Is the 2005 Nissan Titan a bad year?
890 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 468, 47× a quiet Titan year.
Consider selling
Half of all transmission complaints about the 2005 Nissan Titan were filed between 39k and 80k miles. You're at 62,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2005 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 62,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 468 (53%) | 39k–80k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 81 (9%) | 5k–70k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 65 (7%) | 35k–82k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 104 (12%) | 68k–140k miles · ahead | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Exhaust | 31 (3%) | 54k–94k miles · around this mileage | Exhaust leak repair $200–$1,500 · Catalytic converter replacement $500–$4,000 |
| Air bags | 18 (2%) | 28k–114k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Body structure | 18 (2%) | 27k–75k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 14 (2%) | 28k–105k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Tires | 12 (1%) | 14k–65k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 10 (1%) | 17k–92k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 90 (10%) | 74k–124k miles · ahead | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 57 (6%) | 71k–121k miles · ahead | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Wheels | 6 (1%) | 64k–136k miles · ahead | Wheel bearing / hub assembly replacement (one wheel) $230–$750 |
| Latches and locks | 23 (3%) | 27k–61k miles · mostly behind | — |
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 62,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 890 complaints: 11 mention a crash · 7 mention a fire · 10 report an injury · 6 say the car was towed.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in May 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
I own a 2005 Nissan titan while driving down the road the rear end started popping and lost power. Truck has 62000 miles on it .
During a recent oil change, the technician pointed out the axle end seals were leaking onto the rear brake rotor assembly on my se king cab.
At 39,000 miles rear end seal and bearing were replaced for the second time. The first time was 11/06 at 18,000 miles.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 62,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2005 Nissan Titan: 6
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.
The instrument panel fuel gauge may inaccurately display that the vehicle still has some fuel, typically about one quarter tank, when the fuel tank is empty. This could cause the vehicle to run out of gas and stall on the highway, which could cause a crash.
The fan motor may not be properly sealed allowing excessive water intrusion and inadequate drainage of moisture. This could cause corrosion in the motor leading possibly to overheating and a fire.
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 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.
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: 57
Repair instructions Nissan sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2005 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
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Engine compartment fire
Neighbouring years
2004 Titan: 1,046 complaints, consider selling · 2006 Titan: 429 complaints, consider selling.
Every Nissan Titan year
2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · All Titan years side by side
Other Nissan models: Nissan 350Z · Nissan 370Z · Nissan Altima · Nissan Armada · Nissan Cube · Nissan Frontier · Nissan Juke · Nissan Kicks · Nissan Leaf · Nissan Maxima · Nissan Murano · Nissan Pathfinder · Nissan Quest · Nissan Rogue · Nissan Rogue Sport · Nissan Sentra · Nissan Titan XD · Nissan Versa · Nissan Versa Note · Nissan Xterra. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2005 Nissan Titan a bad year?
890 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 468, 47× a quiet Titan year. At 62,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all transmission complaints about the 2005 Nissan Titan were filed between 39k and 80k miles. You're at 62,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Nissan Titan?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (468), brakes (81), suspension (65), fuel system (104), exhaust (31). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 39k–80k miles.
How many recalls does the 2005 Nissan Titan have?
6 recall campaigns list this model year: Engine (NHTSA 10V-517), Suspension (NHTSA 10E019000), Fuel system (NHTSA 10V-074), Equipment (NHTSA 08V-284) 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.