I just purchased a 2004 Nissan Titan le 4X4 about a month and a half ago. I am the 2nd owner and bought it from a guy who bought it brand new in 2004 and took very good care of it. The truck only has 55K miles. Just last weekend, 6/19/2011, it started making banging and grinding noises in the back wheel. At first, I thought I ran over something and it was stuck in the back wheels. After examining the rear wheel area and the brake pads, everything looked normal. However, the noise got louder and louder. It sounded like I was dragging a refrigerator. I felt a stutter in the vehicle and it started to struggle to go when I would put the truck into drive. I assumed the brake calipers may have been jammed and brought it into an auto service center to be examined. About 2 hours later, I went back to the shop and the technician took me to go see the problem. They examined the rear brakes and differential and found numerous large chunks of broken metal inside, which she said were pieces of shoes, hardware, and gears. They confirmed that the problem was in the rear differential and that the gear damage had likely caused a chain reaction damaging the entire left rear axle assembly and E-brakes. The rear axle seals were leaking too onto the wheels. All these parts needed to be replaced along with the rear axle. The service shop quoted me $3800 to get this fixed! I was in shock as I just bought the truck. Of course, I could no longer drive the truck either as it was in pieces and not drivable. What am I supposed to do? I don't have this money. I had no choice but to tell the service shop to go ahead with the repairs and I will just have to put it on a credit card. I decided to do some research and went on to several internet sites for Nissan Titan owners to see if others were experiencing similar problems or if there was a recall for this. After reading pages of entries posted by other Titan owners, I found out I was not alone. Nissan needs to help pay for these repairs!

- Vadnais Heights, MN, USA

I noticed a build up of fluid on my driverside break rear rotor and hub. When I took it to the shop, they told me that both rear seals were leaking onto my brakes and hubs. I took it in to get it fixed and was quoted $700. They then noticed that a tsb just came out that said that just the seals cannot be replaced. That they now are required to replace both axles, bearings, seals, etc to fix the problem, and would be $2600. They explained that if I didn't get it fixed my brakes would malfunction because of the of the thick build up of oil, and ultimately, there would be a catastrophic failure of the rear axle because of the fluid loss. Rendering the vehicle useless, or cause of an accident if it happened while driving.

- Mound, MN, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Titan. While the vehicle was parked he engaged the emergency brake and the vehicle made a grinding noise causing the vehicle to move. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who advised him that both rear axles seals were blown and saturated with oil. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown. The current mileage was 83,167.

- Venture, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Titan. The vehicle was being inspected by the dealer when the contact was informed that the rear axle seals were leaking. Five years prior to the failure, the contact had the entire rear assembly replaced due to the same failure. The vehicle was not further repaired. The failure mileage was 116,000 and the current mileage was 126,000.

- Green Cove Springs, FL, USA

Rear axle seal leaking again in less than 3 yrs. I have had two rear ends in my 2004 Nissan Titan and it is now leaking on the left rear. I have had the rear replaced last year and now it is just over the yr. Warrenty for another replacement and Nissan is saying I need to have the entire rear replaced and it is costly.

- Kingwood, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Titan. While driving 5 mph, the contact heard a loud banging noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. He drove to his residence and the rear of the vehicle continued to make a clanking noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the rear axle and the gears inside the axle failed. The contact paid approximately $3,300 to repair the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were less than 67,400.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

At 18,047 miles I pulled my travel trailer 850 miles. After the trip the rear drive member started whining. I took it in to the dealer, that evaluated the failure and replaced the complete rear drive member, if this had locked up it could have caused a severe accident on the freeway.

- Cantonment, FL, USA

Bought 2004 Nissan Titan with 36,000 miles. Both rear axle seals had already been replaced. Truck was making a whining noise from the rear. Dealer said rear end was bad and it was replaced under warranty. Dealer did not say what exactly was wrong with it or what caused the problem. Nissan needs a heavier rear end for this truck.

- Columbus, IN, USA

Snowfall of 12" the night before. Woke up to snow covered roads and backed my Nissan Titan out of the driveway in 2wd once out on the road the truck had no traction, so I placed it in 4 wheel drive and drove down the street 200 yard to the stop sign. Made a left hand turn and heard a loud bang from the right front of the truck. Gear oil from the front axle was all over the place and the truck was no longer drivable.

- Troy, MI, USA

Rear end went out at 31,600 miles. Heard a clicking sound then it started to slip took it in to dealership in burlington wa warranty covered new axel swap out.

- Arlington, WA, USA

Rear axle differential failure occurred at 35,000 miles. Axle assembly was replaced by dealer under warranty (happy customer). Axle assembly has now failed again at 81,000 miles. No warranty this time.

- Tecumseh, MI, USA

Rear axle seals leaking causing damage to parking brake assembly.

- Lenoir City, TN, USA

I was making a turn in the 2004 Nissan Titan with off road package when I heard a clank in the rear end so I drove it home and it was getting worse. I called the dealership, and they sent a rollback to pick it up. They called the next day and said my rear end is shot and since I have 61,312 miles on the truck they said I missed warranty by 1312 miles, and I have to pay for it. What gets me is I don't even have a hitch on the back, so I have never towed anything. The dealership said they have had problems with the rear end so I think they should fix it. I will never buy another Nissan.

- Charles Town, WV, USA

Exited off of toll way, and came to a stop at the end of the exit. Accelerated to merge with traffic. Suddenly heard what sounded like an explosion felt bucking then the engine revved up but there was no response from the vehicle. Pulled over, stopped the vehicle and attempted to accelerate again with no response. Put vehicle into 4X4 mode and was able to drive the vehicle home. Had the vehicle towed to dealership, where they ordered and installed a new complete rear end.

- Crest Hill, IL, USA

Rear differential failure.

- Shreveport, LA, USA

At approximately 7000 miles I noted that all of the paint had burned off the rear axle, took truck to the dealer for advise, they told me there was no defect. Over the next few months the rear end began to make excessive noise and I returned truck to dealer. They advised me I needed a new rear axle assembly. After installation of the new rear axle the vehicle developed a vibration at 25-30 mph. The vehicle had been in the repair shop 2 separate visits over 3 days to solve this problem. Dealer said they didn't know what to do, and I am to live with it. Several other trucks had rear axles replaced.

- Rockledge, FL, USA

I own a 2004 Nissan Titan. The rear end has come apart twice. The first rear end was replaced before it stranded me. The second was replaced after it came apart and the rear end lost all motion. If this would have happened while at interstate speeds, it would most likely caused a wreck.

- Leesville, SC, USA

Rear axle leaked. As a result, the brake pedal slammed to the floor. Consumer had to pump the brake pedal several times in order for the brakes to work.

- Overgaard, AZ, USA