No more Nissans for me. Long post.

[Sayjac]

I'm not going to debate the value of a UOA. I'm satisfied my engine was in excellent working order, UOA or not. And, only failed when the precat broke up. Nothing wrong with 2.5L engine itself that caused the engines to fail.

And while the problem may have been there from day one, the recall, I mean 'joke', only came sometime in early 03. I brought mine in in a timely manner, and the recall was done. Oil change and manifold cover, problem solved. NOT!

Immaterial whether 02 was worse, that could well be because 02's were in service longer and/or later 03's had the proper precat fix, as the 04's did. You make my point either way.

Nothing changes the fact Nissan knew the precats would fail causing the 02-03 2.5L engines to fail. Pointing to other Nissan engines or vehicles doesn't change Nissan's corporate decision, to leave 02-03 2.5L owners with a ticking time bomb ie., bad pre-cat.

 

[mechanicx]

I do see your point that Nissan was really providing poor customer support by not running a campaign to replace these cats as soon as possible, especially when cats are supposed to be warranted for what 10 years and 120k miles, well maybe not back in '02 but something close to that. It's not uncommon for an automaker to not recall a part for a durability issue that isn't a safety issue, for example engine gaskets, but this disentegrating cat issue seems to have a high potential for engine damage (and wouldn't be apparent to the average owner)and shouldn't have been that hard for Nissan to correct. It's not like they would've had to pay to have an engine torn down, it would've mostly been part cost.

 

[Sayjac]

That pretty much sums it up. Sometime in 02, Nissan realized/was aware that 2.5L pre-cats were failing, subsequently destoying engines. We know this because, 1.)there was a recall related to precats and 2.) engines were replaced under warranty for the engines that failed early on as a result of the precat.

Somewhere in that time frame, Nissan made a decision to use an apparently less costly and now proven ineffective, oil change and exhaust manifold cover service, rather than replace the defective pre-cats. It can also be concluded that Nissan found the proper repair by the 04 models and later, because there was no mass reportings of 2.5L engines failures related to precats. As a result 2.5L owners were left with a vehicle they quite reasonably assumed was repaired, only to find later sadly their engines were failing or had failed.

Someone above mentioned another Nissan 2.5L victim getting a "good deal" on a later model Nissan. Fortunately, I was at least knowledgable enough regarding 2.5L history, that as soon as the SES code with oil use showed, I had a good idea what could be happening. Before the engine totally failed and left me by the side of the road as it did for many, I still had some costly limited options. I may (or not may not) have been able to get a "good deal" on a newer model Nissan. Based on my experience though, with a preventable Nissan 2.5L total engine failure, I couldn't do further business with a company I could no longer trust to do the right thing.

 

[pottymouth]

Originally Posted By: sayjac
Based on my experience though, with a preventable Nissan 2.5L total engine failure, I couldn't do further business with a company I could no longer trust to do the right thing.


Can't say I blame you. Once I feel I have been treated poorly by any company, I am done with them. It doesn't matter how good their other products are or if their competitors have their own problems. If you shaft me, you'll never see another dollar. Period.

 

[CharBaby]

You know, I was like this with the American Car Companies. Bought many of their cars of the late '60s thru the early '80s and stopped due to them being subpar and poor dealer service and no one to stand by me. So, I made my statement!
I cured all of my car problems 2 ways.

Honda and Toyota. I don't think they're what they used to be.

Now I'm rethinking my next purchaces. Although I currently own an Altima as sayjac did and my first Nissan. Those whom I have known, loved their Nissan's but IMHO, they're not what they uese to be either.

This country is the one that put these Honda, Toyota, Nissan and others on the map and now, this is the quality you give us!

KMA!

 

[gizzsdad]

Originally Posted By: sayjac
Based on my experience though, with a preventable Nissan 2.5L total engine failure, I couldn't do further business with a company I could no longer trust to do the right thing.


In spite of my good experience, I'm sure I'd feel at least as strongly as you do, based on your experience.

 

[Steve S]

I have never cared for Nissan cars/trucks though their forklifts were wonderful.
I have and still own Toyotas and at one time they were cheap cars made good. Now they are really cheap cars made not as good. I doubt i would buy another Toyota.

 

[Sal69]

Originally Posted By: D189379
Originally Posted By: Sal69
Sure I'll get to the point. The nissan RE4r01A transmissions where weak from the factory and there stock tranny cooler was defective. It would plug, causeing transmission burn up despite changing fluid on time and every other bit of maintance. Which is death of the transmission.


Well what plugged the filter? Transmission fluid doesn't just "plug" a filter.

Sounds more like the transmission fluid was neglected to the point where chunks of sludge formed, and then the sludge plugged the filter and blew up.

160,000 miles on a neglected auto is pretty good in my books. My father has had a few go at 60,000 for no reason. (2 Mazda MPV's lol)


Filter? I said nothing about the filter, the filter never plugged. The transmission cooler in the bottom of the rad plugged, causing heat build up and then death of the tranny. I changed the filter my self twice in the 30k I had it and it was always clean and always had clean fluid, or at least from when I bought it until it blew up. I mean the dealer ship where I got it could of changed the fluid but I dont think they would. As far as what plugged the cooler I'm not sure, it could have been sludge or build up from the clutch packs(these will shave as they get worn, its normal for a transmission)


I personally have 257,000 miles on a very neglected th700r4 in a old camaro that hasnt had the fluid changed in the last 130k and it still works great. I dont know how much longer it'll last but it still shifts smooth with no jerking.
While my uncle has a c2500 ton with the same tranny and a 4.3 and it'll bang into drive but it has had a lot of maintance.

I'm not saying that these are the worse cars out there but there dependablilty has gone down the tubes and it hasnt just started. From what I understand of there 90s truck line the best engine for dependablity you could get was a 2.4 4 popper with a 5speed.

 

[Spazdog]

Originally Posted By: D189379
Originally Posted By: Sal69
Sure I'll get to the point. The nissan RE4r01A transmissions where weak from the factory and there stock tranny cooler was defective. It would plug, causeing transmission burn up despite changing fluid on time and every other bit of maintance. Which is death of the transmission.


Well what plugged the filter? Transmission fluid doesn't just "plug" a filter.

Sounds more like the transmission fluid was neglected to the point where chunks of sludge formed, and then the sludge plugged the filter and blew up.

160,000 miles on a neglected auto is pretty good in my books. My father has had a few go at 60,000 for no reason. (2 Mazda MPV's lol)


Guess what transmission comes in the 1989-1999 Mazda MPV.....

The RE401A.

Mazda calls it a R4AEL and it has a slightly different Mazda unique valve body but it's the same transmission.

 

[Sayjac]

Originally Posted By: gizzsdad
In spite of my good experience, I'm sure I'd feel at least as strongly as you do, based on your experience.
And, based on your experiences, I can also appreciate your point of view on Nissan.

Unfortunately, I just can't share it.

 

[FZ1]

Your making the right call. Nissan treated you badly.

 

[ARB1977]

Man that sucks.

 

[wander2039]

Originally Posted By: Spazdog
Originally Posted By: D189379
Originally Posted By: Sal69
Sure I'll get to the point. The nissan RE4r01A transmissions where weak from the factory and there stock tranny cooler was defective. It would plug, causeing transmission burn up despite changing fluid on time and every other bit of maintance. Which is death of the transmission.


Well what plugged the filter? Transmission fluid doesn't just "plug" a filter.

Sounds more like the transmission fluid was neglected to the point where chunks of sludge formed, and then the sludge plugged the filter and blew up.

160,000 miles on a neglected auto is pretty good in my books. My father has had a few go at 60,000 for no reason. (2 Mazda MPV's lol)


Guess what transmission comes in the 1989-1999 Mazda MPV.....

The RE401A.

Mazda calls it a R4AEL and it has a slightly different Mazda unique valve body but it's the same transmission.



Ah ha! So that's why so many of those things are ending up in the junkyards. Always wondered why!

 

[Sayjac]

Originally Posted By: ARB1977
Man that sucks.
Yeah, it does and I'm just one owner of, who knows how many 02-03 Nissan 2.5L's sold, to which this has happened or has yet to happen.

I know for sure what happened, and that it's all on Nissan. There are many who have no clue. Some may think it's just bad luck. Others perhaps, even were told something along the lines of they hadn't maintained the vehicle properly ie., timely oil/filter changes. So, sadly they could even think it's their fault.

The 2.5L story that left the greatest impression on me was the one about about the owner who bought an 03 2.5L Altima from his dad. His engine failed on a trip and he was left by the side of the road. The best the dealer could do was offer him a $5500 engine, wonder if the new precat design was included in the price?

Even worse, the poor guy still owed $2K on the Altima. I can only assume, that like many, his dad knew nothing about what was causing the oil burning.

So, while my experience posted here is one owner of an 02-03 2.5L, it represents ALL the owners that Nissan has left to fend for themselves when the engine fails/failed unneccessarily as a result of the faulty precat.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Ouch. Typical story, you're left to fend for yourself.

And we wonder why some people are so vehemently anti-(insert carmaker here)!

 

[goodtimes]

I didn't carefully gone through all replies, but the emissions control warranty expired as well? I thought it was 8yrs/100k or 10yrs/150k in some states, but maybe not back then? I have read cases where dealers seem to ignore that warranty unless they are pressed.

 

[Sayjac]

As for emisions I was just outside the 8yr/80k coverage period/window here. Also, asked the purchase dealer if I had any recourse, checked computer and they said no.

But, even "if" I could have gotten the precat fixed under emission warranty, the engine had already been damaged at that point by the precat, chances of getting a new engine under the same warranty would be next to none.

Again, a proactive approach (modified/fixed precat) by Nissan to the known precat defect could have avoided the 2.5L engine failure issue, the most expensive issue. Did I really think Nissan would come through 'after' they had already ignored the chance to save all said 2.5L engines while still undamaged? Based on the evidence, the answer for me was no. Satisfied that unlike Nissan, I did everything I could in this situation.
Quote:
You should class-action their ***es.

Afaik, there was/is none. It does raise an interesting point, and that is how Nissan slid this one under the radar? Just speculation here on my part, but perhaps because the sales numbers of the 02-03 2.5L engines was low, relatively speaking, and/or the engine failures so spread out over time, it didn't attract much attention.

 

[mechanicx]

Yeah Nissan really knowingly left the owners hung out to dry. They should've replaced the pre-cats as quickly as possible and if a few engines still failed, I could maybe give them a pass. I think if they had done that and maybe gave them extra oil changes or maybe some type of engine flush few would've falied. But they really should've done both replaced the pre-cats and offered a little longer warranty on the engines and/or offered a discount on their repair. Sounds like they did neither. Can't blame you for being put off.

As far as them getting a pass, it probably had something to do with it being a limited number and years, but the issue is so severe it still makes you wonder. It seems people are more willing to give a Japanese vehicle the benefit of the doubt, kind of like "Oh these are the best cars so stuff happens to even the best".

 

[fdcg27]

Interesting idea.
That would certainly bring this design defect out of the closet and into the common knowledge.
I'd bet that Nissan would offer a quick settlement too, since they really wouldn't want this to become a long-running topic of news or conversation.
Ask Toyota.

 

[Rp1990]

Here my stories:

so I bought used 2004 Nissan maxima 3.5L in 2006 that had 34,000 miles on it. After 2 weeks later I started to get cel n btw this was my 1st car so I got check it by dealership n told me it's 02 sensor n I asked them how much [censored] they said $500 for just 02 sensor replace. I left n I didn't really care about 02 sensor until I got up to 77,000 miles when I lost powers n got code showing p044 for cat mainfold. By time Nissan replace with new cat mainfold 3 days later my engine started making noise like rods blew. I was like [censored] after that I bought new used engine within 600 miles from 2004 maxima n installed by shop.

After that I got tranny problem like banging, slipping oh yeah also crank sensor bad to. I'm still driving that car with bad tranny lol as long I can after that I'll swap to 6spd n put headers.