem is even when slowing to a crawl under 5mph it slams on the brakes”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11435402

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Electrical system smoke and fire events

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

3 NHTSA complaints · 2024-03-30 → 2026-07-10

“Vehicle stalled earlier in the day and displayed Service AT. Symptoms included loss of power, fluctuating service lights, but no DTC codes. Shortly after powering off and starting vehicle functioned as intended with slight smoke when activating ac. Vehicle stalled again later…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11580199
“I began to hear a noice I can best describe as a beep or squeal like you might hear from an electronic toy with a battery about to die. I thought the sound was coming from the center console and was trying to identify the source when I observed flames erupt behind the passenger…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11749498

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Infotainment head unit and backup camera failure

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

3 NHTSA complaints · 2021-08-26 → 2025-08-12

“The infotainment head unit screen is completely black and unresponsive. The rear backup camera fails to activate when the vehicle is shifted into reverse, eliminating a federally mandated safety feature. During the first failure, the mirror adjustment controls stopped functioning”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11680268
“The contact stated that while reversing, the back-up camera display screen appeared distorted, with lines inside the image. The contact stated that the failure created a visibility hazard. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure and informed”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11604324
“The infotainment screen has a very bad glare to it. When backing up and the sun hits it you cant even see the display. While driving and the sun hits the screen the glare is so bad that you cant see anything on the display”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11430665

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag non-deployment in collisions

AIR BAGS

2 NHTSA complaints · 2024-12-19 → 2025-06-08

“The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, another vehicle turned in front of their vehicle, causing the contact's front end to hit the other vehicle's passenger side. The air bags failed to deploy. Both vehicles had severe damage to the body of the vehicle. The contact…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11631551
“I own a 2021 Nissan Titan. I am deeply concerned that I have defective Air Bags. I have had 2 collisions in my vehicle at high rates of speed and none deployed either time. I now fear that this vehicle will not protect me in the unfortunate case of another collision”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11665619

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Open recall remedy unavailable — parts or software backorder

POWER TRAIN

3 NHTSA complaints · 2022-11-10 → 2025-03-09

“The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 22V671000 (Power Train) and 22V457000 (Power Train) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11506472
“Dealership signed off on NHTSA Recall 22V671 / Nissan Bulletin NTB22-085 in 2023 as 'reprogramming not needed.' The vehicle's transmission software is currently mismatched/corrupted, causing transmission fault codes. The manufacturer (Nissan Consumer Affairs) and the local…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11749013

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

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)

9 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.

0

complaints mentioning a crash

0

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 2021 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.

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