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 1 of 9)

problem #178

Dec 172022

Titan

  • 180,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Titan. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle rolled forward, causing the vehicle to roll into a rock, and damaging the transmission. Additionally, the air bag warning lights illuminated, and the seat beats locked. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 180,000.

- Magalia, CA, USA

problem #177

Nov 272021

Titan

  • miles
Purchased a used 2004 Nissan titan truck with lower miles. Rear axel exploded and burst into flames when driving down the freeway. (Bowling Green, Kentucky) We managed to pull off to the side of the freeway without hitting anyone. Fire dept was able to put the flames out. Didn't find any recalls about the Truck when we bought it. Now I have seen reports on line that this has happened to other consumers. Something needs to be done to warn consumers. We could have died. We could of hit others and killed them as well. Dealership has completed repairs and seen the defect. We have the damaged part. There were no prior warnings. Vehicle was inspected before the road trip to insure it was safe.

- Port Charlotte, FL, USA

problem #176

Apr 062018

Titan

  • miles
I purchased this truck on 04/05/18 from Harbor motors Lihue Kauai, and not even a week into having this truck it started acting up, overheating, the truck wouldn't turn over, suspensions, the four-wheel-drive wouldn't disengage, when you turn the key to start the vehicle it would make a clicking noise before starting, the AC would work when it wanted to, and the transmission and engine started knocking. The next week I went running errands and when I pulled out of my yard the truck started jerking then pressed the gas and it revved really high before slamming into drive. Since then I haven't driven the truck. And today it looks like someone just smashed into the front driver light to the side and smashed it while being parked at the place I purchased the truck from. I've continuously asked for help with little to no help at all. The truck is no longer drivable and I'm still making payments on it. The lights on the dashboard has the Check enigine light on, snd the ABS

- Eleele, HI, USA

problem #175

Feb 132020

Titan

  • 10 miles

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

I was diagnosing a metal on metal sound coming from my 4 wheel drive Nissan Titan and found that the half shaft was coming out of the front differential. I called a Nissan dealership in Utah and was informed that this was a huge problem with early model Titans. The tech said he had repaired many Titans with the same problem. He said it was due to a C clip that fails and allows the gears to get chewed up in the differential. I looked online to see if there had been any recalls on this and found there had not been. I then called Nissan Titan and they informed me of the same and guided me to this website. This seem like a huge issue that either not been reported. This seems like it would leave people who bought this for snowy areas or offroading in an unsafe situation when their 4 wheel drive fails or locks up. In certain areas in Utah, we are required to have chains or 4 wheel drive in certain areas. With the failure of a C clip and the gears getting chewed to pieces this seems like it would cause huge safety issues, not to mention costs to consumers over a unsound design.

- Provo, UT, USA

problem #174

Sep 102019

Titan

  • 184,000 miles
Leaking axles seals after multiple replacements and incidents on road. Not covered under warranty or recall even though there are thousands of reports for this issue and axle overheating. Vehicle axle broke near bearing going 65 mph on highway with no warning two weeks ago 9/10/2019 there is still no safety recall.

- Camp Lejeune, OH, USA

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problem #173

Feb 122019

Titan

  • 152,071 miles
Whilst driving in bad weather I had my 4 wheel drive engaged. I was driving 5 miles an hour on a straight gravel road, when I started hearing a grinding noise. Before I could get stopped safely to see what the issue was there was a large thud and my entire truck shook. It was then pouring gear lubricant out of my front differential. After taking the truck apart to find the damage I discovered the axle shaft (Nissan part no.: 38220-8S11A) had been stripped of its splines on the end. The part looks as if it was machines perfectly cylindrical. The metal shavings from the shaft slightly marred up the seals so I replaced the seals and shaft, spider gears seemed okay to reuse.

- Knoxville, IA, USA

problem #172

Aug 122018

Titan

  • 138,000 miles

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

The drivers side rear axle broke while traveling 70 mph up 75 in ky with my whole family in the truck on the way home from vacation it looks like the axle seals started leaking and then it locked up for a split second and lost all ability to pull itself all the axles and seals have already been replaced multiple times and it's about time for Nissan to start taking the hit instead of the vehicle owners

- West Union, OH, USA

problem #171

Apr 202018

Titan

  • 137,000 miles
Front right axle pops out of the differential, bad C-clip. Numerous complaints noted here and at various Titan forums.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #170

Jan 132018

Titan 8-cyl

  • 135,600 miles
Went in for a routine oil change and was informed of a rear axle seal leak. I did some research online and have seen that is a very common issue with Nissan Titans and more specifically the 2004 Nissan Titans.

- Lawrenceville, GA, USA

problem #169

Nov 252017

Titan

  • 165,000 miles
From differential failure and C clip failure ejecting front drive axle. Leaking rear axle seals as well

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #168

Oct 012017

Titan

  • miles

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

2004 Nissan Titan passengers side axel shaft is sliding out of differential and my 4WD will not work. Differential fluid is leaking everywhere. Have read many complaints about the same problem by other Titan owners. This is unsafe especially if the shaft works its way all the way out. Do the right thing Nissan!! issue a recall!!

- Cranston, RI, USA

problem #167

Aug 192017

Titan

  • 275,000 miles
While changing the rear differential fluid, the magnet/drain plug had a broken piece of metal attached to it. I can only assume it's part of the gears inside. I have no idea when the piece broke but I have read that other Titan owners have had similar issues. Those gears are a big part of the truck and should not break easy. My truck is 4X4 so I'd assume the gears would be reliable. I bought my truck used with aprox 275K miles so not sure when part broke.

- Santa Barbara, CA, USA

problem #166

Jan 082015

Titan

  • 75,000 miles
The front axel separated at 75,000 miles. Dealer stated it would cost $1,600 to repair. I went online to check pricing and if others are having the same problem and they are. www.titantalk.com/forums/Titan-problems-dealer-service/68142-front-axle-failer-thread-14.html

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #165

Apr 022017

Titan

  • miles
Driving and 4 wheel drive kicked out. Took to the shop and they said pass axle C clip came off.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #164

Dec 032016

Titan

  • 60,000 miles
Front left axle slid out from differential. The retaining C-clip on the axle was intact but did not retain the axle. This has the potential to cause a catastrophic failure of the front differential. This was found when the vehicle was stationary. The vehicle leaked fluid on the garage floor, upon investigating the leak the failure was identified. Otherwise the vehicle was operating normally with no indication of the failure.

- Mound, MN, USA

problem #163

Oct 012016

Titan

  • 100,000 miles
I have 2004 Titan 100,000 miles, both back seals leaking, had to replace entire back of the truck. This should be covered by Nissan under a recall but isn't.

- Lincoln, NE, USA

problem #162

Oct 272016

Titan

  • 100,000 miles
Was coming from daughters game and I made a left turn outta parking lot all of a sudden a hear a noise and then grinding. I inspected brakes and underneath vehicle I noticed fluid all over front diff. I got underneath grabbed my drivers side axle and shook it. It came apart and was coming out of diff. A month earlier I noticed rear diff had oil all over it and oil was leaking out of rear pinion seal and both rear axle seals, due to axle breather failure. I have never went off-roading or beat this truck. I am also experiencing gas shooting back out of my fuel tank filler tube. I have had my vehicle to local dealer 2 or 3 times regarding this issue and it seems as if it's a guessing game. I have spent over 300 bucks there and my problem still exists. Then they guess again and says its something else. I know for sure this vehicle has had a rear end or rear diff already put in with very very low miles, with 1 St owner. I am being told that my last issue with front axle was C clip holding axle in failed and may have ruined my front diff, I traveled no more than 2 miles before I heard noise and I'm looking at a 1900 part not including labor.

- New Catle, PA, USA

problem #161

Aug 182016

Titan

  • 176,400 miles
Rear axle seal leaks are a recurring problem on this vehicle. I have had mine replaced 4 times at various points over the past 12 years and they are leaking again. It has been 12 months since the last repair, at which time I also replaced the rear axle shafts in an attempt to resolve the issue once and for all. Fluid leaking from the rear axles directly onto the wheel hub, tires, brake pads and discs and all surrounding areas, saturating them completely, is a significant safety concern, in my opinion, and I believe is grounds for a safety recall. I believe both braking ability compromise and fire hazard are potential results of this issue. As leaks develop, they become both static and dynamic, which is to say that fluid leaks while driving and while parked. Large puddles of diff fluid form under rear wheels after being parked for any significant amount of time. Nearly all of my driving is done on-road so I don't see this issue being related to off-road driving damage possibility. Regardless, this safety issue needs to be addressed and rectified by Nissan.

- Hollywood, MD, USA

problem #160

Dec 162010

Titan

  • 30,000 miles
Front differential/axle on my four wheel drive Nissan Titan is broken and leaking fluid, truck will not go into four wheel drive any more. I was at the Nissan dealership getting an inspection performed when they noticed the failure.

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #159

Jan 042016

Titan

  • 125,000 miles
I'm filing a complaint for the missed recall on the Nissan Titan! the design of the rear axle of this vehicle causes a rear axle seal leak. Many consumers reported this problem and complained and Nissan or this government has not issued or demanded a recall be made mandatory for this rear axle seal issue?! seems a little odd to me as this could cause major repairs and serious injury or death of this fails while out on a public roadway! I unfortunately am a Nissan Titan consumer and have experienced the same issues as everyone online complaining about them leaking and going out. I contacted Nissan and will be pursuing reimbursement for this repair!

- Princeton, MN, USA

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