I paid to have the timing chain fixed $1500. Then 3 months later, it stopped in the middle of a very busy main street no warning. We had it towed to a shop and they said the timing snapped and it would be $2000 to fix it. The dealer offered no assistance as far as knowing that the timing chain was an issue. He did offer to give me $600 towards another Nissan....REALLY! I sold it for scrap and purchased something else NOT a Nissan! Very upset I paid cash for it and it was new!
I JUST CAN'T BELIEVE THIS LOW MILEAGE AND NOT ABUSIVE DRIVING CAN CAUSE THIS PROBLEM. NISSAN DON'T WANT TO ADMIT THAT THIS MODEL IS UNRELIABLE. MY BROTHER INLAW HAS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA 112K MILES AND NO PROBLEM HE JUST CHANGES HIS TIRES AND STANDARD MAINTENANCE.
I was driving the vehicle about 60 MPH, slowed down to 40 MPH the I took the exit ram and slowed to stop. Just before I stopped the engine stumbled/knocked few times and when I actually stopped, engine also stopped/died. I tried to turn it on multiple times but didn't help. After couple hours of messing with the battery, I had to tow the car 80 MPH back home ($350).
Brought the car home and I ended up spending 2 days troubleshooting components from battery, spark plugs, electrical wiring, fuel filter, fuel pump and found that the coils were not producing the electrical spark, the fuel injectors were working because you can smell the petroleum ($100) Please note that this also included multiple engine cranking.
I finally gave up because I had no time or garage for complete diagnostics. I called the car shop down the street ($80 towing) and these guys have done everything from censor (First one was crankshaft) replacements to ECM replacement and re-programming for about 2 weeks. They were very puzzled and told me that I need to take car to Nissan Dealer.
I towed the car to Nissan ($80) and paid $120 for extended diagnostics. I got a call from a Service Adviser and he informed me that the are sure that the timing chain or belt (I never in my mind though that they actual started replacing timing chains with belts after year of 2005 according to one of master mechanic I spoke to, I cannot confirm that it is actually a belt since I didn't open the engine) broke or snapped and it will cost be off the bar $2500 to fix plus the damages they find after they open the engine because we were cranking the engine multiple times.
I just cannot afford to spend that kind of money for this.
Don't get me wrong, the minivan is very nice, fast and comfortable but very disappointing that they could not find the issue right away. Few of my friend told me after the fact that you have to replace timing belt or chair after 60000 miles, which I did not know. Also the Dealership staff was very professional and helpful, but I'm the one that lost big money. Hopefully someone will read this and prevent the disaster.
- mkar,
St. Louis, MO, US
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I paid to have the timing chain fixed $1500. Then 3 months later, it stopped in the middle of a very busy main street no warning. We had it towed to a shop and they said the timing snapped and it would be $2000 to fix it. The dealer offered no assistance as far as knowing that the timing chain was an issue. He did offer to give me $600 towards another Nissan....REALLY! I sold it for scrap and purchased something else NOT a Nissan! Very upset I paid cash for it and it was new!
- Regina T., Beaverton, US