Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
Purchased a used 2004 Nissan titan truck with lower miles. Rear axel exploded and burst into flames when driving down the freeway. (Bowling Green, Kentucky) We managed to pull off to the side of the freeway without hitting anyone. Fire dept was able to put the flames out. Didn't find any recalls about the Truck when we bought it. Now I have seen reports on line that this has happened to other consumers. Something needs to be done to warn consumers. We could have died. We could of hit others and killed them as well. Dealership has completed repairs and seen the defect. We have the damaged part. There were no prior warnings. Vehicle was inspected before the road trip to insure it was safe.
The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Titan. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle rolled forward, causing the vehicle to roll into a rock, and damaging the transmission. Additionally, the air bag warning lights illuminated, and the seat beats locked. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 180,000.
I purchased this truck on 04/05/18 from Harbor motors Lihue Kauai, and not even a week into having this truck it started acting up, overheating, the truck wouldn't turn over, suspensions, the four-wheel-drive wouldn't disengage, when you turn the key to start the vehicle it would make a clicking noise before starting, the AC would work when it wanted to, and the transmission and engine started knocking. The next week I went running errands and when I pulled out of my yard the truck started jerking then pressed the gas and it revved really high before slamming into drive. Since then I haven't driven the truck. And today it looks like someone just smashed into the front driver light to the side and smashed it while being parked at the place I purchased the truck from. I've continuously asked for help with little to no help at all. …
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 no safety recall.
While driving my 2004 Titan, I noticed a banging and clanging sound. I thought it was a limb stuck in my tire. Upon further inspection, I noticed oil on the inside rear rotor, passenger side. I was already miles from home on a hunting trip. I only have 79,000 miles on the truck. After hunting, I limped my truck about 30 miles home, travelling about 35 MPH, while it is banging and clanging, sounding as though the wheel is about to fall off. I made several stops on the way home to make sure the wheel was still secure. I feel blessed to make it home as the wheel started to bind when I hit the driveway. After talking to several mechanics, they have seen this issue alot. The repair will cost somewhere between $3,000 to $4,000. Apparently the axle seal blew without warning and now this has chewed up the gears inside and destroyed the housing. …
Was coming from daughters game and I made a left turn outta parking lot all of a sudden a hear a noise and then grinding. I inspected brakes and underneath vehicle I noticed fluid all over front diff . I got underneath grabbed my drivers side axle and shook it . It came apart and was coming out of diff. A month earlier I noticed rear diff had oil all over it and oil was leaking out of rear pinion seal and both rear axle seals , due to axle breather failure. I have never went off-roading or beat this truck . I am also experiencing gas shooting back out of my fuel tank filler tube . I have had my vehicle to local dealer 2 or 3 times regarding this issue and it seems as if it's a guessing game . I have spent over 300 bucks there and my problem still exists . Then they guess again and says its something else. …
I was diagnosing a metal on metal sound coming from my 4 wheel drive Nissan Titan and found that the half shaft was coming out of the front differential. I called a Nissan dealership in utah and was informed that this was a huge problem with early model titans. The tech said he had repaired many titans with the same problem. He said it was due to a c clip that fails and allows the gears to get chewed up in the differential. I looked online to see if there had been any recalls on this and found there had not been. I then called Nissan Titan and they informed me of the same and guided me to this website. This seem like a huge issue that either not been reported. This seems like it would leave people who bought this for snowy areas or offroading in an unsafe situation when their 4 wheel drive fails or locks up. …
While backing my boat into its parking spot I put my vehicle in "park", left the driver's door open, left engine running and exited vehicle to unhitch my boat trailer from my truck trailer hitch. I was at the rear of the vehicle turning the trailer jack. I was behind the truck for approximately 45 seconds when I heard a click, and my vehicle started moving backwards. I realized what was happening--the gear shifted from park to reverse. I attempted to enter the driver's side,and opened door to hit the brake. While entering the driver's side I was holding onto the door as leverage attempting to apply my right foot onto the brake pedal. The reverse movement caused the door to come in contact with a tree. The tree pulled the door forward as the vehicle was moving backwards. …
Rear axle seal leaks are a recurring problem on this vehicle. I have had mine replaced 4 times at various points over the past 12 years and they are leaking again. It has been 12 months since the last repair, at which time I also replaced the rear axle shafts in an attempt to resolve the issue once and for all. Fluid leaking from the rear axles directly onto the wheel hub, tires, brake pads and discs and all surrounding areas, saturating them completely, is a significant safety concern, in my opinion, and I believe is grounds for a safety recall. I believe both braking ability compromise and fire hazard are potential results of this issue. As leaks develop, they become both static and dynamic, which is to say that fluid leaks while driving and while parked. Large puddles of diff fluid form under rear wheels after being parked for any significant amount of time. …
Whilst driving in bad weather I had my 4 wheel drive engaged. I was driving 5 miles an hour on a straight gravel road, when I started hearing a grinding noise. Before I could get stopped safely to see what the issue was there was a large thud and my entire truck shook. It was then pouring gear lubricant out of my front differential. After taking the truck apart to find the damage I discovered the axle shaft (Nissan part no.: 38220-8s11a) had been stripped of its splines on the end. The part looks as if it was machines perfectly cylindrical. The metal shavings from the shaft slightly marred up the seals so I replaced the seals and shaft, spider gears seemed okay to reuse.
Related recalls
Power train › Manual transmission › Column shift assembly
On certain pickup trucks equipped with a column shifter, the shift lever assembly for the column shifter May have been damaged during assembly.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the shifter. The recall began on September 27, 2004. Owners should contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Transmission complaints in other Titan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2004 Nissan Titan?
NHTSA has 464 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2004 Nissan Titan, 44% of the model year's 1,046 complaints. The component named most often is driveline (123 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Nissan Titan transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-408 (column shift assembly, Aug 19, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Nissan Titan transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 3 fires and 2 injuries and 1 death to transmission & drivetrain 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.