The GMC Sierra HD’s engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the Titan XD’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.
In the GMC Sierra HD, the optional 6.6 turbo V8 diesel has a gear driven camshaft to prevent engine damage from a broken camshaft belt or chain. Gears don’t exert side forces against the camshaft that can wear the cam bearings. The engine in the Nissan all use chain driven camshafts.
To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Sierra HD has a standard 720-amp battery (1430 diesel). The Titan XD’s 710-amp battery isn’t as powerful.
A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the GMC Sierra HD 3500HD’s reliability 15 points higher than the Titan XD and the GMC Sierra HD 2500HD is rated 22 points higher than the Titan XD.
J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that GMC vehicles are better in initial quality than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks GMC above average in initial quality. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is rated lower.
J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that GMC vehicles are more reliable than Nissan With 13 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks GMC higher than Nissan.