The Lemon Index
20061st generation
261 owner complaints, first 3 years 14 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2005 Ford F-150 862005 Chevrolet Silverado 722005 Ram 1500 79
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2005 Nissan Titan
- Engine stalling57 complaintsmostly at 52,000–126,000 miles (84,000–203,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 891 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Nissan Titan (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 12,000 and 48,000 miles (20,000–78,000 km) (the middle half of the 228 complaints, of all 261 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 10V517000 (engine), 10E019000 (suspension) and 10V074000 (fuel system, other) done? It has 6 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Nissan sent dealers 107 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Front suspension noise”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Nissan's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 261 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 12K to 48K miles (20K to 78K km) on the car (228 of all 261 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Right rear axel seal failed. Grease noted on rear disc brake.
2005 Nissan Titan owner · NHTSA complaint 10243266
More owner reports
Repeated repair to brake system 4 times since purchase in jan 04 24,000 and 4 repairs.
NHTSA complaint 10116059
Rear axle seals leaking lubricating fluids onto rear brakes.
NHTSA complaint 10196885
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 11.8M views · 2004–2015 Nissan Titan
Most-watched topics
- Infotainment, battery & electrical831K views
Nissan Titan Starter Replacement: 2003-2015How to Automotive · 283K views · 8 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door551K views
Oct 2, 2015 2010 Nissan titan heater problemchris · 167K views · 9 videos - Steering & suspension343K views
How to Replace Front Wheel Bearing & Hub Assembly 2004-2015 Nissan TitanTRQ · 101K views · 7 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors338K views
How to Replace Crankshaft Position Sensor 2004-2015 Nissan TitanTRQ · 167K views · 3 videos
Show 4 more
- Driveshaft, axles & 4x4231K views
Nissan Titan Rear Differential Fluild Service 2004+ (Tips and Tricks)Aaron Hines · 112K views · 4 videos - Spark plugs & ignition coils197K views
How to Replace Spark Plugs on a 2004/2005 Nissan TitanHow to Automotive · 119K views · 3 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank194K views
How to Replace Fuel Pump 2004-2015 Nissan TitanTRQ · 99K views · 3 videos - Cooling system181K views
How to Replace Radiator 2004-2015 Nissan TitanTRQ · 97K views · 3 videos
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Nissan Titan Truck 1st Generation 2004-20151A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 579K views
2004-2015 Nissan Titan Buyer's Guide (A60 Common Problems, Specs and Info)Useful Vids · 201K views
👉 BE CAREFUL BEFORE BUYING a Nissan TITAN 2004 to 2015 (COMMON PROBLEMS)Fer Garage · 192K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2005 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Nissan told dealers about
Nissan sent dealers 107 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Front suspension noise
- 2004-2015 TITAN; SQUEAK OR TICK NOISE FROM LEAF SPRINGS IF YOU CONFIRM: A squeak or tick noise
- SERVICE INFORMATION This bulletin provides information to identify: - A leaking strut or a…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 6
- Engine · recall issued 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 ARMADA, TITAN, INFINITI QX56 AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER AND XTERRA VEHICLES.
- Suspension · recall issued 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 25, 2009 A…
- Fuel system, other · recall issued 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2009 TITAN, ARMADA, AND INFINITI QX56 VEHICLES.
Show all 6 recalls
- Equipment · recall issued 2008
NISSAN IS RECALLING 180,664 MY 2005-2006 TITAN, ARMADA AND INFINITY QX56 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED AFTER MARCH 17, 2005, THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH A VISTEON AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER FAN MOTOR.
- Equipment · recall issued 2007
CERTAIN HOPKINS AFTERMARKET TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL CONNECTION HARNESSES SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MODELS OF NISSAN VEHICLES WHICH ARE LISTED ABOVE.
- Electrical · recall issued 2006
ON CERTAIN KING CAB TRUCKS, THE WIRES IN THE HARNESS WERE ROUTED THROUGH THE REAR DOORS AND INTO THE BODY.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedEngine compartment fire2008
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side — · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $4,300 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 5.6L 8-cyl.
Every Nissan Titan year. 2005 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 1 older years (2004–2004, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 14 Nissan Titan years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2005 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/nissan-titan/?y=2005" title="Nissan Titan reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="491" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/nissan-titan/2005/">Lemon Index</a> (2005 Nissan Titan reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2005 Nissan Titan reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew about 4 times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 434; 100 is average, lower is better). The Nissan Titan year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2011.
What are the most common 2005 Nissan Titan problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (68%), brakes (21%) and suspension (7%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Nissan Titan have?
6 safety recalls (latest: engine). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Nissan Titan get?
14 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Nissan Titan problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 12,000 and 48,000 miles (20,000–78,000 km) (the middle half of the 228 complaints, of all 261 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2005 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2005 Nissan Titan have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 68% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2005 Nissan Titan cost in fuel a year?
About $4,300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Nissan Titan have?
5.6L 8-cyl.
What Nissan Titan year is better than the 2005?
Nearby, the 2007 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about average). Across every year, 2011 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works