2/3/10: 2005 Nissan titan breaks down on hwy 71 at the light right before the entrance to the airport. My 120 lbs fianc has to work to push the truck out of the lane with cars racing by at 60 MPH with our 8 month old daughter. 2/4/10: engaged terry wisdom with maxwell Nissan in round rock and he worked to have my ECM relay switched out and charges $340.06 for the repair.12/29/10: received…
2005 Nissan Titan engine problems
moderate 108 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
108
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
2fires
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 108 engine complaints filed for the 2005 Nissan Titan, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 10 model years of Nissan Titan we track for engine problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 108.
Owners have filed 108 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2005 Nissan Titan has widespread, documented failures in exhaust manifolds (cracking repeatedly even after replacement), engine control modules (causing sudden stalling at highway speed), and radiators (leaking coolant into transmissions). Expect $1,800–$2,500 in exhaust work and serious safety risks from carbon monoxide intrusion into the cabin—get a pre-purchase inspection focused on manifolds, electrical wiring condition, and transmission fluid cleanliness, especially if mileage exceeds 80,000.
Owners report four major engine failure patterns on the 2005 Nissan Titan. The most common is cracked exhaust manifolds—dozens of narratives describe both driver and passenger side manifolds cracking, typically between 40,000 and 140,000 miles. Cracks cause exhaust fumes to enter the cabin, producing symptoms ranging from ticking noises at cold start to dizziness, nausea, and headaches at stops or slow speeds. Some owners report replacement manifolds failing again within a few years or even a few thousand miles. The 8-year/80,000-mile emissions warranty leaves many out-of-pocket at $1,800–$2,500 per repair.
ECM/IPDM relay failures cause sudden stalling at highway speeds with total loss of power, brakes, and steering—no warning lights. Owners cite recall 10V517000, but report their VINs aren't included despite identical symptoms. One owner paid $400 for battery terminal cleaning instead of the relay replacement, then stalled again three weeks later.
Radiator failures allow coolant to leak into the transmission, damaging internal gears and causing stalling while driving. Repair costs approach $1,000. Owners also report tailpipe separation from rust/design, with hanging pipes melting wiring harnesses and causing electrical failures. Fuel gauge inaccuracy and fuel pump issues prevent vehicles from accepting fuel or cause stalling at low tank levels.
Same Nissan Titan engine reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Cracked Exhaust Manifolds
Both driver and passenger side exhaust manifolds develop cracks, allowing exhaust fumes to leak into the engine compartment and cabin. Manifolds reportedly crack repeatedly even after warranty replacement.
When: 40,000–140,000 miles; typically between 80,000–106,000 miles on second occurrence after warranty replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Ticking noise at cold start; Loud knocking or puffing noise upon acceleration; Exhaust smell in cabin at stops and slow speeds; Dizziness, nausea, headaches, lightheadedness from carbon monoxide exposure; Loss of fuel economy; Check engine light illumination; Fuel odor inside vehicle
Codes mentioned: Check Engine Light (unspecified codes referenced), Bank 1 and Bank 2 catalytic converter fault codes
Repairs/costs cited: $600–$2,500 per side or both, depending on whether manifolds are combined with catalytic converters; many owners report $1,800–$2,827 for both sides with labor; some report replacement manifolds failing within 2–3 years
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Emissions warranty covers 8 years/80,000 miles; Nissan has acknowledged the issue to service managers and noted design changes on newer models but denies defect responsibility for older vehicles; some owners report dealer replaced manifolds under warranty before the 80,000-mile limit
ECM/IPDM Relay Failure
Engine Control Module or Integrated Power Distribution Module relay fails, causing sudden engine stall with total loss of power, brakes, and steering. No warning lights. Recall 10V517000 addresses the issue but many vehicles are reported as not covered despite matching symptoms.
When: Mid-50,000 to 137,000 miles; one owner reports stalling at highway speed, then again 3 weeks after $400 repair for battery terminals
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden engine stall at highway speed (55–65 mph typical); Complete loss of power and brakes; Steering becomes difficult or inoperable; No warning lights illuminated; Vehicle will not restart or restarts after waiting; Multiple stall events in short trips
Codes mentioned: ECM fault, IPDM relay fault
Repairs/costs cited: $340–$400 reported for relay replacement; owners note relay costs manufacturer pennies and labor is minimal (0.3 hours), yet dealers charge significantly more; one owner paid $400 for battery terminal cleaning instead of addressing the actual relay
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall NHTSA Campaign 10V517000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) issued; however, many vehicles report not being covered by the recall despite matching failure patterns; Nissan directs customers to call 800 number or return to dealership; dealers and Nissan reportedly pass responsibility between each other
Radiator Failure with Coolant-to-Transmission Contamination
Radiator develops leaks that allow coolant to migrate into the transmission fluid through the transmission cooling lines. Contamination degrades transmission gears and causes stalling.
When: Overheating issues reported starting at ~8 years of ownership; coolant contamination discovered during routine maintenance or after transmission failure
Symptoms owners cite: Radiator overheating; Constant coolant odor inside vehicle; Coolant leak forming large puddles under parked vehicle; Transmission fluid contaminated with coolant (discolored fluid); Engine stall during highway driving (65 mph); Loss of transmission function
Codes mentioned: Transmission fault (implied by loss of function)
Repairs/costs cited: $1,000 for radiator replacement; owners report having to drain and flush transmission multiple times to clear coolant; transmission gears deteriorate over time with coolant contamination; one owner had radiator replaced three times
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls or manufacturer assistance mentioned; one owner reports being unaware of factory defect when paying for radiator replacement
Tailpipe Separation and Wiring Damage
Tailpipe separates from the muffler due to rust or weld failure. The dangling pipe directs hot exhaust gases upward into the fender area, melting wiring harnesses, plastic components, and bedliner material.
When: Varies; owners note the issue can occur due to rust over time or sudden failure; one owner had separation at approximately 156 miles from breakdown location
Symptoms owners cite: Loose or separated tailpipe visible from underneath or rear; Burning smell from rear fender area; Melted wiring harness in cargo bed or fender; Melted plastic bedliner; Right turn signal failure (one case); Electrical system malfunction (loss of power, brakes); Engine computer malfunction
Codes mentioned: Electrical system faults (unspecified), Engine computer malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: $1,300 reported for electrical wiring repair; parts may not be available for several days; labor and parts can escalate with towing, hotel, and car rental costs when breakdown occurs far from home
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan denied customer assistance request, claiming tailpipe separation is owner negligence rather than design flaw; service managers at two dealerships acknowledged seeing multiple Titans with the same problem; Nissan has not issued a recall or provided heat shields for wiring protection
Fuel Gauge Inaccuracy and Fuel Delivery Issues
Fuel gauge reads incorrectly, showing more fuel than actually in tank. Vehicle stalls when fuel level drops below the gauge reading. Related recall 10V074000 exists but some vehicles report not being covered.
When: Occurs at low fuel levels (~1/8 tank); one owner reports recall issued for 2005–2009 Titans but their specific VIN not covered
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel gauge shows fuel but tank is actually empty or near-empty; Engine stalls during acceleration after coming to a stop; Vehicle will not start until additional fuel is added; Repeat stalling at the same low fuel level; Truck dies in middle of traffic
Codes mentioned: Fuel level sensor fault (implied)
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report needing to add 0.5–2 gallons of fuel to restart vehicle; no repair costs cited in narratives
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall NHTSA Campaign 10V074000 issued for 2005–2009 Titans for fuel gauge issue; some vehicles report not being covered despite matching symptoms; Nissan and dealers provide no assistance for vehicles outside recall coverage
Exhaust Leak-Induced Electrical Fire Risk
Exhaust leaks cause wiring to overheat and char. One case describes potential fire risk when melted bedliner and cargo area exposed to hot exhaust from tailpipe separation.
When: Upon occurrence of tailpipe separation or exhaust manifold crack
Symptoms owners cite: Burned electrical wiring visible; Melted plastic bedliner; Fire risk in cargo area with combustibles present
Repairs/costs cited: Owner states potential for total vehicle fire loss if combustibles present in cargo area
Rear Differential and Axle Failures
Rear differential seals leak, saturate brake pads, and in some cases the differential gears fail catastrophically ('grenade'). Front axle reported to pop out of place under normal driving.
When: 28,000–70,000 miles for seal leaks; 61,000 miles for ring and pinion failure; front axle failure at unknown mileage on stock vehicle with no off-road use
Symptoms owners cite: Loud noise from rear of vehicle; Tailgate bouncing up and down; Oil leak under rear axle; Saturated brake pads from differential seal leak; Front axle separated from housing with oil puddle under truck
Repairs/costs cited: Rear end replacement cost comparable to engine replacement; one owner reports warranty covered initial replacement but extended warranty status unclear on second failure due to maintenance record gaps; rear axle seal leaks reported on both sides and 3rd member seal
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One vehicle had warranty option to replace whole rear end axle assembly; extended warranty coverage unclear for subsequent failures
Ignition Switch Fire Hazard
Ignition switch produces smoke while vehicle is parked unattended, suggesting electrical fault or fire hazard in switch assembly.
When: At 165,324 miles; vehicle had been parked unattended
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal clicking sound from door locks; Smoke coming from ignition switch area; Vehicle fails to start after event; Windows and lights inoperable; Door locks continue clicking abnormally
Repairs/costs cited: Owner disconnected battery; vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired
Synthesized from 108 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
The other day I was sitting in traffic for almost 30 min stopped with the engine running (lots of christmas traffic on the 5 south freeway), I put the truck in park because I notice an accident. I had my windows up and my cabin air on. Then a few min later I started feeling dizzy almost fainting. The car next to me saw that I was struggling, came to my window and asked me if I was ok. I rolled…
My exhaust manifold is leaking just as many other titan owners have experienced. I did not notice a noise on mine until I went in to a muffler shop to get a price on getting a dual exhaust installed and they showed me that it was cracked. As a result, I do not know when the problem began, but I can hear it constantly now. I have since, done extensive research over the internet and have found…
Cracked exhaust manifold found by dealer on an inspection but has been cracked for several years. When I researched the crack I found it to be an issue with no recall.
Both exhaust manifolds have gone bad due to cracks and thus have exhaust leaks. *tr
Had engine trouble with your 2005 Nissan Titan?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2005 Nissan Titan?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 108 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 97 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 67,000 and 113,000 miles, with the median around 83,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 67,000; a quarter make it past 113,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Nissan/Titan.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.