VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE

Nissan Titan2004–2024

Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.

🚛 TRUCK
Nissan Titan
2004–2024
A+
Defect Risk
Recall intensity
1.7/yr · seg. median 4.0
Safety
Low
3 deaths · 14 inj.
✓No open federal investigations
38
Recalls
2,108
Complaints
2022
Best Yr
61
Injuries
Top issue: POWER TRAINAvoid 2004
21
Years Analyzed
38
Total Recalls
2108
Total Complaints
61
Reported Injuries
13
Reported Deaths

Best Years to Buy a Nissan Titan

Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.

#1 PICK4yr old
2022
Strong Buy · 98/100
Reliability100/100
Value window93/100
Recalls2
Complaints7
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
#2 PICK3yr old
2023
Strong Buy · 95/100
Reliability100/100
Value window86/100
Recalls0
Complaints12
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
#3 PICK6yr old
2020
Strong Buy · 94/100
Reliability94/100
Value window95/100
Recalls2
Complaints22
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Nissan Titan Years to Avoid

#1 WORST
2004

5 recalls · 677 complaints

18 reported injuries

Top issue: POWER TRAIN

#2 WORST
2005

3 recalls · 550 complaints

9 reported injuries

Top issue: POWER TRAIN

#3 WORST
2006

3 recalls · 273 complaints

8 reported injuries

Top issue: POWER TRAIN

Federal Defect Investigations

NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 1 past investigation into the Titan became recall.

Recently concluded investigations
PE23020 · engine and engine cooling · closed Jun 2025Closed, no recall

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of October 28, 2026.

Nissan Titan — Year-by-Year Comparison

Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.

YearRecallsComplaintsInjuriesDeathsReliabilityValueBuyer ScoreVerdict
202417——
100
76
92
Excellent
20230121—
100
86
95
Excellent
202227——
100
93
98
Excellent
20212381—
88
96
91
Excellent
20202224—
94
95
94
Excellent
2019335——
89
91
90
Excellent
20182581—
78
85
80
Excellent
201721306—
78
78
78
Good
201600——
100
71
90
Excellent
20151613
99
64
87
Excellent
201425——
100
58
85
Excellent
20133921
98
53
82
Excellent
20120151—
100
49
82
Excellent
2011017——
100
46
81
Excellent
2010232——
92
46
76
Excellent
20092362—
88
46
73
Excellent
20082875—
78
46
67
Good
20071922—
78
46
67
Good
200632738—
78
46
67
Caution
200535509—
78
46
67
Avoid
20045677189
78
46
67
Avoid

Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.

Known Nissan Titan Problems

Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.

POWER TRAIN
329
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
193
ENGINE
184
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
132
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
100
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
85
SERVICE BRAKES
83
AIR BAGS
72

Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.

Shopping by Era

How each generation of the Titan compares — best year within each era shown.

2018–Present

Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2022 (Buyer Score 98).

Best: 2022

2013–2017

Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2016 (Buyer Score 90).

Best: 2016

Pre-2013

Older Titan models are deeply depreciated but carry higher wear and repair risk. High mileage is common. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and verify full recall history.

Proceed with Caution

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best year Titan to buy?+

The 2022 Nissan Titan scores highest on our Buyer Score (98/100) — combining a reliability score of 100/100 with a value score of 93/100. It has 2 recalls and 7 NHTSA complaints on record.

Which Titan years have the most problems?+

The 2004, 2005, 2006 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2004 Titan leads with 5 recalls and 677 owner complaints.

What is the Buyer Score?+

The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.

What are the most common Titan problems?+

The most frequently reported Nissan Titan issues involve: POWER TRAIN, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.

Deep-Dive Research

Found the right year? Verify the specific car.

A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.

Run a VIN Check →