2007 Nissan Titan Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about rear axle leaks and related driveline problems, followed by brake vibration and shudder, with a smaller but steady stream of exhaust manifold and fuel gauge complaints. Many reports come from trucks well under 60,000 miles, and several describe the same repair being repeated on both sides of the axle.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Rear axle seal leaks oil onto rear brakes

   • 44 complaints (32%)
   • median 66,000 mi at 4.5 yrs old (42 state mileage)
   • filed 2007–2023

   Owners describe finding gear oil on the inside of the rear wheel or drum, sometimes first noticed as a dark stain or as a puddle under the truck. In many accounts the leaking seal has been replaced more than once, and some report later replacing an axle shaft or the whole rear end. Complaints note that oil reaching the rear brake components reduces braking, and dealers have generally replaced the seal and shaft assembly, often under warranty on early visits. Reported from roughly 23,000 to 105,000 miles in this sample, with many under 50,000 miles, often recurring within a year or two of the previous repair.

   What to check: Look at the inside of both rear wheels and the brake backing area for oily residue, and ask whether either axle seal or shaft has been replaced and how recently. Check the rear brake condition as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Rear axle seals leaking on 2007 Nissan Titan 4wd pickup with 23,500 miles. Rear axle grease was leaking onto wheel and rear brake disk... Potentially causing a failure of the brakes to stop adequately, had I not found the leak as quickly as I did. I understand that this is a frequent failure on the Nissan Titan. Nissan replaced the seals under warranty with identical seals. I did not keep the old parts. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10289323, filed 2009-10, 23,560 miles

   “I have had both rear axle seals replaced on my Nissan Titan, they almost didn't cover the driver side because I was 300 miles over my warranty. I just felt since this has happened to both sides, what will keep it from happening again? I want to make sure Nissan recognizes this problem and it is in need of a recall to fix it. The worse part is that it leaks axles grease onto the rear brakes causing them not to work.”

   NHTSA complaint #10257644, filed 2009-02, 60,320 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Brake vibration or shudder when stopping

   • 6 complaints (4%)
   • median 20,000 mi at 3.5 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2010–2011

   Owners describe a shake or pulsing through the truck when braking, most often at highway speed, and some say it takes effort to keep the truck straight. In several accounts the dealer resurfaced or replaced rotors, and some report the same vibration returning after repair. A few complaints also mention early brake pad or rotor wear at low mileage. Mostly reported from about 15,000 to 45,000 miles, generally under light use and in normal driving.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Drive the truck and brake firmly from highway speed to feel for pulsing or shaking, and ask for service records showing whether rotors were resurfaced or replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The truck has started to shake very badly when I apply the brakes. Sometimes I have to struggle to keep it straight when braking.very concerned that I will be in an accident due to this issue. I have contacted Nissan and said it was my problem to deal with since my truck is out of warranty. This is known as brake judder to Titan owners. I have researched this issue and found numerous titans with this issue.”

   NHTSA complaint #10351081, filed 2010-08, 45,000 miles

   “2007 Nissan Titan needed all 4 rotors and brakes replaced at 20k miles. Not covered under warranty due to age. On occasion, would feel slight wobble during braking from highway speeds, but nothing too bad. Then one day last week the front right brake started producing a horrible metal on metal sound, even when not braking. In my opinion there is absolutely no way that a truck with 20k light use miles should need to have all four rotors replaced.”

   NHTSA complaint #10362730, filed 2010-10, 20,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Cracked or leaking exhaust manifold

   • 16 complaints (12%)
   • median 109,400 mi at 7.3 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • filed 2012–2025

   Owners report a ticking or rattle sound from the engine bay, sometimes louder when cold or at a particular rpm, along with an exhaust smell in the cab. Independent shops and dealers have told several owners the exhaust manifold was cracked or leaking and needed replacement. Some complaints describe the sound as constant and worsening over time. Reports range from about 35,000 to over 200,000 miles, with several between 60,000 and 110,000 miles.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Listen for a ticking noise from the engine bay at cold start and after warm-up, and look for soot traces or a heat shield area darkening near the manifold; ask whether the manifold has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “At 1400 RPM there is a very distinctive rattle from under the truck. Upon throttle up in gear, you can hear a exhaust/manifold leak. After research, it is discovered there is a recall that the mfr is to repair. The recall extends to 8year 80k mi. Please advise on the course of action to resolve. Thank you.”

   NHTSA complaint #10564672, filed 2014-02, 113,800 miles

   “Both exhaust manifolds cracked. Never heard of this happening on a full size truck before. Potential for exhaust fumes to get into passenger compartment.”

   NHTSA complaint #10515437, filed 2013-06, 66,400 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission fluid loss and cooler line failure

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report slipping, hesitation, grinding or a loss of drive, sometimes with the truck unable to hold speed on the road. In some accounts a transmission fluid or cooler line broke and fluid was lost, and shops recommended a replacement or rebuilt transmission. Complaints also describe the fluid level warning or light giving no notice before the failure. Reported from roughly 78,000 to 130,000 miles, often after a recent transmission service.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check transmission fluid level and color, look for fluid residue or staining on the cooler lines and radiator area, and ask whether the transmission or valve body has been replaced or serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I recently had my valve body replaced in my trans, I was driving to san diego on the 5 southbound and when I was merging on to the freeway from an on ramp and as I applied the gas pedal the truck did not move. I looked under at the drive shaft, while in gear the truck's drive shaft was spinning and making a screeching noise.”

   NHTSA complaint #10334248, filed 2010-06, 78,000 miles

   “Transmission cooling lines broke and sprayed transmission fluid all over. Engine would barely transfer power to transmission causing vehicle to barely be driveable. After being towed to dealership, not only the transmission cooling lines needed to be replaced but also the radiator hoses and the high pressure power steering line. Neither of those to my knowledge needed to be fixed when brought in but was told they were cracked or slowly leaking and needed to be replaced. After 2 weeks and 1500 dollars later I finally have my truck back.”

   NHTSA complaint #10627468, filed 2014-08, 93,264 miles

Buying note. A used example is worth a careful driveline and brake inspection, since rear axle seal leaks and brake vibration come up repeatedly in owner reports. Ask for service records on the axle seals, brakes and transmission, and check whether the fuel gauge recall was completed.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.