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Comments
that is why some people say they actually lost MPG in fuel economy while others gain.
So some say they lost and some say they gain. Does that average out to zero? lol
Hey you want to really get some mpg increase, I hear tell a lot of people are buying those Tornados. Ever hear of em? Good luck on this one now.
the first 2 wks of owning my SE 4x4 KC. NO increase in MPG, however, after owning the truck for 7 mos now the MPG has increased from 13 to 15.5 with 50/50 city/highway.
The brake issue has been resolved by Nissan. It is being handled differently by dealers. Some will make the permanent fix after only one complaint of brake judder, others 2, rare cases on 1st complaint. My servicing dealer just told me I have to have the rotors turned once and when I get the judder for the 2nd time they will order the replacement kit.
Thanks,
Titan Hopeful
As far as your other concerns, don't forget you mainly get opinions from people who are having
problems vs. those that don't. Although I am starting to get the brake judder I have had none of
the other issues you mention. A few squeaks & rattles? Yes. I turn up the radio. Its a truck.
With the thousands of parts from multiple countries that go into the assembly process there is
nothing that is going to be 100% bullet proof. At least Nissan does a better overall job of standing behind their product then the only other 2 American owned manufacturers Ford & GM, IMO. Good luck with your decision.
I appreciate your feedback. I am aware that bad news always gets around more than good news.
What model, year and date is your truck? I am looking at the SE King Cab in 4X2.
Thanks Again for the Info.
Has anyone any experience of 3rd party rollup tonneau covers that could be fixed to the crew cab bed, without blocking the utilitrack rails ? Comments would be appreciated.
As per our conversations, I’m writing to formally document the problems that I’ve had with the Nissan Titan that I purchased in November, 2004.
Before purchasing the Titan, I thoroughly researched the various trucks available on the market. After viewing other trucks out there I found the Titan to be my 1st choice. It scored high in all the consumer reports and I was impressed with the look, comfort and performance of the vehicle. I had driven a Toyota Tundra the same day I stopped into Nissan. We met in the parking lot and he introduced my wife and me to Pete , his truck salesperson. We drove the Titan and were happy with it. We came to an agreed upon price and purchased it. It was a very pleasant business experience and the professionalism was unsurpassed. This vehicle ownership began positively but has turned out to be the most discouraging and negative situation I’ve ever experienced.
Initially, we had some problems with a couple of dealer items
(A remote starter, paint protection, and undercoating), all of which were resolved by the dealer to my satisfaction.
Then, at less than 4000 miles, I noticed a pronounced shaking in the front end when the brakes were applied. It continued to get worse until it had lost much of the breaking performance. Passengers that were in the car would ask me what the problem was and it was quite embarrassing.
Nissan was soon contacted and made me aware that they knew about the problem and told me to schedule an appointment to service the vehicle. I dropped off the vehicle and the dealer installed new brakes. I soon found out that the Nissan Corporation apparently had instructed the dealer to “cut the rotors” and to put new pads on. I am not a mechanic, but this sure didn’t sound proper or acceptable to me. I owned a new Nissan Titan, with very few miles on it, and they cut the rotors on the vehicle? Well, as you already know it didn’t solve the problem. Two or three days after picking up the vehicle, we drove to St. Louis, Illinois and the truck was shaking and vibrating so violently that we had to pull off the road. At that time, we called Nissan directly and were told the nearest dealership was in Bloomington, IL. (My wife was terrified because of the intense noise and vibration.) The dealership in Bloomington cordially tried their best to rectify the problem, but again, it was unsuccessful.
I then began to contact Nissan directly via the 1-800 numbers and got the run around. I have never been treated so poorly and was lied to on numerous occasions. My wife and I have purchased many new vehicles in our lives, and neither of us has ever experienced this disregard. We are educated consumers and neither of us can think of any other product that we have ever purchased that has caused such difficulty or dissatisfaction.
The week following our St. Louis trip, I brought the vehicle back to Nissan and they installed another set of brakes, I believe in March 2005. Those brakes again lasted a very short time until the truck again began shaking, rattling, and vibrating. In my opinion, the braking performance was cut in half from when I purchased it less than 6 months ago. After almost having a rear end collision on the expressway (because of lack of lack of poor braking performance), I again made calls to Nissan as well as Nissan Corporation.
On April 28th I once again took my truck in to be repaired. I was notified yesterday, May 11, 2005 that the truck was completed. I went in to pick up the vehicle but decided to test drive it before accepting it. The new brakes were soft, spongy, and I didn’t feel safe stopping at any speed. I even tried stopping while driving in reverse and the truck made an awful grinding noise. Attempts to stop while driving on the expressway were so unsatisfactory that I refused to pick up the vehicle because of safety reasons. This braking is NOTHING like the original product that my wife and I purchased 6 months ago in November 2004. Although the appearance, comfort, and special features are an attraction when selecting a vehicle, we feel that the braking system is one of the most critical factors of any vehicle.
While dealing with all the aggravation and frustration surrounding these 4 sets of new brakes in 6 months (including the first set that came on the vehicle), I have obtained copies of the Nissan directive sent to all of your Nissan dealers dated August 31, 2004, stating that Nissan was aware of the defective braking system on the Titan and the Armada. We purchased this vehicle in November 2004, and were not made aware of brake problems.
Had my wife and I been informed of these problems up front, we would not have purchased the Titan. This is truly deceptive practice by Nissan, in my estimation.
My wife is afraid to ride in the vehicle, our adult girls don’t want to ride in the vehicle, my co-workers laugh about the problem, and our neighbors don’t understand why Nissan hasn’t stood behind their product.
Nissan should be ashamed that they knowingly and willingly sold us this “lemon” truck that has now had its fourth set of brakes. No discussion has even begun about the wear on the tires, transmission, front end or the other wear and rattles that have occurred on the vehicle resulting from the intense prolonged vibration. We are appalled that Nissan isn’t concerned with the health, welfare, and safety of us as customers.
With all the aforementioned considered, I believe that Nissan should accept responsibility for their product and swiftly replace this vehicle. I can’t think of any other acceptable solution.
Sincerely,
Thank you for the time you spent today trying to help us come to some type of satisfactory solution regarding our new 2004 Nissan Titan (purchased in November 2004). This note is to document in writing that we did not pick up or accept our vehicle today as we don’t feel safe driving it in its “modified” state.
To clarify, the vehicle now has had its fourth set of brakes. Per John Landers, the Midwest sales rep, the current set of brakes are actually made for the 2005 Titan but were “modified” in order to remedy the brake failure that Nissan has experienced on all of their 2004 Armadas and Titans. These modified brakes seem to be the poorest performing of all the brakes that have been installed on our truck and are unacceptable and most unlike the brake performance on the truck when originally purchased.
Although we feel we have a “lemon” vehicle, and are disappointed that Nissan has refused to remedy the problem in a satisfactory way, we appreciate your help in exploring alternative options. We just purchased this new Titan, and are now having to replace that vehicle in less than 6 months due to the manufacturer’s unsafe brake system. We have fulfilled our part of the financial contract, however, Nissan has failed to come through with a satisfactory repair to the brake system.
We feel as if we are between a “rock and a hard place” and must replace this vehicle. The tires, front end, drive train, and all joints and parts have been subjected to the severe jutter/vibration while moving. The long term damage from this can be substantial and not our responsibility. Our hope is that Nissan Corporation will accept the appropriate responsibility for their faulty brakes and assist us in replacing this vehicle. Our current interest rate on the Nissan loan is 1% and that was a major factor in our purchase of the Titan.
Thank you for trying to help us resolve this matter.
Sincerely,
the problem.On another Titan board someone modified the brackets on the bed extender so they
would slide over the attaching brackets, however that takes away around 6 inches on the width
of the bed extender.
Best regards
Don't Buy this truck....... Its sad too because it was a good truck till you hit the brakes and feel like your in "Sanford and Son's" Junk truck....People come up to me all the time and "say, what a beautiful truck , how do you like it??? Well, I have to be more honest than Nissan Corp. , I tell them it has serious brake problems and not to buy one!!!!!!
Signed ,
Titan For Sale !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks,
Dean
Yes gas mileage stinks. I heard you shoud start getting better after a few thousand miles or so but I have 24000 and still get 13.5. I drive pretty hard and it is pretty much 50/50 City/Hwy. I finally put in the Tornado and after three tanks I am getting 14.75. So a really good increase. I am planning on installing a K&N cold air intake and supposedly that will up it another mile or two. So I have been happy about that.
Truck is 2 wheel drive with big tow and off road package. So I would xpect some to get better without these options.
First off, not everyone has had the brake problem. I've had 2 Titans and in 20k miles never had a problem with the brakes.
Second off, what gas mileage did you expect out of a V8 engine? If gas mileage is a concern you are driving the WRONG vehicle.
Also, I would take your truck in and have it checked if you have an 04 because in all estimates you don't know you have the brake problem. I didn't. They checked it at the 15000 mile service and found they needed to repair them.
The truck had 8800 miles on it and I got it for $21,500. That was really why I got it. It seemed like a terrific deal and I figured if I didn't like it, I could sell it and either make a little or lose a little. Call it an extended test drive.
I am a little disappointed in the fuel economy. It was rated at 14/18 and I'm only getting about 13, but that could be my excessively heavy right foot...the truck is too fun!!
After reading some of the posts here, I'm pretty concerned about the brakes. I have not felt anything at this point...maybe they were already replaced, but I'll crawl underneath it tonight and have a look.
Mine came without power windows and am thinking about putting some in...anybody know of a good website and/or experience doing this job... I've done a lot of my own mechanical work.
In the gas mileage area...has anyone tried Mobil1 in both engine and differentials? I'm definitely going to put it in the engine...that stuff is phenomenal for longetivity. I tore my LT1 down after 90K and still had hatch marks in the cylinder walls. Hard to beat that.
What is the "tornado" and where can I find one?
Thanks for the forum.
The brakes were just checked at 8k miles and no problems at all. Went 15k in my other Titan with no brake problems at all. Not all Titans are affected.
I love this truck and cannot think of any thing better to own at this time!
Please respond to jfallon@edmunds.com with your daytime contact information and a few words summarizing your opinion no later than Wednesday, June 8, 2005.
Thanks,
Jeannine Fallon
Also, does anyone else think the "chrome" plastic door handles feel "cheesy"? They almost drove me to another truck!
Thanks!
I like the cheesy chrome handles, give a little pazzass to the truck. Chrome adds a lot of class to any vehicle. I'm from the old school "If your chrome don't shine it ain't cool"
BTW, I agree the handles look good, they just "feel" cheap.
Been reading the "problems" forum -- have they fixed the brake problem for the '05's?
Unless one needs the longer bed daily, I think the CC is much better. The rear is huge! - especially with the seats folded up. For occasional really large loads, rent a trailer from U-Haul for $20-30 per day. With an SE CC or higher, you'll get the automatic rear window standard which is an awesome feature. If the rebates are still going, aim for around $5500 off MSRP for CC and $6000 off MSRP for KC. Good luck.
Thanks.
Steve
A LOW numeric gear ratio in the rear end will provide nice highway cruising without excessive engine RPM's (although this depends on transmission gearing of overdrive, but a generally accurate statement) and higher fuel economy.
Drag cars and heavy trucks use a high (numeric) ratio rear end ratio.
If you have a big tow and want a lesser ratio, one way to slightly alter this is to use a tire with a larger circumferance - although this can affect speedo and ABS.
The best way to eek out better fuel milage is to not "stab" the throttle but ease into it and gradually get up to speed, try to hold your speed and plan ahead in traffic to not have to slow down just to speed back up, air up your tires, don't drive over 60 where air resistance gets to be a big factor. of course that's easier said than done! LOL
Dirk
-With the 2.94:1 final gear ratio @ 2000 rpm the speedo should read 66 mph.
-With the 3.36 (Big Tow package) final gear ratio @ 2000 rpm the speedo should read 58 mph. To get to 66 mph with the big tow would require you to spin 2300 rpm!
This calculation does not account for drag and for those that drive with their emergency brakes on ! See for your self - Gear ratio calculator.
Steve
My Titan runs 1600 rpms at 58 mph towing our TT or empty (doesn't seem to matter either way) and 1900 rpms at 68 mph. Since I've owned 2 Titans I have noticed that this one runs lower rpms than my other one did. Only difference between the 2 is my first one was a CC SE 4x4 with big tow and offroad pkgs, my second one is a CC LE 4x4 with just the big tow pkg.
Next time I'm on the highway, I'll see what speed is reached at 2000 rpm and let you all know. In general, I drive as Dirk recommended to improve fuel economy and to decrease wear and tear, except for sticking to the most efficient highway speed. Besides wearing out the brakes faster, what are other mechanical disadvantages of fast starts and stops?
My current truck is a 4X2. I didn't see myself off-roading and the snow season is short where I live. What do you guys think about the advantages/disadvantages of 4X4 vs 4X2? I once heard somewhere that the extra weight of the 4X4 may negatively affect gas mileage and that repairs on a 4X4 are more costly.
Does anyone understand what the Trac system does/how it works?
I have only had one issue with the truck, the brake shudder at 5k. The dealer fixed them no problem, though they had a little trouble getting parts.
But, if you need it, nothing beats a 4x4 and they do look cool, and you get more $ when you go to sell it as a 4x4 truck really holds value.
but things can break, and extra weight is a penalty gas milage wise. Basically, you get the extra cost back when you sell, generally, and if you need it during ownership, bonus. But it would be cheaper to just not get it at all, like here in Houston where we seldom need traction.
DD
i have a 4x4.
i've heard some talk of increasing air intake but that this may damage the throttle?
any other ideas?
bob