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

- 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
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew Cab Pro-4x | 226.4 in | 80.7 in | 77.2 in | 139.8 in | 70.5 / 70.5 in | 5,816 lb | 58/42 |
| Crew Cab S / Sv | 226 in | 79.5 in | 76 in | 139.8 in | 70.5 / 70.5 in | 5,688 lb | 58/42 |
| Crew Cab Sl / Platinum Reserve | 226.4 in | 80.7 in | 77.2 in | 139.8 in | 70.5 / 70.5 in | 5,935 lb | 58/42 |
| Single Cab S / Sv | 226 in | 79.5 in | 75.2 in | 139.8 in | 70.5 / 70.5 in | 5,668 lb | |
| Xd Crew Cab Pro-4x | 240.2 in | 80.7 in | 78.3 in | 151.6 in | 70.1 / 70.1 in | 6,537 lb | 57/43 |
| Xd Crew Cab S / Sv 4x2 | 240.2 in | 79.5 in | 78 in | 151.6 in | 70.1 / 70.1 in | 6,005 lb | 57/43 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Titan 2WD | 5.6L 8-cyl | Automatic (S9) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 21 / 18 | -9% | $4,550 | 503 |
| Titan 4WD | 5.6L 8-cyl | Automatic (S9) | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 15 / 21 / 18 | -1% | $4,550 | 515 |
| Titan 4WD PRO-4X | 5.6L 8-cyl | Automatic (S9) | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 15 / 20 / 17 | -7% | $4,850 | 518 |
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
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Nissan Titan (this car) | 18 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2021 Toyota Tundra | 15 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
| 2021 Chevrolet Colorado | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2021 GMC Canyon | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
| 2021 Jeep Gladiator | 24 MPG | Not rated | 8 |
| 2021 Ram 1500 | 26 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: Â Model Year 2020-2022 Frontier vehicles: reprogram Transmission Control Module (TCM) Â Model Year 2020-2022 Titan vehicles: reprogram TCM and Engine Control Module (ECM) Â Model Year 2023 Titan vehicles: reprogram TCM Â 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.
Not every 2021 Nissan Titan is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2021 Nissan Titan buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Power Train — 26 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Electrical System — 11 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking — 5 owner reports. Make sure driver-assist systems and the backup camera work without error messages.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 14,900 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- 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 →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Titan | 17 | 226.4 in | Not rated | 2 | 15 |
| 2023 Titan | 18 | 226.4 in | Not rated | 2 | 18 |
| 2022 Titan | 18 | 226.4 in | Not rated | 4 | 14 |
| 2020 Titan | 18 | 226.4 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 23 |
| 2019 Titan | 18 | 226.4 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 49 |
| 2018 Titan | 18 | 226.4 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 90 |
| 2017 Titan | 18 | 226.4 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 187 |
| 2015 Titan | 15 | 242.1 in | Not rated | 1 | 12 |
| 2014 Titan | 15 | 242.1 in | Not rated | 2 | 10 |
| 2013 Titan | 15 | 242.1 in | Not rated | 3 | 9 |
| 2012 Titan | 15 | 242.1 in | Not rated | 2 | 20 |
| 2011 Titan | 15 | 242.1 in | Not rated | 1 | 17 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Nissan. How we calculate this →