Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Nissan Titan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Titan. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH and descending a hill, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floor. The contact stated that she pumped the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to respond immediately. The contact then used the gear lever to shift to neutral(N) and then to park(P) and the vehicle stopped. The contact then turned the vehicle off. The contact stated that prior to the brake failure the instrument panel lights had started to flash on and off. The contact restarted the vehicle, and the brake functionality returned. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but had gradually become more frequent. The contact stated that the brake failure and instrument panel lights malfunction occurred three times in one day. The contact had been unable to schedule an appointment with a dealer or independent mechanic. …
I was driving my 2004 Nissan Titan from work when coming up to a stop leaving the long driveway to enter the main rd I pushed on the brakes and the pedal dropped to the floor and began vibrating and making a grinding noise like when you step on the pedal very hard and the ABS comes on, except the brakes did not engage. The truck did not stop. I flew through the stop sign in front of other coworkers leaving a building to the north. The road only went left and right so I could not make the turn so I had no options and went across the road, hit the curb, went into a field where a mesquite tree stopped me. I put the truck into park and shut it off. When I restarted it the brakes are back and working like nothing ever happened. I left the truck there and went home to begin my normal google searches and what's the cause and how to fix this problem myself. …
My husband could have been killed. We had no knowledge of any recalls. Two days ago my husband was getting in the truck and all of a sudden smoke started coming from the dash board and a fire was starting. He immediately ran in the truck stop store and was able to get a fire extinguisher. Another customer unhooked the battery as my husband distinguished the fire. The truck will not start and when trying to test it out by re-attaching the battery the smoke began again. We are now without a vehicle and had to get the truck towed home.
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 police report was filed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.
I live in the cold northeast and have to warm my vehicle before I drive to work. My truck is a 2004 Nissan Titan se with 79K miles on it. I brushed the vehicle off and started it turning the defroster to high and turning on the side mirror defrosters as well. I went back inside to grab the rest of my stuff for work and was inside for approximately 5 minutes. When I came back outside I was surprised to see the drivers side of my truck on fire. Fire engulfed the drivers side mirror and the dripping plastic was burning up the side of the truck. I returned inside and grabbed a fire extinguisher and was able to get the fire out. Luckily my vehicle was far enough away from the garage as to not be a concern as to burning down my house. I was shocked to see that the mirror defrost switch was still active and had not tripped any fuses. …
While pulling my boat to the lake yesterday at approximately 65 MPH on the interstate with my 2004 Titan 4x4 king cab (mileage approximately 78,000), the ABS, slip, and vdc lights illuminated. Before I could reach an exit to pull off, the engine shut down. This happened within a matter of less than 3 minutes. I was able to pull to the side of the interstate but the engine would not re-fire. Upon inspection, I noticed smoke pouring from rear passenger wheel well. I got all occupants out of the truck and when I returned seconds later, I spotted a fire coming from the wiring harness just where it goes over the frame rail in the rear passenger wheel well. Luckily I had a fire extinguisher on the boat and was able to put the fire out before causing major damage to the truck, my family or passers-by. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Nissan Titan. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated and the rear speakers were no longer operable. The vehicle was previously inspected per NHTSA campaign number: 06V459000 (electrical system) at timbrook Nissan (10345 mt savage rd nw, cumberland, md 21502, [phone]), but the failure recurred years later. The contact stated that a diagnostic appointment was scheduled with the dealer, but, upon arrival, the contact was informed that the internet service and diagnostic system were not working. The contact was waiting to reschedule the appointment. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but was unable to assist. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Nissan Titan. While driving approximately 5 MPH on normal road conditions, the exhaust tail pipe was damaged due to an unknown obstacle on the road surface. The vehicle resumed normal operation. In addition, whenever the driver's side door was opened, the parking light activated without assistance and the driver's side turn signal was nonfunctional. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection and they stated that the tail pipe disengagement contributed to the melting of the wiring harness. The vehicle is operable and has not been repaired. The manufacturer did not assist. The failure and current mileages were 65,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Nissan Titan. The contact stated that the brakes stopped functioning while driving 65-70 MPH. The contact was able to regain control after the vehicle was pulled to the side of the road and moved 900 yards. Also, the brake light warning indicator was illuminated. Once the vehicle was restarted, it operated normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the vcu chip and the vacuum canister malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred twice. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
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., I have owned this truck since 2005, why was I not notified by Nissan of this recall, and what can I do to correct this dangerous situation?
Related recalls
Electrical system
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.
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.
Electrical complaints in other Titan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2004 Nissan Titan?
NHTSA has 51 complaints about the electrical system of the 2004 Nissan Titan, 5% of the model year's 1,046 complaints. The component named most often is wiring › interior/under dash (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Nissan Titan electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 06V-459 (electrical system, Nov 30, 2006). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Nissan Titan electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 6 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.