2024 Nissan Titan Safety Report

The 2024 Nissan Titan presents a mixed safety picture based on available data. While NHTSA has not yet provided overall crash test ratings, which is common for new models, there are two significant recalls related to the airbag system. One recall addresses a potential issue with the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) missing a spacer, which could prevent or delay airbag deployment, increasing injury risk. The second recall concerns the driver-side frontal airbag inflator module, which may deploy improperly and fail to protect the driver as intended. These recalls are critical as they directly impact occupant protection in a crash. Despite the lack of crash test data, the vehicle has accumulated 12 complaints with NHTSA, none of which involved crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths. A dominant pattern among these complaints points to significant power train issues, specifically with the transmission. Seven out of 12 complaints (58%) are related to the power train, with descriptions of the vehicle lurching, jerking, or shutting down, particularly when decelerating or coming to a stop. This suggests a potential design or manufacturing flaw in the transmission system that could pose a safety risk by causing unexpected vehicle movements. Other complaints include an engine shutting off unexpectedly (1 complaint), a rear differential issue with metal shavings (1 complaint), and concerns about the rear camera system and reverse lighting (1 complaint). The prevalence of transmission-related complaints, even in a new model with low overall complaint volume, is a notable concern. Owners report the vehicle lurching forward during stops, which could lead to rear-end collisions. The airbag recalls, while addressed by the manufacturer, highlight potential initial manufacturing quality control issues that could have severe safety implications if not rectified. In summary, while direct crash test performance is unknown, the 2024 Nissan Titan faces critical airbag recalls and a concerning pattern of transmission-related complaints that could affect vehicle control and safety during deceleration. The manufacturer's response to these transmission issues, which some dealers have reportedly attributed to 'characteristics of the truck' or 'software problems,' will be crucial for long-term safety and owner confidence.

Our recommendation: Given the critical airbag recalls and prevalent transmission lurching complaints, potential buyers should exercise caution and ensure all recall remedies have been performed, and thoroughly test drive the vehicle to assess transmission behavior before purchase.