Overview & Reviews

The Nissan Titan, introduced for 2004, was the first Japanese pickup to truly possess the attributes that buyers typically expect from a full-size truck. Manufactured at Nissan's Canton, Mississippi, plant, it boasts dimensions and capabilities that are very similar to those of domestic full-size pickups. Though it hasn't sold as well as its rivals and is now growing quite long in the tooth, a new or used Nissan Titan can still meet the basic needs of many truck shoppers.

Current Nissan Titan
The Nissan Titan is a full-size pickup truck. In terms of size, it's very similar to the trucks offered by domestic automakers, which means it provides competitive amounts of cargo and interior room. There's a fully boxed frame underneath for maximum rigidity and strength, as well as a traditional solid rear axle with leaf-spring support.

Nissan currently offers the Titan in extended-cab (King Cab) and crew-cab styles, with two bed lengths each. Buyers may also choose between standard- and long-wheelbase versions, with the latter adding 20 inches in length. The King Cab is offered with either a 6.5- or 8-foot bed, while those on the crew cab are each 1 foot shorter. The King Cab's rear-hinged doors open extra wide to aid cargo loading or a passenger's entry to the rear seats. The crew cab has four traditional doors and a larger rear seating area with more available rear legroom than the extended cab.

Each Nissan Titan body style is available in four trim levels. Similar to other Nissan products, there's the entry-level S, the midgrade SV, off-road-focused PRO-4X and the luxury-oriented SL. The S has a front bench seat, while captain's chairs with a flow-through console are standard on the other trims. Standard safety features now include stability control, front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags. Notable options, depending on trim, include upgraded audio systems, a navigation system, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system and utility-enhancing cargo bed features. For those who anticipate pulling trailers, the SV Value Truck or SL Max Utility tow packages are also available.

The PRO-4X trim level adds equipment for serious off-roaders that include Rancho shocks, a lower final-drive ratio, skid plates, an electronic locking differential and 18-inch off-road wheels with aggressive off-road tires. Unique exterior and interior styling cues to differentiate the PRO-4X from the other Titan models are also included.

For power, Nissan offers only one combination: a 5.6-liter V8 connected to a five-speed automatic transmission. The V8 is rated at 317 horsepower and 385 pound-feet of torque. The transmission features a tow/haul mode for when the truck is used for pulling or carrying heavy loads. For every body style and trim combination, two- or four-wheel drive is available.

In Nissan Titan reviews, our editors have found it to be powerful and capable both on- and off-road. Downsides include a lack of additional powertrain choices and the absence of a heavy-duty model. The Titan has also been outclassed by newer competitors in terms of comfort and overall design. Still, we think Nissan's Titan is worth a look.

Used Nissan Titan Models
The current, first-generation Titan debuted for 2004, and these earlier trucks could be a good choice for a shopper searching for a used late-model pickup. The first couple of production years, in particular, outclassed domestic pickups in many ways. The most notable changes for the Nissan Titan came for the 2008 model year and included the addition of a long-wheelbase model, exterior and interior styling refreshes and new features. Models built for 2007 and earlier were available in one wheelbase length only, lacked the two different bed lengths for each body style and also had a reduced maximum payload.

It should be noted that stability control, side airbags and side curtain airbags were not standard on all Titans until 2010. Used shoppers should investigate whether the truck in question is equipped with them. Also, the current trim levels were introduced for the 2011 model year; previously, the Titan's three main trims were XE, SE and LE, though feature content was broadly comparable.

User Reviews:

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  This truck ROCKS! - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Joe M - January 19 - 2:46 am

  I have had my 2004 Nissan Titan since July. Now it is Jan 23, 2005, a huge snow storm hit four days ago, and another pounds down now! Am I worried? NO WAY! I drove this truck through snowbanks headlight high, drifts 3+ feet deep, no problem! I slid once on an angle, stopped, hit the diff lock, then I was off no problem! This is a great ruck, rugged, roomy, a must in Northern Maine! I just had a buddy buy a new F-150, paid $8,000 more then me, and after four days it didnt start because of the cold! Overall, this truck is great, I get excited each time I drive it, not excited about the gas mileage, but that was expected! I feel very safe on or off road with my daughter in tow as well, I have a 4X4, Off Road, Big Tow, SE!!!

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  2004 Nissan Problems - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Don Murphy - January 2 - 7:30 pm

  Trim. A few minor things but not too bad. The disc brakes on the front started vibrating at 5000 miles, have yet to take it in for that. Vibration in 4WD...normal?

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  Excellent Job Nissan - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Mike ty - January 2 - 10:00 am

  I traded in my 2000 SE 4X4 Xterra for this XE Crew Cab 4X4 Off Road Titan. I cant believe what a better vehicle this is than the Xterra and even the Dodge SLT 4X4 Crew cab. First the milage is only 1 mile less for both town and road compared to my Xterra. Im averaging about 14 miles/gallon. This is during the breakin which I generally see about 3 miles/gallon better after about 5000 miles. The power is awesome, faster than a Hemi Ram (Motor Trend/Car & Driver)and offers a ride comparable to a lux car. Even my X didnt ride this good. Has all the goodies in the off road pack. Fit and Finish are great as well as the sound system.

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  a lemon - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By bob - January 1 - 7:10 pm

  This truck has cost me more in the 42,000 miles I have put on it than any other truck I have every owned. bought first truck in 1972. Nothing but high priced problems. Doors freeze shut $650.00 kit to fix both doors.no warranty. Both rear seals leaked at 18,000 covered by warranty. Power steering lines needed replace at 25000, no warranty. rear seals and rear axle need replace at 36,000 only cost of axle covered $900.00 for rest. Soaked brakes shot replaced $600. no warranty. front brakes replaced at 40,000 $700 no warranty. If I go for an oil change you know it will be a min of $500 when they get done fixing everything else they find.

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  Dodge Ram no match for the Titan - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Rob Word - December 22 - 9:40 pm

  I recently purchased a new 2005 Nissan Titan King Cab, and I truly love it. After ditching my 2003 Dodge Ram Quad Cab, the Titan is a breath of fresh air compared to the bucket of bolts of the 4.7 V8 of the Ram. The power of the truck is amazing and the gas mileage is already better than the Ram, althought it is nothing to get excited about. Averaging 15-17 so far. Comfort is nice, but the controls are a little weird to get used to. I love the way the back doors open out to 180 degrees. The tailgate feature is a real plus also, taking only one hand to open and shut it. It rides like a cloud on the highway and has NO problem when it is time to make a pass. Nissan quality is all I ask.

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  Titan rocks! - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By tdsiob - December 7 - 2:00 am

  I was hesistant to buy another pickup or SUV due to performance and gas mileage, etc! but after driving this truck i was hooked. This truck is rock solid and the engine sounds and feels more like a sports car. I have the off road/tow package and a few other extras with no regrets! This truck makes me feel 10 years younger

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  comments - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By titan se - October 22 - 11:13 am

  quiet comfortable ride, fun to drive, has had some small problems, brakes, elect. issues, love the truck, very responsive.

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  My Titan - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Everett Blakely - September 16 - 7:06 pm

  I got the cheap Titan, but it is by far fancier than other makes, for a basic. The looks are great and the room is just as great. The only thing that I wish was better was the gas mpg, but I have to remember, it is a titan. Thank goodness cruise control is standard equipment, because this truck really hauls.

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  titan is good - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By tim andrew - September 5 - 5:26 pm

  Had bad, ( soft rotors at new ) they fixed that. Transmission slipped at 37K, was some type of switch. The trans. from the beginning of owning it, sometimes when taking off, feels like you took off on a spot of ice, wheels slip for a moment. They dont know what it is. Also, at a light, it feels like someone bangs into you lightly, they say common.

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  so far so good!!! - 2007 Nissan Titan
  By tyfast - August 9 - 7:46 am

  I have about 39000 on my trunk now and it has been a good truck. The only problem i have had is the heater control switch will not move to thefull open position and the only way to six it is to take the hole dash off. So i just keep it at 80% and it is enough to keep me warm and the only other thing is the driver side door handle trim is coming off. I drive in the snow everyweekend on my way snowboarding, I still have a brand new set of of Tire chains i bought when i got the truck and they still have never been out of the boxes. Love the truck.