2021 Nissan TITAN
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2021 Nissan TITAN has 67 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.2x the segment average of 31. The most common issue is transmission problems (36% of all complaints), specifically: 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 the car in front. my tita. There are 5 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 3 fire reports filed.
67
Total Complaints
5
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
2.2x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
TRANSMISSION
24 complaints- • 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 the car in front. My Tita
- • 2021 Nissan Titan is having major transmission problems jerking when down shifting. This has become a serous issue when try to maintain speed. I have taking the vehicle to the dealership to which I am told, "Nissan is fully aware of the issue and is working on a fix". This has been on going for c
- • I have a 2021 that is prone to harsh downshifts and jerking just before coming to a complete stop. I have taken the truck to the dealership and they informed me that their technician could not find anything wrong. The problem still continue to happen
“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 the car in front. My Tita”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Recalls (5)
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.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2021 Nissan TITAN
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
5-Year Gas Price History
EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2021 Nissan TITAN
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Nissan TITAN Service Intervals
CVT-equipped models (Altima, Sentra, Rogue, Pathfinder) MUST use Nissan NS-3 CVT fluid, not conventional ATF. Frequent CVT service extends life significantly.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Nissan New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
These are the terms for a new Nissan. If you're buying a used 2021 TITAN, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Nissan dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 67 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐TRANSMISSION: 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 the car in front. My Tita
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: 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. Any car following behind may hit the car as ther
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: Truck shows a message when started and while driving/running. (Key System Error) Also the warning light icon stays lite but sometimes it does go off, other times not
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: Truck shows a message when started and while driving/running. (Key System Error) Also the warning light icon stays lite but sometimes it does go off, other times not
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 5 recalls have been completed — free at any Nissan dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Nissan TITAN — Year Comparison
How does 2021 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 67
- Recalls
- 5
- Fire reports
- 3
- Crash reports
- 5
- Injury reports
- 0
- Segment avg
- 31
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2021 Nissan TITAN