8.0
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $2,220
- Average Mileage:
- 110,300 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 9 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (4 reports)
- replace tensioner and guide (4 reports)
- install new engine (1 reports)
The timing chain needs to be overhauled with new guides and tensioners.
- bradvk, Clive, IA, US
The tensioner guides are defective which tells me it is an engineering problem. I should not have been charged $2940.00 for the repair. Nissan should have covered the cost for the repair.
- Doris H., Sun City Center, FL, US
I take very good care of my Nissan with regular maintenance and oil changes. This problem led to a busted oil pump and my wife and I being stranded in a very small town in rural Kentucky (over an hour away from where we live). This current issue has left us without a car for (what i'm being told is) at least three weeks, and will cost $2500 to fix. If Nissan knew this part was faulty we should have been notified so that we could have the issued taken care of.
- Chris K., Clarksville, TN, US
On April 3, 2016 when I started my 2007 Nissan Maxima the engine shook for about 3 seconds then stalled and was unable to start it again. Took it to my Nissan Dealer and was informed that the timing jumped causing valves to get bent and said I will need a new engine which can cost up to $9,000. Now this is what is very upsetting because this is the second engine to go since I purchased this car.
Back in September 2014 when my daughter was driving on the highway with my Maxima the engine blew with the piston exploding from the engine block and causing a fire. Mechanic believed the timing jumped which caused the engine to explode like it did. Called Nissan Corp. for this serious problem with their engine and had to call them again when the second Nissan engine went and both times Nissan refused to replace with a new engine.
Nissan has a class action lawsuit against them for their timing chain guides which will cause the timing to jump and cause serious damage to the engine. Nissan refuses to take responsibility for their manufacture defects and claims that since the engine is past the warranty they are not in position to accommodate me for any financial assistance. The first engine went with only 72K which was just over 12K on their warranty but since it is a Nissan manufacture defect they should have done the right thing and replace with a new Nissan engine with a 3 year warranty at no cost to me. I read on-line from the BBB that handles all Nissan complaints and customers who had transmissions go over the warranty and when they complained to the BBB because the dealer said they were out of warranty, Nissan went ahead and replace with new transmissions which Nissan paid for.
Now there was quite a few of Nissan owners that got new transmissions installed which was over $4000 because they complained of the serious safety issues involved, but here with another serious safety issues with their timing chains they refuse to do anything. For two engines to go bad because of the timing chain is horrible and a disgrace, Nissan should be ashamed for allowing this to happen without taken any kind of responsibility or accountability for their manufacture defects.
At this point I will joining the class action lawsuit against Nissan and do what ever it takes to ensure Nissan is held accountable for their poor manufacturing with their timing chains that they say there is nothing wrong with.
- Jim C., Media, PA, US
Apparently this is not an uncommon problem with some Nissan products. I asked my dealer if Nissan would stand behind the timing chain replacement and he said they had approached Nissan many times asking them to do so and have been told that it is standard maintenance!! I disagree. Several east coast states have a class action suit again Nissan. I think the whole world should be included.
- Suzanne B., Denver, CO, US
This is an ongoing issue with Nissan and they refuse to fix it. It has been a known issue and they have brushed it under the rug. This is a costly fix and they don't want to eat those costs so they just let it be and pass the cost onto the consumer.
- Chris G., Coppell, TX, US
Bought my 2007 Nissan Maxima SE Silver and timing belt started to make a wining noise like a crying cat, very high noise. Haldeman Nissan in Hamilton NJ. The Extended warranty covered the repair. The car ran good for 12 months, engine very quiet like new. Now my car is making the Wining noise again because Nissan uses Plastic tensioners and I can't afford to fix it as the cost will be around 3 K.
Nissan should recall all 3.5 V6 engines and upgrade the tensioners so the engine can run quiet. Right now the car sounds like a Junk Car when you idle. The Plastic tensioners should not be used. Why other car manufactures don't have this type of issues?
- agustinc, Orlando, FL, US
Yet another problem with my Maxima: The timing chain is starting to let go. Took it in today to local mechanic (not Nissan) and was told it would be about $1500 to fix.
A six year old Maxima with 75,000 miles should not require replacement of the timing chain! It is driven by a 62 year old woman, not a kid. The oil has always been chained every 3,00 miles.
Cheap material as well as bad design of the hydraulic tensionerl!
I've owned several Nissans over the years, including 4 Maximas. I've bought my last Nissan product!
- attaboy, Albuquerque, NM, US
I bought a 2007 Nissan with the back pay from disability. I wanted to get a car that would last me the rest of my life. I spent 10,000 for it. Now 3 1/2 years later I have no car, I don't have 1,000's of dollars to fix it. So I am without a car and no way to get one. I will never buy another Nissan. I will tell every one I know not to buy one. also the timing chain is what the problem is. No mechanic around where we live will touch it. They say it's too big of a job and that it would be easier to put in a new motor. 1,000's of dollars again. Don't know what I'm going to do.
- emmons wanda , Bridgeport, US