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2004 Nissan Titan Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2004 Nissan Titan has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Rear axle seal leak contaminating brakes.” Nissan owner's manuals split service into Schedule 1 (severe) and Schedule 2 (normal). Most US drivers fall under Schedule 1. The biggest preventable failure on Nissan vehicles is CVT transmission damage from extended fluid intervals — owners of Altima, Rogue, Sentra, Pathfinder, and Murano with CVT should not skip it.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2004 Nissan Titan.

Reported to NHTSA

Rear axle seal leak contaminating brakes

POWER TRAIN

25 NHTSA complaints · 2013-07 → 2019-09

“REAR AXLE SEALS LEAK AND COULD POTENTIALLY SOAK REAR DISC BRAKE PADS TO THE POINT OF COMPLETE FAILURE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10545497
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10897060
“I'M FILING A COMPLAINT FOR THE MISSED RECALL ON THE NISSAN TITAN! THE DESIGN OF THE REAR AXLE OF THIS VEHICLE CAUSES A REAR AXLE SEAL LEAK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10824733

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front axle separation from differential

POWER TRAIN

15 NHTSA complaints · 2014-01 → 2020-02

“FRONT LEFT AXLE SLID OUT FROM DIFFERENTIAL. THE RETAINING C-CLIP ON THE AXLE WAS INTACT BUT DID NOT RETAIN THE AXLE. THIS HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10929755
“WHILE USING 4WD MY FRONT AXLE POPPED OUT OF THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL. LUCKILY I WAS OFFROAD AND GOING SLOW”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10638282
“FRONT RIGHT AXLE POPS OUT OF THE DIFFERENTIAL, BAD C-CLIP. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS NOTED HERE AND AT VARIOUS TITAN FORUMS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11089903

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Cracked exhaust manifold leaking fumes into cabin

ENGINE

30 NHTSA complaints · 2013-05 → 2019-05

“NISSAN TITAN EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKS, CAUSING EXHAUST FUMES TO ENTER VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10520435
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN TITAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD CAUSED EXHAUST FUMES TO ENTER THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11003037
“MY 2004 NISSAN TITAN WITH 81K MILE HAS 2 CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLDS. BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDES HAVE CRACK JUST IN FRONT OF LAST CYCLE ON BOTH SIDES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10639628

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake pedal loss tied to delta stroke sensor

SERVICE BRAKES

45 NHTSA complaints · 2013-07 → 2025-01

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN TITAN. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10860717
“THE ABS LIGHT, VDC LIGHT, SLIP LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR ACCOMPANIED BY ABS ACTUATOR SOUNDS. THE BRAKING EFFORT DID NOT SLOW THE VEHICLE EFFECTIVELY. RECYCLING THE IGNITION SWITCH RETURNED THE BRAKES TO A SATISFACTORY CONDITION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10715284
“BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ON DASH ILLUMINATED. WHEN BRAKE PRESSURE APPLIED, PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, BRAKES MADE A LOUD GRINDING SOUND AND BRAKING EFFICIENCY WAS GREATLY DIMINISHED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10525512

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel gauge misreading leading to unexpected stall

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

12 NHTSA complaints · 2014-10 → 2018-05

“EVER SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD NEVER READ FULL BUT STOP AT 7/8 OF A TANK. NOT A BIG DEAL BUT LAST NIGHT MY GAUGE READ BETWEEN 1/8 AND 1/4 TANK AND I RAN OUT OF GAS ON A MAIN ROAD AT NIGHT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10919998
“THE VEHICLE SHOWED 1/4 TANK OF GAS, WAS RUNNING FINE AND SUDDENLY SHUT OFF WHILE A YOUNG GIRL 18 YEARS OLD WAS DRIVING HOME FROM DROPPING OFF SIBLINGS AT SCHOOL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10703240
“SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NEW THE FUEL GAUGE HAS NEVER SHOWN THE CORRECT READING ON THE FUEL IN THE TANK. IT WILL NEVER REGISTER "FULL" AND WILL RUN OUT OF GAS WHEN IT STILL SHOWS 1/8 OF A TANK LEFT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10655093

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stall from faulty ECM relay in IPDM

ENGINE

10 NHTSA complaints · 2014-04 → 2021-08

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN TITAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10607375
“NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 ARMADA, TITAN, INFINITI QX56 AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER AND XTERRA VEHICLES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11171453
“The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Titan. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would suddenly stall with the check engine warning light illuminated”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11430994

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag warning light tied to wiring recall

AIR BAGS

15 NHTSA complaints · 2013-05 → 2024-02

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN TITAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS AND THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10695285
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN TITAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP WAS ILLUMINATED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10578908
“The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Titan. The contact stated that after receiving the vehicle from the dealer following a recall repair, the air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11569526

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

Replace synthetic-blend or full-synthetic oil every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1. Schedule 2: 7,500 miles. VR30DDTT (3.0L twin-turbo): full synthetic only.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 5,000 mi

Rotate tires every 5,000 miles. Front-wheel-drive Nissans (Altima, Sentra, Versa) wear front tires fast — don't skip rotations.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

CVT Fluid (NS-3)

Every 60,000 mi

Nissan officially calls CVT fluid 'lifetime,' but independent technicians and Nissan TSBs recommend replacement every 60,000 miles to prevent CVT failure. Use Nissan NS-3 fluid only — substitutes destroy the belt-and-pulley system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Rogue and Pathfinder front pads typically last 35,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 2 years. Dark or amber fluid indicates moisture contamination.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles, sooner if driving on dusty unpaved roads.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs

Every 105,000 mi

Iridium-tipped spark plugs are rated 105,000 miles on QR25, MR20, and VQ35 engines. VR30DDTT: 60,000 miles due to higher cylinder pressures.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Long-Life Coolant

Every 75,000 mi

Nissan Long-Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue/green): first change at 105,000 miles, then every 75,000. Do not mix with other coolant chemistries.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Transfer Case / Rear Diff (AWD models)

Every 60,000 mi

On AWD and 4WD models, replace transfer case fluid and rear differential fluid every 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Located behind the glove box on Altima, Rogue, and Sentra.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

178 crashes 1990–2024

How the 178 occupant deaths break down

126

driver deaths

51

passenger deaths

1

not recorded by seat

178

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2004 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

28

complaints mentioning a crash

12

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2004 Nissan Titan reflects Nissan's published service intervals and the Maintenance Reminder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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