The rear differential has been whining since 63,000 miles and last weekend the whining became howling and then clunking. My mechanic says something inside the differential is broken.

- Savannah, MO, USA

After front differential had failed and would not engage 4WD. Took to dealer and replaced under warranty. After 1 1/2 years started to whine and grind again dealership said sorry was out of warranty. 3 differentials in 3 years woohoo a real winner here.

- Temperance, MI, USA

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

I just purchased a 2004 Nissan Titan le 4X4 about a month and a half ago. I am the 2nd owner and bought it from a guy who bought it brand new in 2004 and took very good care of it. The truck only has 55K miles. Just last weekend, 6/19/2011, it started making banging and grinding noises in the back wheel. At first, I thought I ran over something and it was stuck in the back wheels. After examining the rear wheel area and the brake pads, everything looked normal. However, the noise got louder and louder. It sounded like I was dragging a refrigerator. I felt a stutter in the vehicle and it started to struggle to go when I would put the truck into drive. I assumed the brake calipers may have been jammed and brought it into an auto service center to be examined. About 2 hours later, I went back to the shop and the technician took me to go see the problem. They examined the rear brakes and differential and found numerous large chunks of broken metal inside, which she said were pieces of shoes, hardware, and gears. They confirmed that the problem was in the rear differential and that the gear damage had likely caused a chain reaction damaging the entire left rear axle assembly and E-brakes. The rear axle seals were leaking too onto the wheels. All these parts needed to be replaced along with the rear axle. The service shop quoted me $3800 to get this fixed! I was in shock as I just bought the truck. Of course, I could no longer drive the truck either as it was in pieces and not drivable. What am I supposed to do? I don't have this money. I had no choice but to tell the service shop to go ahead with the repairs and I will just have to put it on a credit card. I decided to do some research and went on to several internet sites for Nissan Titan owners to see if others were experiencing similar problems or if there was a recall for this. After reading pages of entries posted by other Titan owners, I found out I was not alone. Nissan needs to help pay for these repairs!

- Vadnais Heights, MN, USA

I have a 2004 Nissan Titan truck. A rear axle seal leaked. This is the second time I've had it leak. Differential gear oil leaks, which could get on the brakes. The first time, I had to replace the differential which also failed. I replaced the seal and bearings. This will be the second time I will be replacing them. If I had not checked it would have been a safety issue, as oil could get on the brakes. Also, due to Nissan's policy of not selling rear end parts (in the differential) I had to buy a whole new rear end the first time. I did not save the old parts.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

I have a 2004 Nissan Titan that had an issue with the differential in the rear end. In my case the rear end did not lock up at highway speed but the potential for that happening is there. After my problem occurred I did some research online and determined that my case was not an isolated incident. My truck has not been abused, has a towing package which has been used to tow a trailer only a few times and had only 62,000 miles at the time of the failure. From what I could determine Nissan redesigned the rear end I N the 2008 model and the problem has been reduced but that does not rectify the problem for the 2004-2007 models on the road. Unfortunately the Nissan solution is to replace the faulty rear end with the same type which in my case I chose not to do. From the information I could gather I was better off and safer going with an aftermarket differential which I decided to do to prevent potential problems in another 3-4 years or sooner. I realize there are not large numbers of Nissan Titans on the road but this does not make the situation any less dangerous for the drivers of them.

- Colfax, NC, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Titan. The contact was driving approximately between 35 and 40 mph on normal road conditions. Suddenly, the four wheel drive failed to operate. The driver stated the failure was contributed to front differential. The vehicle is in the process of being repaired for the malfunctions. The failure mileage was 85,000.

- Conowingo , MD, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Titan. The contact stated that at 52,000 miles the right front tire differential seal failed. On September 16, 2009 he noticed a leak from the rear of the vehicle. Upon further inspection he concluded that the left front differential failed. He took the vehicle to the dealer, and was in the process of having the vehicle repaired. The failure mileage was 52,000. The current mileage was 70,500. The vehicle identification number was not available.

- Greenville , SC, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Titan. While at a stop light, the contact heard a loud noise. Afterwards, the vehicle accelerated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and they stated that the rear differential failed and would cost $3,300 to repair. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 79,000.

- New Castle, DE, USA

Differential failure (gears are popping and banging). Some models have been known to lock up during highway use, mine has not as of yet as it is at this point inoperable in its current condition. No work has been performed as of yet, I am trying to get Nissan to extend the warranty on this part, as it is a known problem.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

Rear end failure, no options given but must purchase new rear end for 3300K

- Wake Forest, NC, USA

2004 Nissan Titan with 72,000. Found pieces of spider gears on the magnetic drain plug at rear diff service. Nissan won't help pay for the repair even though these rear differentials are having a high failure rate. I have the off road pkg with locking rear diff. Very weak unit. Quoted $3800 to replace entire rear end by the dealer.

- Henderson, NV, USA

Rear differential failure.

- Merrick, NY, USA

Burned out rear differential on 2004 Nissan Titan with only 44,000 miles. Dealer refuses to honor warranty.

- Murrieta, CA, USA

2004 Nissan Titan le 4X4 rear diff failure at about 53K, was replaced by dealer under warranty. Since the new diff was put in, noise and thumping can be heard and felt when stopping and going coming from the rear. When putting the truck into reverse from park you can hear and feel the drive shaft bang when it goes into gear, there is too much slack in the rear and the dealer says nothing is wrong when there is definitely something wrong. I feel that the rear will again fail.

- Budd Lake, NJ, USA

Took truck in for service and was told rear end was leaking (not in my garage), and needed to be replaced.

- Athens, GA, USA

I currently own a 2004 Titan crew cab with tow package and I have 80,000 mi. On this truck. Throughout the ownership it has been reliable for work and pleasure. I do tow a trailer, avg. Weight is 4000 lbs.. I have had front brake issues, Nissan took care of until it was 3yr.S old, however since I have installed american made drilled rotors. The rear was replaced at 71K, it is a dana rear and uses gears made in china. It was covered under warranty, however it will not last long again. The problem is not design itself it is the quality of the metal being used for the gears. Any clunking, popping sounds from rear it needs to be replaced! otherwise it is a good truck for the money.

- Damascus, MD, USA

My Nissan Titan crews brakes were not performing well on a trip I took. After getting home I noticed oil on my garage floor at both rear brakes. The rear diff. Was leaking all over the brake backing plate to the extent that oil was being slung throughout the wheel well. I have not taken it to the dealer yet since I just found this problem but I am at 38,000 mi. Just 2000 mi. Out of warranty. I checked online and this appears to be a common problem. I feel Nissan should be forced to recall this potentially dangerous manufacturer defect.

- Stevensville, MD, USA

Sounds of rear diff. Failure.

- Canada, 00, USA

Upon acceleration, truck felt like it went into neutral. Now, coasting then adding power, truck jerks, and loud clunks while turning in either direction coming from the rear.

- Englewood, CO, USA