DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Nissan Titan steering problems
severe 14 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
2crashes
1injury
What stands out
Of the 6 model years of Nissan Titan we track for steering problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 14.
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 17 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE INFORMATION When diagnosing possible power steering gear (rack and pinion steering rack, or steering rack) leak issues, it may appear the steering rack is leaking when actually, it?s not. Use this service bulletin to help make a more accurate diagnosis of the steering rack. See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE INFORMATION - This bulletin is to assist you in responding to customer questions about brake operation, and provides diagnostic and repair information for each item listed, if any should occur. - Most brake incidents fall into the following categories: a. Brake Noise: A squeak, squeal, clunk, or groan that occurs when the brakes are applied or released. b. Brake Judder: A vibration that can be felt in the vehicle, steering wheel or brake pedal when the brakes are applied. c. Pedal Feel: The effort needed to operate the brakes is too high or too low. SERVICE PROCEDURE 1. Verify the condition by road testing the vehicle with the customer. 2. Determine the specific brake incident based
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗If YOU CONFIRM: A vehicle needs to have the brake rotors resurfaced (front or rear). ACTION: Use the ProCut PFM Series on-car brake lathe to perform brake rotor resurfacing and follow the tips listed in this bulletin. - The ProCut PFM Series brake lathe has been chosen as the approved tool for rotor resurfacing. - The ProCut PFM Series brake lathe can be ordered from TECH-MATE at 1-800-662-2001. - ProCut technical support or service can be obtained by calling 1-800-543-6618. NOTE: Brake rotors may need to be resurfaced during routine brake repair or for brake "judder" incidents. - Brake judder: A brake pedal pulsation and/or steering wheel shimmy when braking that occurs when there is too mu
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Steering failures dominate this cluster. Owners describe the rack and pinion leaking oil and disengaging entirely, leaving the steering wheel spinning with no effect on wheel direction—one incident at 28,800 miles, another at 33,300, and a third at 86,000. A mechanic confirmed that the steering wheel gear stripped from the steering column on one truck, causing the same locked-down condition. One owner crashed into a grove of trees after losing steering control; another had the steering column separate from the rack and pinion entirely.
The rear end is equally problematic. Owners report rear axle seals leaking, rear and front driveshafts cracking, and what dealerships call the "pumpkin" (rear differential) failing—sometimes in trucks with under 40,000 miles and highway-only use. One dealership demanded $3,800 to replace the entire rear assembly; an independent shop did the job for $1,358.90 and told the owner they field constant complaints about Titan rear failures from 2005–2010.
Power steering hoses leak, transmission fluid seeps from failed hoses and seals, and one truck's engine shut down at 70 mph on the highway with no warning, killing power steering and brakes—the ECM relay was recalled but replacement didn't fix it. Nissan declined coverage on most repairs once warranty expired, citing mileage thresholds the owner felt were unreasonably low for safety-critical parts.
Failure modes owners describe
Rack and Pinion Failure
Steering loss due to rack and pinion leaking oil and disengaging from steering column. Owners report complete steering loss while driving, with multiple repeat failures on the same vehicle.
When: 28,830 miles; 33,323 miles; also at 86,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locked up; Steering totally disengaged from rack and pinion; Unable to steer vehicle; Steering very stiff to drive; Loss of control; Steering column separated from rack and pinion
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers replaced rack and pinion; one owner reports local repair shop charged $1,358.90 for rear differential work (unrelated); Nissan refused to cover repairs as out of warranty
Steering Column Pop and Stripping
Steering column produces popping noise and steering wheel gear strips from column, causing complete steering loss. Owners lose ability to turn wheels despite steering wheel spinning freely.
When: 177,000 miles; one incident at undisclosed mileage during right turn
Symptoms owners cite: Popping sound from steering column; Steering wheel spins without turning wheels; Loss of steering control; Pop heard while making right turn
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer unable to diagnose; mechanic found stripped steering wheel gear
Power Steering Leak
Power steering hose and pump leaks fluid, leaving truck without power steering. Occurs in multiple vehicles and sometimes in conjunction with other steering failures.
When: 39,800 miles; 66,000 miles service; also reported at 86,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering fluid leak; Power steering hose failure; Loss of power steering
Repairs/costs cited: Replaced power steering hose at no charge during one service; leaking transmission hose also found and replaced; owners report high repair costs if out of warranty
Brake Judder with Steering Vibration
Front brake vibration transmits to steering column. Owner reports escalating vibration over time; dealership initially dismissed as normal for the Titan model. Owner later confirmed with mechanic that Nissan identified this as a known issue called brake judder.
When: Within first year; worsening over time; confirmed issue by April 2009 at under 30,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vibration from front brakes; Vibration in steering column; Worsening vibration over time
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed; warranty had expired by 2008
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan identified problem as brake judder and sent advisory NNAWB/05-01 to service managers on March 16, 2005; extended warranty offered but not provided to owner as legible photocopy; Nissan denied courtesy repair after warranty expired
Front Left Differential Seal Failure and Axle Clip Deformation
Left front differential seal fails and leaks. Circular clip on front left axle deforms, causing axle to begin falling out of vehicle. Safety-critical failure.
When: 38,500 miles; 51,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Differential seal leak; Axle clip deformation; Axle beginning to fall out of vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Parts replaced under extended warranty; owner concerns about replacement part durability
Rear Axle and Driveshaft Failures
Rear axle seals leak persistently. Rear driveshaft cracks. Front driveshaft fails. Multiple owners report rear-end noise and failure. One dealer quoted $3,800 for complete rear replacement; independent shop performed repair for $1,358.90.
When: 62,000 miles; 75,000 miles; 86,800 miles current; also early failure reports from 2005-2010 model years
Symptoms owners cite: Rear axle seal leak; Rear driveshaft cracked; Front driveshaft failed; Noise from rear; Pumpkin failure (rear differential)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer quoted $3,800 for whole rear replacement; independent shop repaired for $1,358.90; part number cited TT913A582; Nissan stated they do not repair pumpkin individually, require full rear replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan denied warranty coverage; independent shop reported many complaints about Titan rear failures from 2005-2010 online
Transmission Leaks and Hose Failures
Transmission fluid leaks from failed hoses and internal seals. Multiple instances of leaks at and after 60,000-mile service, with dealership replacing components over time.
When: 66,000 miles; leaks recurred within weeks after initial repair
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission fluid leak; Failed hose clamp; Leaking transmission hose
Repairs/costs cited: Initial repair: failed hose clamp replaced, transmission fluid topped off by dealership at home; subsequent repair: leaking transmission hose replaced at no charge; left and right rear seals also found leaking
Engine Stall and Power Loss (ECM Relay)
Engine shuts down while driving at highway speeds with no warning, resulting in loss of power steering and brakes. Vehicle becomes uncontrollable. Issue relates to ECM relay failure.
When: At highway speeds; one incident at 70 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle backfires; Engine shuts down; Loss of power steering; Loss of brakes; Vehicle will not start; SES light; code P0335 (crankshaft position sensor)
Codes mentioned: P0335
Repairs/costs cited: Replaced recalled ECM relay (stated as known good replacement); issue persisted with SES light; vehicle remained at Nissan facility unrepaired; part number 284B7-CW29 cited for ECM relay
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: ECM relay was recalled but replacement did not resolve issue
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
2005 Nissan titan le, 86,800 miles current -rear axle seals leak - replaced at 62,000 miles (out of warranty) -rear drive shaft cracked - replaced at 62,000 miles (out of warranty) -front drive shaft bad - replaced at 75,000 miles (out of warranty) -rack and pinion bad 86,000 miles (needs replaced) Nissan refused to cover any of these repairs, even though they were safety related and…
Had steering 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 steering problem on the 2005 Nissan Titan?
It's a meaningful issue. 14 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 38,836 and 107,000 miles, with the median around 70,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 38,836; a quarter make it past 107,000. 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 $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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.