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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  Good Engine, Lots of Problems - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Brendan - July 31 - 9:10 am

  The truck has a nice engine, and nice interior. Its very roomy and comfortable. Ive had the vehicle in for service 20 times now with continuous problems. Several recalls on the vehicle and poor customer service. The stereo wouldnt pickup AM stations overtime and then would lose signal outright. It took over 7 times to get the stereo right and still they havent put the proper face plate back onto the vehicle. Bottom line, nice engine and very comfortable, but very poorly built.

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  Look before you leap! - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By 48izhot - July 23 - 10:00 am

  Can you spell G A S ??? Own a country in the Middle East before you buy. EPA rating of 14/20 is a myth, who tested this vehicle? Unique design, great Fosgate stereo if you play CDs, forget the radio sound. Quirky color scheme - butterscotch and gray? Japanese build quality not as good as I expected, minor problems become a nuisance. Only headphones disguise the exhaust roar...

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  It keeps getting worse! - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Dissapointing!!! - June 27 - 2:56 pm

  When I first bought my truck I loved it! The outside design was very appealing and it was a comfortable ride for being a full size truck. I put a lot of miles on my trucks for work and I was sure that this Nissan would be reliable. But after only 2 months I started having problems...first the brakes and rotors had to be replaced..then the drivers side door wont close on cold days..tires balded after only 7 months..side view mirrors cracked under cold conditions...harness recalled...now the 4 Wheel Drive jerks the car when taking turns in inclimate weather...every month there is another problem. I have been to the dealer service center 10 times since I bought this car 10 months ago!!!

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  Close, but not quite - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By Matthew - June 3 - 5:53 pm

  Only a year later and Im seeing lots of rust in the bed seams and in some of the bed bolts. Also, significant corrosion of some trim pieces. Lots of squeaks that the dealership has been very helpful to fix...but it is a major pain to keep on returning to the dealership for these kinds of repairs. Seats are not that comforatable.

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  worst truck ive bought - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By usmc_nick1 - October 27 - 9:30 am

  worst truck i have bought by far. 2nd owner of 73k miles. drove it about 5k miles before putting over $5,000 in repairs into it, first problem was my drive shaft came out of my rear axle and transfer case. new axle and transfer case rebuild.. then my ECM went out, it was a safety recall, but nissan refused to pay for damages and my recall. i will not recommend this truck to anyone. then i needed a whole new front suspension (ball joints, shocks and springs) cause they were old and bad. but that comes with age.

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  what hasnt broke is a shorter list - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By john c - September 2 - 1:00 am

  heres a list of repairs (that i can remember) rear differential, rear axle shafts, power steering pump, both exhaust manifolds, u joint, front drive shaft, hub assemblies, condenser fan, wiring harness, window leak, air pressure sensors, back up sensors 4xs, rear axle shaft seals, drive shaft seals, rear axle breather, tailgate hinge, power steering lines, power steering tub/hose assembly, throttle speed sensor, anti lock brake sensor

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  Overall piece of Crap ! Not a good investment - Buy Ford or Chevy - 2009 Nissan Titan
  By buster1957 - March 23 - 3:38 am

  I am amazed that the Titan has as many mechanical problems and lack of reliablility. I paid good money for a truck that has not lived up to its past ratings. I am very disappointed and wish I would have bought a Ford or Chevrolet. I had a 98 Z-71 that was a better truck than the 2009 Nissan Titan.

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  Disappointed - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Don - July 25 - 12:16 pm

  I have been bragging about my Titan up until this weekend when I heard a loud clunk coming from the rear axle. The noise got a little worse yesterday & today the truck is almost undriveable. It sounds & feels like something is slipping in the rear end, BAD, the slipping got so frequent & bad on the highway today that I was expecting to go home on the back of a flatbed. The truck will be going into the dealership where I bought it in the morning. They better not call me & tell me that they cant duplicate the problem or there are no "error codes" showing on their diagnostic equipment like service departments are prone to say! I expect them to blame the problem on abuse or some other excuse.

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  I wish it worked - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By WolfD - July 15 - 2:00 am

  Bought it on a Sunday, back at the shop on Monday, Tuesday, and ever since (2 weeks and counting) with no resolution in sight. Random dash lights coming on; Nissan engineers cant resolve and Nissanusa Consumer Affairs wont say what theyre going to do. During the brief time I was able to drive it it seemed great. Too bad all the miles are to and from the shop.

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  Update on Titan - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By James - May 22 - 7:56 pm

  Initially I thought I was getting an awesome truck with great quality. I was wrong on the quality!!! I have numerous ghost rattles and squeaks that cannot be found in door panels, fenders, dash, seats, center console. I detail vehicles part time,and this TITANs paint is losy at best. the clearcoat is super thin, the paint stains with a few hours of bird droppings in the shade. Yes, I keep it clean and waxed. The OEM tires are a joke. The front end alignment bad from the factory and chewed up four tires before they figured it was the alignment. To bad they didnt listen to my suggestions on the alignment. Brakes repaired/replaced three times, and they are only average.