CarComplaints.com Notes: For years, Nissan trucks and SUVs have had problems with coolant destroying the transmission. And for years, Nissan has done nothing about it.
The 2007 is no different than the 2006 and 2005. Just avoid it.
When my Nissan Frontier started making an occasional squealing sound like it was the timing chain, I asked the dealership mechanic about it. He informed me that Nissan had made plastic timing chain guides and all the vehicles made within certain years had to have the timing chain / guides replaced because of it. Nissan knew it and has done nothing to corrected it. I mean really.....chain on plastic is going to wear down and that is a deliberate additional cost to the consumer. Not to mention the potential to seriously harm someone. After paying the $1550 cost to get it fixed, I asked the mechanic to see the worn guides from my truck. The plastic was almost gone and it was just a matter of time before it had completely worn through. I will never buy a Nissan again because I can not trust them since they deliberately put profits before safety.
So... bought this truck used in Feb 2015. Within two years, I got to 'experience' the transmission failing due to the known problem (well... unknown to me) of the coolant leaking into the transmission. Now... I've become aware of another known issue. The timing chain guide is wearing out. My engine has been whining for quite some time but I just figured that must be the way these engines sound. Apparently not.
My mechanic tipped me off the last time I had it in that it might be the timing chain issue. After quite a bit of research that appears to be the case. Another big repair bill coming particularly since it needs a front wheel bearing, new tires, shocks, valve cover gasket, windshield and probably a couple of other things I don't know about yet.
The silver lining... all the major known issues will have been repaired AND my mechanic will donate 5% of my bill (up to $100) to a local charity/organization of my choosing through an app developed locally (TAGG - Together A Greater Good). A local animal shelter is gonna get $100!
The moral to this story... don't just look for reviews of vehicles... search for problems, issues, complaints. Check this site, Edmunds, RepairPal, online car 'clubs' for a given model. If I would've dug a little deeper, I would never have purchased this truck. Paid the stupid tax. Lesson learned.
I bought this vehicle brand new in 2007. I did research regarding the timing chain and found that it was an actual chain and not a belt, which was the main reason I purchased it. Now, I'm finding out about the timing chain tensioners are plastic and wearing causing a whining noise. Why would Nissan use plastic in an engine that gets very hot when running is beyond me? I brought in in for maintenance at a Nissan dealer and they told me I needed a new timing chain. The estimate was over $4,600; I laughed at them. There's no way I'm paying that kind of money to replace a timing chain! And, I should not have to replace anything on a vehicle well cared for with routine maintenance. I change the oil myself using full synthetic oil around 3,000 miles. I don't care if it states it can go over 5 or 6,000, I still change it at 3,000! Now, I find out there's a lawsuit going on regarding this but it only covers a handful of states. Lucky me, My state is not one of them! BS.
Nissan should be held accountable for the repairs. This truck cost me close to $30,000; were not talking chump change. I also found out in the lawsuit that Nissan claims the vehicle life expectancy is around 120,000 miles.
Than tell me why, someone on this list stating they have a Nissan Sentra with 350,000 miles and still going!
Tell me why the attorneys aren't helping out the plaintiffs with this issue?
Lastly, I like my truck but any auto manufacturer should stand by their product and cover costs if there are issues. I expect vehicles to last at least up to 200,000 miles, at least that's what I'm reading.
@77,704 miles I had to replace the timing components.Couldn't figure it out as I'm mechanically inclined and take REAL good care of my vehicles. Well, here it is 29,000 miles later and it is worse than the first time.Sounds like it wants to throw a rod. When it's hot it sounds worse. Found out that there are class action lawsuits for faulty tensioners. I'm going to have to replace everything to make sure it is right. I was 52 when I bought this truck brand new. Only new vehicle I've ever owned.The only foreign named vehicle.Maybe I should've bought a Toyota or a Ford.
Update from Feb 25, 2017: It was going to cost me around $1100 to have a new timing kit installed.Took them 3 days.They called my wife and said the install was complete and ran smooth & quiet EXCEPT that now that the chain isn't beating the hell out of the cover,they could hear a rod knocking which is what I said it sounded like.Now
it is going to cost me around 5 grand to have a 2009 Frontier engine (only one they could find & has to
be brought in from somewhere) with 59,000 miles on it.I get a 12,000 mi/1 yr warranty.Big F'n deal.If
Nissan had put in GOOD parts I wouldn't be in this bind.I HATE Nissan.I'd rather eat sh*t than own a
I been taking my vehicle to the same Nissan dealer ever since. Just a few months ago, while taking it for an oil change routine i was told about the high pitch noise coming from the engine and that it is the timing chain and that it will estimate about $1,800. I'm looking for second opinion since my vehicle has only 33,000 miles.
When I purchased my Frontier, the engine was fine. After about 2 months of driving, I started hearing a whining noise coming from the engine, most notably at startup. As time went on, the noise gradually became worse. Searching the internet, I found that this was a common problem with my year truck. Not only that, but the dealers were made aware of the issue with the timing chain tensioners were defective and had put out a service bulletin on it. I took it back to the dealership to have them repair it. They told me, since the vehicle was out of warranty, it would $2500 to repair it. I filed a complaint with Nissan USA. They basically told me there was nothing they could do. I filed a complaint with the BBB. They told me, that since the vehicle was too old to file a complaint with them. I'm at the point now that I will be forced to pay for the repair out of my own pocket before it damages the engine. I will NEVER buy another Nissan.
Shopping for a new truck and at 130,000 miles a terrible whine with clicking and ticking noise happens right at trade in time. Nissan dealer is only wanting to give me $3,000 for truck. They said repair will be at least $1200. Researched on line to find they are well aware of this reoccurring problem - and it's not just Frontiers!!! Unbelievable that they get away with this!
Was told the timing chain was defective and needed to be replaced. Did research and found that this was a very common problem and Nissan won't do anything about it.
Just learned 2 days before Christmas when I brought my truck in for routine service that the timing chain, guide and tensioner need replacing. Truck running very well with no issues since I brought it used 5 years ago. Planning to sell after this New England winter but must now rethink since I have to spend "big bucks" to fix. Wish I knew there was a problem with this particular issue on this model before I bought. Should have spent the extra money on the Toyota Tacoma. Would have been about the same cost with a lot less stress during the holidays and winter!
I don't have the money to fix, I've already replaced tranny for 4,000 and the truck is still financed, hopefully the chain doesn't break and cause a crash before I can get it fixed
This is a KNOWN issue. Nissan has two service bulletins regarding this issue. Timing chain and related parts should last the life of the car. Nissan knows this manufacture defect for a long time and has been hiding it from consumers. No one would buy a car if they know the car would require a $15K repair in 50k mile, so this would be my last Nissan.
Just got off of the phone with the regional Nissan rep about an issue my dealership (Priority Nissan of Newport News) service center identified, the ( Timing Chain/Timing Chain Rollers wearing prematurely), was told there was a bulletin on it they asked me if I noticed a noise when starting the engine, I told them yes but thought it was normal. The rep told me that ( NISSAN) is not going to cover the cost of the fix because I'm 3 years out of warranty even though I'm 5000 miles under the mileage warranty at 51468 on 6/10/15.
I've been driving Nissan since my wife had a 1982 Maxima, later I purchased a 1991 Sentra "new" that I still own with 350,000 miles on it and was driving to work every day until the Transmission went out (Plan to fix that), bought the 2007 Frontier due to the reliability of the Sentra.
A friend of mine bought three Frontiers for his business after seeing and riding in mine, Now I feel that because I don't put a lot of miles on the truck I'm being penalized by the very manufacturer that put those discrepant parts in the motor.
I really enjoy driving the truck but now I have to make a decision, do I keep it and fix it or do I get rid of it and buy a FORD or Toyota? I'm leaning toward getting rid of it if NISSAN won't help with the cost for something they know is an issue.
Had timing chains tensioners, guides, etc replaced. Developed noise at 57000. Nissan in Eugene Or. wanted $1600 to fix. I had independent fix it for $1400 and that included changing out radiator because they go bad too. Nissan would not help with the timing system problem. I tell everyone don't buy Nissan. At 57000 K you should not have to do these repairs. NO MORE NISSANS FOR ME!!
Got a Lemon Nissan Frontier LOL..... Got one major problem fixed money out of my pocket, now a New problem Nissan also knew about.... Timing Chain Sensors..... was told by Dealership that would most likely be about $1,600.00 or so. By the time I get done fixing this so called Truck.... I could have put down a great down payment on another Vehicle but not a NISSAN! Its starting to really SUCK!!! It just makes me so damn mad!! Really pissed off at Nissan and the Great Service I'm getting.... LMAO!! This vehicle hasn't reached 100,000 miles yet and almost a MONEY PIT!!! Its a nice looking Truck but runs like CRAP!
Cannot believe that the timing chain assembly is worn out already!! The truck is in the shop for the trans, radiator replacement, at least I don't have to pay for that!! I like the truck but think I'll pass by the Nissan dealer when looking next time.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
When my Nissan Frontier started making an occasional squealing sound like it was the timing chain, I asked the dealership mechanic about it. He informed me that Nissan had made plastic timing chain guides and all the vehicles made within certain years had to have the timing chain / guides replaced because of it. Nissan knew it and has done nothing to corrected it. I mean really.....chain on plastic is going to wear down and that is a deliberate additional cost to the consumer. Not to mention the potential to seriously harm someone. After paying the $1550 cost to get it fixed, I asked the mechanic to see the worn guides from my truck. The plastic was almost gone and it was just a matter of time before it had completely worn through. I will never buy a Nissan again because I can not trust them since they deliberately put profits before safety.
- Karen K., Bush, US