[SirKeats]

I'm heading out to the dealers tomorrow to check out an 04 Titan XE 2wd Extended Cab with 18k on it.

Carfax looks good.

Unfortunately, it's a small town and no mechanic is going to be open.

That said, I've got a list of all the standard things I want to make sure to check out, but thought I'd check here to see what I should look for that may be titan specific.

I'll be asking about the breaks for sure... though at this point the 3 years is up (based on the carfax info) so if they haven't been replaced already I'd be responsible for doing so myself.

Any tips y'all can provide would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Titan-ization]

Actually, the brakes were a recall item, so there isn't a time limit on those. If they have not already been changed out to the upgraded version, then you should be able to have the dealer do so. The dealer is required to do this because it is a recall item.

 

[SirKeats]

oh cool. i misunderstood the recall notice then. i thought it was a 3 year max from the time of recall to have it done without charge. this is good to know. how do i specifically check for if this has been done? i mean... not that i'm a distrustful guy... but dealers... you know. lol!

 

[54warrior]

You can look at the rear differential to tell if it has been replaced or not. If it has the finned aluminum heat shrink style cover (not a plain old steel one), then the rear end has likely been replaced with an "upgraded" unit.

 

[Titan-ization]

I know that you can cross reference the VIN number for that particular vehicle. If they try to give you the run around on it, have their servie department pull up the VIN for that vehicle that shows it has been done. All dealers must use a universal system for maintenance tracking on vehicles. i.e. if it was done in Michigan and you are buying the vehicle in, say, Georgia, they can still reference the vehicle and show you were t was done.

 

[SirKeats]

is it a deal-breaker if it hasn't been replaced?

i should point out my biggest concern here - if i'm doing my math right based on the date of the dealer-provided carfax report, it's been in their possession for 13 months now. that's a long time for a truck to set on a lot - especially a nissan dealership lot.

i'm hoping it's simply because gas is to flippin expensive these days that only crazy bastards like myself who need the towing power are in the market for such a gas-guzzler.

that said, despite the clean carfax and the purddy looking pics posted on the dealers website, i'll be doing a very close inspection.

so... so far i have brake check and rear-diff check. anything else i should pay special attention to?

 

[Titan-ization]

Just make sure it has all the options you want, be sure the price is right and that the mileage is not too high for the year...you don't want a truck that has been abused, ya know. Where do you live? I know I bought my truck a month ago here in Virginia at a nissan dealership called Priority Nissan, they give a lifetime warranty on the powertrain...yes lifetime, as long as you own the vehicle, lifetime free oil and filter changes, lifetime free carwashes, and lifetime free state inspections. The only catch is that you have top have it serviced at the factory intervals at their dealerships. Usually they are pretty expensive, but they give you a laminated book for priority customers only that gives hugely discounted rates for the service intervals. I know my most expensive service the 30/60/90k service usually runs around $750, but the book I have gives it to me for $325. All the other services are around $50 or so. Might want to see if they have something like that to give you peace of mind. I know that was only only reason I bought a used Titan from them... I was originally looking for a new one, but for an 05 SE KC with the tow package and many other upgrades for 17K...I just couldn't pass it up.

 

[Yamahadave]

The rear dif wasnt a recall though....right? Mine still has the original without issue

 

[TitanLou]

is it a deal-breaker if it hasn't been replaced?

i should point out my biggest concern here - if i'm doing my math right based on the date of the dealer-provided carfax report, it's been in their possession for 13 months now. that's a long time for a truck to set on a lot - especially a nissan dealership lot.

i'm hoping it's simply because gas is to flippin expensive these days that only crazy bastards like myself who need the towing power are in the market for such a gas-guzzler.

that said, despite the clean carfax and the purddy looking pics posted on the dealers website, i'll be doing a very close inspection.

so... so far i have brake check and rear-diff check. anything else i should pay special attention to?

If you are going to need the Titan towing power then make sure it has the Big Tow option.

 

[TallTexan]

I guess I will be the only arsehole here. Leave that damn thing on the lot. Too many 04 problems to check. Folks who bought 04s know if they had all the problems fixed or not. Most kept up with the changes and their trucks are in pretty good shape. The diff problems continue , even on some 07 models, so you have no guarantee that it will hold up. I have a 04 and have seen all the bad stuff. If you have plans to upgrade rearend to tru-trac and plan to upgrade brakes, you probably are ok. Check tranny for shifting and radiator leaks, and any leaks around front of vehicle. Check carpets on passenger side for water leakage. Had a lot of a/c problems leaking into passenger floor. Pull all the carpets back and look good. Good luck!

 

[mattsfeir]

I'm also looking at used trucks tomorrow, crew cab 4x4 SE+, 05+ (damped tailgate, power rear window, etc.) Thanks to those who provided the info above.

Does anyone know how to tell if a Titan has Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC - Nissan's stability control)? Is there a switch to turn it off? Not sure if a dash light is a good indicator since everything may light up at start up. Any way to tell based on the VIN?

Thanks,
Matt

 

[Nissan Mike]

I guess I will be the only arsehole here. Leave that damn thing on the lot. Too many 04 problems to check. Folks who bought 04s know if they had all the problems fixed or not. Most kept up with the changes and their trucks are in pretty good shape. The diff problems continue , even on some 07 models, so you have no guarantee that it will hold up. I have a 04 and have seen all the bad stuff. If you have plans to upgrade rearend to tru-trac and plan to upgrade brakes, you probably are ok. Check tranny for shifting and radiator leaks, and any leaks around front of vehicle. Check carpets on passenger side for water leakage. Had a lot of a/c problems leaking into passenger floor. Pull all the carpets back and look good. Good luck!

I kind of agree here,I would not want to be the 2nd owner of an 04 that may be out of warranty unless I knew the owner had all the first year jitters taken care of.Contrary to prior posts,the brakes are NOT RECALLED,there was a service bulletin to update them with new parts one time,then continue to cover under the basic warranty.The exception was the front rotors warranty was extended to 3 years unlimited mileage for brake judder issues.
The rear diff carries a powertrain coverage of 5 yr-60,000 miles.
If needed I can get you the actual in-service date if you send me a PM with your VIN.I can also double check any available warranty coverage for you.
Otherwise,I think I would pass,maybe look for a newer model with a little warranty on it.
Nothing against the earlier ones(I have an 05) but many of us have needed our warranty to correct a few early mistakes on these trucks.

 

[SirKeats]

pm sent. thanks mike!

 

[uteman1011]

Also, check for flood damage. Pull up the carpet to see any signs of water in the cab (rust, calcium/salt deposits, etc) Crawl underneath to look for any signs of damage to the frame from an accident. Look for paint overspray along all seems which will tell if there's been body damage.

Having worked in insurance for a few years I can tell you that Carfax isn't a catch-all. There's a lot of shady dealers & insurance companies out there that will do what they can to unload a rebuilt vehicle.

 

[jt04titan]

it only has 18k im sure it is fine i bought an 04 with 19k not one problem...there are no major problems with the 04 that the newer one's dont have ... a nissan dealer is an account of mine they told me all the 04 issues i put royal puple in rear end and if you dont tow it should be fine and if it does go its up to 60k warranty plus you can change the cover to keep it cooler....if the truck looks like it was taken care of then i would not hesitate.. i had the brake's done under warranty they put on thicker rotors and new pads all around problem solved...good luck (remember 18k)

 

[SirKeats]

ya... i ended up getting it. got them down another 1000 bucks so i got a good deal i think. the break were replaced and i checked everything folks mentioned here PLUS evertying i found listed in the service record reports (also found someplace on this site). the undercarriage of the car looked spotless... as did all of the engine components. i didn't see a single thing wrong... and i spend quite a bit of time under the truck looking. the only thing that HASN'T been replaced that was specifically mentioned here is the rear diff, but the stock one on there looks to be in pristine condition. no signs of leaking of any kind. hopefully i'll not have any issues with it.

otherwise everything looked great. no leaks or mechanical issues anywhere that i found, and everything seems to have checked out.

thanks guys!