2004 Nissan Titan suddenly and unexpectedly broke the front differential causing a lack of 4WD in a snow storm and the vehicle did not perform as expected. Broken equipment cause 2000 dollars worth of damage to vehicle that was otherwise in perfect running condition.

- Woolwich, NJ, USA

I have a 2004 Nissan Titan that had an issue with the differential in the rear end. In my case the rear end did not lock up at highway speed but the potential for that happening is there. After my problem occurred I did some research online and determined that my case was not an isolated incident. My truck has not been abused, has a towing package which has been used to tow a trailer only a few times and had only 62,000 miles at the time of the failure. From what I could determine Nissan redesigned the rear end I N the 2008 model and the problem has been reduced but that does not rectify the problem for the 2004-2007 models on the road. Unfortunately the Nissan solution is to replace the faulty rear end with the same type which in my case I chose not to do. From the information I could gather I was better off and safer going with an aftermarket differential which I decided to do to prevent potential problems in another 3-4 years or sooner. I realize there are not large numbers of Nissan Titans on the road but this does not make the situation any less dangerous for the drivers of them.

- Colfax, NC, USA

Driver side rear axle seal leaking, fluid leaking onto brake assembly; left rear axle seal seeping. Seals had been leaking for a while. On www.titantalk.com people have experienced numerous axle seal failures. Nissan should recall all Titans and pathfinders with this axle vent system and repair the vent with something better. Until this is performed, axle seals will continue to fail and fluid will continue to potentially leak onto brake assemblies creating a safety hazard.

- Huntsville, AL, USA

Front differential axle cir clip failure.

- Duluth, MN, USA

I drove my 2004 Nissan Titan for 65,000 miles to and from work and school only. One day the rear end just blew up on me in the middle of traffic, fortunately I or any other driver wasn't injured. The issue came up out of no where and is very dangerous. I tried to receive help from the dealer to resolve this issue however they are refusing to accept the responsibility. The failure was do to the leaking axle seals because of faulty parts. My warranty expired at 60,000 miles, and the failure began around 20000 miles ago, according to the service advisor at the local Nissan dealership.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

1: just normal driving on the highway I noticed a slight vibration developing on the floorboard when driving home from work. The next day just went to go to the store, about 5 mins away, the slight vibration turned into a very loud knocking sound and you could feel it throughout the truck. I immediately pulled over and had the truck towed to Nissan. 2: the failure was the rear differential, Nissan told me that basically the whole inside of the rear dif came apart and the whole rear end axle to axle will have to be replaced to a tune of 3,000 dollars. Luckily I was going slow (about 25 mph) so there wasn't any other major damage or injury. I've been researching this issue on Titan talk forums and many many people have had this same issue and have reported it like I am now, some weren't so lucky and were on freeway which at those speeds they claim the drive-shaft broke off the rear diff and was dragging on the road, not good. 3: Nissan is replacing the whole rear-end axle to axle to a tune of 3,000 dollars and they only warranty they are offering to me is 1 year unlimited miles and that is all they offer which in my opinion is horrible. Nissan came out with a newer version of this rear-end which they will be installing so hopefully this one will not fail but I am still very upset about having to shell out 3,000 for something that should never fail like this. This is a dangerous hazard having these rear-ends fail like this, other trucks I've owned in the past I've put 200 plus thousand miles and never have had a problem with the read differential.

- Fairfield, CA, USA

Driving down our snow-covered street we live on, I tried to engage 4hi. All I heard was a grinding noise. After stopping I tried the 4hi switch again and it seemed to engage. I didn't think anymore about it until the next day when I noticed a big puddle of oil on driveway. The driver's side front axle half-shaft is flopping around loose at the differential, and all the diff oil has leaked out. Nissan says the whole diff needs to be replaced. Apparently a C-clip inside the diff is easily broken and it lets the half-shaft pop out of position, and as it turns and flops around it destroys the seals and diff case. Searching the internet on this failure shows that a lot of people have had the same failure, and if the C-clip gets stuck in the gears it can lead to diff breaking into chunks. No real fix except to replace the diff. Pushing the half-shaft back into the diff won't work as the C-clip is needed to retain it, and the C-clip typically cannot be replaced because the diff case is damaged.

- Ashburn, VA, USA

I own a 2004 Titan with less than 50,000 miles. On 12/3/09 my front differential broke. I never towed anything with this truck. I never even hauled anything heavy in the bed. The dealership replaced the failed differential at my expense since my warranty ran out 2 weeks before my front diff breaking.

- Tewksbury, MA, USA

2004 Nissan Titan 4X4. I had the front differential fail while driving on a snow packed road. When the front differential failed there was a second or two when the front wheels locked up and then released.it was like someone slamming on the brakes. My speed at the time was about 15 to 20 mph. The front had failed and was replaced at a Nissan dealership.

- Bellevue, NE, USA

While pulling away from a stop sign, I heard a loud bang and then a shake from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealership. They tell me that my rear differential gave out and now the whole rear needs to be replaced. It will cost me $3000 to fix. My mileage is 55,600 and my warranty just expired in July. Nissan usa said they will not do anything for me, especially since I don't pay them to do my scheduled maintenance.

- Mckinney, TX, USA

Rear end seals leaking resulting in differential oil getting on rear brakes.

- Williston, FL, USA

Pulled slowly from a mcdonald's drive through into halted traffic (red light). As I pulled out of drive through, heard big bang and felt like I had been rear-ended. Tried to accelerate, truck would not move, and I could hear an audible clicking noise at what would have been tire rotation speed. Vehicle towed to dealer. Charged $3,798.22 to replace rear differential. Waiting to hear back form Nissan to see if they will reimburse for at least cost of part(3223.00.)

- Bear, DE, USA

Left rear brakes wet from blown differential seal.

- Strawberry Plains, TN, USA

2004 Nissan Titan le 4WD. Both rear axle seals leaking. Need to be replaced.

- Johns Island, SC, USA

2004 Nissan Titan rear axle differential is out 108, 000 miles. Water was found in case due to seals going out due to breather hose clogging and not working correctly.

- Taylor, TX, USA

2004 nissian Titan: Rear axle seal leak causing oil to get on rear brake pads.

- Carson, VA, USA

I parked my truck Sunday morning (9-27-09) at about 3:30am, no problems. That afternoon she took our son to the store and heard a clanking in the back end. She said it was heard best about 20 mph after letting off the gas. Later found a puddle of gear fluid that was dripping from the front of the rear gear housing. I have 66,244 miles, just 6,000 out of warranty. My mechanic said a bolt had loosened up causing the pinion to slip to the rear. Very close to having a complete lock up.

- Perkasie, PA, USA

2004 Nissan Titan - 50,000K miles. Noticed a rear seal leaking onto by tires and on my brakes from the rear differential. There is a loud grinding sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. Unit has not failed as of date but service dept says any day it will. Grenada Nissan offered to replace because of known issues, but Nissan headquarters has not honored warranty to date, B/C it is 6 months too late. Will not honor warranty. Concerned if it fails at intersection or going down road an accident with bodily injury can occur. The fluid on brakes may also cause slippage while braking. Very dangerous. Nissan quoted repair near 3500$. has been known issue with Nissan and NHTSA. Over 70 complaints filed, luckily no injury todate. This failure is a known issue with Nissan na, and have yet to fix flaw on this vehicle. Please beware that this is a safety issue to not only the vehicle's driver and passenger, but to others on the road as well.

- Clarksdale, MS, USA

Rear axle seal leak on 2004 Nissan Titan 4X4 crew cab with only 47,000 miles. Rear axle fluid was leaking onto the left rear brake backing plate, it was starting to run onto the brake disc.

- Johnson City, TN, USA

Haven't repaired yet will not file under extended coverage, 2004 Nissan Titan crewcab 5.6 liter, rear end housing and axle seals leaking, noticed it about 2 months ago, had to add some fluid to rear differential, on my own.

- Hampton, VA, USA