2016 Nissan Titan XD · symptom sheet

Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing

46owner reports
77,000median miles
1involved a crash

Newest report Sep 5, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

133 of the 197 complaints on this car are about the engine. 46 of those describe engine failure. Only stalling is reported more often on this car.

Tick what matches of 46 reports

a knocking or ticking noise first

the engine seized

oil light or low oil

the engine was replaced

it was covered by a warranty or extension

I was denied coverage

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (43 reports) and the turbo (7 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the engine covers the 2016 model year as of Sep 9, 2026.

NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Titan XD

PE23-020opened Nov 15, 2023

Engine And Engine Cooling · model years 2016

Loss of motive power due to broken crankshaft with no ability to restart.. Closed jun 27, 2025.

NHTSA summary

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 an

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 24,400 and 89,900 miles, from the 17 reports that gave a mileage.

117

118

119

220

121

322

1423

1524

625

226

What owners wrote

“Driving down the road, truck lost all power and shut down, towed to the local nissan dealership, needs a new engine, Truck has 89k miles on it”
Filed Sep 19, 2024 · 89,000 miles

“Was driving down the road on January 1, 2022 headed home and truck seized accelerating and once I pulled over the road. Truck shut down, wouldnât turn on. Took it to a diesel shop and they told me the crankshaft had seized. Paid over $14k to get it rebuilt at ONLY 67k miles on my 2016 Nissan Titan XD. Almost caught on fire as I tried turning on since I did not know what the issue was at first.”
Filed Aug 31, 2024 · 67,000 miles

“Driving on the intersate with no warning lights engine began to run rough, pulled over and shut engine off. Trailered it to a local shop, they found lots of metal in the oil. I tried to start it to drive it on the trailer but the engine had sized due to catastrophic engine failure. It has 89900 miles.”
Filed Jun 2, 2024 · 89,900 miles

“Complete engine failure randomly on the highway. Was unsafe and left me stranded. Well maintained truck that will cost tens of thousands to repair”
Filed Nov 18, 2023

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 1 of 46 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.