The transmission isn’t technically part of a car’s engine. It connects to the engine and harnesses the motor’s power, allowing you to travel at different speeds depending on your needs and driving conditions. The transmission is part of both the powertrain and drivetrain. However, the transmission is still its own separate component and should be classified as such.
That said, we’ve included transmission failure on this list because it’s such a prevalent problem for the 5.0L Cummins-powered Titan XDs. The 2016 to 2019 Nissan Titan XDs were built with a six-speed Aisin automatic transmission. Owners across the board report serious issues with these transmissions, including hard shifts, overheating, and complete failure. Most experts generally agree that the issue is due to improper factory calibration between the 5.0L Cummins and the transmission, as well as manufacturing defects that leave the transmission prone to premature failure.
Nissan has attempted to resolve the problem by performing transmission “flashes” or computer resets for affected customers. However, Titan owners report that this fix only works temporarily and that after a short period, their transmissions began displaying issues once again. Outside resetting the transmission’s computer or control module, the only remaining fix is to replace the transmission with a more robust version. Unfortunately, a transmission replacement is extremely pricey, and Nissan won’t cover the cost for its customers. Drivers who choose to replace their transmissions can expect to pay thousands of dollars for this repair.
