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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  Nissan Front Brake Issue - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By mike - November 15 - 12:16 pm

  Nissan needs to fix this front brake problem that they say is only in So. Ca. and NY. This will be the second time for shutter in steering due to warped rotors from brakes overheating. I guess if it isnt fixed a third time I will review the lemon law in Ca. I know others who have been there 3 times for brakes.Front window problems.

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  Excellent truck - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Serenity - November 8 - 11:33 am

  I have wanted this truck ever since they came out, and when I finally bought one, I dont regret it! The sound system, rumble in the engine, the pick-up-and-go when you want it to... everything you could want in a truck!

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  Titan Impresses Thus Far - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By kenitzer - November 6 - 11:56 pm

  We purchased our 05 Titan 4x4 3 mo. ago with 72K miles from a local used car lot. I looked at over 40 4x4 trucks and had trouble finding one that was well cared for and had reasonable mileage. When I saw this truck I was impressed, but some online reviews made me worry about quality and reliability. Since correcting a CEL issue and doing some minor deferred maintenance, it has been a great truck. We only use it for hauling and towing so its not a daily driver - good thing at only 13 mpg. So far so good. We pulled a 12 UHaul trailer moving my son to OH a few wks ago and the trip was great. I am loving this truck more and more each day. I hope it provides years of reliable service.

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  Great truck - 2011 Nissan Titan
  By pianotunertech - November 6 - 5:17 pm

  For a 5.6 the truck pretty muscly. Good acceleration. The drivetrain/ride is pretty smooth like all Nissans tend to be, a level of civilized smoothness. I like the fold up seats in the crew cab back, which by the way are far more comfortable than Fords and others. I tended to put tools and groceries inside the cab with the seats folded up. I like the looks of the truck too. Toyota had a great thing with the Tundra before it went panda looking, I think the Chevy Silverado has it in the good looks department but the Titan looks aggressive and cool. I think the Titan bed is a little cheap though--seems plastic liner covers places where there isnt sheet metal underneath which I didnt lik

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  Great Truck! - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Norm - November 2 - 10:43 pm

  Being a truck owner for years I found the Titan to be better than the big three. I test drove the F150 and it drove like what Id expect from a truck....a bumpy ride. The Titan is a smooth driver. Interior storage far exceeds the F150. Plus, Titan comes with a lot of stuff thats extra on the F150. I purchased the Titan even though Ford had their employee price plan opened for all buyers. The acceleration on the Titan is a bit noisy at first, but its quiet when you hit cruising speed. Even then, the noise is something Ive already blanked out. As far as gas mileage goes.....its a truck! What would you expect? No recalls in the past 3 years its been out. Not bad for a new truck.

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  Unreliable - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By chuckles65 - October 30 - 7:25 pm

  I bought my 2006 used in 2011 with 75K miles. Since then it needed new e-brake lines, front coils (broken), front disks, new exhaust (not surprising), hesitated when cold, and repairs for rear hub gaskets, ball joints, etc. to the tune of 7K in repairs. Rarely got better than 10 MPG around town. I put less that 20K on this in 3 years. Good looking, well laid-out truck, but not reliable.

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  A step above the others - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By mo0990 - October 27 - 10:00 am

  Its big, bigger interior than a 1500HD crew cab. Its smooth and quiet, except if you step on it. The motor sounds a little like a v8 Camaro from the 80s. Very comfortable seats unless your tall. Its certainly faster than my 99 z71. Lots of little items than add up to a well executed vehicle. Worth a look if your open to driving an import. It took me a while to convince myself not to buy a new chevy, but Im glad I did.

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  My second review - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By TSTORY - October 21 - 5:36 pm

  See my post on 10/7/04 right after I bought the truck. Its now been two months and I still love the truck. Being a first year model I knew their would be some kinks along the way too. Ive had some minor brake problems. I say minor, but will know for sure tomorrow when it goes in to the dealer. Feels like the rotors have warped, after only 4000 miles. If they are warped, they will be replacing, not cutting them. If their cut, its that much sooner I have to replace them at my expense. Also, had a minor problem with the driver window not coming back up immediatley. It took about 5 tries to get it to come up. Think it was because I pushed against it a little as it was going down.

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  Excellent Family Truck - 2008 Nissan Titan
  By Scott - October 20 - 2:06 pm

  Traded a 2005 Silverado Crew Cab for the Nissan, and have been very pleased so far. Excellent power and smooth shifts. Hauls wife & kids like a full- size car, but carries anything you can throw in the back or hook to the hitch. Very comfortable seats and roomy cab with great options. Would prefer an auto 4WD mode and a Neutral on the transfer case, as well as mechanical anit-spin differentials instead of the brake system. Love the R-F sound system and the DVD entertainment. Could do without the 20" rims and low-profile tires as I prefer capability over bling. Have had a couple minor issues, but Ive had that with every truck Ive ever owned.

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  Awsome Truck - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Zachary Myers - October 16 - 10:00 am

  This is a super truck. The only negative is it drinks gas.