The Nissan Titan XD Years To Avoid
Source: Flickr
The Nissan Titan XD is a unique offering in the pickup truck market, positioned between the traditional full-size and heavy-duty segments. This model was introduced to bridge the gap between light-duty and heavy-duty trucks and was marketed to offer the best of both worlds.
The most notable thing about the Titan XD was its unique diesel engine. Originally, the Titan XD offered a choice between a gasoline V8 engine and a 5.0-liter Cummins V8 turbo diesel engine. The Cummins diesel engine, in particular, was a significant selling point for the truck, offering impressive torque and towing capabilities. However, Nissan discontinued the Cummins diesel option after the 2019 model year, focusing on the gasoline engines.
If you’re looking to buy a Nissan Titan XD truck, you’ve got a few model years to choose from. However, some model years are more reliable than others. Today, we rounded up the Nissan Titan XD years to avoid as a used car buyer.
Which Nissan Titan XD Years To Avoid?
The Nissan Titan is known to be a dependable truck that can handle the most demanding jobs. The Titan XD doesn’t have much information about its reliability ratings, although RepairPal says the average maintenance cost for this truck is $500 per year. With that said, below are some of the worst Nissan Titan XD years to avoid due to known reliability issues and customer complaints.
- 2016 Nissan Titan XD
- 2017 Nissan Titan XD
- 2018 Nissan Titan XD
NOT JUST FOR CAR SHOPPING
The CoPilot app isn’t just for buying a car - our new CoPilot for Owning tool will help you keep track of recalls and gives you advice on which scheduled maintenance tasks are most important.
2016 Nissan Titan XD
The 2016 Titan XD faced several challenges, particularly with its diesel engine and early production woes. Being the first model year of a new line, the 2016 Titan XD encountered some initial quality issues. Early adopters reported minor and significant concerns, ranging from electrical glitches to mechanical faults.
While the Cummins diesel engine was a highlight, it also became a source of reliability concerns. Owners reported problems such as turbocharger issues, which could lead to reduced performance and increased maintenance costs.
According to this Reddit thread, the diesel version of the 2016 Nissan Titan XD is not worth it. The 2016 model is flagged for potential crankshaft issues that could lead to costly engine repairs. This risk seems to be heightened in trucks with lower mileage. In addition, The diesel model may also be unsuitable for short daily commutes. Diesel engines like the one in the Titan XD need longer trips to manage emissions system maintenance effectively, which can be problematic for short-distance driving.
2017 Nissan Titan XD
Unfortunately, the 2017 model is also one of the worst Nissan Titan XD years to avoid. Again, most of the problems lie with the truck’s Cummins diesel engine.
Like the previous model year, the 2017 Nissan Titan XD diesel encountered significant issues, particularly with the EGR valve and turbocharger. A Titan XD owner shared their experience of repeated problems leading to power loss. The EGR valve was initially replaced to address the issue, but unfortunately, it recurred. This time, both the EGR and turbocharger were found to be non-functional. The situation was further complicated due to the unavailability of replacement parts and unclear communication from Nissan regarding any improvements made to the parts.
The 2017 Titan XD was also not spared from transmission woes. Some owners have experienced hard shifting, particularly in the 4-5 shift range, causing the truck to shake or “thunk.” This issue persisted even after a transmission software update, or “flash,” which was intended to fix it. One owner described their frustration with the process of the transmission needing to “reprogram itself” after such an update,
With these major issues, the 2017 model is undoubtedly one of the worst Nissan Titan XD years to avoid.
THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE NISSAN TITAN XD
The Titan XD is a solid, heavy-duty pickup truck if you’re looking for pure performance. For today, we walk you through its lineup and determine the most reliable Nissan Titan XD year.
2018 Nissan Titan XD
Sadly, the 2018 Nissan Titan XD shares many problems from the previous model years. However, the electrical system is one of the standout issues with the 2018 Titan XD. Below are some of the reported electrical problems:
- Remote Start Malfunction: Owners have faced challenges with the remote start feature, where it fails to work most of the time despite following the correct procedure. This issue could be related to the key fob or another underlying problem.
- Power Seat Malfunction: The automatic adjustment of the power seat has shown inconsistencies. It intermittently fails to move back after parking and turning off the truck, a problem that did not exist initially.
- Persistent Open Door Chime: An issue with the open door chime that continues to sound after the truck is turned off and the door is opened has been reported. The chime only stops when exiting the truck and closing the door.
- Body Control Module Fault: The body control module has been identified as a potential cause for various electrical issues. Replacing this module seemed to be a suggested solution, although it also led to further complications, like bricking the entire truck during reprogramming.
Meanwhile, if you’re considering the Cummins engine for your 2018 Titan XD, you may want to think twice. Unfortunately, many of the issues with the diesel engine have reared their ugly heads in the 2018 Titan XD.
An excellent example of this is the DEF pump failure, which caused many headaches for owners. Owners have experienced a “DEF System Error” warning, indicating issues with the DEF system. This warning can appear unexpectedly and disrupt vehicle usage. In some instances, problems with the DEF sensor have led to replacing the entire DEF tank, as the sensor and tank are integrated. Needless to say, this is a considerable expense, especially when the vehicle is out of its emissions warranty.
AI-ASSISTED CAR SHOPPING
Never miss out on the best car, never overpay, and never get taken advantage of. Download the CoPilot app to see the magic of AI-assisted car shopping.
Is the Nissan Titan XD for You?
Ultimately, The Titan XD filled a unique spot in the truck market, especially with its distinctive diesel engine. It could be a worthwhile investment if you prioritize the unique combination of power, towing capacity, and comfort offered by the Titan XD and are prepared for the potential maintenance and repairs. However, if you have concerns about reliability (i.e., Cummins engine), cost of ownership, or resale value, you should explore other options in the truck market.
Always ensure a thorough pre-purchase inspection, particularly for the known issues of these model years, and consider the vehicle’s maintenance history before making a decision.
Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You
The CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area.
Only looking for newer models? CoPilot Compare is the search engine for nearly-new cars. Only see cars five years or newer with low mileage — CoPilot Compare is the best way to find off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO cars.
The best part? CoPilot is built using the same technology that dealerships use to buy and sell their inventories, so we have more info on each vehicle than competitors. CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no sponsored posts or other shady practices — just the most info on the best cars. Check out our About Us page to see how CoPilot works.
