RoadVitals

2004 Nissan Titan Powertrain (other) Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the powertrain system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Powertrain (other) reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
436
Latest Dec 22, 2022
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
42%
of 1,046 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
4
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2004 Nissan Titan submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 436 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming powertrain

The 25 most recent of 436, in the owner's own words

Powertrain (other)
Filed Dec 22, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID
11498556
Incident
Dec 17, 2022
Mileage
180,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 19, 2022
Fire reported

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.

NHTSA ID
11480155
Incident
Nov 27, 2021
Body & structureEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 20, 2021

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

NHTSA ID
11421518
Incident
Apr 6, 2018
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 29, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID
11312263
Incident
Feb 13, 2020
Mileage
10 mi
BrakesOther / unspecifiedPowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 24, 2019
Fire reported

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.

NHTSA ID
11257843
Incident
Sep 10, 2019
Mileage
184,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 1, 2019

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.

NHTSA ID
11183327
Incident
Feb 12, 2019
Mileage
152,071 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 19, 2018

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

NHTSA ID
11120916
Incident
Aug 12, 2018
Mileage
138,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 24, 2018

FRONT RIGHT AXLE POPS OUT OF THE DIFFERENTIAL, BAD C-CLIP. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS NOTED HERE AND AT VARIOUS TITAN FORUMS.

NHTSA ID
11089903
Incident
Apr 20, 2018
Mileage
137,000 mi
Powertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Jan 13, 2018

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. *BF *TR

NHTSA ID
11062582
Incident
Jan 13, 2018
Mileage
135,600 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 26, 2017

FROM DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE AND C CLIP FAILURE EJECTING FRONT DRIVE AXLE. LEAKING REAR AXLE SEALS AS WELL

NHTSA ID
11048447
Incident
Nov 25, 2017
Mileage
165,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 15, 2017

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!!

NHTSA ID
11033442
Incident
Oct 1, 2017
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 22, 2017

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.

NHTSA ID
11019001
Incident
Aug 19, 2017
Mileage
275,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 30, 2017

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. HTTP://WWW.TITANTALK.COM/FORUMS/TITAN-PROBLEMS-DEALER-SERVICE/68142-FRONT-AXLE-FAILER-THREAD-14.HTML

NHTSA ID
10981498
Incident
Jan 8, 2015
Mileage
75,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 25, 2017

DRIVING AND 4 WHEEL DRIVE KICKED OUT. TOOK TO THE SHOP AND THEY SAID PASS AXLE C CLIP CAME OFF.

NHTSA ID
10980379
Incident
Apr 2, 2017
Powertrain (other)
Filed Dec 3, 2016

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.

NHTSA ID
10929755
Incident
Dec 3, 2016
Mileage
60,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 30, 2016

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.

NHTSA ID
10928840
Incident
Oct 1, 2016
Mileage
100,000 mi
Fuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 27, 2016

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 .

NHTSA ID
10919736
Incident
Oct 27, 2016
Mileage
100,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 19, 2016

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.

NHTSA ID
10897060
Incident
Aug 18, 2016
Mileage
176,400 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed May 27, 2016

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.

NHTSA ID
10871116
Incident
Dec 16, 2010
Mileage
30,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 7, 2016

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!

NHTSA ID
10824733
Incident
Jan 4, 2016
Mileage
125,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 14, 2015

REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE

NHTSA ID
10790399
Incident
Nov 13, 2015
Mileage
211,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 28, 2015

WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 TITAN, I NOTICED A BANGING AND CLANGING SOUND. I THOUGHT IT WAS A LIMB STUCK IN MY TIRE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, I NOTICED OIL ON THE INSIDE REAR ROTOR, PASSENGER SIDE. I WAS ALREADY MILES FROM HOME ON A HUNTING TRIP. I ONLY HAVE 79,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK. AFTER HUNTING, I LIMPED MY TRUCK ABOUT 30 MILES HOME, TRAVELLING ABOUT 35 MPH, WHILE IT IS BANGING AND CLANGING, SOUNDING AS THOUGH THE WHEEL IS ABOUT TO FALL OFF. I MADE SEVERAL STOPS ON THE WAY HOME TO MAKE SURE THE WHEEL WAS STILL SECURE. I FEEL BLESSED TO MAKE IT HOME AS THE WHEEL STARTED TO BIND WHEN I HIT THE DRIVEWAY. AFTER TALKING TO SEVERAL MECHANICS, THEY HAVE SEEN THIS ISSUE ALOT. THE REPAIR WILL COST SOMEWHERE BETWEEN $3,000 TO $4,000. APPARENTLY THE AXLE SEAL BLEW WITHOUT WARNING AND NOW THIS HAS CHEWED UP THE GEARS INSIDE AND DESTROYED THE HOUSING. THE MECHANICS SIMPLY SUGGESTED TO BUY THE ENTIRE REAR AXLE AND REPLACE. THEY ALSO STATED THE ORIGINAL DESIGN WAS PISS-POOR. OF COURSE, THIS HAPPENS AFTER PLACING $2,000 REPLACING THE EXHAUST MANIFOLDS THAT WERE UNDER WARRANTY FOR 80,000 MILES AND 10 YEARS OLD. MINE WERE 11 YEARS OLD AND THE TRUCK HAD 79,000 MILES ON IT. THE LOCAL GARAGE SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO HELP. IT WAS MORE THAN 10 YEARS OLD. I WOULD HOPE THERE IS SOMETHING YOU COULD DO TO MAKE THE MANUFACTURER LIABLE FOR THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.

NHTSA ID
10778286
Incident
Sep 26, 2015
Mileage
79,600 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 6, 2015

TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP AT CROSSROADS TO GO RIGHT ONTO A ROADWAY WITH HIGH SPEED VEHICLES APPROACHING. MY REAR END MADE A LOUD BANG AND BACK END SEEMED TO LOCK UP OR SKIP AND COULDN'T GET GOING - NEARLY REAR ENDED BY VEHICLES ON ROADWAY WHILE TRYING TO ENTER AS COULDN'T GET GOING. TOOK TO NISSAN DEALER AND APPARENTLY REAR END SPIDER GEARS GONE. 71K ON VEHICLE, CHANGED REAR DIFF. FLUID TO NISSAN RECOMMENDED TYPE AT 35K, NO TOWING, NO HARD DRIVING, AND LESS THAN 1 HOUR TOTAL LIFETIME USE OF 4X4.

NHTSA ID
10761889
Incident
Aug 10, 2015
Mileage
71,267 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 22, 2015

WHEN DRIVING MY REAR END MAKING LOUD KNOCKING NOISES.. IT IS NOT GERNADED YET BUT IT ONLY A MATTER OF TIME. HAVENT BEEN DRIVING IT BE CAUSE OF FURTHER WARE OF SAFTEY ISSUES.

NHTSA ID
10726640
Incident
May 16, 2013
Mileage
168,945 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 24, 2015

I HAD JUST PULLED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT WORK INTO TRAFFIC.I HEARD A LOUD POP AND MY REAR END STARTED HAVING LARGE BANGS AND I LOST ALMOST ALL POWER. I WAS ALMOST HIT BY MULTIPLE CARS. I MANAGED TO GET OFF THE ROAD AND CALL TO HAVE IT TOWED. THANKFULLY I HAD 400 MILES LEFT ON MY WARRANTY COVERED THE ENTIRE NEW REAR AXLE THAT WAS REQUIRED.. THE DEALER SAID THEY WOULDN'T HAVE EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE!!! MY FRONT DIFFERENTIAL IS ALSO SLOWLY GOING OUT BUT ISN'T BAD ENOUGH FOR THE WARRANTY TO COVER IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10701527
Incident
Mar 12, 2015
Mileage
103,600 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .