CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2007 Nissan Maxima has a significant trend of timing chain problems, which can ruin the engine.

Nissan used an "interference" design where the valves pop out into the path of the cylinder heads. Normally the timing chain keeps the valves opening at all the right times, but when Nissan's timing chain breaks or "jumps time", the cylinder heads smash into open valves & cause thousands of dollars of engine damage in one very quick & surprisingly unimpressive "PPPRRRRING!" sound.

Nissan Maximas from 2004-2006 have a widespread transmission defect, but judging from our complaint data, Nissan managed to fix the transmission problem for the 2007 model. The engine timing chain problems are a serious concern though.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
71,613 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2007 Nissan Maxima engine problems

engine problem

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2007 Nissan Maxima Owner Comments

problem #18

Jan 102020

Maxima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My wife and I purchased a 2007 Nissan Maxima from B.M.w auto dallas llc. The vehicle was advertised as having 137,000 miles. Despite other issues with the car, the deciding factor for the purchase was the low miles. After purchase, our mechanic discovered what he described as "shady business" under the hood and recommended we check the VIN through carfax, autocheck, etc. We purchased an autocheck vehicle report and discovered the odometer was rolled back. From 166K in 2016 to 112K in 1018. The dealer did not disclose information that would have impacted price, at a minimum and our overall buying decision. The mileage fraud also impacts the future selling price of the vehicle.

- Frisco, TX, USA

problem #17

Apr 282019

Maxima

  • 114,000 miles
It started with the car not going over 40 mph the first few minutes of driving and then it would be ok. I didn't get check engine light or any warning signs, so I drove it like that for 5 months until the car stopped accelerating, and it won't go over 20 mph. Still no check engine light. I took it to the dealer and was told the engine timing chain was out along with the transmission. The repair cost was over $8000. A 12 year-old car with 114,000 miles is headed to the junk yard. I was the first and only owner of the car and took really good care of it but sad to see it go so soon.

- Tuxedo Park, NY, USA

problem #16

Jun 012018

Maxima

  • 116,000 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Nissan Maxima. The contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the vehicle. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the timing chain needed to be replaced. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 116,000.

- Westport, MA, USA

problem #15

Mar 112017

Maxima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Timing chain and and all the plastic guides failed without warning. Never knew until check engine light came on. Took to dealer to get checked, come to find out that the primary and secondary timing chains have both failed.

- Conyers, GA, USA

problem #14

Jul 202016

Maxima

  • 99,000 miles
The timing chain needs to be overhauled due to faulty guides. The engine makes a whining noise and authorized Nissan dealer indicated it was due to the timing chain.

- Clive, IA, USA

problem #13

Apr 032016

Maxima

  • 72,000 miles
On April 3, 2016 I started my 2007 Nissan Maxima which the engine shook then stalled after running for about 3 seconds. Had it towed to a local Nissan dealer which informed me that the timing jump and bent valves now needing a new engine. After researching found that there is a class action lawsuit against Nissan for their timing chain guide which causes the timing chain to jump and damage the engine. Reading how dangerous when any of these occur while the vehicles are in motion, occupants of the vehicles are exposed to rear end collisions and other accidents caused by the driver's inability to maintain an appropriate speed on the road. The fact that the timing chain systems are prone to premature failure is also material to consumers because there is no safe alternative way for owners of the subject Nissan vehicles to avoid the risk of potential harm. As a result of its failure to disclose the material fact that the timing chain systems installed in the subject Nissan vehicles are prone to premature failure, Nissan has recklessly placed the safety of owners and occupants of the vehicles at risk. Traveling at 65 mph on the highway my new timing chain failed causing "catastrophic engine failure" on a car for which I am diligent about maintenance. Again, almost killed on the highway! had to buy a brand new engine at a cost of $8100!" - 2006 Nissan pathfinder owner / lewiston, Maine. As you see by this article how dangerous this issue with Nissan is and they are not doing anything about it. Now my engine will not start and Nissan refuses to install and new engine when they now it is a manufacture defect. This is my second engine in my 2007 Nissan Maxima, the first one blew when my daughter driving on the highway and the piston exploded out of the block and engine caught on fire because the timing chain failed.

- Media, PA, USA

problem #12

Apr 232016

Maxima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

During a maintence check the dealership reported that the secondary timing chain is making excessive noise. They recommend I replace the secondary timing kit for $1,500 as soon as possible. They also stated drivers floor pan rust and passagner side show sign of going soon they stated Nissan had fix for this that would cost $925 and that this was something that happens alot to this cars

- Hyde Park, MA, USA

problem #11

Jan 072016

Maxima

  • 85,708 miles
During a routine oil change, the dealership reported that the secondary timing chain is making excessive noise. They recommend I replace the secondary timing kit for $1,939.52 as soon as possible.

- Tomball, TX, USA

problem #10

Jun 122015

Maxima

  • 10,000 miles
The second time my car stalled I was driving back home in my 2007 Maxima when suddenly my car stalled while driving. I was making a left hand turn from major road onto my street. The first time it happened I was in the left hand lane on a major road at rush hour accellerating from a stop light. I took car to the Nissan dealer and based on me telling them I was hearing a whining noise and not the stalling issue they informed me it was faulty cam shaft sensors and the timing belt. Service advisor told me it had to be repaired or my life could be in danger depending on where it decided to stall the next time or the timing chain failed and killed my engine. This cost me approximately $2000. My car had ~100,000 miles and I have had all recommended services performed at the same dealer. Regardless of the faulty part I believe the car behavior is unacceptable and Nissan should do something to address the issue instead of using the problem as a cash cow.

- Warrenton, VA, USA

problem #9

Mar 152015

Maxima

  • 73,000 miles
Took my 07 Maxima with 73K miles to a Nissan dealer for a whining noise I thought was the transmission which is under mfg. Warranty. Was told the noise is from the timing chain guides. A repair of almost $2000. Now I find that there is a tsb on this from years ago. I've had this car since 2009, Nissan should have notified owners since this defect left not repaired could cause the motor to cut out at any time. It also will destroy the motor since it"S not a clearance engine. I have maintained this vehicle to the letter. Nissan is know for this engine and the reason I buy them is they use timing chains not belts.

- Mt. Sinai, NY, USA

problem #8

May 092014

Maxima

  • 146,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Loud whining ticking sound. Timing chain and sensor. Horrible noise and car rides terrible

- Lithonia, GA, USA

problem #7

Oct 232015

Maxima

  • 60,000 miles
My car has approximately 60,000 miles on it. When I took it to the dealer for a squeaky noise in the engine, they told me the timing chain was failing and needed to be replaced. My hood and roof also have the clear coat peeling up and fading. Since timing chain is a safety issue, I paid 2,000 for them to fix this. I contacted their Consumer Affairs and since my car is out of warranty, they cannot help me.

- Freehold, NJ, USA

problem #6

Oct 052015

Maxima

  • 120,200 miles
On 10/05/2015 the car started to shift funny and felt like loss of fuel on starts and turning corners.

- Fredericksburg, VA, USA

problem #5

Sep 282015

Maxima 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Nissan Maxima. While driving approximately 35 mph, the vehicle stalled intermittently without warning. After several attempts, the vehicle restated. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the crankshaft sensor failed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000. Updated 02/05/16; updated 03/23/18

- Bossier City, LA, USA

problem #4

May 062015

Maxima

  • 110,000 miles
Timing chain tensioner and guide is defective. It is a known issue (since 2004) but Nissan refuses to pay for it and pass the costly repairs onto the consumer.

- Coppell, TX, USA

problem #3

Oct 242014

Maxima 6-cyl

  • 84,500 miles
This Friday October 24th I was driving back home in my 2007 Maxima SE (VIN: [xxx]) when suddenly my car stalled while driving with no control over the steering wheel. Luckily I was at the entrance of my subdivision minute after taking exit from a 50 mph state route. My car ran over the curb barely missing a rare collision with a SUV whose driver had no clue what's going on with my car. I can't even imagine what could have happened if the car stalled on 50 mph state route during the rush hour. The problem turned out to be a faulty cam shaft sensor that I've ordered and will be arriving in a day or two. Regardless of the faulty part I believe the car behavior is unacceptable as a result of that. I did spent time researching about this problem online and it looks I'm not the only one as there are many Nissan owners with this problem and have their own horror stories to tell. I guess I'm extremely lucky that I'm writing this email in person vs. Someone else doing it for me. It's extremely hard for me to believe that the car would stall due to a faulty issue and I'm sure Nissan is aware of this problem but there is still no recall. I urge Nissan to consider this issue seriously and make remedy available as soon as possible before its too late. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Granger, IN, USA

problem #2

Feb 262014

Maxima 6-cyl

  • 59,631 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the vehicle stalled as all of the lights on the instrument panel illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the cam shaft sensor was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 59,631 and the current mileage was 59,800.

- Huntington Station , NY, USA

problem #1

Jun 202013

Maxima

  • 79,000 miles
The car makes a knocking sound when the engine is running. I took the car to the dealer and they stated it was the timing chain and tensioner. The cost for repair is 2500. This is the first time I have ever heard of a timing chain going bad with a car with this mileage. I am very upset looked the problem up on the internet and noticed alot of people are having a problem with this on their cars. I feel Nissan should replace this at their cost.

- Trumbull , CT, USA

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