What 196 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Nissan Titan

I purchased this Nissan Titan XD used in 2018 with 20,000 miles on the vehicle. Since that time, it's been driven an average of 4,000 miles per year. Current odometer reading is 53,813 miles. The truck has had all required and recommended service done on the manufacturer's recommended schedule. We were headed west on [XXX] and were approximately 18 miles west of El Centro when the engine experienced catastrophic failure from the main bearing failure which damaged the crank and pistons. There were no warning lights, or messages showing prior to the engine failure. All gauges were reading normal. We went from normal operating to the engine sounding like it was grinding a bag of hammers instantly and without warning, Our safety and the safety of other was put at risk because the engine failed so unexpectedly, we barely had time to get to the side of the roaad. I was barely able to get to the shoulder . We were then stuck there within inches of traffic moving at high speeds until a toow truck could be sent. That took hours while we stayed seatbelted into our truck in 96 degree weather waitng for a wrecker. Even the slightest bit of distarction by one of the driver coming by us cold have been catastrophis. We count oursekves lucky we weren't hit. The vehicle was eventually towed to Nissan Imperial in El Centro. The diagnosis was confirmed as a failed main bearings. I know this was investigated earlier by the NHTSA, but these trucks are still on the road and still failing at very low mileages and usages. This is obviously a defect by Nissan and Cummins as all the failures of this type I see are in 2016 year model trucks with the 5.0 Cummns diesel. Nissan has acknowledged that the failure was failed crank bearings but refuses to take any responsibility for a $69,000 vehicle that only went 53,813 miles before turning itself into a large paperweight. I need help dealing with Nissan on theis please. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11745298

Wow Towing very little weight on flat grade. The crankshaft broke. I was told that this was a problem with this particular vehicle, not marrying the transmission and the diesel Cummins engine up correctly. This vehicle has been sitting for over two years because of this issue the cost to repair is twice with the vehicle is worth.

NHTSA ODI 11714688

Driving down the interstate 2 days in a row cruise control 72 mph and go into reduced engine power. I believe it is the EGR cooler as well as many other people’s are having the same issue.

NHTSA ODI 11704341

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Fuel system/oil system catastrophic engine failure. Yes it is How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Truck shut down on highway at 70 mph with a child and wife in the truck Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Truck needs a complete motor. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Inspection was through a well know ase diesel technician Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, no there was not and when did they first appear? N/A

NHTSA ODI 11635859

Crankshaft failure.

NHTSA ODI 11625965

Early 2024, winter: Transfer case has only ever been used twice, and it failed. The entire transfer case had to be replaced. Case was replaced by an authorized Nissan dealership. This is a known problem by Nissan, just like the terrible 5.0 diesel engine.

NHTSA ODI 11613026

While driving my 2016 Nissan Titan XD Cummins (86,000 miles) on the highway, the engine started making a loud clacking noise, followed by a loud breaking or displacement sound. The check engine light did not come on, and the truck did not go into limp mode. Possible issues might be crankshaft or bearing failure, piston or connecting rod damage, or a valve train problem. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. There were no prior warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms before this failure. The problem has not yet been inspected or confirmed by a dealer or service center.

NHTSA ODI 11595672

I am the owner of a 2016 Nissan Titan xd, which has a 5.0 diesel engine. I have concerns reading about the current status of a preliminary investigation by your agency regarding the crankshaft breakdown while driving without or warning. My vehicle has 57,000 miles, and while I still have not suffered breakdown I do Have concerns on the safe driving this Titan XD. I purchased this vehicle to travel towing a travel trailer, and traveling with our grandchildren. I reading what other Titan owners have indicated, I now have concern on the safety of traveling in highways and suffering such a breakdown. I also travel on mountain roads to reach vacation sites around our area, and having no control in such conditions make me unsure of the safe travels. I worry on my $52,000 investment may be non dependable, or unsafe to use. i am requesting a your agency find a conclusion to the investigation as soon as possible, as the safety of owners, and other drivers could be in danger. I welcome updates of the progress of the investigation via email [XXX] , or mail box [XXX] . I also welcome phone contact at [XXX] . Thank you for your agency service to protect the welfare and safety of Highway, and vehicle hazards. Respectfully [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11575356

Multiple Occasions of Driving on Road and the Engine shuts off. I have had to safely coast the truck off the road, after several minutes the truck starts again and drives fine. This is occurring Regularly. I may go a week with the Truck driving fine, then all of a sudden it powers down and shuts off.

NHTSA ODI 11558484

1. The Crankshaft failed. The vehicle is available for inspection. Nissan has confirmed Crankshaft and engine to be unrepairable. 2. Event happened on a weekend late afternoon on a busy highway bridge. The titan was driving in the far left lane at 65-70 mph. Had to maneuver 2 lanes over down the bridge with no power to the engine. Safety for myself and many others on the highway bridge were put into danger as they had to maneuver out of my way while also driving around 65-70mph. Tow truck company also put in danger due to the busy nature of the highway when picking up vehicle. 3. Yes the problem cannot be reproduced because the vehicle is un-drivable. It has been confirmed by a dealer. 4. Yes the vehicle has been inspected at the local Nissan dealership. They stated the Crank shaft failed which led to the engine becoming unrepairable. 5. There were zero warning signs. I did not receive a single warning lamp, message or symptom. The vehicle experienced violent shaking followed by complete loss of power on the highway bridge, causing the engine to shut down. The titan had received all routine maintenance at the local Nissan dealership.

NHTSA ODI 11558128

Loud noise and engine kept running but was unresponsive. Was traveling about 70 mph just coasted off the interstate. Was pulling my pontoon boat back to the lake during rush hour if I hadn’t been at an exit might have turned out different. Had it towed to nearest Nissan dealership and was told right away camshaft was broken and engine would have to be replaced.

NHTSA ODI 11557814

Broken crankshaft at 99,400 miles

NHTSA ODI 11556690

The truck down shifted twice and then shut completely off while I was driving down the interstate. I was towed to Nissan in Springfield Missouri (closest to me) and they could not figure out the issue and charged me $500. I then towed the truck to Nissan of Jefferson city, Missouri, where I bought it. They inspected the motor and told me it was a complete loss. Metal in the oil pan from internal parts. They quoted me $39k for it to be replaced and I currently owe $30k on the truck. I only had this truck for 10 months when this failure occurred and left me and my family stranded. No check engine lights, odd noises or anything. Nissan has been reluctant to help and from what I've been reading this is a very normal occurrence for these trucks. I'm not sure what I'm going to do to get through this but I don't want it to happen to anyone else, so hopefully NHTSA can sort out this issue. Thank you.

NHTSA ODI 11556529

Broken crankshaft. Complete engine failure. Not covered on warranty.

NHTSA ODI 11552333

While towing 8,000 lbs, the engine made a horrible knocking sound and then stopped, causing me to lose power and the ability to adequately control my load, placing the traveling public and myself at a grave risk of harm.

NHTSA ODI 11510452

The four-wheel drive transfer case failed locking the truck in 4WD. The transfer case had to replaced at a cost of approximately $4000. My research has found that this is a common problem with this vehicle and Nissan will not cover the repairs. This truck is like new and had never been abused or used off road and has always been maintained.

NHTSA ODI 11488217

Connecting rod cap on cyl3 came loose and drop in bottom of oil pan, and Crankshaft broke and seized up engine. Transfer case won’t shift into 4wd

NHTSA ODI 11480124

The turbo actuator failed twice. I have yet to replace it a second time hoping there would be a recall. I spoke with two dealers and they tell me it is a common problem on Nissan titans with a Cummins engine. The check engine comes on and then the truck goes into limp mode. It does not want to go past 5 -10 mph. It goes away after the truck is turned off for 15 minutes. Then after a week or two it comes back. If I do not turn it off for 15 minutes the truck turns itself off.

NHTSA ODI 11472426

The transfer case shifted between 4x2, 4x4H and 4x4L on its own while vehicle is driving down the road. This caused ABS and traction control failure causing the vehicle to shake and drop suddenly in speed. This is a safety issue because ABS and traction control are safety features to prevent the vehicle from losing control. Nissan Titan XD has several reported issues with transfer cases from 2016-2020 where Nissan replaced them for the owners. The problem was confirmed by Nissan to be a transfer case failure. ABS, traction control, low power mode and 4X4 error lights occurred. ABS, traction control and 4x4 error lights occurred instantly. Low power mode quickly occurred afterwards which caused the vehicle to slow down rapidly on its own. I was able to travel at low speeds with hazards on to a parking lot and towed to dealer.

NHTSA ODI 11459624

My Titan XD has just over 28,000 miles on it. There is a long acceleration delay. I’m not sure if this issue is known. But if there’s a recall for this problem please let me know.

NHTSA ODI 11451306

Crankshaft broke while on interstate. Lost all power from engine and to exit to side of road immediately. Truck is at dealership and was giving news of needing engine replacement at 84k miles. Service light on for boost control system but was told that vehicle was drivable.

NHTSA ODI 11447932

IMMEDIATE RECALL NEEDED ON ALL NISSAN TITANS WITH LIMP MODE FOR DEF EXPIRATION. DEADLY CONSEQUENCES POSSIBLE AND NOT AVOIDABLE. I HAVE RECENTLY DISCOVERED THAT THE TITAN IS A DEADLY VEHICLE IN SEVERAL WAYS. MOST RECENTLY I DISCOVERED THE FACT THAT DEF FLUID AGES TO THE POINT OF CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO A LIMP MODE OF 5MPH WITH NO DISABLING THE LIMP MODE. UNSUSPECTING DIESEL OWNERS HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING IF THE DEF THEY PURCHASED HAS EXPIRED OR THE DEF IN THEIR TANKS HAS GONE BAD. IF THE VEHICLE IS IN AN AREA THAT HAS DRASTIC CLIMATES SUCH AS SUB ZERO OR EXTREMELY HOT, DRIVER AND OCCUPANTS OF VEHICLE MAY DIE OF EXPOSURE. THERE IS NO WARNING FOR THE DEF FAILURE FOR IMPENDING FAILURE OF THE EMISSION SYSTEM AS I HAVE JUST EXPERIENCED. I BELIEVE THAT NOT MAKING NISSAN AND OTHERS TO NOT RECALL THIS DANGEROUS BUILT IN CHILD KILLER WOULD BE A TRAGIC MISTAKE BY THE SAFETY COMMISSIONS.

NHTSA ODI 11382824

WHILE TRAVELING DOWN HIGHWAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND I LOST ALL POWER. I HAD TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY FAST BEFORE I GOT REAR ENDED. THIS VEHICLE IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I PURCHASED USED WITH 10,000 MILES ON IT AND THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE ENGINE HAS LOST COMPLETE POWER WITH NO ADVANCE NOTICE. FIRST REPAIR BY NISSAN DEALERSHIP WAS BLOWN VALVE AND TURBO PROBLEMS. 8,000 MILES LATER THE TURBO IS THROWING ERROR CODE P2662. THIS TRUCK IS HEADING TOWARDS LEMON STATUS WITH THE TERRIBLE 5.0 V8 AND IT'S NO WONDER NISSAN STOPPED OFFERING THE DIESEL OPTION. OTHER PROBLEM THE REAR DOOR EXTERIOR PANEL RATTLES WHEN AT 45MPH OR HIGHER AND IS QUITE ANNOYING FOR A SUPPOSED PLATINUM MODEL. I'M BEYOND DISAPPOINTED IN THIS VEHICLE AND IT SHOULD BE PULLED OFF THE ROAD BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED FROM INSTANT LOSS OF POWER WHILE IN MOTION. I'M IN SHOCK THAT THIS DIESEL MOTOR ISN'T UNDER INVESTIGATION. NISSAN DOESN'T HAVE ADEQUATE DIESEL TECHNICIANS TO ADDRESS THESE PROBLEMS. NISSAN OR CUMMINS NEED TO RECALL THIS TRUCK IMMEDIATELY.

NHTSA ODI 11376257

I LEFT MY HOME ON A 1300-MILE ROUND TRIP FROM AR TO KY. ABOUT 100 MILES INTO MY TRIP WHILE PULLING AN ENCLOSED 16' TRAILER AT 70MPH ON A FLAT 4 LANE HIGHWAY THE WARNING REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE REDUCE ENGINE POWER WARNING WENT OUT, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON. DURING THE NEXT 550 MILES THE REDUCED POWER WARNING CAME ON AND WENT OUT ABOUT EVERY 100 MILES. I WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE TO KY THAT DAY. THE LIGHT WENT OUT THE NEXT MORNING. ON 6 JULY 2020 I STARTED HOME AND BOTH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE REDUCED POWER WARNING CAME ON AFTER I HAD DRIVEN ABOUT 50 MILES DRIVING AT 70 MPH PULLING THE TRAILER ON A 4 LANE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AFTER A FEW MINUTES THE REDUCED POWER WENT OUT BUT THE CHECK ENGINE STAYED ON, DURING THE NEXT 600 MILES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON BUT THE REDUCED POWER WARNING WOULD COME ON AND GO OUT AT ABOUT 50 MILE INTERVALS. THIS CONTINUED ALL THE WAY HOME. DURING THE TRIP WHEN THE REDUCED POWER WARNING CAME ON THE TRUCK WOULD HOLD WHATEVER SPEED THE CRUISE WAS SET AT BUT IF IT TRIED TO GO UP ANY INCLINE THE TRUCK WOULD NOT REV ABOVE 3000 RPM WHICH CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO JUMP IN AND OUT OF PASSING GEAR AND YOU WERE UNABLE TO PASS OR EVEN KEEP THE SPEED UP GOING UP ANY TYPE OF A STEEP INCLINE (HILL). SINCE YOU HAD NO IDEA WHEN THE LIGHT WAS COMING ON AND THE POWER WAS GOING TO BE REDUCED, I WAS AFRAID TO PASS ANYTHING OR LET ANY OTHER VEHICLE GET TOO CLOSE BEHIND. I GOT THE TRUCK INTO SHOP TWO DAYS LATER. WHEN I PICKED MY TRUCK UP, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE EGR COOLER HAD FAILED INTERNALLY AND WAS LOSING COOLANT INTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. I DID A SEARCH OF THE INTERNET FOR OTHER OWNERS WHO HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR TRUCK AND FOUND LOTS OF OTHER OWNERS WHO HAD THE SAME PROBLEM REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND MOST WERE DUE TO THE EGR COOLER LEAKING AND CAUSING A LOSS OF COOLANT.

NHTSA ODI 11338482

YELLOW CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND LOSS OF POWER, TRUCK WILL JERK BACK AND FORTH LIKE THERES NO FUEL THEN WILL SHOOT OFF.THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES WITH NO LIGHT ON.IVE TAKEN MY TRUCK TO THE DEALER TO BE TOLD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON FOR DEF LOW AND BRAKING TOO MANY TIMES. DRIVING NORMAL AND A RED INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON WITH YELLOW CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TRUCK SAYING REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND I PULL OVER AND TURN TRUCK OFF FOR A FEW MINS AND EVERYTHING IS OFF. TRUCK MANY TIMES WONT GO PAST 3 RPMS.MANY TIMES WHILE DRIVING I CANT ACCELERATE AND NO LIGHTS ARE SHOWING.NISSAN DEALERSHIPS I BELIEVE DONT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS TRUCK AND IS CLEARING CODES WITHOUT FIXING THE PROBLEM.IVE ASKED TO SEE THE CODE LIST AND WAS REFUSED.RECALL ON ECM SAME ISSUES WERE HAPPENING AND THE RECALL WAS FIXED TO UPDATE ECM BUT THE DEALERSHIP ACTUALLY FRIED MY ECM AND HAD MY TRUCK FOR 45 DAYS TRYING TO GET IT STARTED. SAME PROBLEMS AS BEFORE WHICH I BELIEVE SOMETHING ELSE AGAIN IS WRONG WITH THIS TRUCK.MANY TITAN OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, DEALERSHIP STATE THEY CANT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE WHICH IF THEY TRIED THEY WOULD SUCCEED BUT TRYING AND HAVING A VEHICLE ONLY GET 5 MILES ON WHILE AT DEALERSHIP IS HIGHLY SUSPICIOUS.DEALERSHIP DOESNT FULLY LISTEN.TRANSMISSION HAS HAD A HARD KNOCK INTO GEAR SINCE DAY ONE AND WAS TOLD THAT'S NORMAL FOR MY TRANSMISSION.I SEE THE SAME PROBLEMS BEING SAID BY ALOT OF OWNERS AND NOTHINGS BEING DONE ABOUT IT. I'VE BEEN HAVING THESE ISSUES SINCE I BOUGHT MY TRUCK JAN 31 2017.

NHTSA ODI 11317864