2017 Nissan Titan Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about engine and drivetrain concerns — diesel emissions and exhaust odor, repeated turbo and EGR repairs, and occasionally a loss of power while driving. A second common theme is hesitation or delayed response when pressing the accelerator, along with rough or confused transmission shifting at low speeds. Many reports arrive at low mileage, some within the first few thousand miles, while a number of others concern electrical faults such as a battery that drains repeatedly or a wiring harness.

1. 1
   Vehicle speed control

   Delayed or no response when pressing the accelerator

   • 15 complaints (8%)
   • median 38,500 mi at 3.0 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2017–2023

   Complaints describe a pause of several seconds between pressing the accelerator and the truck moving, most often when pulling away from a stop or making a turn across traffic. Some owners report the engine holding low rpm or dropping into a reduced-power condition with traction control and check engine lights. Dealers are described as reprogramming the transmission or being unable to reproduce the symptom. Mostly reported between a few hundred and about 45,000 miles, often at low speed from a stop or during a turn.

   What to check: Test drive from several complete stops, including a turn under light throttle, and ask whether any throttle or transmission reprogramming has been recorded.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When pushing on the gas pedal, the vehicle does not always respond immediately. On at least 3 separate occasions, I have been stopped, pressed the gas pedal and the vehicle rolled into an intersection, but I wasn't able to accelerate for about 3-4 seconds. I was essentially sitting in an intersection blocking traffice waiting on the truck to respond.”

   NHTSA complaint #10968379, filed 2017-03, 3,200 miles

   “On may 29, 2020 after placing my truck in drive, it slowly accelerated. The RPM reading was around 1k even with me flooring the pedal. The traction control light and check engine light were illuminated. I then turned the vehicle off. The warning lights turned off and the vehicle accelerated normally for about 0.1 miles. The warning lights came back on. I again turned the vehicle off and back on. Traction control remained on. I attempted to cross a busy main six lane parkway to make a left turn. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11341400, filed 2020-07, 43,927 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Battery drains repeatedly and wiring harness faults

   • 14 complaints (7%)
   • median 40,000 mi at 4.8 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2019–2025

   Complaints describe batteries going dead overnight or within weeks of replacement, with dealers sometimes unable to find the cause. Several owners link stalling, warning lights or smoke and fire under the hood to a wiring harness problem, and some mention the alternator harness or recalls for the harness being raised. Others report the trailer lighting circuit not working at all. Reported from about 10,000 to roughly 75,000 miles, sometimes within weeks of a new battery.

   Recall 19V4950003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check whether recall 19V495000 for the alternator harness was completed, and ask whether the battery has been replaced more than once or the truck has ever needed a jump.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Titan. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the contact became aware that the battery was drained. The contact had the battery replaced with a new fully charged battery. The contact stated that 3-weeks later the battery had drained again. The contact recharged the battery however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11521360, filed 2023-05, 76,400 miles

   “The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Titan. The contact stated that the battery prematurely drained and failed to adequately charge overnight. The contact had replaced the battery several times. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the repair was not covered under recall. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V495000 (Electrical System). The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11515145, filed 2023-04, 70,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Diesel regen exhaust fumes and odor in cabin

   • 36 complaints (19%)
   • median 28,500 mi at 3.1 yrs old (16 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2017–2026

   Owners of diesel trucks describe strong exhaust or chemical odors entering the cab, often while the truck is in regeneration mode or after extended highway driving with the air conditioning on. Some say the smell forced them to open windows, and a few mention headaches or dizziness while riding in the truck. Complaints describe dealers confirming the condition but being unable to stop it, replacing a cabin filter or pointing to the windshield cowl, and in one case the owner declined the repair estimate. Reported from a few hundred miles up to about 65,000 miles, often during or after regeneration and on longer drives.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the truck has had the diesel emissions campaigns completed, and drive it long enough to reach regeneration with the HVAC on recirculate to see whether fumes enter the cab.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 2017 Nissan Titan xd started maing this strange odor in the cabin that occurs when I drive over 30 minutes on the highway. It is a sweet burning chemical smell. When I pull over, you can smell it outside the vehicle. I have 80,000 miles on it and it started at around 60000 miles. I took it in for service and they replaced the cabin filter. I still smell it though. Over the last year of driving, I notice I get very bad headaches and lately my lungs feel weak. I have been coughing for nearly a month and do not have a fever. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11366218, filed 2020-10, 60,000 miles

   “Bought truck new in 6/2018 . Truck is new 2017 leftover Nissan Titan diesel xd with 16,000 miles to date. When truck goes into regen to clean diesel particulate heavy diesel exhaust fumes fill the cabin so bad you have to roll the windows down. It causes my stomach to become upset and dizzy tired feeling and later a very bad headache. Have had coworkers experience the same issue while in the vehicle.has been replicated at the dealer and service tech and service manager are out of ideas on how to fix this but confirm the issue exist. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11309722, filed 2020-02, 14,883 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Turbo, EGR and DEF system repairs on diesel trucks

   • 26 complaints (14%)
   • median 51,500 mi at 4.0 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2018–2026

   Diesel owners describe check engine lights, loss of power, limp mode and stalling traced to the turbocharger, EGR cooler, DEF system or particulate filter sensors. Some report the same failure returning after parts replacement and reprogramming. One complaint describes a low-pressure fuel system warning and a no-start on a hill. Generally reported from about 20,000 to 110,000 miles, often during highway driving or after a cold or inclines start.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: For a diesel, ask for service records covering turbo, EGR cooler, DEF and particulate filter work, and confirm the emissions campaigns were performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “To whom it may concern I was driving with slightly less than 1/4 tank of gas and stopped to park on a hill with vehicle on idle. While in idle on the hill the vehicle stalled out. I tried to restart but the engine just cranked with no start and a low pressure fuel system service light came on. I tried to push it down the hill on flat ground and tried to start again with just cranking no start. I then had to push the vehicle with the help of my neighbors into a guest stall and call for a tow. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11081513, filed 2018-03, 17,900 miles

   “Fuel lift pump premature failure. Losing prime and hesitation while pulling into traffic. Have had in dealership 3 times in the last 6 months for this issue. Diagnosis finally occurred after warranty period.”

   NHTSA complaint #11387871, filed 2021-01, 65,000 miles
5. 5
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Harsh or confused transmission shifting at low speed

   • 16 complaints (9%)
   • median 43,927 mi at 3.2 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2017–2026

   Owners describe the transmission hunting between gears at city speeds, holding rpm before shifting, and clunking on downshifts when coasting to a stop. Several mention a rattle or grind from the transmission area on the 4-5 upshift under light load. Complaints say dealers applied software updates more than once without ending the behavior. Reported from very low mileage up to about 40,000 miles, typically at 20-40 mph and on light-throttle shifts.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Drive at steady 20-40 mph and coast down to a stop, listening for clunks or rattles on shifts; ask whether transmission software updates were applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The vehicle intermittently shifts erratically at speeds between 0 and 40 allowing excess rpms before shifting resulting in loss of power. This problem occurs when first accelerating and can occur at any time. The dealer has reprogrammed the transmission twice and still intermittent and erratic shifting still remains.”

   NHTSA complaint #11374909, filed 2020-11, 50,000 miles

   “When making a left turn across a 2 lane highway, after slowing down to make the turn, the vehicle did not respond to depressing the accelerator pedal, nearly causing an accident with oncoming traffic, which had to slow down abruptly to avoid collision. There was ample space at the beginning of the turn maneuver to comply with traffic law. It took approximately 3 seconds for the engine to respond to depressing the accelerator pedal, and the application of power was sluggish at best. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11240278, filed 2019-07, 45,000 miles

Buying note. Check that the open recalls and diesel emissions campaigns have been completed, and test drive from a stop and at low speed to judge throttle response and shifting. For a diesel truck, service records on turbo, EGR and emissions parts are worth reviewing before purchase.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.