The truck suddenly and without warning drops into an un-acceleratable 'limp mode' while traveling at highway speeds in active traffic, presenting an immediate rear-end collision hazard. Nissan acknowledges this is a Turbo Failure and replaced it in 2021 and 2023 and now the turbo, actuator and dpf have all failed in less than 10k miles since the 2023 repair and refuses to cover it under the 10yr/150k mile warranty extension for the turbo.
Nissan Titan won't shift problems
27 of the 3,268 owner complaints about the Nissan Titan describe stuck in gear or won't shift, most of them for the 2017 model year.
- owner complaints
- 27
- worst model year
- 2017
- typical mileage
- 86,000
By model year
- 20213
- 20201
- 20192
- 20182
- 20178
- 20121
- 20111
- 20101
- 20063
- 20052
- 20043
Often reported together
Harsh shifting 2Check engine light 2Won't start 1Transmission failure 1Slipping 1Overheating 1Loss of power 1
Trouble codes mentioned
P2002 1P1759 1P1757 1P0720 1
What owners say
Worst dealership my husband and I ever dealt with. We purchased a 2019 Nissan XD Titan Diesel with warranty. Two days after purchase, the check engine light came on. I called Spencer from the service department to let them know. They took the truck the very next day; it was some issue with the gas tank, so the part was back-ordered. After getting that fixed, the check engine light still never went off. I questioned the dealership; all they could say was it was probably a dirty sensor. Then, not even two weeks later, I was leaving a doctor's appointment on the interstate when it threw up a code for low coolant, saying it was about to go into limp mode. So, I made it to the dealership's service station. They said it was okay and couldn't find anything wrong with it, then told me to just keep driving it until it broke down or delete it if it was them. They said, 'You know, we don't deal with a lot of diesel, so it may need to go to another dealership.' Then, two months went by, and we had more issues. We ended up back at the dealership to find out that it now had an oil leak that was quoted to us as a $14,000 job for parts and labor. We also had extended warranty and powertrain, but Spencer failed to file the warranty claim correctly the first time and filed under the wrong warranty, so they denied it. We had to call management to get them to check why, and the problem was that the service department didn't know how to file the correct warranty claim. After that was submitted, my husband asked Spencer directly and the service department if they did rentals through our warranty. They said they don't give rentals at that dealership. Note that we found out later through our warranty that they did pay, but we weren't given that chance. After picking up the vehicle, the check engine light was still on !!! there’s so much more details to the story!!!!!
I am submitting this complaint on behalf of the vehicle owner. On March 31, 2025 (136,962 miles), the vehicle was brought to Fred Anderson Nissan of [XXX] for Voluntary Emission Recall PD128 (NTB24-061), which required a new Particulate Matter Sensor and ECM reprogramming. One day later, the Check Engine Light illuminated. On April 2, 2025 (137,083 miles), the dealer diagnosed code P2002-00 (DPF Efficiency Below Specs). Repair Order #XXX states: "The new sensor that is now monitoring DPF is able to see this and is setting the code as designed." The dealer's own documentation confirms the fault code was triggered by the recall — not a pre-existing failure. The vehicle had no warning lights before the recall was performed. Nissan Consumer Affairs (Case #XXX) declined goodwill assistance citing mileage, without addressing the documented causal link between the recall and the fault code. The owner now faces a DPF replacement costing several thousand dollars as a direct result of complying with a manufacturer recall. Safety concern: A DPF in confirmed fault condition can trigger unexpected limp mode, including at highway speeds. If other PD128 recipients are experiencing the same recall-induced fault and cannot absorb the repair cost, those vehicles may be operating in a compromised condition. We request the federal safety agency investigate whether Recall PD128 is creating safety and repair liability for consumers who complied in good faith. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
At about 120,000 miles, my transmission started searching for gears shattering going in limp mode while in drive and then ultimately dying while on the highway. Also, my leaf springs are completely loose. You can just pull them out when you have the truck up on the lift.
The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Titan. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle entered LIMP Mode and lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 86,000.
After replacing the truck frame and one day after returning the truck to me the transmission slipped out of gear while driving 75mph on the freeway. While attempting to brake the transmission seemed to lock up. When I slowed the truck down enough I hit the brakes and shifted the transmission into park. By doing this I was able to stop before hitting other vehicles and a guard rail. Nissan replaced the transmission. After several test drives they replaced the second transmission because of shifting problems. The current transmission just recently would not shift into second gear. I’ll be taking it back Monday. In short my transmission has been replaced twice in a months time and is going back to the dealership for additional repairs.
My Titan had no real indicators or trouble codes but failed into limp mode and began to smoke and caught on fire! Nissan refused to investigate as they claimed the 2021 was unaffected but shares the same manufacturer plant and engine harness from the 2020.
Truck was fine and then went to pull out in traffic and it would not shift past 3rd gear, was dangerous because traffic was moving quickly and no lights appeared on the dash but the transmission just stopped shifting past 3rd. Had to limp it back off the road which was scary because people were traveling at higher speeds than we were able to even though just 2 minutes prior we had come from that same road and we were traveling just fine. Was told by dealer that the valve body went out and is costing $3400 to replace, no metal shavings found inside the transmission but this incident almost caused a wreck and is costing a serious fortune. Seems to be a serious and common issue from the research I’ve done, unfortunately it’s something that’s just becoming known because I would have never bought it expecting danger and expenses like these.
Car went into limp mode on the highway and would not exceed 40 mph where the speeds were around 70 putting me at risk with a code of P0720 which usually points to a valve body or transmission.
The vehicle has loss of power and goes into limp mode unexpectedly. It has done this numerous times on the interstate and regular roads. It is a safety hazard. This has occurred on several dates and we were lucky to be able to pull over safely. We we traveling in Georgia last month and Nissan didn't even have a qualified diesel tech with 3 hours of where we were. We have had ten of thousands of dollars of work to the truck and it still is not fixed. They replaced the computer screen, wiring harness, and I believe parts of the exhaust system. They had the truck for months.
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 22V671000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 22V457000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift
- What is wrong
- Nissan is recalling certain model year 2013 Titan trucks manufactured from January 22, 2013, through February 20, 2013; and model year 2013 NV vehicles manufactured from December 17, 2012, through February 20, 2013 and equipped with steering column-mounted transmission shift levers. Chemicals used in the manufacturing of the shift lever assembly may result in the malfunction of the brake shift interlock allowing the transmission shift lever to be shifted out of Park without depressing the brake pedal.
- Risk
- If the vehicle is unintentionally shifted out of park, it could roll away and lead to personal injury or a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will remedy the vehicles, free of charge. The recall began on April 15, 2013. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1‑800‑647‑7261.
Recall number 13V094000 · Recall details
Power train: manual transmission: column shift assembly
- What is wrong
- On certain pickup trucks equipped with a column shifter, the shift lever assembly for the column shifter may have been damaged during assembly.
- Risk
- During its use this could eventually result in failure of the portion of the assembly that holds the lever in the park position. This could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the shifter. The recall began on september 27, 2004. Owners should contact nissan at 1‑800‑647‑7261.
Recall number 04V408000 · Recall details
Questions about the Nissan Titan won't shift
Which Nissan Titan years have stuck in gear or won't shift problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2017 (8 complaints), 2004 (3 complaints) and 2006 (3 complaints).
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Nissan Titan?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history