2017 Nissan Titan
The 2017 Nissan Titan is sold in the U.S. as a gas large pickup truck with 3 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Titan 2WD, is EPA-rated at 18 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of C. Owners have filed 187 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 4 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov| Configuration | Powertrain | Drive | Engine / motor | City | Hwy | Comb | Annual fuel* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Titan 2WD | Gas | RWD | 5.6L 8-cyl | 15 | 21 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Titan 4WD | Gas | 4WD (part-time) | 5.6L 8-cyl | 15 | 21 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Titan 4WD PRO4X | Gas | 4WD (part-time) | 5.6L 8-cyl | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 38120, 38124, 38125.
Emissions & certification
Source: EPA emission certificates| Configuration | Smog rating | Emission standard | Where it can be sold new | SmartWay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Titan 2WD, Titan 4WD, Titan 4WD PRO4X | 6 / 10 | Federal Tier 3 Bin 125 / LEV-II ULEV | All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards | — |
Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.
The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.
Specifications filed with NHTSA
Source: NHTSA vPICDimensions Exterior
| Body style | Pickup |
| GVWR class | Class 2F: 7,001 - 8,000 lb (3,175 - 3,629 kg) |
Engine Basics
| Displacement | 5.6 L |
Fuel Economy
| Fuel | Gasoline |
Transmission
| Drivetrain | 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4 |
| Transmission | Automatic |
| Transmission speeds | 7 |
Driver assistance
Standard: Anti-lock brakes, Electronic stability control
Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes the configurations we could identify rather than every trim. Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.
Dimensions & weight
Source: Transport Canada| Length | 226.0–240.2 in |
| Width (body, without mirrors) | 79.5–80.7 in |
| Height | 75.2–78.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 139.8–151.6 in |
| Track, front | 70.1–70.5 in |
| Track, rear | 70.1–70.5 in |
| Curb weight | 5,668–7,403 lb |
| Weight distribution, front/rear | 58/42 |
Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here 11 configurations: Crew Cab PRO-4X, Crew Cab S / SV, Crew Cab SL / Platinum Reserve, Single Cab S / SV, Xd Crew Cab PRO-4X, Xd Crew Cab S / SV 4X2 …. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.
Factory warranty running out?
The 2017 Nissan Titan is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. What an extended plan does and does not cover is worth reading before a dealer quotes you one.
What to check before you buy →Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.
Recalls (3)
Source: NHTSA recall databaseEquipment
Seat Belts
These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.
NHTSA defect investigations
Engine — Loss of motive power due to broken crankshaft with no ability to restart. closed
On November 15, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE23020 to investigate allegations of loss of motive power in model year (MY) 2016 through 2019 Nissan Titan XD trucks equipped with 5.0L Cummins diesel engines. The complaints allege the condition was due to a failure of the engine crankshaft. The purpose of the investigation was to understand the scope, frequency, and safety related consequence of the alleged defect. During the investigation, it was found that the subject vehicles can experience a loss of motive power due to a failure of the crankshaft main bearings which can lead to a fractured crankshaft. This resulted in a loss of motive powe
Opened Nov 15, 2023 · closed Jun 27, 2025 · action PE23020 · the investigation’s page →
Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module — Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture open
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf. Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a subst
Opened Sep 17, 2021 · action EA21002 · the investigation’s page →
Whether any of this applies to one specific Titan
A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2017 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. Nissan publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.
Hear about a recall before the letter does
The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2017 Nissan Titan, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.
Parts & accessories for the 2017 Nissan Titan
Search by fitment on eBay Motors — OEM take-offs, aftermarket, and the trim pieces dealers no longer stock. The listing and the price are the seller's.
Find parts for this Titan →Owner complaints
Source: NHTSA complaint database5 involved a crash · 9 a fire · 5 injuries · 0 deaths reported
37 per 10,000 built · Nissan reported 51,009 Titan built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)
Filed per year: 2016: 1 · 2017: 15 · 2018: 18 · 2019: 20 · 2020: 14 · 2021: 7 · 2022: 13 · 2023: 32 · 2024: 37 · 2025: 21 · 2026: 9
Most-cited components
In depth: engine problems →
In owners' own words
Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.
To whom it may concern I was driving with slightly less than 1/4 tank of gas and stopped to park on a hill with vehicle on idle. While in idle on the hill the vehicle stalled out. I tried to restart but the engine just cranked with no start and a low pressure fuel system service light came on.
I noticed an arching sound coming from underneath the truck. Upon inspection I noticed a bright white arc every 30-32 seconds coming from the fuel line to the top of the frame rail. After taking it to the dealer, Nissan came back and said that this was a "normal condition due to a static build up in the fuel system, no repair necessary".
Unintended acceleration multiple times in my possession. A launch forward into another individuals vehicle. Brought it back to the dealership for a second time with the same complaint and finally they were able to duplicate the problem.
I purchased a new 2017 Nissan Titan xd from tim dahle Nissan - southtowne on 11/25/17. Prior to pick up I requested the dealer complete an open safety recall regarding the rear seat belts. The recall is 17v-268. I was informed by the dealership that the recall had been competed prior to delivery to me.
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Titan. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17v268000 (seat belts). The parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.
1) acceleration delay from standstill or while driving including when making left or right turns. 2) transmission shift delay between gears and confusion with whether to up or down shift
Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.
Reported by Nissan itself: 5 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 7 injured, as claimed, not verified — about 9.8 per 100,000 built. Every Titan model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.
When owners reported it
miles, typically
Half the 73 owner reports with an odometer reading on file fall between 7,000 and 60,000 miles. That is when problems get reported, which is not the same as when they start — and not a failure rate, because nobody knows how many of these cars never had a problem at all.
Median mileage by component
| Component | Reports | Median miles | Vs same age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 23 | 22,000 | 0.38× |
| Electrical System | 17 | 28,000 | 0.8× |
Vs same age is this model year’s median for the system divided by the median of every 2017-model-year complaint about the same system, all makes: under 1× means owners of this car reported it at lower mileage. Here, owners reported earlier than same-age vehicles: engine (0.38×). Which systems go early across the whole fleet: the component study.
Odometer readings as filed by owners with NHTSA. Readings under 100 or over 400,000 miles are dropped as data entry rather than history, and a component needs at least 12 readings before a median is shown for it.
Crash ratings
Source: NHTSA NCAP| Configuration | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PU/CC AWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | 20% |
| PU/CC RWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | 20% |
| PU/EC AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ | 20% |
| PU/EC RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ | 20% |
| PU/RC AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ | 20% |
| PU/RC RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ | 20% |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.
Service bulletins & campaigns
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communicationsMost often about: Equipment, Electrical System, Engine, Power Train, Fuel/Propulsion System.
- NTB09-131C Service bulletin2026-04-13 · Structure — Body
- CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label” may be needed. HINT: Certification Label = FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) label. These items may be available from Nissan by request if certain criteria are met. This bulletin lists the criteria and provides
- NTB09-131C Service bulletin2026-04-13 · Structure — Body
- CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label” may be needed. HINT: Certification Label = FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) label. These items may be available from Nissan by request if certain criteria are met. This bulletin lists the criteria and provides
- NTB23-023B Service bulletin2025-02-19 · Power Train
- FLUID LEAK FROM THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL CASE ACTUATOR MOTOR PLASTIC THREADS SERVICE INFORMATION Figure 1 Figure 2 If the front differential has a fluid leak coming from the actuator motor plastic threads (Figure 1): a. Place an alignment mark on the splined actuator body and the gear carrier (Figure 2). b. Remove the actuator and thoroughly clean the threads, making sure not to allow RTV to fall in
- NTB24-061 Emissions2025-01-31 · Engine
- CAMPAIGN BULLETIN Cummins NOx Emissions Voluntary Emission Recall Campaign PD128 PD129 ***** Campaign Summary ***** Nissan is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Recall Campaign on certain 2016-2019 Titan Diesel vehicles identified in Service Comm and DBS National Service History. Vehicles affected by this campaign require upgraded emissions control software and hardware for model years 2016-2017 or
- NTB24-063 Emissions2025-01-31 · Engine
- CAMPAIGN BULLETIN VECI Label Voluntary Emission Recall Campaign ***** Campaign Summary ***** Nissan is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Recall Campaign on specific model year 2016-2019 Titan Diesel vehicles identified in Service Comm and DBS National Service History. Vehicles affected by this campaign may have been shipped to market with an Exemption label and should have been shipped with a Vehic
- NTB24-061 Emissions2025-01-30 · Engine
- VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS RECALL CAMPAIGN 2016-2017 TITAN XD DIESEL; PM SENSOR INTRODUCTION Nissan is conducting this voluntary emissions recall campaign on certain specific model year 2016-2017 Titan XD vehicles equipped with a diesel engine, to install a Particulate Matter (PM) Sensor and reprogram the Engine Control Module (ECM). This service will be performed at no charge to the customer for parts o
- NTB24-060 Emissions2025-01-30 · Engine
- VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS RECALL CAMPAIGN 2017 TITAN XD DIESEL; ENGINE CONTROL MODULE INTRODUCTION Nissan is conducting this voluntary emissions recall campaign on certain specific model year 2017 Titan XD vehicles equipped with a diesel engine, to replace the Engine Control Module (ECM). This service will be performed at no charge to the customer for parts or labor. IDENTIFICATION NUMBER Nissan has ass
- NTB19-071D Service bulletin2024-09-19 · Air Bags
- DTC B00A0-00 STORED This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin. IF YOU CONFIRM DTC B00A0-00 (OCCUPANT DETECTION SENSOR UNIT) is stored, AND OCS zero point reset cannot be performed, (continued on the next page)
A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.
Diagnostic trouble codes on file
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications and complaintsCodes documented against this model year in the federal record. A code appearing here does not mean this vehicle will set it — it means the code is part of this nameplate-year's documented history.
| Code | What it means | Most often filed under | Where it appears |
|---|---|---|---|
| P0456 P0456 on Nissan → | A very small leak in the evaporative emissions system. | Engine · Gas cap → | 7 bulletins |
| B130C B130C on Nissan → | Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard. | Equipment | 3 bulletins |
| B2EF0 B2EF0 on Nissan → | Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard. | Equipment | 3 bulletins |
| P00AF | Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard. | Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 2 bulletins · 1 owner report |
| P0442 P0442 on Nissan → | A small leak in the evaporative emissions system. | Equipment · Gas cap → | 3 bulletins |
| P0455 P0455 on Nissan → | A large leak in the evaporative emissions system — often a fuel cap left off. | Equipment · Gas cap → | 3 bulletins |
| C1130 C1130 on Nissan → | Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard. | Engine | 1 bulletin · 1 owner report |
| P0174 P0174 on Nissan → | The engine is running lean on bank 2. | Fuel/Propulsion System · Mass air flow sensor → | 2 bulletins |
| P0299 | The turbocharger or supercharger is not making the boost the computer asked for. | Equipment | 2 bulletins |
| P0448 P0448 on Nissan → | Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard. | Engine | 2 bulletins |
| P0603 P0603 on Nissan → | The engine control module has lost its keep-alive memory. | Engine | 2 bulletins |
| P2048 | Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard. | Fuel/Propulsion System · Fuel pump → | 2 bulletins |
Generic codes (the second character is 0 or 2) mean the same thing on every vehicle sold in the United States. Manufacturer-specific codes (1 or 3) mean whatever the automaker assigned, and no honest source can define them for you — which is why the ones here carry the evidence instead of a definition. A code is a link when enough separate federal documents name it across the catalogue to be worth a page of its own; the rest are listed here, where the vehicle is the context that makes them mean something.
Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.
At the New York inspection station
Source: New York State DMVIn New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2017 Nissan Titan failed the emissions check on 6.5% of first inspections — higher than the 3.7% for every 2017 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 4.0% (every 2017 vehicle: 2.1%).
failed emissions
402 initial inspections of 388 vehicles.
| Measure | The 2017 Titan | Every 2017 vehicle | Behind it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Failed the emissions check | 6.5% | 3.7% | 402 |
| Failed the safety inspection | 4.0% | 2.1% | 402 |
| Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit | 0.50% | 0.25% | 402 |
| Miles driven a year | 11,007 | 10,048 | odometer at inspection |
| Average odometer | 102,227 | 93,238 | odometer at inspection |
New York’s emissions test on these model years is an on-board diagnostics check: it fails a car whose check-engine light is on or whose self-tests have not finished. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2017 vehicle” is every 2017 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).
Titan by model year
all years, side by side →Common questions about the 2017 Titan
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsDoes the 2017 Nissan Titan have any recalls?
NHTSA has posted 3 recall campaigns for the 2017 Nissan Titan, 1 of them rated critical. The most serious on file is 19V495000, covering Electrical System. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.
How safe is the 2017 Nissan Titan?
NHTSA gave the 2017 Nissan Titan 4 stars overall in its New Car Assessment Program tests — 4-star frontal crash, 5-star side crash, 4-star rollover. WhichTrim also grades it C (76/100) on its recall record, which is a different question from crash protection.
What is the fuel economy of the 2017 Nissan Titan?
Across the 3 EPA-rated configurations of the 2017 Nissan Titan, the best EPA combined figure is 18 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.
What are the dimensions of the 2017 Nissan Titan?
Transport Canada measured it at 226.0–240.2 in long, 79.5–80.7 in wide (body, without mirrors), 75.2–78.7 in tall, on a 139.8–151.6 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 5,668–7,403 lb depending on configuration. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.
What do owners complain about on the 2017 Nissan Titan?
Owners have filed 187 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Nissan Titan, most often about engine, electrical system, power train. Of those, 5 involved a crash, 9 a fire, 5 reported injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.
How clean is the 2017 Nissan Titan?
The EPA smog rating for the 2017 Nissan Titan is 6 out of 10. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — Federal Tier 3 Bin 125, LEV-II ULEV — which the table above lists per configuration.
Are there service bulletins for the 2017 Nissan Titan?
The manufacturer has filed 249 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2017 Nissan Titan, most often covering equipment, electrical system, engine. The most recent is dated 2026-04-13. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.
How does the 2017 Nissan Titan do at state inspection?
In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2017 Nissan Titan failed the emissions check on 6.5% of first inspections — higher than the 3.7% for every 2017 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 4.0% (every 2017 vehicle: 2.1%). The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.
What we hold, and what an empty row means
Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.
| Data | Held | Source | What it covers — or what empty means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy & configurations | 3 configurations | EPA certification records | Every configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures. |
| Emission certificates | 3 configurations | EPA emission certificates | Smog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new. |
| Recalls | 3 | NHTSA recall campaigns | A complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags. |
| Owner complaints | 187 | NHTSA complaint database | Also complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold. |
| Crash ratings | 6 tested | NHTSA NCAP | Only the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them. |
| Service bulletins | 249 | NHTSA manufacturer communications | Everything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall. |
| Investigations | 2 | NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation | Open and closed defect investigations, with the agency's own narrative. |
| Driver-assist crash reports | none | NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01 | No report has been filed. Only entities named in the order report, and only crashes they hear of — so this is also what an unequipped car, or a manufacturer without telematics, looks like. |
| Specifications filed with NHTSA | 7 fields | NHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patterns | What the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder. |
| Measured dimensions | 7 fields | Transport Canada, Canadian Vehicle Specifications | Length, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions. |
| Trims, pricing & equipment | none | Manufacturer press kit | We have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind. |
Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.
Sources & method
Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.
EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.