Is the 2004 Nissan Titan a bad year?
1,046 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 464, 46× a quiet Titan year.
Consider selling
Half of all transmission complaints about the 2004 Nissan Titan were filed between 42k and 85k miles. You're at 65,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2004 Titan owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 65,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 464 (44%) | 42k–85k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 280 (27%) | 7k–76k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| ExhaustSTANDS OUT | 47 (4%) | 69k–94k miles · ahead | Exhaust leak repair $200–$1,500 · Catalytic converter replacement $500–$4,000 |
| Engine | 81 (8%) | 64k–114k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Suspension | 56 (5%) | 26k–80k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Electrical system | 51 (5%) | 35k–98k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 38 (4%) | 14k–88k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 38 (4%) | 24k–105k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Body structure | 23 (2%) | 24k–74k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 21 (2%) | 12k–83k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 12 (1%) | 30k–124k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Equipment | 19 (2%) | 3k–54k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Latches and locks | 16 (2%) | 23k–62k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Parking brake | 17 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 65,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 1,046 complaints: 28 mention a crash · 12 mention a fire · 14 report an injury · 6 say the car was towed.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Jan 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
I have a 2004 Nissan titan. Had truck in for tire rotation. Service person noticed rear axle seals were leaking.
Left & right rear axle seals blew out and leaked differential fluid. Differential fluid leaking on rear brake rotors which could cause brake failure, which was a major safety concern to me.
Rear axle seals leaking onto rear brakes and wheels. First noticed on 11/30/2007; however, the extent of the leak and oily residue indicate that the problem has existed for sometime.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 65,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2004 Nissan Titan: 7
The intelligent power distribution module (Ipdm) assembly contains an engine control module (ECM) relay that has a diode for electrical current noise reduction. This could cause engine stalling increasing the risk of a crash.
The lower control link assembly has two cylindrical collars forming the inboard attachment points to the chassis. Due to an improper welding process some collars may contain welds that do not meet strength specifications. If the collar weld separates, the vehicle handling will deteriorate, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Certain hopkins aftermarket trailer brake control connection harnesses sold for use on certain models of Nissan vehicles which are listed above. The internal part numbers within hopkins are: 1010476025, 1040376025, 1110476025, 1170376025, 1290376025, 1010476035, 1040376035, 1110476035, 1170376035, and 1290376035. This harness would result in power from the trailer brake controller going to the towing vehicle dash light circuit rather than the trailer brakes.
On certain crew cab model trucks, the seat back shape may be such that there may not be sufficient webbing on the retractor spool for the rear center seat belt to release from the automatic locking mode (Alr) after it is engaged and the seat belt is retracted. In the event of a crash, a seat occupant may not be properly restrained increasing the risk of personal injury.
On certain king cab trucks, the wires in the harness were routed through the rear doors and into the body. These wires may break due to over bending of the harness as the door is opened and closed. If the wires for the seat belts and speaker wires break and make contact, there is a possibility that the pretensioner may deploy. If this happens when the seat belt is retracted, it will not be possible to use the seat belt.
On certain pickup trucks equipped with a column shifter, the shift lever assembly for the column shifter may have been damaged during assembly. During its use this could eventually result in failure of the portion of the assembly that holds the lever in the park position. This could result in a crash.
Certain pickup trucks fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 201, "Occupant protection in interior impact." An area on the rear pillar where the rear seat belt upper anchor is attached may not be sufficiently energy absorbent. This could result in an increased risk of injury if the area is struck in a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Nissan: 51
Repair instructions Nissan sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2004 Nissan Titan. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Engine oil leak at right side block ball plug
Replacement 5-speed rear wheel drive Automatic Transmission (A/T) assemblies and replacement control valves…
When diagnosing possible power steering gear (rack and pinion steering rack, or steering rack) leak issues…
Oil leaking from transfer case
Neighbouring years
2005 Titan: 890 complaints, consider selling.
Every Nissan Titan year
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Questions
Is the 2004 Nissan Titan a bad year?
1,046 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 464, 46× a quiet Titan year. At 65,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all transmission complaints about the 2004 Nissan Titan were filed between 42k and 85k miles. You're at 65,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Nissan Titan?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (464), brakes (280), exhaust (47), engine (81), suspension (56). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 42k–85k miles.
How many recalls does the 2004 Nissan Titan have?
7 recall campaigns list this model year: Engine (NHTSA 10V-517), Suspension (NHTSA 10E019000), Equipment (NHTSA 07E046000), Seat belts (NHTSA 07V-150) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.