2005 Nissan Titan Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2005 Nissan Titan ranks worst among 19 model years, with 891 complaints and a complaint index of 100, the highest recorded. Transmission and powertrain issues drive 53% of complaints, backed by 4 recall campaigns.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 19 Titan years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 891
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 11
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 7
- Injuries
- 10
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 14
- 12.5 city / 17 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 10 / 0
Top 2005 Nissan Titan problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain469 (53%)
- Engine124 (14%)
- Fuel System104 (12%)
- Brakes88 (10%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires80 (9%)
- Electrical System59 (7%)
- Structure & Body38 (4%)
- Other32 (4%)
- Airbags18 (2%)
- Steering14 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Front wheels shimmy or shake violently when brakes are applied, sometimes causing loss of control or the vehicle to leave the road.
- Owners report the rear end sliding out during braking on wet or downhill roads, occasionally after what felt like ABS engagement.
- Fires have started under the dashboard or in the driver's seat, in some cases while the vehicle was parked and off.
- Airbags failed to deploy in front-end collisions despite significant vehicle damage.
- Rear differential oil has leaked from axle seals onto the brake components, reportedly increasing stopping distance.
2005 Nissan Titan recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 10V517000Oct 28, 2010Engine747,480 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 armada, titan, infiniti qx56 and model year 2005-2006 frontier, pathfinder and xterra vehicles. The intelligent power distribution module (ipdm) assembly contains an engine control module (ECM) relay that has a diode for electrical current noise reduction. The ECM relay may allow silicon vapor to form and, over time, the silicon evaporates from the diode molding which causes silicon oxide to develop on the ECM relay contact due to arcing.
Risk: This could cause engine stalling increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the ECM relay inside the ipdm assembly. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on december 6, 2010. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
- NHTSA 10V074000Mar 3, 2010Fuel System340,000 vehicles
Fuel system, other:storage:fuel gauge system
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 titan, armada, and infiniti qx56 vehicles. The instrument panel fuel gauge may inaccurately display that the vehicle still has some fuel, typically about one quarter tank, when the fuel tank is empty.
Risk: This could cause the vehicle to run out of gas and stall on the highway, which could cause a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel sender unit inside the fuel tank with a new improved sender card. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on march 22, 2010. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
- NHTSA 08V284000Jun 27, 2008Other180,664 vehicles
Equipment:appliance:air conditioner
Nissan is recalling 180,664 my 2005-2006 titan, armada and infinity qx56 vehicles manufactured after march 17, 2005, that are equipped with a visteon air conditioning condenser fan motor. The fan motor may not be properly sealed allowing excessive water intrusion and inadequate drainage of moisture.
Risk: This could cause corrosion in the motor leading possibly to overheating and a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will install a 'thermal protector kit' and test the air conditioning condenser fan motor and replace it if necessary. The recall began on august 2, 2008. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
2005 Nissan Titan fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 12.5 MPG
- Highway
- 17 MPG
- Combined
- 14 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,650
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other Titan years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Nissan Titan reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2005 Titan is the highest-risk year of the model, ranked worst out of 19 model years with a complaint index of 100 and 891 complaints.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2005 Nissan Titan?
- Transmission and powertrain issues make up 53% of complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 62,164.5 miles, making it the top problem area for this year.
- Does the 2005 Nissan Titan have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2005 Titan, covering the engine control module relay, fuel gauge sender, air conditioning fan motor, and an electrical wiring harness.
- Are brakes a problem on the 2005 Nissan Titan?
- Brakes account for 10% of complaints and 6 crashes, with owners reporting front-wheel shimmy and loss of control during braking, at a median mileage of 34,918 miles.
- Which Nissan Titan years are better than 2005?
- Later years like 2011, 2013, 2014, 2022, and 2024 earn Best verdicts with complaint indexes as low as 0, far below the 2005 model's index of 100.