The 2018 Nissan Titan lasts around 200,000 miles with some engine and transmission software issues reported. At $24,599 to $44,829, it’s cheaper than many competitors, making it a reasonable choice for shoppers on a budget.
Is the 2018 Nissan Titan a Good Used Truck?
- Overall Rating 7/10 – 2018 is a decent year for the Nissan Titan, it’s a good value, although it’s not the best truck on the market. Owner reviews praise the passenger room, strong 4WD system, along with the plush ride on rough roads.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Interior materials are reasonably nice for a large truck, the seats are comfortable on longer trips, there are also three bed lengths available.
- Reliability 7/10 – There are some engine problems on the 2018 Titan, in general models from 2017–2019 all have similar reliability with some improvements for 2020 and newer.
- Performance 7/10 – Performance is decent from the standard V8 engine, although the towing capacity is lower than other trucks its size.
- Safety 7/10 – The 2018 Titan earns 4 out of 5 stars in government crash tests, it comes standard with a rearview camera, while parking sensors along with a 360-degree camera are optional upgrades.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – Fuel economy is okay at up to 18 MPG, giving 468 miles of range from the 26 gallon tank. Gas costs are $5 higher than average at $282 per month.
- Value 7/10 – The 2018 Nissan Titan is cheaper than a lot of other full size trucks, although faster depreciation makes it only an average long-term value.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Nissan Titan?
- Consumer Reports says the 2018 Nissan Titan competes well with other light-duty trucks, with average owner satisfaction scores as it ages.
- Edmunds rates the Titan at 4/5, enjoying the powerful V8 engine, but doesn’t like the boring cabin design.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the Titan a 4.5/5, praising the good off-road performance, but owners don’t like the lower towing capacity than other trucks.
What Common Problems Does the 2018 Nissan Titan Have?
Common problems found on the 2018 Nissan Titan include engine knocks, the transmission hesitating while changing gears, along with some stereo system issues. Overall, these problems are a bit worse than other full size trucks, leading to some more expensive repairs as the Titan ages.
Engine knocks are the most widespread complaint from 2018 Titan owners, showing up at around 30,000 miles. In some cases the knock sound is simply an exhaust leak, which can be fixed by installing a new exhaust manifold gasket. In other cases the engine knock is inside the engine, and it has to be rebuilt to fix it, which costs over $3,000.
The transmission hesitating while changing gears has also been reported by some 2018 Titan owners at roughly 25,000 miles. The main source of the problem is transmission control module software. Usually, simply installing a software update fixes the problem. There are also some reports of transmission damage if you use your titan to tow a lot of weight.
Stereo system issues are another problem mentioned by owners in the first 1,000 miles. The stereo system freezes up and has to be restarted to get it working again. There are software updates for the stereo which fix the problem. Most dealers will install the updates for free, while some charge around $50.
There are four recalls on the 2018 Nissan Titan, which is similar to many other large trucks on the market. The most serious recall covers the alternator harness, which may short out. Nissan will replace the harness on affected models for free. Other recalls cover load capacity labels, a back-up camera, and the tires.
How Long Will the 2018 Nissan Titan Last?
A used 2018 Nissan Titan may last around 200,000 miles, which is shorter than other full size trucks like the Toyota Tundra. Regular annual maintenance costs are lower than many competitors, according to data provided by Repair Pal, at $393 per year.
As a used 2018 Nissan Titan reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history, owners should be prepared to replace the window regulator for $450, knock sensor costing $800, along with the A/C refrigerant line which costs $850.
How Is the Technology?
Standard entertainment technology is okay offering a 5-inch color display with Bluetooth connectivity. Optional upgrades include a larger 7-inch touchscreen which has navigation, as well.
The standard safety features are fairly basic, offering only a rearview camera.
Optional driver assistance features include:
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Rear cross traffic alert
- Blind spot monitoring
- Around View Monitor (which is a 360-degree camera)
Is the 2018 Nissan Titan a Good Value?
Yes, the 2018 Nissan Titan is a reasonably good value since it offers decent features for a truck with a spacious cabin. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $24,599 to $44,829, making it less than a Chevy Silverado or Ram 1500. When new, the price range was $30,030 to $56,800. Depreciation is a bit worse than some other large trucks, losing about 12% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Nissan Titan?
There are five main models of the 2018 Nissan Titan offered, from the entry-level S all the way through to the more off-road focused Pro-4X or luxurious Platinum Reserve. There’s also a stronger Titan XD covered in another review. The Titan comes standard with rear-wheel drive, while four-wheel drive is available as an optional upgrade.
S is the entry-level model with:
- Available with any of the three cab configurations
- 18-inch steel wheels
- Active grille shutter
- Cab-mounted LED bed lights
- Lockable damped tailgate
- Remote locking and unlocking
- Manual exterior mirrors
- Push-button ignition
- Air conditioning
- Cloth upholstery
- Vinyl floor
- Power windows and locks
- Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
- 40/20/40-split folding front bench seat
- 60/40-split folding rear seat
- 5-inch color display, Bluetooth, NissanConnect with Mobile Apps
- Six-speaker audio system with a CD player, an auxiliary input and a USB port.
SV is a step up, adding:
- Alloy wheels
- Chrome exterior trim (bumpers, door handles and grille)
- Front tow hooks (4×4 only)
- Power-adjustable heated mirrors
- Carpeted floor
- Cloth and vinyl upholstery
- Driver information display
- SiriusXM satellite radio
- Nissan’s Trailer Sway Control
Pro-4X is the off-road focused model with:
- Dark-finish wheels with all-terrain tires
- Off-road-tuned Bilstein shocks
- Lockable rear differential
- Hill descent control
- Receiver hitch
- Seven-pin wiring harness connector
- Skid plates
- Automatic headlights, fog lights, automatic wipers
- Spray-in bedliner
- Rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert
- Keyless entry and ignition, front bucket seats
- Eight-way power-adjustable driver seat (with power lumbar)
- Unique cloth upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Dual-zone automatic climate control, a 7-inch touchscreen
- Voice controls (with Siri Eyes Free), navigation system
- Rear air vent, a 120-volt household-style power outlet, and floor mats
SL offers more upgrades such as:
- 20-inch wheels
- Power-folding mirrors with puddle lamps
- Running boards
- Power-sliding rear window
- LED cargo box lighting
- Utili-Track bed rail system with four movable tie-down cleats
- Remote engine start, front and rear parking sensors
- Power-adjustable steering wheel, driver-seat memory functions
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror, a four-way power passenger seat
- Heated front seats, leather upholstery
- Rockford Fosgate 12-speaker audio system
- 120-volt outlet inside the bed
- NissanConnect Services
Platinum Reserve is the most luxurious model with:
- Unique wheels
- Dark chrome exterior trim
- 360-degree parking camera
- Upgraded leather upholstery
- Chrome and wood trim
- Heated steering wheel with wood inserts
- Ventilated front seats and heated rear seats.
Notable Option Packages:
- SL Tow package (tow mirrors, a trailer brake controller, and front tow hooks for rear-wheel-drive models)
- SV and SL’s Chrome package (20-inch chrome wheels, chrome exhaust tips, and a chrome grille)
- Platinum Utility package (in-bed Titan Box storage bins, a remote locking tailgate, and a bed utility step)
- Platinum Reserve Off-Road package (Pro-4X’s 18-inch alloys, all-terrain tires, and Bilstein shocks)
- SV and SL’s Midnight Edition package (black body accents, unique interior trim, and black 20-inch wheels)
What Engines Come In the Nissan Titan?
The Nissan Titan is powered by a 5.6-liter V8 engine across all its models. This engine produces 390 horsepower and 394 lb-ft of torque while getting up to 18 MPG. The transmission paired with this engine is a seven-speed automatic.
The towing capacity of the Nissan Titan is decent at up to 9,740 pounds when properly equipped. Regarding performance, the Nissan Titan can accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in around 6.7 seconds, providing decent acceleration for a full-size pickup truck.
What Colors Does the Nissan Titan Come In?
How Comfortable Is the Nissan Titan?
The 2018 Nissan Titan is designed with comfort as a key consideration, making it a pleasure to drive whether it’s for work, leisure, or daily commuting. The truck’s cabin is spacious and well-insulated, effectively muting road noise to create a serene and relaxing atmosphere within.
The seats in the Titan are designed for long-haul comfort, providing ample support and cushioning. Depending upon the trim level, these seats can be equipped with features like heating and ventilation for further comfort enhancement. The front seats have generous legroom and headroom, even for taller occupants. Meanwhile, in the Crew Cab configuration, rear passengers are treated to an impressive amount of space, providing a comfortable ride even on longer journeys.
Additionally, the Titan’s suspension is tuned to absorb road imperfections smoothly, further adding to the comfortable ride quality. The vehicle’s power-assisted steering makes maneuvering easy, while the intuitively placed controls within the driver’s reach contribute to an effortless driving experience.
How Much Storage Space Does the Nissan Titan Have?
The 2018 Nissan Titan is an impressive pickup truck that offers a great deal of storage space both in its cabin and its truck bed. Bed lengths vary depending upon the cab configuration. The Single Cab variant has an 8-foot bed, the King Cab has a 6.5-foot bed, and the Crew Cab comes with a 5.5-foot bed. These ample bed lengths allow for significant storage options. The 8-foot bed comfortably accommodates standard construction materials such as 4×8 plywood sheets. The shorter 6.5-foot and 5.5-foot beds fit mountain bikes, outdoor camping equipment, or large coolers.
As for the interior, the 2018 Nissan Titan doesn’t skimp on storage space either. The cabin is spacious and can fit up to six passengers. In addition to passenger space, the cabin also has a variety of storage options. The center console provides ample room for small items like mobile phones, wallets, and small bags. The Crew Cab models also have additional under-seat storage in the rear, which can be used for items such as tools, emergency kits, or even small luggage.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The second generation of the Nissan Titan was introduced for the 2017 model year.
2015: Long-wheelbase version of the Titan removed from the lineup, minor changes for the equipment packages.
2017: Fully redesigned for the second generation with new engines and styling after not being built for the 2016 model year.
2018: Titan King Cab with Long Bed has been added to the lineup as a new option.
2019: Upgraded 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, new stereo system, along with rear door alert.
2020: Increased power from the V8 engine, new nine-speed automatic transmission, and more standard driver safety aids.
2021: No major changes in features or equipment from earlier years.
How Does the Nissan Titan Compare to the Competition?
The 2018 Nissan Titan is a decent full size truck, although it is really made more for budget-conscious shoppers since it’s not class leading in any category.
The Toyota Tundra is a large truck which is available for about $5,000 more. Reliability ratings are much better in the Toyota Tundra, while the Nissan Titan offers more passenger room in the rear seats. We recommend the Toyota Tundra since they have fewer problems reported from owners.
The Ford F-150 is another competitor, which costs around $2,500 more. The towing capacity is much higher on the Ford F-150, while the suspension is a bit smoother on the Nissan Titan. We recommend the Ford F-150 since they last longer, and generally are a better all-around truck.