VehicleVerdict

2004 Nissan Titan problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 1,295 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 20.2 times the median Titan year — the 2004 model ranks #1 of 21 Titan years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 10 deaths and 26 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 479 reports (37% of the total).

1,295

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

0

Investigations

44

Crash-involved

19

Fires reported

26

Injuries

10

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other Titan years?

See all Titan years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Nissan Titan problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission47937%
Brakes33226%
Engine13510%
Electrical System675%
Suspension564%
Fuel System393%
Airbags383%
Other282%
Body & Structure232%
Seat Belts222%
Tires & Wheels171%
Latches & Locks161%
Steering121%
Lighting111%
Seats71%
Speed Control60%
Visibility & Wipers60%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2004 Nissan Titan have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

10V517000EngineOctober 28, 2010 · 747,480 units

Defect

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 ARMADA, TITAN, INFINITI QX56 AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER AND XTERRA VEHICLES. THE INTELLIGENT POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE (IPDM) ASSEMBLY CONTAINS AN ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) RELAY THAT HAS A DIODE FOR ELECTRICAL CURRENT NOISE REDUCTION. THE ECM RELAY MAY ALLOW SILICON VAPOR TO FORM AND, OVER TIME, THE SILICON EVAPORATES FROM THE DIODE MOLDING WHICH CAUSES SILICON OXIDE TO DEVELOP ON THE ECM RELAY CONTACT DUE TO ARCING.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE ENGINE STALLING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ECM RELAY INSIDE THE IPDM ASSEMBLY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 6, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

10E019000SuspensionMay 20, 2010 · 1,873 units

Defect

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 25, 2009 AND MAY 14, 2010 AS REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2010 TITAN, ARMADA, AND QX56, AND MODEL YEARS 2005 THROUGH 2010 FRONTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. 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.

Consequence

IF THE COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE HANDLING WILL DETERIORATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY AFFECTED LOWER LINK FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

07E046000OtherJuly 3, 2007 · 3,500 units

Defect

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. A WIRE MAY HAVE BEEN PLACED IN AN INCORRECT POSITION IN THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR HOUSING. THIS RESULTS IN AN INCORRECT ROUTING OF WIRES BETWEEN THE TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER AND THE TOWING VEHICLE WIRING SYSTEM.

Consequence

THIS HARNESS WOULD RESULT IN POWER FROM THE TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER GOING TO THE TOWING VEHICLE DASH LIGHT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN THE TRAILER BRAKES. THIS RESULT WOULD BE THE LACK OF TRAILER BRAKING WHEN THE TOWING VEHICLE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. IT WOULD ALSO RESULT IN THE TOWING VEHICLES DASH LIGHTS BEING ACTIVATED WHEN THE VEHICLE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE FAILURE OF THE APPLICATION OF THE TRAILER BRAKE COULD RESULT IN REDUCED ABILITY TO STOP AND CONTRIBUTE TO A POSSIBLE CRASH.

Remedy

HOPKINS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE ORIGINAL HARNESS WITH A REVISED HARNESS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 17, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT HOPKINS AT 800-835-0129.

07V150000Seat BeltsApril 3, 2007 · 35,775 units

Defect

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. IF THIS OCCURS, THERE MAY BE DIFFICULTY IN PULLING THE SEAT BELT OUT OF THE RETRACTOR THUS PREVENTING ITS USAGE.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, A SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CENTER SEAT BELT WITH A NEW ONE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

06V459000Electrical SystemNovember 30, 2006 · 96,500 units

Defect

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. THE HARNESS CONTAINS WIRES FOR THE DRIVER SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER AND FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT WHICH IS PART OF THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM. WIRES FOR THE REAR AUDIO SPEAKERS ARE ALSO CONTAINED N THE HARNESS.

Consequence

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. IF ONE OF THE WIRES ON THE RIGHT SIDE HARNESS FOR THE SEAT BELT TENSION SENSOR BREAKS, THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY AS DESIGNED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH AND PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRE HARNESS COVER WITH A DIFFERENT TYPE THAT PREVENTS OVER BENDING OF THE HARNESS AND THE HARNESS WILL BE REROUTED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

04V408000TransmissionAugust 19, 2004 · 5,664 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A COLUMN SHIFTER, THE SHIFT LEVER ASSEMBLY FOR THE COLUMN SHIFTER MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE SHIFTER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

04V345000Seat BeltsJuly 19, 2004 · 59,947 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IF THE AREA IS STRUCK IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE OUTBOARD REAR SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WITH NEW ONES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 10, 2019 · fire

BRAKE PEOBLEMS WITH OUR 2004 NISSAN TITAN. WE HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES AND ON ONE OCCATION WE HAD AN ACCEDENT AND WE BELIEVE IF THE BRAKES WORKED PROPERLY IT WOULD HAVE AVOIDED DAMAGE TO OUR TRUCK.I CONTACTED NISSAN ABOUT THE BRAKE PROBLEM AND THEY STATED THAT I TOOK TO LONG TO REPORT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · February 12, 2005 · crash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN TITAN. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE. HE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TAIL PIPE CLAMP DETACHED AND BURNED THROUGH THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 25, 2008 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 NISSAN TITAN. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED AND AN ABNORMAL ODOR EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND A…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 13, 2015 · crash · fire

I NEARLY ROLLED MY TRUCK YESTERDAY AT 75MPH. THE REAREND LOCKED UP AND I NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE SINCE DONE SOME RESEARCH ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE WITH THE 04 NISSAN TITANS! THIS COULD HAVE COST ME OR ANOTHER INNOCENT PERSON THEIR LIFE! NOW I AM LEFT TO FACE A…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · May 27, 2008 · crash

2004 Nissan Titan — common questions

Is the 2004 Nissan Titan reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 1,295 complaints put the 2004 model at #1 of 21 Titan years. It is one of the Titan years to avoid.

What are the most common 2004 Titan problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (479 complaints), brakes (332 complaints), engine (135 complaints).

Does the 2004 Nissan Titan have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 Nissan Titan. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Nissan Titan years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Titan years to avoid are 2004, 2005, 2006, 2016, 2017, 2007, 2008, 2018. The cleanest record among Titan years belongs to 2014.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.