2004 Nissan Titan: common problems and reliability
One of the worst Titan years.
One of the Nissan Titan years to avoid. All Titan years
1,046 owner complaints, most about power train. 7 recalls.
Should I buy a 2004 Titan?The 2004 Nissan Titan has 1046 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 7 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and service brakes. Owners most often flag exhaust manifold cracks: guaranteed failure, especially on 2004-2007 models, with repair costs of $1,500-$2,200.
Safety record for the 2004 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2004 Nissan Titan vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Titan years only. How we score it
Is 2004 a good year for the Titan?
Across the 21 Titan model years we track, complaint volume runs from 10 (2015) to 1,046 (2004). With 1,046 complaints, the 2004 Titan sits above the model's median of 85.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2004 Titan
suspension:front:control arm:lower arm
Campaign 10E019000NISSAN 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.
engine and engine cooling
Campaign 10V517000NISSAN 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.
seat belts:rear/other
Campaign 07V150000ON 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.
equipment
Campaign 07E046000CERTAIN 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.
Show 3 more recalls
electrical system
Campaign 06V459000ON 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.
power train:manual transmission:column shift assembly
Campaign 04V408000ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A COLUMN SHIFTER, THE SHIFT LEVER ASSEMBLY FOR THE COLUMN SHIFTER MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY.
seat belts:front:anchorage
Campaign 04V345000CERTAIN 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.
What owners say across generations
Mixed to positive sentiment, heavily dependent on generation and powertrain. The Titan is widely recognized as a significant value proposition in the used market, offering a lower purchase price compared to domestic and Toyota competitors.
- Very frequentExhaust manifold cracks
Guaranteed failure, especially on 2004-2007 models, with repair costs of $1,500-$2,200.
- RecurrentDifferential axle seal leaks
Common, particularly on 2004-2007 models.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Titan. See the full Titan owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Titan listings typically run $22,629–$33,995 across 2008 to 2024 model years.
Other Titan model years
Compare every Titan year side by side to see how 2004 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Titan against its rivals
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