Nissan Titan Transmission Slipping: Causes Along With The Solutions

Owners of the Nissan Titan vehicle have reported experiencing transmission slippage issues, leading to reduced performance and drivability concerns. This problem appears most prevalent in Titans manufactured between 2016 and 2018 equipped with the 7-speed automatic transmission. Transmission slippage occurs when the transmission fails to engage fully into gear by causing acceleration to lag and RPMs to spike as the vehicle speed fails to match the engine speed. There are several potential causes behind Nissan Titan transmission slippage, ranging from low transmission fluid levels to internal component wear. 

Fortunately, solutions are available to diagnose and repair slipping transmissions in affected Titans. This article will examine the main causes of Nissan Titan transmission slippage and, in detail, short-term fixes and long-term repair options for restoring proper drivetrain performances.

Table of Contents

• Potential Causes Of Nissan Titan Transmission Slipping
  • Low transmission fluid levels 
  • Worn clutch packs
  • Faulty solenoids and valves
  • External and internal Leaks
  • Worn bearings and bushings 
  • Damaged or worn gears
  • Faulty torque converter 
  • Computer and sensor malfunctions
• Solutions For Nissan Titan Transmission Slipping Issues
• FAQs About Nissan Titan Transmission Slipping
  • Q: At what mileage do the Titans start to have the transmission problems?
  • Q: Does the warranty cover my Nissan Titan’s transmission slippage issues?

Potential Causes Of Nissan Titan Transmission Slipping

Low transmission fluid levels

• Over time, transmission fluid can leak or become low due to regular use. 

• Low fluid levels can cause slipping as the hydraulic pressure changes gears when the speed decreases. 

Worn clutch packs

• The clutch packs contain multiple clutch discs that engage to transfer power between gears. 

• Over time, the clutches can wear out by causing slipping when gears try to engage.

Faulty solenoids and valves

• Electrical solenoids control the flow of transmission fluid to engage gears. 

• Dirty fluid or worn components can cause solenoids to malfunction and not direct enough hydraulic pressure for proper engagement. 

• In addition to that, sticking valves can also prevent fluid flow by leading to slippage.

External and internal Leaks

• External leaks, as well as internal leaks, can lead to reduced pressure and slipping. 

• Leaks allow fluid to escape the transmission by resulting in insufficient lubrication and hydraulics. 

Worn bearings and bushings

• Bearings and bushings allow the various shafts and gears to spin smoothly. 

• Worn-out components increase slack and play in the drivetrain by leading to delayed engagement and slipping. 

Damaged or worn gears

• Over time, abnormal wear and excessive stress can damage the teeth on various gears throughout the transmission. 

• Chips, cracks or excessive wear will prevent solid engagement as the gears struggle to mesh correctly.

Faulty torque converter

• The torque converter relies on fluid to transfer power from the engine to the transmission. 

• Contaminants in the fluid or damage to seals can lead to torque converter slip by causing engine RPMs to spike without corresponding vehicle speed.

Computer and sensor malfunctions

• The transmission control module (TCM) relies on inputs from various sensors to properly control shift timing and gear engagement. 

• Any faulty sensors or a malfunctioning TCM can inadvertently cause slippage and other abnormal shifts.

Solutions For Nissan Titan Transmission Slipping Issues

• Regularly checking the levels and topping off transmission fluid is essential. Fluid should change per the maintenance schedule to maintain proper viscosity and cleanliness.

• Worn clutches and bands will require removal and replacements of the affected components.

• Faulty solenoids and stuck valves must repair or replaced to restore proper hydraulic control and fluid pressure to prevent slippage.

• Any external or internal leaks must address by replacing seals and gaskets.

• If the torque converter is damaged or contaminated, it may need replacements to prevent slippage between the engine and transmission.

• Updated transmission control module software from Nissan may fix slippage caused by calibration or programming bugs from the factory.

FAQs About Nissan Titan Transmission Slipping

Q: At what mileage do the Titans start to have the transmission problems?

A: Transmission issues can arise in Titans with over 50,000-60,000 miles. 

Q: Does the warranty cover my Nissan Titan’s transmission slippage issues?

A: Titan powertrain warranties cover five years/60,000 miles. Nissan should cover transmission issues within this period, including the slippage.