2016 Nissan Titan XD

Closed preliminary evaluation · opened November 15, 2023 · closed June 27, 2025

the engine, the engine and its cooling

On November 15, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE23020 to investigate allegations of loss of motive power in model year (MY) 2016 through 2019 Nissan Titan XD trucks equipped with 5.0L Cummins diesel engines.  The complaints allege the condition was due to a failure of the engine crankshaft.  The purpose of the investigation was to understand the scope, frequency, and safety related consequence of the alleged defect. During the investigation, it was found that the subject vehicles can experience a loss of motive power due to a failure of the crankshaft main bearings which can lead to a fractured crankshaft. This resulted in a loss of motive power and an inability to restart. An analysis of all complaint sources shows many vehicles exhibit knocking, vibration, malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) warnings, and/or poor engine performance prior to a total failure.  Some consumers report driving their truck in for repairs only to be diagnosed with a failed crankshaft.  ODI has not identified any injuries or fires attributable to this failure. ODI is aware of one complaint alleging a non-injury crash involving a curb strike.  ODI is also aware of complaints of overheating starter motors and melted starter motor wiring occurring after prolonged attempts to start engines that have suffered a broken crankshaft. In its response to ODI's January 26, 2024 information request letter, Nissan provided information detailing several material and process changes involved in the production of the subject vehicle’s engine.These changes appear to coincide with incremental improvements in failure rates but there is no indication that a single factor was the primary cause of the failures. Analysis of ODI consumer complaints and manufacturer provided data found that failure rates decreased progressively for each model year. Review of failure mileage found that 50% of the failures occurred by 60,000 miles with a significant decrease in failures after 80,000 miles. Assuming average yearly mileage driven, the newest model year trucks (2019) would be near or past peak failure mileage. Given the low failure rate, the observable warnings available to the driver, and much of the fleet being past peak failure mileage, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation with no further action.  The closing of the investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a defect does not exist, and NHTSA will take further action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Still open engineering analysis · opened September 17, 2021

the air bags

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

The cp4.2 high pressure fuel pump failed sending metal through the system and destroying the fuel system.

NHTSA complaint 11747284. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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 …

NHTSA complaint 11745298, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Truck died while traveling at 60MPH, once safely pulled over saw it shutdown due to low oil pressure. Checked the oil level and found correct level on dipstick. Attempted to start, no start. Towed to shop, they drained the oil and verified correct oil quantity cam out. Pulled the oil pan and found metal in the oil pan. Told I need a replacement engine. Engine has 95k miles with proper maintenance performed per the owners manual.

NHTSA complaint 11720546. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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 complaint 11714688. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

I was driving down the freeway on cruise,when all of a sudden,the vehicle started vibrating and shaking violently.This happened in the middle of a downpour,and the tires broke loose momentarily,but I was able to gain control,and safely pull on to the shoulder.After searching the internet,this incident sounds very much like a broken crankshaft,as described in the many,many reports of this type of failure,especialy in the 2016 model years,like mine.

NHTSA complaint 11709811. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

226,000 miles

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 Nissan Titan. The vehicle was a dealer sale. The contact later discovered a mileage discrepancy. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 31,190. When the vehicle was later taken to a dealer for an engine failure, the dealer informed the contact that the mileage was 226,000.

NHTSA complaint 11706185. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.