7.1

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$4,000
Average Mileage:
93,750 miles
Total Complaints:
7 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replace timing chain (5 reports)
  2. not sure (1 reports)
  3. use of reference: ntb07-042d (1 reports)
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problem #7

Jan 062020

Maxima SE 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 115,000 miles

I purchased my '05 Maxima in '08 from a Nissan dealership. It 54,000 mi. on it. I have ALWAYS taken great care of it, as I do with all of my vehicles. I even had a tune-up performed when I bought itjust for additional peace of mind. Since then, it's been nothing short of a money pit. Had the transmission flushed, radiator flushed, replaced the A/C belt, replaced the brakes including rotors, replaced all struts, replace the hood struts, replaced a wheel hub, replaced plugs and wires plus numerous other things I'm likely forgetting...AND NOW ...THE INFAMOUS TIMING CHAIN! I took it to 3 different mechanics and when they looked up average quotes and hours involved, they all had the same reaction. Raised eyebrows and comments like,"whoa, that's a lot of hours." Estimate were between $2100-$2500! Given the fact I have put so much into it (including summer and winter tires and 1 set of custom wheels) I'm pretty much married to this thing. As of this very moment, my car sits at the shop waiting for surgery. I thought timing chains were better than belts.!?! Apparently not in this case. Given the current circumstances with everyone out of work from COVID-19, I have to deplete my entire emergency fund to cover the cost. To add insult to injury, I have Multiple Sclerosis, so I need a vehicle to go to and from multiple appointments. I'm so pissed off right now I can't see straight. Here's the kicker. I filed a complaint with Nissan, USA and to their credit I actually received a phone call the next day (today). That's really the only good part of the story. She just wanted to call me direct to let me know that my VIN does not show up in their data as a vehicle that could be covered. Not that the "settlement" would do much good anyway. My car has 11900 mi. and they only cover 20% of the first $900. That wouldn't even cover the sales tax on the repair! I'm half-tempted to wrap the thing around a telephone pole and be done with it. I thought when I bought the car I was getting something that would go 250000mi.+. I really love the car, but after this experience...NEVER AGAIN!!!

- J W., Spokane Valley , WA, US

problem #6

Sep 232016

Maxima SE 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 135,000 miles

This timing chain rattle should have been a recall and Nissan needs to address this problem.

- Tony N., McLeansville, NC, US

problem #5

Sep 062012

Maxima SE V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

My car had a rattling noise that I heard. However when I took to the shop, they didn't hear anything. A few weeks later it stop running.

- Teneace J., Valley Grande, AL, US

problem #4

Nov 202014

Maxima SE 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,715 miles

I am very surprised of this problem because I have always had a high regard for Nissan's products. It's the reason I bought this car in the first place. I am a senior, living on a fixed income, with little driving needs and wanted a reliable car where maintenance costs would be minimal. I have taken great care of this car and expect many more years of service. Thanks for your time.

- wesley2, Citrus Heights, CA, US

problem #3

Feb 112013

Maxima

  • Manual transmission
  • 100,400 miles

I got a loan to purchase this second hand and I pray I'm not paying for a car that won't last. I'm sorry that I didn't research this before I bought it

- Marie S., Orlando, FL, US

problem #2

May 052010

Maxima SE 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

Ok this is my other complaint on the same car 2005 Maxima 3.5 SE. Other than the tranny going out, the timing chain tensioners are also failing. And this is a fix where you damn near have to pull the engine out of the car, it can be done without doing that but if you drop a bolt in the case then you have to pull it. Nissan just needs to get their heads out of their asses and start fixing these problems. They know its a problem and wont do a damn thing about it. I bet if it were their own family members riding around in their pieces of SH*T vehicles then they would probably fix it! All I'm saying is if it's a problem then MAN up and do something about it whether it's half of your money back for trying to fix the problem or even a letter of concern or saying they are sorry for the inconvenience. Like I said in my other complaint I want buy another Nissan and I have spread the word to everyone and their cousins!!!!!!!!!!!! THANKS FOR TRYING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- ericlogan5, Coker, AL, US

problem #1

Dec 262011

Maxima SE 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,000 miles

I PURCHASED A 2005 MAXIMA ON 12-26-11 64,000 MILE , AT NISSAN SECURITY NISSAN , I RECIEVED A SURVEY ON PURCHASE FROM NISSAN CONSUMER I COMPLAINED ABOUT A RATTLING NOISE UNDER HOOD AND I ALSO COMPLAIN TO MY SALESPERSON DAMON I WAS TOLD BY SALES PERSON TO TAKE IT BACK TO SERVICE THEY SHOULD FIX IT , I TOLD CONSUMER IN MY SURVEY THAT THE TECHS WAS NOT GOOD THEY NEVER FIX THE PROBLEM CAUSE I STILL HEAR THE NOSIE , I RETURNED BACK TO THE DEALER AT LEAST TWICE M A MONTH JAN, FEB, MARCH ,APRIL 2012 .THEY KEPT SAYING IT WAS AN EXHAUST CLAMP , ITS WAS AN ONGOING PROBLEM NEVER FIX ,I RETURNED AGAIN ON 4-28-2012 DEALER TOLD ME THE NOISE IVE BEEN HEARING WAS NOT AN EXHAUST CLAMP IT WAS THE ENGINE TIMING CHAIN AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $ 2300.00 TO FIX IT I SAID AM NOT PAYING ANY FEES , I ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR 4 MONTHS I COMPLAINT EVERY MONTH OF SAME RATTLING NOISE UNDERHOOD THAT EVERBODY IGNORED , THEY SAID CANT HELP YOU CALL NISSAN CONSUMER I DID THEY INVESTIGATED TOLD ME TO GO BACK DOWN TO DEALER TALK TO GENERAL MANAGER DAVID ANTWEREPEN I WENT IN HIS OFFICE TO SPEAK TO HIM ON 5-7-2012 AFTER SPEAKING TO THE CONSUMER I TOLD HIM THE PROBLEM AND ALSO THAT THE CONSUMER TOLD ME TO COME DOWN HERE BECAUSE GOOG FAITH THEY SHOULD FIX IT, GOOD FAITH HE TALKED OVER ME AND SAID I WILL PAY TO FIX THE CAR $2300.00 AND SEND A TOW TRUCK TO PICK CAR UP AT 930AM THE NEXT MORNING, HE SAID HE WILL ALSO CALL ME 930AM, THE NEXT DAY NO ONE NEVER SHOWED I CONTACT HIM ON 5-8-2012 DAVID SAID I DECIEDED TO PAY $ 1800.00 AND TOWING AND YOU PAY $500.00 I SAID NO AM NOT PAYING ANYTHING , THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM YOU ALL IGNORED WHEN I REPORTED TO YOU HE SAID CALL ME WHEN YOU GET $500.00 AND HUNG UP , WHEN I TRYED CALLING BACK THEY KEPT TELLING ME HE LEFT AND WENT TO THE CLARKSVILLE DEALER LOCATION AND THEY DID NOT KNOW WHEN HE WOULD BE BACK THEY NEVER ANSWERED THE PHONE FOR ME ANYMORE, I ALREADY FILED A COMPLAINT WITH BBB, STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL , ITS BEEN 4 MONTHS SINCE I PURCHASE THE VECHICLE AND IT CANNOT BE DRIVEN ITS BEEN PARKED FOR A 1 MONTHS , I KNOW THEY SOLD THIS CAR WITH OUT FULLY CHECKING IT EVERY MONTH I TOOK THE CAR BACK FOR THE NOISE THEY TELL ME ABOUT ANOTHER PROBLEM , OIL PAN GASKET LEAK , OIL COOLER LEAK , THAT I NEEDED TIRE RODS, BATTERY, AND THAT I NEED TWO FRONT TIRES , ADDING TO THE FUEL AND A ENGINE TIMING CHAIN , ALL THOSE PROBLEMS FOR JUST HAVING THE CAR FOR ONLY 4 MONTHS , A MONTH AFTER HAVING THE CAR THEY FIXED CATAYL CONVERTER AND 2 SENSORS CAUSE THE ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON, THEY SAID THE FACTORY WARRANTY PAID IT WAS STILL UNDER THAT WARRANTY ONLY, NO ONE REACHED OUT TO ME I , I RECIEVED A EMAIL THRU DEALERRATER.COM FROM A NEAL PHILLIPS HE NEVER GAVE HIS POSITION OR TITLE EMAILING ME ON BEHALF OF ANTWERPEN WHO TOLD ME HE TALKED TO DAVID ANTWERPEN , NEAL PHILLIPS HE ASK HOW COULD HE HELP ME WHAT COULD HE DO , I THANKED HIM FOR REACHING OUT TO ME SINCE NO ONE REACHED I TO ME I APPRECIATED HIM DOING SO, BECAUSE OF THE ONGOING PROBLEMS I WAS HAVING I THINK THE CAR SHOULD BE FIX AND THE $ 2300.000 SHOULD BE ABSORB THIS WAS ON 5-30-2012 I HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM HIM YET I HOPE TO HEAR FROM HIM SOON

- Tammy H., Baltimore, MD, US