VehicleVerdict

2005 Nissan Titan problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 1,104 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 17.3 times the median Titan year — the 2005 model ranks #2 of 21 Titan years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 12 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: transmission issues account for 45% of all reports (491 of 1,104), far ahead of engine at 123.

1,104

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

1

Investigations

15

Crash-involved

7

Fires reported

12

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Titan years?

See all Titan years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Nissan Titan problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission49144%
Engine12311%
Fuel System11611%
Brakes979%
Suspension666%
Electrical System616%
Other313%
Latches & Locks232%
Body & Structure192%
Airbags182%
Tires & Wheels172%
Steering151%
Seat Belts101%
Visibility & Wipers71%
Speed Control50%
Seats20%
Lighting20%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2005 Nissan Titan have recalls?

6 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.

10V074000Fuel SystemMarch 3, 2010 · 340,000 units

Defect

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2009 TITAN, ARMADA, AND INFINITI QX56 VEHICLES. 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.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS AND STALL ON THE HIGHWAY, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL SENDER UNIT INSIDE THE FUEL TANK WITH A NEW IMPROVED SENDER CARD. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 22, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

08V284000Climate Control (A/C & Heat)June 27, 2008 · 180,664 units

Defect

NISSAN IS RECALLING 180,664 MY 2005-2006 TITAN, ARMADA AND INFINITY QX56 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED AFTER MARCH 17, 2005, THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH A VISTEON AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER FAN MOTOR. THE FAN MOTOR MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SEALED ALLOWING EXCESSIVE WATER INTRUSION AND INADEQUATE DRAINAGE OF MOISTURE.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE CORROSION IN THE MOTOR LEADING POSSIBLY TO OVERHEATING AND A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A 'THERMAL PROTECTOR KIT' AND TEST THE AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER FAN MOTOR AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 2, 2008. 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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN TITAN. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED SMOKE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN SHE DROVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER INSPECTION, SHE NOTICED THAT FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 9, 2012 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN TITAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD FAILED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD TAIL PIPE WAS FRACTURED DUE TO DEFECTIVE WELDING AND CAUSED THE TAIL PIPE TO MELT THE REAR BRAKE WIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 1, 2013 · fire

MY 2005 NISSAN TORNADOES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE OKLAHOMA TURNPIKE AND INTERSTATE I-44 CAUSING ONE OF THE LANES TO BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED. AFTER WARRINGTON A TOW TRUCK AND BEING TOWED TO THE NEAREST NISSAN DEALERSHIP, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE ONLY ISSUE WAS THE FUEL GAUGE WAS NOT REGISTERING THE CORRECT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · June 8, 2019 · crash

THE TRUCK STALLED OUT NO POWER HAD TO CRASH INTO SHOULDER OF ROAD AND EMBANKMENT. GLAD WE SURVIVED THE BUMPY CRASH, I JUST HAD SUSPENSION WORK DONE THAT SAVED US. WE READ THE IPDM BOARD OR ECM RELAY IS BAD AND CAUSES THIS STALLING TO HAPPEN. PART NUMBER FOR ECM RELAY 284B7-CW29.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 15, 2015 · crash

FRONT DIFFERENTIAL STARTED MAKING NOISE, WHEN MECHANICS OPENED IT, THEY SAID IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO REBUILD AND I NEED A BRAND NEW ASSEMBLY. (TOO MUCH INTERNAL DAMAGE.) FOR THE MILEAGE THIS TRUCK HAS, THIS PART FAILED WAY TO EARLY. MECHANIC SAID IT HAPPENED BECAUSE OF ITS POOR DESIGN. NOW TRUCK HAS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · August 1, 2012

2005 Nissan Titan — common questions

Is the 2005 Nissan Titan reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 1,104 complaints put the 2005 model at #2 of 21 Titan years. It is one of the Titan years to avoid.

What are the most common 2005 Titan problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (491 complaints), engine (123 complaints), fuel system (116 complaints).

Does the 2005 Nissan Titan have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Nissan Titan. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2005 Nissan Titan under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

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.