NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2020 Nissan Titan Safety Ratings
The 2020 Nissan Titan scores 80 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Strong), with a 4-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 5 recalls, and 21 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2020 Nissan Titan earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 80 out of 100, placing it in the Strong band. Five recall campaigns and a below-average rollover score temper that picture, but the full crash-test suite and standard avoidance tech make this a credible safety choice among full-size trucks.
The 2020 Nissan Titan earned a NHTSA Safety Index of 80 out of 100 and a 5-star NHTSA side-crash rating, based on federal NHTSA crash-test and recall data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 4 Trucks from 2020 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2020 Nissan Titan ranks 3 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- new and teen drivers who want standard crash-avoidance tech
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 80 / 100 (Strong) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 4 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 4 / 5 / 3 stars |
| Rollover risk | 22.8% |
| Recalls on file | 5 |
| Owner complaints | 21 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 3 of 4 Trucks tested for 2020 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2020 Nissan Titan?
The 2020 Nissan Titan's most prominent safety limitation is its rollover performance, earning 3 out of 5 stars in that assessment. This result stands in contrast to an otherwise strong crash protection score, which contributed 57 out of a possible 70 points toward the vehicle's overall Safety Index. The Titan did achieve a standout 5-star side impact rating. This year sees a 5-point gain in the NHTSA Safety Index, moving the Titan to 80 out of 100, placing it in the Strong band, up from 75 out of 100 in 2019. This improvement is substantially supported by a perfect 10 out of 10 for avoidance technology, reflecting the standard inclusion of forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and electronic stability control across all trims. The defect record, however, scored 13 out of 20, influenced by five recall campaigns. Two of these recalls specifically address a transmission parking pawl that may fail to engage, indicating a recurring issue. Additionally, a distinct wiring harness campaign, issued in December 2020, applies solely to the 2020 Titan and Titan XD models. While the 2020 Titan shows an overall improvement in safety performance on paper compared to its predecessor, its recall activity, particularly the nature and volume of these campaigns, warrants careful consideration.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2020 Nissan Titan perform in crash tests?
The 2020 Nissan Titan Crew Cab 4WD was awarded an overall 4 out of 5 stars by NHTSA. Its side-crash protection earned a perfect 5-star rating, while frontal protection received 4 stars. The rollover assessment, however, returned the weakest result at 3 stars. This rating includes a 23 percent rollover risk, though dynamic tip testing indicated no tip.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 14524
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2020 Nissan Titan have any recalls?
Yes, five recall campaigns cover this model year. Two separate campaigns target the automatic transmission parking pawl, which may not engage, creating a rollaway risk. Additional campaigns address front turn-signal bulb failures, Continental tires with a potential tread separation issue, and an engine wiring harness in underhood wiring that could contain an error. Shoppers should verify each campaign has been remedied by VIN.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION22V671000
Risk: A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised to apply the parking brake every time they park their vehicle. Dealers will perform the applicable repairs below, free of charge: Model Year 2020-2022 Frontier vehicles: reprogram Transmission Control Module (TCM) Model Year 2020-2022 Titan vehicles: reprogram TCM and Engine Control Module (ECM) Model Year 2023 Titan vehicles: reprogram TCM Model Year 2023 Z vehicles: re
Reported 2022-09-07
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION22V457000
Risk: A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised to apply the parking brake every time they park their vehicle. Dealers will replace the transmission parking pawl pin, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R22A2 R22A3.
Reported 2022-06-24
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:BULBS21V471000
Risk: Inoperable front turn signals cannot alert on-coming drivers and/or pedestrians that the vehicle will be turning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the bulbs as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 20, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's numbers for this recall are PM986 and PC811.
Reported 2021-06-23
TIRES21V169000
Risk: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC798.
Reported 2021-03-11
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD20V759000
Risk: An electrical short can impair the performance of the engine, transmission, or fuel pump, increasing the risk of an engine stall and a crash. An electrical short or arcing increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine harness, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261
Reported 2020-12-08
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2020 Nissan Titan?
NHTSA has received 21 unverified owner complaints for the 2020 Titan. Alleged problem areas are led by Power Train and Electrical System, each with 7 reported concerns, followed by Engine and Fuel/Propulsion System with 4 each. Owners have also alleged 1 crash, 1 fire, and 2 injuries. These are unverified consumer allegations, not established facts.
21 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2020 Nissan Titan?
Five open or potentially uncompleted recall campaigns, including two transmission-related rollaway concerns, define the 2020 Nissan Titan's safety profile. For any shopper considering this model year, confirming recall remedy completion at a Nissan dealer is the single most important safety step.
- The 2020 Titan's Safety Index rose 5 points over the 2019 model, crossing from the Average band into the Strong band, driven largely by a perfect 10 out of 10 avoidance-tech score for standard forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and electronic stability control.
- Two separate NHTSA recall campaigns both target the automatic transmission parking pawl on this model year, meaning the same rollaway-risk defect was addressed in two distinct actions, a year-specific pattern that underscores the importance of confirming both remedies are complete.
- The rollover rating of 3 out of 5 stars, paired with a measured 23 percent rollover risk, is the weakest individual crash-test result for this year and stands in contrast to the otherwise solid 4- and 5-star frontal and side scores.
- An engine wiring harness recall issued in December 2020 was specific to 2020 Titan and Titan XD pickup trucks, making it a defect unique to this model year and not shared with earlier or later production cycles.
RANKINGSWhere the 2020 Nissan Titan places
The 2020 Nissan Titan qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2020 Nissan Titan safety questions
Was the 2020 Nissan Titan crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2020 Nissan Titan, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 80 out of 100, placing it in the Strong band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2020 Nissan Titan crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2020 Nissan Titan earned 4 out of 5 stars for overall, 4 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 3 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 22.8%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2020 Nissan Titan have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 5 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2020 Nissan Titan. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2020 Nissan Titan?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 21 owner complaints are on file for the 2020 Nissan Titan. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash or a fire.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Titan years
Rivals in Truck (2020)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Ford F-250 Tremor | 95/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2020 Ford F-250 | 83/100 | 4 of 5 | 1 |
| 2020 Nissan Frontier | 74/100 | 4 of 5 | 2 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 14524), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Nissan Titan 2020.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 3 of 4 in the Truck class for 2020.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.