10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
80,231 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2004 Nissan Titan drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2004 Nissan Titan Owner Comments (Page 5 of 9)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #98

Apr 252011

Titan 4WD 8-cyl

  • 69,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have now only owned this truck for one year. I am only the second owner. I have had multiple drive train issues now with this truck and it is only currently at 75,000 miles as of 11/20/2011. 04/22/11 turned a corner from a four way stop to hear a light grinding noise that turned to a heavy clunk and tire hop. Took it to a local trusted auto repair tech to find that my E-locker deteriorated and literally grenaded my whole carrier assembly. The only fix according to Nissan is to replace the whole rear differential as in new case fully assembled w/ rotors and all. Local shop did research and said this is a common issue they have a lot and Nissan does not sell individual parts to replace. Local shop had to build whole new custom rear end from seals in w/ a detroit true trac mechanical locker. At the same time shortly after found gear oil in driveway from front pumpkin to find drivers side C-clip broke and axle shaft is not engaging (in other words no dependable 4WD) had that all fixed in 05/2011 and seemed okay never had used the 4WD. Now 11/19/11 went to go find a christmas tree and turned on the 4WD again just in case. Once again a broken C-clip out of nowhere. I have now had two broken C-clips within about 6 months of each other w/O 4WD being used. Bought the truck for $16K and have now put in almost another $4K in front and rear end repairs. Nissan is losing a lot of customers by not owning up to their mistakes and design flaws.

- Medford, OR, USA

problem #97

Nov 052011

Titan 8-cyl

  • 95,888 miles
Right side axle is leaking fluid to rear disk brake. To fix one side is 2200. After searching on Titan forums, discovered this to be a defect with this truck. This is a truck that had synthetic diff oil and never towed, yet has such major failure so soon? this is a serious safety issue.

- La Mirada, CA, USA

problem #96

Nov 082011

Titan 4WD 8-cyl

  • 78,000 miles
Discovered the driver's side rear axle oil seal leaking. Vehicle maintenance has been accomplished in accordance with Nissan maintenance schedules. Discovered Nissan technical service bulletin (tsb)ntb10-032 stating entire axle shaft assembly (axle, new retainer, axle bearing, oil seal, bearing cage, and ABS rotor) be replaced on 2004-2008 models when oil leaks are discovered to correct the problem. The tsb did not elaborate why the entire assembly is to be replaced. It can only be assumed that all parts of the assembly are considered defective and require replacement. I presented the tsb to my Nissan service department and they said they only need to replace the oil seal, axle bearing, and spacer contrary to the prescribed service procedure in the tsb. Within 200 miles of replacement, the new oil seal leaks indicating the cause of the seal failure has not been resolved. Unresolved axle seal leaks will result in axle failure and brake failures when pads are soaked by gear oil leaks.

- Port St Joe, FL, USA

problem #95

Sep 282011

Titan 8-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The rear axle seals are leaking and has caused my rear brakes to slip due to the differential oil getting on my brake pads and rotors. This is my second encounter of this problem and Nissan still refuses to do anything about it.

- Denton, TX, USA

problem #94

Aug 122011

Titan 4WD 8-cyl

  • 76,000 miles
Winding noise coming out of rear end, rear differential failing, bearings failing.

- Canal Winchester, OH, USA

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problem #93

Oct 152008

Titan 8-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
Right rear differential seal failed - leaked oil into right rear brake.

- Alhambra,Ca, CA, USA

problem #92

Jul 052011

Titan 8-cyl

  • 115,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving on the freeway where the speed limit is 65 mph. I was going that speed when, what I thought was my drive shaft, basically exploded and fell apart whilst I was in motion. I have kept up one all mandatory and basic maintenance work and have never had a problem with it before. Parts flew out from all around my truck and it slammed into a complete stop as if I had made impact into something. Passing vehicles had to stay clear of the debris an I had to push my truck into the emergency lane. Highway patrol asked if I was alright and I stated to have already had a tow truck on its way. When my truck was towed to the shop they said the rear end actually gave way and broke, including the drive shaft which snapped into two pieces, one of which was launched into traffic. Luckily no other vehicles were damaged nor people hurt. The mechanics said they've been in business for 57 years and I was lucky to have come out of that the way I did, because in most cases the truck would have flipped and rolled. The damages were extensive and extreme for something I had no control over. The shop informed me that this was nothing to do with the way I was driving it or anything I could have done, and they found it "weird" that it happened the way it did. Very dangerous and near traumatizing. I was unable to select the correct components above so I just wanted to be clear that it had everything to do with my drive shaft, rear differential, and power line.

- North Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #91

Oct 082011

Titan

  • 63,500 miles
During a turn onto another street, the rear differential broke apart and seized, stopping the truck in the middle of the intersection.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #90

Oct 052011

Titan

  • 70,200 miles
Car into dealer for service. Found two cracked manifolds on both sides of the engine resulting in excessive noise and exhaust gases to be released into the cab. Both sides need full replacement at nearly $1,200 per side. This is ridiculous on a vehicle with only 70K miles on the clock.

- Huron, OH, USA

problem #89

Sep 292011

Titan 4WD 8-cyl

  • 100,080 miles
Within a 5 mile range the vehicle started to whine, then clank, then lock-up. Emergency brakes failed and rear differential failed... vehicle was undriveable. This vehicle just hit 100,000 miles. Repair is > 1/5th of vehicle value. This is a very common failure in 2004 Nissan Titans. Very dangerous - especially if towing a trailer (which is what this vehicle is advertised to do)

- Glassford, IL, USA

problem #88

Apr 202010

Titan 4WD 8-cyl

  • 45,385 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Rear axle oil leak requiring replacement of breather and right rear axle at 45,385 miles. Reoccurred 9-26-11 at 54,718 miles. Internet sites indicate this is a common recurrence and the part was subsequently redesigned. Nissan refuse to stand by their quality and hide behind the warranty terms for a design failure.

- Annapolis, MD, USA

problem #87

Aug 272011

Titan 4WD 8-cyl

  • 58 miles
My 2004 Nissan Titan rear differential went out today, I have never hauled anything and am pretty light on the pedal. The vehicle just hit 58,000 miles and I'm the original owner.the clanking was unbearable my ride home.

- Port Washington, WI, USA

problem #86

Jul 152011

Titan

  • 83,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Titan. The contact was driving 60 mph when the vehicle started to make a loud noise and became hard to drive. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the rear differential was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 83,000.the VIN was not available.

- Muncy, PA, USA

problem #85

Jul 282011

Titan 4WD 8-cyl

  • 89,000 miles
The rear axle seals in my 2004 Nissan Titan 5.6L SE started leaking. The current mileage is 89,000. The seals are extremely hard to find. When replacing the axel seals you also have to replace the spacers and the bearings. Not only that but the fluid from the leak has got onto the brake pads and rotor. It started leaking terribly in only a matter of a few days.

- Indiana, IN, USA

problem #84

Jul 082011

Titan

  • 58,000 miles
My 2004 Nissan Titan is leaking lubricant out of the rear seals. It wil cost around 1200 to fix and the truck only has 58,000 miles on it and has done no towing ever!

- La Mesa, CA, USA

problem #83

Jul 022011

Titan 4WD 8-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
Changed engine oil over July 4th 2011 weekend and noticed oil all over transfer case. Upon further inspection found two bolts missing from top of transfer case. Drained transfer case fluid to which only a quarter of a quart was left and was extremely black with metal fragments in it. Tried to match bolts for missing ones and filled transfer case with fresh fluid.

- Meadow Lands, PA, USA

problem #82

Jun 182011

Titan 4WD 8-cyl

  • 79,009 miles
Instrument lights stay on, brake vod, slip. Google search lead to checking real axle seals both are leaking. No repair to date will take to shop on Monday 6/20.

- Andalusia , AL, USA

problem #81

May 252011

Titan 4WD 8-cyl

  • 79,900 miles
Not known while driving vdc ABS brake lights all come on, found both rear axel seals leaking.

- Barefoot Bay, FL, USA

problem #80

Apr 142011

Titan

  • 86,798 miles
Front right tire was wearing irregularly and was informed at tire store that wheel hub may be worn and causing the problem. Took the vehicle to the Nissan dealership and not only was wheel bearing assembly identified as an issue but was informed that front differential needed replacement (front axel pulling out from front differential) at cost of $1755 (additional to the $373 to replace the front wheel hub assembly). The rear differential on this vehicle had already been replaced under warranty in April'08 (based on clicking noise while driving) which triggered me to research this defect on the internet and NHTSA web site and ask the dealer about other similar failures seen. I have found numerous issues with the front and rear differentials reported on both 2004 and 2005 Titans due to what appears to be a faulty design that was later changed on the 2006 model year. I called Nissan customer affairs to open a request for support and was informed based on years of service and mileage they would denied supporting this complaint, I escalated to the next level of management and was again denied any support. Clearly there is an issue with the differentials on the 2004 Titan that needs to be investigated since this should not be considered normal wear and tear to replace both differentials on the same vehicle given normal highway passenger driving (no off road, no towing).

- Andover, MA, USA

problem #79

Apr 252011

Titan 8-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
Rear axle seal leaking on brakes. Truck wont stop very well.Nissan knows about this problem.

- Fayetteville, TN, USA

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