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.
My car runs fine, no noises, nothing seems wrong except the Check Engine Light prohibits me from passing emissions testing in my State, so I cannot renew my license plates. 2 independent mechanics and 1 Nissan dealership all say that the Timing Chain is bad and needs to be replaced to the tune of $2600!!. The Inner Timing Cover, Chains, Tensioners and Guides. They say that if the chain goes, it destroys the engine entirely and engine will seize up. I am on the highway a lot. How likely is it to go if it's not even making noise? Guess it does not matter anyway because I can't renew my license plates because of the stupid light, which has nothing to do with polluting the air!
Car is worth only between $3-5K, so it does not seem worth fixing. I don't know if I can keep driving it and take a chance. I guess I have to sell it. Maybe get a grand?
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
My car runs fine, no noises, nothing seems wrong except the Check Engine Light prohibits me from passing emissions testing in my State, so I cannot renew my license plates. 2 independent mechanics and 1 Nissan dealership all say that the Timing Chain is bad and needs to be replaced to the tune of $2600!!. The Inner Timing Cover, Chains, Tensioners and Guides. They say that if the chain goes, it destroys the engine entirely and engine will seize up. I am on the highway a lot. How likely is it to go if it's not even making noise? Guess it does not matter anyway because I can't renew my license plates because of the stupid light, which has nothing to do with polluting the air!
Car is worth only between $3-5K, so it does not seem worth fixing. I don't know if I can keep driving it and take a chance. I guess I have to sell it. Maybe get a grand?
- phuston, Naperville, US