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2021 Nissan Titan

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2021 models.

Nissan Titan
Pictured: 2021 Nissan Titan Crew Cab PRO-4X in Super Black, Front Right, 2024-03-08. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD
Body styles
Crew Cab Pro-4x, Crew Cab S / Sv, Crew Cab Sl / Platinum Reserve, Single Cab S / Sv
Engines
5.6L 8-cyl
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
18 combined · 16 city / 21 hwy
Length
226–240.2 in
Curb weight
5,668–6,537 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
5 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
  • 5 recallsMore than similar models (about 2). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 5 similar 2021 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2021 Nissan Titan is a standard pickup truck offered with a 5.6L 8-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive and part-time 4-wheel drive.

It measures about 226 inches long and 81 inches wide on a 140-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,816 lb (Crew Cab Pro-4x).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 18 MPG combined (16 city / 21 highway), 9% worse than the 2021 standard pickup truck average of 19.8 MPG, for an estimated $4,550 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 5 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 58 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the power train.

What changed for 2021

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2020 Titan — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2020; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2020 Titan →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
Crew Cab Pro-4x226.4 in80.7 in77.2 in139.8 in70.5 / 70.5 in5,816 lb58/42
Crew Cab S / Sv226 in79.5 in76 in139.8 in70.5 / 70.5 in5,688 lb58/42
Crew Cab Sl / Platinum Reserve226.4 in80.7 in77.2 in139.8 in70.5 / 70.5 in5,935 lb58/42
Single Cab S / Sv226 in79.5 in75.2 in139.8 in70.5 / 70.5 in5,668 lb
Xd Crew Cab Pro-4x240.2 in80.7 in78.3 in151.6 in70.1 / 70.1 in6,537 lb57/43
Xd Crew Cab S / Sv 4x2240.2 in79.5 in78 in151.6 in70.1 / 70.1 in6,005 lb57/43

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Titan 2WD5.6L 8-cylAutomatic (S9)Rear-Wheel Drive16 / 21 / 18-9%$4,550503
Titan 4WD5.6L 8-cylAutomatic (S9)Part-time 4-Wheel Drive15 / 21 / 18-1%$4,550515
Titan 4WD PRO-4X5.6L 8-cylAutomatic (S9)Part-time 4-Wheel Drive15 / 20 / 17-7%$4,850518
3/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
3/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $10,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
19.8 MPG2021 Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2021 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2021 Nissan Titan.

Similar 2021 standard pickup trucks

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2021 Nissan Titan (this car)18 MPGNot rated5
2021 Toyota Tundra15 MPG★★★★★2
2021 Chevrolet Colorado23 MPG★★★★★1
2021 GMC Canyon23 MPG★★★★★2
2021 Jeep Gladiator24 MPGNot rated8
2021 Ram 150026 MPG★★★★★15

Recalls (5)

Air Bags › Air Bag/Restraint Control Module · Aug 5, 2024

NHTSA campaign 24V580000 · 7 vehicles

Problem
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.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · Sep 7, 2022

NHTSA campaign 22V671000 · 197,230 vehicles

Problem
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.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · Jun 24, 2022

NHTSA campaign 22V457000 · 180,176 vehicles

Problem
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.
Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal › Bulbs · Jun 23, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V471000 · 30,799 vehicles

Problem
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.
Tires › Sidewall · Mar 11, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V169000 · 36,141 vehicles

Problem
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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2021 Nissan Titan is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

58Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
3Involved a crash
3Involved a fire
1Injuries reported
14,900 miTypical mileage at failure
Power Train26
Electrical System11
Unknown Or Other8
Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking5
Service Brakes4
Engine4
Suspension3
Fuel/Propulsion System3
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
22/07: 122/09: 122/10: 122/11: 322/12: 323/01: 123/02: 223/03: 123/06: 123/07: 123/08: 123/10: 124/03: 124/07: 124/12: 125/03: 125/04: 125/05: 125/06: 125/08: 126/05: 226/07: 226/08: 126/10: 322/0722/1123/0223/0724/0325/0325/0626/07max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2021 Nissan Titan buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Power Train — 26 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  3. Electrical System — 11 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  4. Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking — 5 owner reports. Make sure driver-assist systems and the backup camera work without error messages.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 14,900 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2021 Nissan Titan. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Titan years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2024 Titan17226.4 inNot rated215
2023 Titan18226.4 inNot rated218
2022 Titan18226.4 inNot rated414
2020 Titan18226.4 in★★★★★523
2019 Titan18226.4 in★★★★★449
2018 Titan18226.4 in★★★★★490
2017 Titan18226.4 in★★★★★3187
2015 Titan15242.1 inNot rated112
2014 Titan15242.1 inNot rated210
2013 Titan15242.1 inNot rated39
2012 Titan15242.1 inNot rated220
2011 Titan15242.1 inNot rated117

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Nissan. How we calculate this →