Questions/Concerns about the Titan

[Slider33]

Hi, new member here, and I've been very interested in purchasing a Titan for quite some time.

I do have a few questions though, a few concerns before I take the plunge.

I've heard there are some quality problems with the Titans and I was wondering if this was a widespread problem, or a reason not to get one. I know they just came out in 2004, and there are some quality issues for various reasons.

I do want something that's going to last, and I know it's impossible to tell how that will turn out because the Titan hasn't been around for very long.

I was also considering a Tundra, because I know that Toyota has a pretty good reputation for quality in general, although every brand has their share of problems.

So should I be concerned as a buyer of a new Titan about the quality of a first year product? I've heard that the interiors rattle, are poorly made and I've heard there are some brake issues as well. Which, doesn't seem all too drastic, but it is dissappointing to buy a new vehicle only to have it rattling early on.

Any known problems with the drivetrain? I've also heard that the differential has problems also.

I know that the JD Power and Assoc. report gave it poor ratings....not sure why exactly.

I am looking to have this truck for a long time, and only time will tell so that's a risk I have to take. The dealership I am thinking of buying from has a 10yr/100,000 mile warranty that covers the drivetrain. I'll be getting more detailed info on that soon. I think that is a very good warranty, but I'm guessing/worried I'm going to run into a lot of other smaller flaws that may not be covered by such a warranty.

So is it worth it? Reliability is going to be a big issue with me, as I have been having problems with my car @ 102,000 miles and 7 years of driving, the transmission went out on it last year. I do want something that is going to last, and I can only speculate how the Titan will be since it's so new.

Another question, would it be better to buy a 2005 model as opposed to a 2004? I'm assuming that the 2005 may have a few kinks worked out, but that may be a false assumption anyway.

Another question, about the tow package. I won't be doing much towing, but I will want the ability to tow a boat/trailer on the rare occasion. Does the Titan come with a standard trailer hitch, or hitch hookup? Or does only the tow package have the hitch?

May sound silly, but I assume just about all trucks come with a trailer hitch but I could be wrong, and I did see a truck (not necessarily a titan) the other day w/o a visible hitch connection. Just wanted to make sure in case the non-tow package didn't happen to come with a hitch hookup.... If it does, then great, I don't really need a tow package, if not, I'll probably go for the tow package.

[TallTexan]

Buy a 2005 and the few problems we have had should be eliminated. I have a 04 and have had some problems but no more than I had with Chevy or Ford. After you drive the Titan you will never want any other truck. You may have problems but no more than any other vehicle. Big tow gives you bigger mirrors, hitch, transmission temp gauge, hook ups, and different gears. If you dont tow or tow light loads you dont need. You can tow with bumper hitch for light loads.

[Slider33]

Thanks for the info

Yeah I won't really need the big tow package, a bumper hitch is really all I need and from what I understand the hitch isn't on by default, only on the tow package.

I will rarely be towing anything anyway, so the big tow will be overkill for what I need.

Hope to be driving one very soon, and thanks again! I'm sure I'll have more questions in the future!

[Brons2]

I have a late '04. built this month according to the door stickers, and I don't seem to have any problems with rattles. (knock on wood). I also have the tailgate torsion bar feature that is supposedly not supposed to come out until the 05. One thing I have noticed is that if the seat belts are not returned to resting exactly against the B pillar, they do hit against it so that's one rattle that can be fixed merely by moving the buckle.

[Tony]

Mine has it's 1 yr birthday this month. We have enjoyed each of the 20K miles put on it. Have had only brake judder (repaired) and 4x4 light blinking (1/2 hour repair) issues. Fosgate radio good, rear dif. good, minimal rattles, proper tire wear (OR tires), seat belts fine, air bag light fine... Very happy with my purchase. When you buy, consider the price for the dealer to install the tow hitch (~$250.) vs. the cost of the Big Tow pkg. I've forgotten the price but it may be worth buying the BT if you wish or don't mind the taller axle ratio. (reportedly ~ 1-2 mpg drop)
Like you, reliability and long life are key to me.
Good luck.

[joekrz]

3500 miles and I don't have any of the problems listed on this site. Mine was built on 8/4/04. I think any of them built after July or August are in pretty good shape.

[daschtick]

Originally Posted by joekrz

3500 miles and I don't have any of the problems listed on this site. Mine was built on 8/4/04. I think any of them built after July or August are in pretty good shape.

I second that. I'm only at 1700 miles, but everything is perfect so far. This is my first Nissan, and I extremely pleased.

Also, as far as towing, the Big Tow package is around $600, and may be overkill for your needs, but I personally love the awesome visibility provided by the Big Tow mirrors, and the lower gear ratio (even better acceleration) in addition to the tranny temp gauge, hitch, wiring, and beefier battery.

[Tom Roper]

The Titan is hooty fun to drive, but it doesn't impress me as having long lasting qualities.

[GETSOMZ28]

over 3000 miles here and just getting some brake judder. Other than that, everything is peachy!

[pagerdaddy]

I don't have any rattles or brake problems, and my truck was
built on 12/18/03. It must be one of the early handmade ones.

As far as the hitch goes, you can tow with the Titan by just adding a
ball, but I haven't owned a truck yet that I did that and didn't scar up
the step bumper.

If you aren't going to tow anything heavier than a boat, the factory
or even an aftermarket hitch is the way to go. The SE's and LE's are
pre-wired for a hitch. You're looking at around $200 for the factory
hitch with relays from one of the vendors here, a little more if you
have the dealer put it on. It's up to you to decide if the other
features of the big tow pack are worth the extra bucks.

Steve

[Slider]

Just a little over 5000 miles with an early July build date and has thus far been a great vehicle. Do have a little brake shudder that I am going to have fixed and a intermittenly squeaky passenger seat that will be fixed as well. Other than that, have had no problems what-so-ever. I love my truck and after researching all comparable models for about 6 months prior, I couldn't find enything that would stack up, especially after driving them all. Might wait around for the 2005's and see what pricing is going to be like, supposedly like a 1% increase if I saw right, or get into a good deal on 2004. Either way, don't think you can go wrong.

BTW---Nice name you got there!

[GETSOMZ28]

On the sqeaky seats it was pointed out to me that in another post, that it may where the seatbelt clicks into. This was where my sqeak eminated from and a dab of grease cured it.

[Slider]

Originally Posted by GETSOMZ28

On the sqeaky seats it was pointed out to me that in another post, that it may where the seatbelt clicks into. This was where my sqeak eminated from and a dab of grease cured it.

I saw that post as well and went out and tried lubing up that area as well as every other area that I could think of in the seat that I thought might be squeaking, that is every area I could get to. Still squeaks. Oh well. I just got the recall on the seat belt issue, so I guess it is a good excuse to take care of all my issues in one shot. Hopefully.

[smoothTitan]

mine was born on 03/04 and i dont have any problems, no radio fade, no brake issues, no rattles, the only prob. i have had is the sunvisor was torn; got replaced. the 05 has a few things that the 04 doesnt, but if those things dont impress you, and you plan on keeping the truck for along time then go check out the 04's should be able to get a good deal now that the 05's are coming in. If you arent going to keep the truck very long i would go with the 05, for the fact that if you buy a 04 it is already a year old, so it has already depreciated a bit.