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.
The battery terminal lug which used to be a heavy lug has been replace by Nissan with a simple steel strap. When I noticed the extent of corrosion, I complained about it to the Nissan dealer and they quoted me a price to replace the lug with the same steel strap. I wanted this done under warranty which they refused to do and I departed without a fix. A week later I tried to start the car and the strap had finally corroded through. A tow truck cost me $75.00 to start the car after which I drove to Nissan and they replaced the strap in kind. I don't remember what this cost me. I suspect that Nissan saved about $0.50 per car with this crazy design.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
The battery terminal lug which used to be a heavy lug has been replace by Nissan with a simple steel strap. When I noticed the extent of corrosion, I complained about it to the Nissan dealer and they quoted me a price to replace the lug with the same steel strap. I wanted this done under warranty which they refused to do and I departed without a fix. A week later I tried to start the car and the strap had finally corroded through. A tow truck cost me $75.00 to start the car after which I drove to Nissan and they replaced the strap in kind. I don't remember what this cost me. I suspect that Nissan saved about $0.50 per car with this crazy design.
- Richard B., Lakefield, Ontario, Canada