The Nissan Titan has been around for over a decade yet still remains the full-size pickup truck of choice for some people.
Though if you fancy getting one yourself, it’s important to be aware that not every year of the Nissan Titan is made equally.
Thus, if you want to avoid running into potential issues and really get your money’s worth, then this thorough guide to the best and worst years of the Nissan Titan is just for you!
What is the best year of the Nissan Titan?
Both the 2011 and 2015 model years are the best years of the Nissan Titan to buy. They have the least recalls, do not run into any engine or transmission problems, and have relatively cheap annual maintenance costs at $618 and $441, respectively.
For the most part, the Nissan Titan is regarded as a pickup truck that doesn’t really run into that many issues.
However, it’s still important to take note of the years that the Nissan Titan had the least problems or no problems at all to get the best bang for your buck.
Many owners and reviewers consider the 2011 and 2015 model years of the Nissan Titan to be the best years of the pickup truck, as they did not run into any major problems with their engines and transmissions.
Also, there was only one recall between the two of them, which was related to the possibility that the airbag inflator module on the 2015 Nissan Titan may not function properly or rupture when deployed.
While the 2011 and 2015 Nissan Titan model years don’t exactly have the cheapest maintenance costs among all the years, they are still relatively cheap considering you barely run into any issues with them at all.
Which Nissan Titan year has the least issues?
Nissan Titan models made in 2012 and 2014 to 2021 did not run into any major issues, contrary to other model years that were prone to run into at least one major issue.
Looking at the table above, the majority of the Nissan Titan’s production run had no reported major problems, and this is especially true for the 2nd-generation models.
Starting from 2014 until 2021, the Nissan Titan did not run into any major issues, which is a solid testimony to the Titan’s improvement in reliability over the years.
The 2007 to 2010 model years are where the bulk of the major problems is for the Nissan Titan, something that is expected due to their age yet still something to be wary about when buying a second-hand unit.
Some issues of these earlier model years include fuel pump failure, corrosion due to water leaks, and various faulty electronics that rendered the vehicle unable to start.
Also, it’s important to note that the Nissan Titan transitioned into its 2nd generation in 2016, which explains why the 2016 model year was not included in the table above.
Which Nissan Titan year has the least recalls?
The 2011 Nissan Titan model year has no recalls, thus, it has the least number of recalls out of any Nissan Titan model from 2007 to 2021.
The 2011 model year of the Nissan Titan is the only year that has no issued recalls by the manufacturer.
This makes it the model year with the least number of recalls, only being followed in 2nd place by the 2015 model year with one recall.
The rest of the model years that had two or more recalls are actually a mix of models both older than 2011 and newer than 2015.
One such recall for the newer models was a recall for the Continental tires fitted on the 2018 to 2021 Nissan Titan models (Recall #21V169000).
The reason for this was due to the possibility that the tires could rupture unexpectedly because they were cured for too long during the manufacturing process.
Another notable recall was that of the older 2007 Nissan Titan models, in which their suspensions have lower control link collars that were not welded up to the proper strength specifications (Recall #10E019000).
Nissan states that if the collar welds separate, it could drastically affect the vehicle’s handling and may even cause an accident.
Which Nissan Titan Year has the cheapest maintenance?
The 2017 Nissan Titan has the cheapest average maintenance cost of $384 per year. However, keep in mind that this amount may be subject to change as info on the maintenance costs of newer model years eventually become available.
In terms of the maintenance cost, you can expect to spend the least with the 2017 model year of the Nissan Titan, which averages about $384 per year.
This is followed closely by the 2018 Nissan Titan model year in second place with its own average maintenance cost of about $393 per year.
These two model years have very cheap maintenance costs when compared to the 2015 and earlier model years which all have averages above $450.
At this current time, the most expensive Nissan Titan model year to maintain is 2014, with an average maintenance cost of $623 per year.
That amount is still cheaper by $313 compared to the average annual maintenance cost of $936 for a full-size truck.
However, as we’ve mentioned above, these costs may be subject to change as newer data becomes available for both the listed and unlisted model years.
Model years 2019 and newer have yet to be included in the list since it usually takes 3 to 4 years before we get accurate and reliable maintenance costs for a single model year.
How much can you expect to pay for a used Nissan Titan?
A used 1st-generation 2007 Nissan Titan costs between $8,998 and $16,490 depending on its mileage and overall condition.
Used 2nd-generation 2016 Nissan Titan models would cost between $27,987 and $47,999 depending on their mileage and overall condition.
All prices listed below are according to carbuyingandselling.com’s estimations for a used Nissan Titan if you were to buy one in 2022.
Take note that the price ranges for each Nissan Titan model year above will only serve as a rough guide, as there are many different factors that can affect the price of one specific unit.
Apart from the number of miles driven and the overall condition of the vehicle in question, you still need to consider the price depreciation of each specific model year.
If you were to buy a used 2015 Nissan Titan, which is now 7 years old, it would have already depreciated at an average of 50% from its original price, according to caredge.com.
However, you can get an even better deal with an 11-year-old 2011 Nissan Titan, which is considered one of the best model years for the truck.
Assuming that it has accumulated 120,000 miles (193,000 km) as well, its price would have already depreciated by 62%. That is quite a bargain if you don’t mind driving a truck that old for the coming years.
What is the worst year of the Nissan Titan?
The worst model years for the Nissan Titan are 2008 and earlier, as they had the most reported problems. Thus, it’s recommended to avoid buying these model years altogether.
It’s no surprise that the earliest model years of the 1st-generation Nissan Titan would perform the worst from a reliability standpoint.
Nissan Titans made in 2008 and earlier were quite notorious for running into issues relating to their drivetrains and radiators, resulting in safety hazards and very expensive repair jobs.
While all of the problems weren’t exactly as prevalent for each individual year, each problem was still bad enough to render avoiding any model within those years necessary.
For instance, the 2005 model year had far fewer reports of a leaking radiator compared to the previous year. But despite this, it still had many complaints regarding its differential, electrical system, and air conditioning.
In addition, even 2nd-generation Nissan Titan models from 2016 and 2018 had their own bouts of issues with their transmissions, exhaust systems, and fuel systems.
Still, their problems weren’t as bad and didn’t stick around for that long as Nissan was able to resolve them faster than ever after each model year.
Common Problems of the Nissan Titan
The Nissan Titan is prone to several problems relating to the transmission, rear axle, fuel pump, rear differential, navigation system, and corrosion of the wiring harness connector.
Transmission Problems
Transmission problems are one of the most prevalent types of problems on the Nissan Titan, which caused owners to experience the several symptoms we’ve listed below.
Symptoms of Transmission Problems on a Nissan Titan
- Difficulty shifting gears properly, especially when going up an incline or while towing cargo.
- Vibrations and grinding noises from the transmission.
- Transmission fluid leaks from underneath the truck.
Rear Axle Failure
Nissan Titan models from 2004 to 2006 were notorious for having rear axle failures after 100,000 miles (161,000 km), which would cause a loud noise accompanied by a vibration from the rear of the truck.
The reason for the rear axles failing was mainly because of overheating due to poor ventilation for the components, which led to fluid loss that can cause damage to other neighboring parts.
Fuel Pump Failure
Owners of Nissan Titan models produced in 2010 or earlier have reported weak fuel pumps that eventually fail around the 100,000-mile (161,000 km) mark.
A fuel pump failure on a Nissan Titan will cause a lean air-fuel ratio and a lower fuel pressure, which you can mechanically feel as a loss in engine power.
Take note that this problem may also damage the catalytic converter if not resolved right away.
Rear Differential Failure
Rear differential failures are another kind of problem that the Nissan Titan is known for, which can show symptoms such as a hissing noise under the truck and the transmission gears grinding while you’re turning.
This can be traced back to the rear axle failure we’ve previously discussed, as the associated fluid loss will cause the rear differential to not have enough lubrication to function properly, resulting in its own failure.
Faulty Navigation System
There have been several reports from owners of 2004 and 2005 Nissan Titan models that the navigation system on their trucks becomes faulty over time.
Some people experience the navigation screen randomly displaying “disc error” at times, causing the entire navigation system to become unusable.
Another issue with the navigation system is that it will not show any available maps that you can use, even though there should have been some that have already been made.
Corroded Wiring Harness Connector
Nissan Titan models manufactured before 2011 were prone to getting corrosion on the connector between the engine and the transmission wiring harness.
The main cause of this problem was a small water leak where the connector is situated, resulting in an inability to start the engine, the engine stalling, and even gearshifting issues.
This problem has been observed to occur in Nissan Titan units with around 115,000 miles (185,000 km) on their odometer.
How many miles can a Nissan Titan last?
The Nissan Titan can last you an average of 250,000 miles (402,000 km), which is around 16 years for the average driver in the United States.
Is the Nissan Titan a reliable truck?
The Nissan Titan is a decently reliable truck compared to other full-size trucks. It has a reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5, which puts it in 2nd place out of 17 trucks in the same category.
