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 2005 Nissan Titan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My front differential half shaft has broken inside my differential case and ruined the diff I understand this is an ongoing issue with Nissan Titan trucks. I like everything about the truck but I can't believe this is an ongoing isssue and no recall has been done.
I was driving my truck on a main road and stopped at a stop sign and when I went to accelerate my truck was barely moving, unless I put the pedal to the ground. The truck went into limp mode and after looking into it, the codes p1757 and p1759 came up for the front break solenoid valve and after examining the TCM, I noticed the pin snapped for the front break solenoid, hence making the truck go into limp mode. I researched this problem and noticed that multiple 2005 Nissan titans have had the same problem of this pin snapping causing the truck to go into limp mode because the solenoid receives now power. …
7/15/19 3:40 pm rush hour, began entering a state rd to cross both lanes, traffic traveling both directions posted 55 MPH moved in a straight line halfway into oncoming traffic, but suddenly could not accelerate. Had to quickly reverse to avoid tbone situation from both sides. Scared me horribly. Backed up more tried again to go forward before attempting to cross but the same thing happened. Engine was revving at high rpms but truck would only move inches at a time in forward motion. So I traveled backwards in reverse the length of the whole street I was on to get back to my driveway and backed up my driveway where I parked and called for a ride from my HVAC tech who was meeting me at my church to install much needed ac unit. Only a couple days earlier, I had fluid leaking and took the truck in for repair, the tech informed me the transmission fluid and antifreeze tank had failed. …
I was driving on the highway when my Nissan Titan 2005 started shaking while driving on a modern traffic. I suddenly started losing control of the truck and thank god I manage exit the freeway with the speed I manage to control. I pull over to the right and tried to find out what was wrong. My truck didn't want to turn on and I had 1/4 of gas left so it was imposible I needed gas after trying different methods, I walked to the nearest gas station, bought a gallon of gas with its proper fuel container and added to my truck then it turn on. I contacted my nearest Nissan dealer and they fixed 2 recalls that my truck already had but they didn't want to fix my main problem which is the fuel pump. And I read many Nissan Titan 2005 are having this problem, I found the recall number (10V074000) which the dealer I attended didn't want to fix it. …
I was recently driving my truck down interstate I-95 in philadelphia when I out of no where I heard a low pitched howeling noise, I was passing threw a construction zone so I couldn't pull onto the shoulder and look for a issue. A few seconds later I hear a loud series of thumping and my truck in the blink of an eye is traveling sideways at round 45mph, I swerved and missed several cars and managed to just miss the guard rail and come to a stop. If I was traveling anything over 45mph, it wouldn't have been pretty for a lot of people. I then inspected the vehicle to find that the rear axle had locked up the rear wheels and the drive shaft had torn out of the rear axle. Do to the rear wheels suddenly becoming locked, made the truck near impossible to steer and very dangerous when you consider the size of the vehicle. …
I have a 2005 Nissan Titan which I purchased used at 23,000 miles. Two years ago (2013) I heard a loud noise coming from the front differential. I took it to a mechanic and I was told that the u-joints failed which cost $1400 dollars. Now, March 2015, I again heard a loud noise coming from the front differential. I found that the right axle had popped out. I took it to a mechanic and I was told that the front differential failed which cost $2300 dollars. I was told by my mechanic that both of these incidents could have caused me to crash and that I was lucky. I have had several other issues with this vehicle (fuel pump, brakes, exhaust system). I was also contacted by an attorney who informed me that he was conducting a law suite and wanted to know what issues I have had. The attorney informed me that my vehicle was deemed a "lemon" by the first owner.
While pulling our boat out from boat ramp in 4lo and a loud noise came from diff. When I arrive home 25min later in the drive way I noticed gear oil from passenger side. Under truck I noticed where leak was coming from and pushed the axle back and it stopped leaking. I drained and removed shaft assembly side diff and replace seal and refilled gear oil. On the next trip we noticed gear oil leak came home did research and noticed this is known problem purchased the circlip thinking that was the problem but after last night noticed the shaft broke where the circlip was suppose to be. Looked down the diff housing and noticed the other piece of the shaft nub stuck inside. Estimate $2500 for diff replacement to 38500-8s112b or $825 to replace shaft and gear. 3rd time I've ever used 4 wheel drive!!!!
While driving on the interstate the rear differential of my truck gave out and started smoking. I lost all power to control the momentum of the truck, almost causing it to flip because I was in the middle of changing lanes while driving 73 MPH. I managed to coast to the side of the road and upon inspection of the passenger side rear axle I found all fluid had leaked out onto the rear wheel and it was smoking. I tried putting the truck in gear to see if I could move but there was no power being provided to the drive train. The only possible explanation is that the rear differential gave out. The truck only has 91006 miles on it and if this had occurred on one of the curves I and my family would all be in the hospital right now. The truck is currently parked at a repair shop awaiting repairs.
My 2005 Nissan Titan has been leaking rear differential oil from both axle seals. The fluid has been thrown around in the wheel wells and has soaked all four rear brake sets it has greatly increased stopping distance and I feel the faulty parts should be covered by Nissan as well as new brakes, service and emergency. Recently my girlfriend parked and left the vehicle neutral with the parking brake on. The truck then rolled down my driveway and hit a tree 5 feet from my daughters swingset! I feel that the reason it rolled away is because of the oil on the brake shoes. Not only do I need to replace all rear brakes and the axle seals but now also a rear bumper and have my left rear quarter panel repaired.
As I was reversing to back out a parking spot I felt a hard thud looked under and around truck didn't see anything it started snowing and I had to use my 4wheel drive and it would not engage the indicator said it was in 4wheel drive but the front wheels would not turn took it a transmission shop they told me my left front axle popped out of the differential which is a common problem with the Titan I found several complaints about this and the same way my truck axle popped out and same side called Nissan and they wont fix this problem its very costly and dangerous some people front diff blew apart I think something needs to be done a recall or something it can cause a accident.
Transmission complaints in other Titan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2005 Nissan Titan?
NHTSA has 469 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2005 Nissan Titan, 53% of the model year's 891 complaints. The component named most often is driveline (134 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Nissan Titan transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2005 Nissan Titan, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 Nissan Titan transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 62,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury 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.