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2004 Nissan Titan: problems, recalls and fuel economy
The 2004 Titan has more NHTSA owner complaints than any other Titan year, with 1,046 on file[1][2]. Power train and brake reports lead the list[3][4], and all five recalls have a dealer fix[5][6][7][8][9].
Most reported problems
NHTSA has 1,046 owner complaints on file for the 2004 Titan[1]. Of those, 28 mention a crash, 12 a fire, 19 injuries and 6 deaths reported[1]. These are owner reports that NHTSA has not verified, and one complaint can name more than one part.
Here is how the complaints split by component group:
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Median miles at failure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power train | 464 | 5 | 63,900 |
| Brakes | 282 | 15 | 26,595 |
| Engine | 132 | 3 | 81,800 |
| Suspension | 56 | 2 | 60,000 |
| Electrical system | 51 | 3 | 78,000 |
| Air bags | 38 | 6 | 55,700 |
| Structure | 23 | 1 | 38,000 |
| Seat belts | 21 | 3 | 24,520 |
Source for the table:[3][4][11][12][13][14][15][16].
Power train. This is the largest group, with 464 complaints[3]. In a sample of complaints we read, owners describe the truck moving while in park, or reverse acting like neutral, and some of these reports ended in a collision[3]. Others describe clicking or clunking noises from the drivetrain[3].
Brakes. Brakes come second with 282 complaints, and this group lists more crashes than any other, at 15[4]. The median mileage at failure is low, at 26,595 miles[4]. In the brake complaints we read, owners describe front rotors that warp early, a shaking steering wheel or front end when braking, and pads and rotors replaced more than once[4]. Some owners in the sample say the rotors seem too small for a truck this size[4]. Brake shudder and a truck that would not stop also show up in complaints filed under the engine group[11].
Engine. There are 132 engine complaints, with a median failure mileage of 81,800[11]. Apart from brake reports, owners in our sample describe the engine stalling or losing power while driving[11].
Suspension. Of the 56 suspension complaints[12], the texts we read describe two things. One is vibration or steering wheel shake at speed or when braking. The other is leaking rear axle seals, sometimes with gear oil reaching the rear brakes[12].
Electrical system. This group is small, with 51 complaints, but it lists 6 fires, the most of any component group[13].
Recalls
NHTSA lists five recalls that cover the 2004 Titan[2]. Each one has a dealer remedy. If you own or are buying one, ask a Nissan dealer to check whether the work was done on that truck.
- Engine control relay (10V517). A relay inside the power distribution module can build up a coating on its contact over time[5]. That can make the engine stall, which raises the risk of a crash[5]. Dealers replace the relay for free[5].
- Rear center seat belt (07V150). On some crew cab trucks, the rear middle belt can get stuck in its locking mode after it retracts, so it is hard to pull out and use[6]. If that happens, a passenger in that seat may not be properly restrained in a crash[6]. Dealers replace the belt for free[6].
- King Cab door wiring (06V459). On some King Cab trucks, wires that run through the rear doors can break from bending as the doors open and close[7]. Broken wires could fire the driver belt pretensioner, leaving that belt unusable, or keep the front passenger air bag from deploying in a frontal crash[7]. Dealers fit a different harness cover and reroute the wiring for free[7].
- Column shifter (04V408). On some trucks with a column shifter, the shift lever assembly may have been damaged at the factory[8]. The part that holds the lever in park could fail, which could lead to a crash[8]. Dealers inspect and replace the shifter[8].
- Rear pillar near seat belt anchor (04V345). Near the upper anchor of each rear seat belt, part of the rear pillar may not soak up enough energy in an impact, so the truck fails a federal standard for interior impact[9]. Someone who hits that area in a crash could be hurt more[9]. Dealers replace the outboard rear seat belt assemblies[9].
Fuel economy
The 2004 Titan uses a 5.6L 8-cylinder engine with an Automatic 5-spd transmission on regular fuel[10][17].
| Version | City | Highway | Combined | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2WD | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,800 |
| 4WD | 12 | 17 | 14 | $4,800 |
Source for the table:[10][17].
The 4WD loses 1 mpg in the city, and the two versions match on the highway and combined[10][17]. EPA's annual cost estimate uses its current fuel price assumptions, not prices from 2004.
Safety ratings
NHTSA did not rate the 2004 Titan in its 5-Star Safety Ratings program, for either the 4-door or the 2-door listing[18][19]. That means there is no NHTSA crash score to compare, not that the truck failed a test.
Engine and size
EPA lists one engine for the 2004 Titan, a 5.6L 8-cylinder with a 5-speed automatic, in 2WD and 4WD versions[10][17].
The sizes below are Canadian-market specifications, which can differ slightly from US trucks.
| Version | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew Cab 4x4 LE | 222 in | 79 in | 77 in | 141 in | 5,302 lb |
| Crew Cab 4x4 SE | 222 in | 79 in | 77 in | 141 in | 5,176 lb |
| Crew Cab 4x4 XE | 222 in | 79 in | 77 in | 141 in | 5,053 lb |
| King Cab 2WD XE/SE | 222 in | 79 in | 75 in | 140 in | 4,786 lb |
| King Cab 4x4 LE | 222 in | 79 in | 77 in | 141 in | 5,262 lb |
How 2004 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 1,046 | 5 |
| 2005 | 891 | 4 |
| 2006 | 430 | 5 |
| 2007 | 139 | 1 |
| 2008 | 133 | 5 |
| 2009 | 47 | 3 |
| 2010 | 46 | 3 |
| 2011 | 26 | 1 |
| 2012 | 22 | 2 |
| 2013 | 11 | 3 |
| 2014 | 10 | 2 |
| 2015 | 12 | 1 |
| 2017 | 187 | 3 |
| 2018 | 90 | 4 |
| 2019 | 49 | 4 |
| 2020 | 23 | 5 |
| 2021 | 58 | 5 |
| 2022 | 13 | 4 |
| 2023 | 18 | 2 |
| 2024 | 15 | 2 |
Among all Titan model years in NHTSA's list, 2004 has the most complaints, at 1,046[2]. The next highest are 2005 with 891 and 2006 with 430[2]. Every year from 2007 on has fewer than 200 complaints, and the highest of those is 2017 with 187[2].
The 2004 Titan has 5 recalls[2]. That ties it for the most with 2006, 2008, 2020 and 2021, which also have 5 each[2].
Keep in mind that these counts are not adjusted for how many trucks were sold.
Should you buy a used 2004 Titan?
The 2004 Titan has more NHTSA complaints than any other Titan year on file, at 1,046[1][2]. Power train and brake complaints lead the list, and brakes have the most crash reports of any group[3][4]. All five recalls have a dealer fix, so confirm with a Nissan dealer that each one was done on the truck you are looking at[5][6][7][8][9]. Before buying, have a mechanic check the brakes for shaking, confirm the truck holds in park and engages reverse cleanly, and look for leaks at the rear axle, since these come up in owner complaints[3][4][12]. Plan for fuel costs too, with an EPA estimate of 14 mpg combined and $4,800 a year[10][17].
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Nissan Titan?
- Power train is the largest complaint group with 464 complaints, followed by brakes with 282[3][4]. In a sample of complaints we read, owners describe warped front brake rotors and a transmission that does not hold park or engages the wrong gear[3][4].
- How many recalls does the 2004 Nissan Titan have?
- Five, covering an engine control relay that can cause stalling, a rear center seat belt, King Cab door wiring, the column shifter and a rear pillar area near the seat belt anchor[5][6][7][8][9]. Each has a dealer remedy.
- What gas mileage does a 2004 Nissan Titan get?
- EPA rates the 2WD at 13 city, 17 highway and 14 combined mpg, and the 4WD at 12 city, 17 highway and 14 combined[10][17].
- Is the 2004 Titan the worst year for the Titan?
- By NHTSA complaint counts, 2004 has the most of any Titan year listed, at 1,046, ahead of 2005 with 891[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 1,046 owner complaints on file for the 2004 Nissan Titan (28 mention a crash, 12 a fire, 19 injuries, 6 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Nissan Titan model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- 464 complaints name the power train component group (5 crashes, 3 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 63,900). NHTSA vehicle records
- 282 complaints name the brakes component group (15 crashes, 1 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 26,595). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 10V517, filed October 28, 2010: Engine And Engine Cooling. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 07V150, filed April 3, 2007: Seat Belts › Rear / Other. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 06V459, filed November 30, 2006: Electrical System. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 04V408, filed August 19, 2004: Power Train › Manual Transmission › Column Shift Assembly. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 04V345, filed July 19, 2004: Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Titan 2WD, 5.6L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 17 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 132 complaints name the engine component group (3 crashes, 4 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 81,800). NHTSA vehicle records
- 56 complaints name the suspension component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 51 complaints name the electrical system component group (3 crashes, 6 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 78,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 38 complaints name the air bags component group (6 crashes, 1 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,700). NHTSA vehicle records
- 23 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 38,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 21 complaints name the seat belts component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 24,520). NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA rating for Titan 4WD, 5.6L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 17 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TITAN CREW CAB S/BOX 4X4 LE: length 222 in, width 79 in, height 77 in, wheelbase 141 in, curb weight 5,302 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TITAN CREW CAB S/BOX 4X4 SE: length 222 in, width 79 in, height 77 in, wheelbase 141 in, curb weight 5,176 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TITAN CREW CAB S/BOX 4X4 XE: length 222 in, width 79 in, height 77 in, wheelbase 141 in, curb weight 5,053 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TITAN KING CAB S/BOX 2WD XE/SE: length 222 in, width 79 in, height 75 in, wheelbase 140 in, curb weight 4,786 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TITAN KING CAB S/BOX 4X4 LE: length 222 in, width 79 in, height 77 in, wheelbase 141 in, curb weight 5,262 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov