After approx 38,000 miles the driver side rear seal required replacement due to excessive leakage. At 43,600 miles the rear axle has failed, one mechanic thought it was as simple as the clutch plates sticking which caused the rear tires to turn the same speed when turning causing the inside tire to spin out. Loud banging started to occur about 60 miles before total failure, in 40 mile before, when leaving a gas station the truck had shaken violently on take off then subsided as acceleration increased. With any small turn, the loud banging returned. On sharp turns the truck seemed to pull in both directions, even at speeds as low as 20 mph. I decided to put the truck in 4 wheel drive, which helped somewhat, probably taking some of the loading off the rear axle, but the drive wasn't easy. I had a mechanic look at my Titan and after raising the rear end and spinning the tires he said the spider gear was shot and the vehicle was not safe to drive. Towed to a Nissan dealer 50 miles away, dropped the truck off because they were closed but did have the chance to speak with the service department earlier. The service rep guessed the rear of my truck before I could say anything other than that I thought something was wrong with my rear axle. The following Monday the service rep called me and said the rear axle needs to be replaced. Also, when the first mechanic looked at the problem, I noticed both seals on the axle were leaking, the driver side excessively. I use my Titan for everyday commute and often tow my 4,000 pound travel trailer. When towing and turning sharply, sometimes the inside wheel would spin out, I thought this may be normal but I guess when under load the differential does not release properly causing the spin. When final failure occurred, the rear end would slip or skip as if gears were missing. When I parked the truck for the last time it had moved several inches back until another gear engaged.

- Richmond, ME, USA