Nissan addresses early Titan problems

[AZhitman]

Don Hammonds, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

In a relatively brief period of time, Nissan has polished the Titan into a jewel of a truck.

When I drove a Titan after the model was introduced a couple of years ago, I liked it. But it also had fit and finish problems, a tremendously noisy engine, and an interior that, while designed attractively, came across as uninviting.

Those problems are gone in the 2006 Titan.

The ride is at least as good as the competition's. The Titan really moves and is agile and quiet on the highway. And Nissan brags that it's got the largest interior of any half-ton pickup truck. The Titan has one of the few truck back seats that I would want to spend time in. And with the optional DVD system, it's a pretty plush ride in the back for passengers.

Few people would call a truck with a 305-horsepower, 5.6-liter V-8 (14 city/18 highway) underpowered. And with 379 lb./ft of torque, it's capable of unhinging many a tree stump.

This is one of the few pickups around that can go around corners at a brisk rate of speed without raising the hairs on your arm. As a rule, most pickups grind, rattle and moan without cargo to load up the bed. That's not a problem in the Titan.

Our Titan was a navy blue 4x4 LE with a leather interior and standard equipment that includes shift on the fly four-wheel drive, Bosch brakes, alloy wheels, chrome accents, and heated power folding mirrors with auto dim fog lamps.

Other standard equipment: A "High Utility Bed Package" that included the "Utili-Trak" channel system with four tie-down cleats, a factory-applied spray-on bedliner and bed-mounted lock box on the driver's side.

The LE level of the Titan line has a wealth of features such as full power equipment, a 350-watt Rockford Fosgate powered audio system, leather steering wheel with audio controls, cruise control, tilt wheel and power adjustable pedals, an eight-way power adjustable driver's chair with a memory system, and a six-way power adjustable passenger seat. And that's just for starters.

All those standard features come at a price: $35,750 base. With the DVD, mobile theater system, tow package and other goodies, our Titan would empty your pocket to the tune of $39,225! That's a lot of heft for a truck. But to be fair, Ford, Dodge and the others aren't much cheaper. And Nissan has Titan models that cost a lot less if you're willing to forgo some of the frills.

Despite the price tag, the interior still had way too much plastic in it.

I also was annoyed by the lack of lights for the steering-wheel-mounted cruise control and audio systems, which resulted in some groping around.

Although this year's model is considerably quieter, the engine still comes through loud and clear unless you're on the highway. And I found the side mirrors disconcerting because they're divided in two viewing portions.

But the most bothersome part of the Titan for me was the passenger side of the dashboard. No matter how far back I moved my seat, my legs kept bumping into the lower part of that massive, plastic portion of the instrument panel. I just couldn't get comfortable no matter how hard I tried.

None of the problems, however, diminish the fact that Nissan has come a long way in making the Titan a formidable competitor in the pickup segment.

[l31nismo]

There were alot of "Undiscussed" problems in the Titan. Fuel Mileage, Brakes(The BIGGUN), BCM problems, and CAN COMM problems.

I work for Nissan and I can tell you right now the Brake issue is still going to be a factor. I recently Performed the Brake TSB on an 06 with 1100 miles. The Kit that Nissan gives us to install is still no good. We have a saying in the shop if the rotors aren't cut perfectly or if a torque member is an old one and we don't have a new one in stock, "**** it, it will come back anyway." Unfortunately this is true with the brakes. Nissan is spending millions on this brake fiasco and they still can't seem to find a fix. Other than that the 06 Titan is nearly perfect, with the exception of the afforemention issues posted by Hitman. My recommendation, buy a Titan, Then get an aftermarket big brake kit.

[808DRFTR]

I work at nissan also, but on the bright side for customers is that they get somewhat a free brake job.

[l31nismo]

I work at nissan also, but on the bright side for customers is that they get somewhat a free brake job.

Yeah an 800 dollar free Brake Job for 3 years and Unlimited Mileage.Pays 2.9 hours for us Nissan Techs and I personally do about 2 a day. My Shop does about 20 or so a week.

[l31nismo]

Listen here kiddies. Today I just performed the brake TSB on an 06 Titan with 35 miles, that's right not a type-o 35 frikin miles. I couldn't believe it. The salesman said it vibrated and I called him a ****ing lyer, then I drove it and I had to apologize to the salesman. I don't know how the hell this is possible. 35 damn miles. I guess Nissan still has got a problem with those damn brakes. Oh well.

[QShip]

My 2004 Titan with 20k miles is fine. Brakes were done sometime last year because I wanted them done, not because they needed to be done.