5.0 Cummins Common Problems

When you think of diesel engines, there’s a good chance Cummins is one of the first names you think of. Cummins diesels have developed a legendary reputation over its century of producing motors. From industrial generators, to military transport vehicles, to pickup trucks, Cummins has become renowned for their dependability and performance.

So when Nissan and Cummins announced their 5.0 diesel V8 for the 2016 Nissan Titan XD, fans were eagerly awaiting to experience Nissan’s new generation of Titan with a brand-new motor from the beloved manufacturer. 

However, since its release in 2016 and phase-out in 2019, the Cummins 5.0 V8 has developed a reputation for being a finicky motor with some real issues. In this article, we’ll cover what these issues are, how they occur, and how they can affect the health and performance of your Titan’s engine. 

Common Cummins 5.0 V8 Issues

Turbocharger Failure

In the past few decades, turbochargers have transformed from an occasional inclusion in sports cars or tuner add-on to a commonplace feature of many modern vehicles. While increasing efficiency and power, turbochargers have also been known to cause reliability issues on some vehicles including them.

This is especially true on the 5.0 Cummins in the Titan, particularly those from the 2016 model year, as a manufacturing issue may cause the turbocharger turbine to spin without enough lubrication, potentially causing it to produce metal shavings that contaminate and damage the engine’s internals. 

DEF Issues

Since 2010, the EPA has mandated that all diesel-powered vehicles include an emissions regulation system called diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), which converts harmful nitrous oxide pollutants to harmless water and nitrogen. 

The 5.0 Cummins has become notorious for issues with its DEF system, as a defect can cause contaminants and pollutants to remain in the fluid pump, potentially leading to failure of the pump. 

Unfortunately, this pump is an expensive replacement, running over $1,700 for just the part itself from a Nissan dealership. 

EGR Valve Failure

Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) systems take leftover uncombusted fumes from the exhaust and recirculate them through the engine to be entirely burnt off, increasing fuel efficiency and mitigating harmful emissions.

Due to carbon build-up over time, the EGR valve on the 5.0 Cummins may become stuck open, which can immediately cause serious issues such as misfires, reduced power and efficiency, excess pollutants from the exhaust, and a rough idle. 

Transmission Problems

While the transmission isn’t specifically part of the Cummins motor, it is a major part of the Titan’s drivetrain, and gearbox issues are so common on this platform it’s important to include it.

During this generation, the Titan was fitted with a six-speed automatic transmission from Aisin. These gearboxes have become a significant source of issues for Titan owners, as issues like rough shifts, unusual noises, and overheating have been reported by many owners over the years. In some cases, these issues have led to complete transmission failure.

Though Nissan has attempted to remedy this issue with software flashes, the general consensus it that this tends to be a temporary fix, and the initial issues may return later on to plague your transmission. 

Diesel Service & Repair at Borst Automotive

If you’re experiencing issues with your 5.0 Cummins-powered Nissan Titan, or any other diesel you may own, trust the expert technicians at Borst Automotive for all of your maintenance and repair needs. Our team has extensive experience and knowledge regarding light diesel trucks, and can return yours to performing as it should in no time! Give us a call or schedule online with us today.