Is the Titan XD diesel reliable?

Although the Titan XD (Extra Duty) promises heavy-duty pickup capability without a stiff ride, we found that its capabilities are closer to those of a regular-duty truck. On top of that, it's just as clumsy in the corners as HD trucks.

It rides slightly better, however, and consumes a tad less fuel, at 15 mpg. The XD is available with both a new V8 Cummins diesel engine and a 5.6-liter gasoline V8, which is also on the regular-duty Titan. Properly equipped, the XD tows 12,000 pounds and can carry a payload of 2,000 pounds. It also has a built-in goose-neck trailer hitch. A suite of safety and driver-assistance features is offered, including Nissan's surround-view camera system, blind-spot warning, and moving-object detection.

More

The forums don't speak to the wider sold Titan XD 5.0s (the few that bought them, haha!) Forums have a terrible ability to only show you the small amount of owners who all have problems while the majority of people aren't on it... because it works.

Yes, there were quite a few problems, like any newer released diesel truck that just began its lifecycle (check the big 3 forums and you will see the same thing). This "betweener" truck isn't nearly as strong as the 3/4, for sure (about 4000lbs short in the towing dept).

A lot of the transmission, turbo assembly, and dead pedal woes have been fixed. Nissan really did a shit job when creating the software used for engine -to- transmission alignment. The truck has an Aisin transmission, which is almost identical to the Ram 3500 High-Output Cummins Ram offers, its sturdy.

The ISV 5.0 was in development for many years, it was supposed to go into the Ram 1500, but they backed out at the end due to tightening market, so a better fuel economy/smaller platform was needed. Granted, Nissan did a terrible job of advertising the Truck/partnership with Cummins, which really hurt sales. People ask me a lot about the truck and never realized Nissan offered a large truck... and a diesel for that matter.

Nissan did a solid with their over-engineering of the truck. It was designed and built in the US by Americans.

I have one and it has been rock solid for my needs. I take care of it, it takes care of me. I do a minimum of 400mi a week averaging around 20+mpg. I have 80k on my 2016 SL.

If you are looking to purchase a used one, make sure it has an extensive service history, like any other newer emissions diesel truck. Just remember to do all the required maintenance and don't cheap out on fluids.

I came from a 2010 Tundra to a 2016 PRo4X with the Cummins. I'm at 89,000 miles now. No major issues, only minor issues were due to emissions (Def system warning - which has been due to air bubbles on the sensor and all costs have been covered by my dealer). I don't like the dead pedal - in fact, I hate it. My solution will be to tune and delete after I get it through emissions this Sept - which should alleviate the emissions error warnings and the dead pedal. Outside of that, I LOVE this truck.

It is a diesel, not a gasser and it needs to be used like a diesel is used - make it WORK hard by towing and driving it. Don't get this truck if you want it as a status thing or for $hits and gigs. You have to use a diesel and not as a grocery getter. IF you plan to drive it a lot, tow a lot, and haul a lot, you will like this truck.

Now, the differences between this and the Tundra. I'm a lifelong Toyota fan. I liked my Tundra a LOT. The good/great of the Tundra - rock solid power train that will easily last over 300,000 miles. It's been a proven truck for a long time now. But my issues with it were: 1) fuel economy sucked 2) When towing a heavy load (~9000 lbs), the trailer pushed the truck around a fair amount. I never felt comfortable towing that trailer over 70 mph. 3) Brakes sucked, rotors always warped. The rotors were under sized for the truck and Toyota never did anything about it. I had 3 different types of high end after market rotors and they all warped - rotors were just too small for the work the truck was trying to do. 4) The infamous "thud" when coming to a stop or taking off from a stop which was the slip yolk which required lube about every 15K miles once it started to "thud". 5) Bed size/cab size - if you want a bigger cab, you give up space in the bed and vice versa. All things considered, I still really liked my Tundra. Resale value of the Tundra was excellent compared to the Titan's - it's not fair, but it is what it is.

Now, the Titan XD - This truck tows like a dream. MUCH more stable towing than the Tundra - not even in the same class, not even comparable. It's laughable how much better towing the XD is versus the Tundra. The bed size/cab size. The cab size isn't quite as large as the large cab in the Tundra, but it's still much bigger than the Tundra Double cab size, thus making it more comfortable - all the while still having a 6.5' bed. IMO, the bed size and cab size of the XD is perfect. The brakes on the Titan XD have been fantastic - I don't even think about my brakes when towing heavy loads up in the mountains. Towing with the Tundra in the mountains was a white-knuckle experience every time. If you plan to use the Titan XD Cummins like it was intended, you will like the truck and the gremlins aren't nearly as bad as what people make them out to be. I've had Ford, Dodge, and Toyota trucks in addition to the XD now. All had their fair share of issues. Go into it with the right mindset. The weak link on these trucks will be the emissions related equipment, not the Cummins or the tranny.

If you don't plan to drive a ton, work the truck, or tow a lot, I would urge you to look at the gasser version of the Titan XD. I drove one and instantly loved it. That will be a good in-between the XD Cummins and the Tundra, with great reliability. Nissan gassers (that don't have CVT trannies) are every bit as reliable as Toyota vehicles. Don't get an XD diesel unless you NEED a diesel. If you need it and decide to go with the XD Cummins, find a way to tune and delete it and you will enjoy it much more - and it will last you every bit of +300K-400K assuming you take care of it. If you get the XD Diesel and don't delete, expect the emissions stuff to need replacement anytime after 100K miles (just accept it will happen at some point).

If you don't truly need a diesel, get the gasser. To me, it's the perfect blend between the Tundra and XD Cummins.

My $0.02 on both trucks. Hope my experience helps you in your decision.

Is Nissan Titan XD diesel a good truck?

How long will a Nissan Titan XD diesel last?

Why did they stop making Nissan Titan XD diesel?

Who makes the diesel engine for Nissan Titan?