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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  Titan - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By randy mangrum - June 25 - 10:00 am

  It took four trips to two different dealerships to find the rattles in the dash. Turns out that the two front corners of the dash had not been secured. Also had a paint defect where the paint peeled off of the front bumper. After a couple of hundred dollars in car rental fees I hope everything goes smoother now.

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  Interior needs help - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Richard - June 20 - 4:10 pm

  Titan is a very well made vechicle. I had problems with thr brakes and I had to replace the tires at 24000 miles. nissan repaired the brakes for free but I had to pay to replace the tires. I enjoy diving this truck and the space it has inside of the crew cab is unbelieveable. The only thing I do not like is there is no place to hang my clothes in the back without blocking my kids view and it also make it unsafe when the kids are in the rear. I hope Nissan will fix this problem so they can compete with Ford.

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  Front left seal at Pumpkin leakage - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Brian Miller - June 17 - 9:23 pm

  I brought my truck to the dealership after noticed a shiny area around mt front diff when I put my hand up to touch it it moved around like a joy stick. I bough it to the dealer and they popped the seal back in and filled it back up with diff fluid. They refused to cover it under warranty because I have a PRG leveling kit, I know other who have had the same problem lift kit or not and got it covered. I spent $95. Very disappointing.

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  05 Titan heads-up - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By David - June 6 - 10:03 am

  I have owned my Titan for 11 months now and have been pleased with the performance of the vehicle other than the following: During the first tank of gas the fuel sensor went bad and had to be replaced. A few months later one of the electric motors on the drivers power seat quit working and had to be replaced. During both of these visits to the dealer, the service department was terrible. I never received any calls to update me on the status of my vehicle even though they had to keep the vehicle for several days. I later found out that they had broken other parts while trying to fix the original problems and had to order additional parts.

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  Great power - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By mike - May 19 - 11:43 pm

  Overall have been very happy with the truck. Great pickup power, strong handling. A couple of minor complaints with fit and finish but any issues Nissan has fixed under warranty. Only downside is the gas mileage. averaging 13.5 to 14 mpg.

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  Great Vehicle - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Jeff - May 15 - 10:56 pm

  The power and luxury combination of the Titan is unparallaled. The other major brands can not compete. The motor is solid. The frame is rigid, still handles great and is quiet in the cab. I like the sprayed in bed liner and the utility tie down tracks and the tailgate damper. The power outlet in the bed is also a great idea. The downfalls to this truck are the undersized brakes. It tends to warp rotors in about 20000 miles. I am also less than impressed with the tires and rims. The alloy rims have been a constant problem as of late due to the fact that the air is slowly leaking out around the bead of the tire. They should offer steel rims.

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  87,000 miles Problems Galore! - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By 29er guy - April 24 - 10:20 am

  Well i would like to start off saying that the truck has been a Great Vehicle up until last summer with about 70,000 on it.. The rear differential Seals went leaking oil onto the brake rotors creating poor braking. Fan Motor went. Front differential drive shaft BROKE when I put it in 4Hi at 20 mph. Rusting out all over the place. The tranny is going in for another flushing to try to stop the slipping. Time to get a new vehicle. That should last 150,000 miles easy.

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  Titan = Bang for the Buck - 2010 Nissan Titan
  By DoubleD - January 26 - 7:20 am

  Seems like Nissan is good at offering "bang for the buck" vehicles. I was looking at all the other trucks and hadnt considered the Titan. I stumbled across it . And Im happy I did! I hated 1st gen styling, but like the current model. I test drove it and really liked it, especially for the price! Its not 100% perfect . No vehicle ever is. But, this one comes pretty darned close. Room, functionality, utility, options . All of them are very good! My friends are all jealous of the truck! Id definitely recommend this vehicle to someone looking for a full-sized truck.

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  sweet - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By eric - January 26 - 3:06 am

  it tows my 30 foot toyhauler really good but it needs a lil more bottom end for climbing but overall it is a excellent truck

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  Excellent truck - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Jeff S. - December 20 - 11:10 am

  I purchased this to haul our 4 horse trailer since the standard iterations of the domestic vehicles were not even close towing wise. This truck has exceeded my expectations!! It is able to tow 7500 pounds without a problem. The ride is like a luxury car and the cabin is super quiet. I am looking now at buying another car and they are so loud compared to this thing. It has the most comfortable cab I have been in. The downside is that the brakes did need to be replaced under warranty. The brakes could also be a little more powerful. I see about 15 mpg overall and have seen 17.6 mpg HWY.