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:

• 

  think again before you purchase - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By patrick magdaleno - June 12 - 12:30 am

  I purchased my titan less than 30 days ago it has already broke down on me twice. the entire electrical shut down both times.

• 

  Good, but could do better - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Could do better - March 17 - 4:40 am

  Bought new in 04 and I have had several problems with it. First my windshield washer tank was cracked. Then it went to the infamous brake shudder, took it in 3 times before Nissan came out with a fix. Paint has chipped off the painted front bumper plastics. Dash rattles, seats rattle. Rear end leafs squeak. Most of this is minor and it didnt really bother me that much. I have had Chevy and dodge and ive had problems with them too.

• 

  2005 Titan Crew Cab 4WD - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By Charles Peterson - March 15 - 2:26 pm

  Fair. I thought with a V8 this would be the answer, but the tow ratings are misleading. It can tow smaller loads, but upward of 5000 lbs can be difficult for this truck, particularly on hills and mountains.

• 

  Titan burly exhaust note - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Bob - December 29 - 2:46 am

  As to the con: burly exhaust note, this is actually one of the best features. The titan sounds awesome. Unfortunately thats the only good I see. Titan has known issues with the brakes. Apparently they chose a rotor that the metal distorts and causes the rotors to warp and the steering wheel shakes really bad. I had them done first at 13k miles and again at 19k miles. The first fix they cut all 4 rotors, and now there is a horrendous noise in the front suspension, second time they replaced the fronts with the same thing that was on there before and again said they cut the rear rotors. The service manager told me to keep bringing it back. I dont want to keep bringing it back.

• 

  Big Truck - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By bobby jackson - September 13 - 10:00 am

  When shopping for a new truck, I only looked at the Toyota Tundra and Nissan Titan. Thought that the Japanese makers would have higher quality. But after only 4 months of ownership thing are already going wrong. The brakes stared to shimmy after only 2 months and the interior is already starting to fall apart. Buttons on knobs are falling off. The rubber around the door is also falling off. For a full- size pick-up truck, this thing is a little too refined and fragile on the inside. This makes me wish I had looked at the more traditional U.S. makers such as Dodge, Ford, and GMC, or went with the Toyota.

• 

  Nissan LE 4X4 4 door - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Zivko - August 25 - 3:43 am

  Most people rate their trucks a few days after they buy them. I have had this truck for several months and overall it is a very poorly manufactured/designed vehicle. Rattles everywhere, windows do not come down when it gets cold, door wont close when it gets cold. Engine noise at idle. I have had almost all manufacturers of truck and this is the worst by far. Not all Japanese cars are the same. Toyota, Honda are great, Nissan is not.

• 

  Nissan Titan, should be Nissan Titanic.. - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By serch - May 30 - 9:10 am

  After reading a ton of great reviews on the truck I finally test drove one and purchased it. It had all the bells and whistles that one could ask for in a full size truck. However that was short lived. After a month the truck was in the shop more then I had it. 7 trips in less then 3 weeks. Total of 12 trips in 3 months before I got rid of it. Be aware of the major brake judder problems. Gas mileage never got to what the sticker suggested. I usually only got 9mpg city and was lucky to get 11 on the highway. Pulling my 5000 pound trailer I got 8mpg.

• 

  overrated - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Scarleg - April 6 - 2:00 am

  Everything started great, the Titan was smooth and has plenty of power. after a month on the road the brakes started to shimmy and the service department cant seem to figure out the problem. Also, on four separated occasions the truck would not start. The service department is having problems finding this one as well. Some sort of intermittant problem. Based on my first two months I would not recommend the Titan.

• 

  High Maint Cost with subpar parts - 2007 Nissan Titan
  By purza - February 28 - 9:09 pm

  Annoyances: Goodyear SRA tires were toast after 15k miles. Air conditioner compressor stays on until the ignition is turned off. Over-all climate control not good. Brakes are under sized and rotors need replacing often. At 61 K miles drivers side axle seal started leaking. At 70 K miles Passenger side started leaking. Reported to NTSB per Titanclub Website. Called 800-Nissan and their customer service was terrible and wouldnt lift a finger to help me even though many, many other people have the same problem. Now my drivers side seal is leaking again at 120 K miles.

• 

  please help me stop! - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By ashby - December 19 - 5:30 pm

  The vehicle has been great except for the brake problems. i have had the brakes replaced 3 times and the rotors turned twice and replaced once in only 4000 miles. the rotors warp every 1000 miles it seems and even this new updated brake kit i just had installed is starting to fail. i wouldnt reccommend a titan to anyone until puts a entirely new barking system on the truck. it is a liability and a safety issue. nissan consumer service is real lousy too. i made my decision today to lemon law the truck through a lawyer.