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Nissan Titan transmission failure problems

17 of the 3,268 owner complaints about the Nissan Titan describe complete transmission failure, most of them for the 2017 model year.

owner complaints
17
worst model year
2017
typical mileage
76,000
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2021
    2
  • 2020
    1
  • 2019
    2
  • 2018
    1
  • 2017
    3
  • 2008
    2
  • 2006
    2
  • 2005
    2
  • 2004
    2

What owners say

Filed Aug 19, 2026 · Transmission · FL

Torque Converter- The torque converter on my 2019 Nissan Titan -4X failed at approximately 68,000. Symptoms began as cold-start shudder lasting several minutes, progressing to pronounced shudder under light throttle acceleration between 25–50 MPH, erratic shifting at the 3-4 and 4-5 gear transitions, and TCC (torque converter clutch) slip. These symptoms created unpredictable drivetrain behavior at highway speeds, presenting a safety risk to myself and other drivers. The problem was diagnosed and confirmed by an independent service center using live PCM data. TCC slip readings of -27/748 RPM were recorded during a test drive, matching the failure criteria specified in Nissan Technical Service Bulletin NTB22-099A, which Nissan issued to address this exact torque converter defect in this model. The repair — torque converter remove and replace transmission using OE parts — is currently underway. The failed component is available for inspection upon request. This is a very serious safety concern when pulling out vehicle stalls and can cause serious damage and injuries and or death to myself and others

Filed Nov 21, 2025 · Engine · MI

I live in [XXX] . Went on vacation to visit our son outside of Nashville Tennessee. Vehicle had approximately 80,000 miles at the time. While driving in traffic and sitting still at lights and odor was coming in the cab. When I got home, I called the dealer about Catalytic converter failure possibly they told me that it was not covered that I should take it to a reputable exhaust repair shop. I took it to Callahan’s auto repair in Pontiac Michigan. They put it on the Hoist and came and told me it had a cracked exhaust manifold which the catalytic converter was attached to and that’s where the odor was coming from. When I purchased the vehicle, I have a lifetime drive caring warranty from infinity through the dealership. I called the dealership and talked to Service and they told me to bring it in while waiting for an appointment. I was due for an oil change and canceled it and looked on Google For problems with the 2017 V8 engine and found a nine page technical service report on the failure of that particular line of engine, I was never notified at any time that my engine was subject to failure, and it had been to the dealership within the last 30 days to have a new transmission pan put underneath the vehicle which Nissan paid 60% of on their own and I paid 40. Upon taking it to the dealership and leaving it, I have to pay $181 for them to analyze the problem they have verbally told me on the phone That my truck needs a new engine because there’s a lifetime warranty on the drivetrain. I don’t feel this problem should be covered under that this is a problem Nissan should put a brand new engine in my vehicle. I would like a response to this. My email is [XXX] . My telephone number is [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 31, 2025 · Transmission · TX

Transmission failed while driving. Placing my family and others in an unsafe predicament. This seems to be a common problem with Nissan transmission. A quick search on the internet show almost all cvt models do this from this company. How is there only a partial recall on some models?

Filed Jul 25, 2025 · Transmission · AZ

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.

Filed Apr 1, 2025 · Engine · TX

2019 Nissan Titan XD Diesel 153,700 miles. Driving 70-75mph on Texas highway and felt a vibration when I pressed on the gas pedal. Started moving over to exit due to power loss when a slight puff of smoke came out. I pulled over in a safe area and shut the truck off. There were NO Warning lights on the cluster. When I stepped out a small puddle of oil had already started to form under the truck. Open the hood and the passenger side engine compartment was covered in oil. I noticed oil formed on the license plate and was dripping out of the exhaust pipe. Oil had dripped off the under carriage from front to back, large amount formed under the vehicle after sitting for 1hr. We towed the vehicle to the local Nissan dealer and the result was a broken crank and possible transmission failure. I have reach out to Nissan corp to file a complaint as well. This vehicle has never experienced any significant issues, Nissan had no history prior to my reporting today. I have owned the vehicle since 2019 when I purchased it with 6k miles on it. Nissan has quoted me $32,660.63 for repairs (engine/Trans replacement), this is almost what I purchased the vehicle for in 2019.

Filed Dec 19, 2022 · Transmission · GA

2021 nissan titans were equipped with nissan's new 9 speed transmission. People are having major issues with this new transmission including me. I bought my brand new 2021 nissan titan in January of 2022. I have had issues with the transmission since day 1. Hard shifts from 1 to 4th gear. Always searching for gears. The safety issue is when you come to a stop the truck lurches forward on the last downshift causing the driver to almost hit the car in front of them. Also, when coasting to a stop every downshift is harsh and it slows the truck down because it's shifting to a lower gear to soon. Nissan performed an engine/transmission computer update but that didn't resolve anything and now they tell me there's nothing they can do about it.

Filed Mar 25, 2022 · Steering, Transmission · CO

1st issue was power steering failed while driving. All fluid was purged and steering became very difficult. No injuries nor damage occurred as vehicle was stopped safely. Repaired by dealer (12000mi) 2nd failure. Transmission failed shifting abruptly to first gear while driving in traffic. Vehicle was limped into parking lot. Vehicle towed to dealer, valve body replaced, vehicle returned after 1 week. 5 hours after pickup vehicle slammed back into 1st gear while driving causing similar issue in traffic. Vehicle back in dealership awaiting transmission from Nissan (13000mi)

Filed Mar 10, 2022 · Engine, Transmission · GA

I purchased my 2017 Nissan Titan SV in 2018 from a dealership in Conyers Georgia. I have taken great care of the truck and performed all regular and millage maintenance to the truck from day 1. I noticed in 2019, while driving on the roadway to merge onto interstate I85 that the vehicle had a lag in acceleration causing an RPM surge which delayed the vehicle from accelerating onto the interstate properly almost causing an accident. The truck would not properly get up to speed causing me to have to pull over to the side of the road and evaluate and re start the truck.The check engine light became displayed. The truck continued to display the same behavior with the surging of RPMs and drag during acceleration. I took the vehicle to Mall of Georgia Nissan, where they took the vehicle in and diagnosed it. I was advised by Nissan that they contacted Nissan Corporate to get advise on the issue and to seek a resolution, in which they performed some type of re flash of the transmission and several other transmission related fixes, but stated that the transmission was fine. I picked up the vehicle and it seemed to be running better than before, however a lag during acceleration was still noticeable. I noticed in January 2022 that the check engine light came on once again after the vehicle stalled while accelerating causing the truck to jerk and me once again pull over on the side of the road. I have been advised by my local mechanic after diagnosing the truck that there is a large amount of metal in the transmission fluid and that the vehicle will most likely need a new transmission. My truck has 122k miles and is in great shape, and also paid for with hopes to continue driving it well past 122k miles. This issue with the transmission which occurred within warranty was not properly diagnosed and fixed in 2019 causing a continuing safety hazard on the roadway. Nissan corporate is refusing to take responsibility of this issue and acknowledge the transmission issues.

Filed Oct 7, 2019 · Transmission · 17,000 miles · FL

3 times to dealership to complain about transmission shifting issues. 1st time they had a new transmission program update to install. I noticed no difference. 2nd and 3rd time to dealer to inform them that transmission doesn't know which gear to be in at city speeds of 20-40 MPH. Also when full throttle desired engine speed doesn't increase for 2-3 seconds . . Also on slowing down coasting for stop light or stop sign transmission clunks as it downshifts into either 1st or 2nd. . All this in normal transmission mode. Tow mode appears to be no issues. Nissan dealer mechanic cannot duplicate. On my drive with mechanic I heard it clunk during drive and mechanic didnt. As usual no help. I requested the transmission be reset to relearn my driving to change shift patterns and was told they didnt have that capability. Cummins 5.0 diesel with aisin transmission

Filed Oct 11, 2018 · Transmission · 178,000 miles · VA

Hose came loose from transmission driving down highway and left me sit in the middle of the road. I had no warning and I lost all transmission fluid.. I reattatched the hose added the correct amount of fluid. Drove it for about 4 day everything was fine try to go ro work there is no 4th gear.. Take it to shops ro find out its gonna cost me 4500.00 for new transmission capacitor and new radiator.. The anti freeze leaked into transmission causing the inside of tranny to be deatroyed

Related recalls

Power train: automatic transmissionReported September 7, 2022 · 197,230 vehicles affected
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 transmissionReported June 24, 2022 · 180,176 vehicles affected
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 shiftReported March 14, 2013 · 2,180 vehicles affected
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 assemblyReported August 19, 2004 · 5,664 vehicles affected
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 transmission failure

Which Nissan Titan years have complete transmission failure problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2017 (3 complaints), 2004 (2 complaints) and 2005 (2 complaints).

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