[Note-ified]

Note-ified.

I joined when my wife started driving the car as something other than her "back-up." I like to join the forums for which I own cars. I didn't have much to report at that time.

Now I have a lot more to report, and--unfortunately--all of it is negative. If you think that makes me a "troll," so be it. I'd bet if you had a clutch crap out on you in under 11K miles, you'd be bitching as well.

You bet I would be....but not to a forum...myself, I blame the car and just want to get it fixed like most people, I dont go on crusades calling the entire brand garbage and trying to get free service on a used car that is way beyond warranty.....hell I had a chevy cobalt that the ignition control module went out after I had the car for only a year, but unlike you I went on the forums I belonged to at the time and asked questions and sought out help in finding out why the car was doing what it was doing where as the majority of your posts are just complaints about how nissan on a whole is garbage and how you will never buy one...not once did I ever read anything about wanting help or even a hint about needing help so im sorry if me calling you a troll offended you but thats just the feeling I get when reading your posts. Personally if I wasnt able to solve a problem with a car after repeated attempts I would have gotten rid of it

 

[Boothby171]

You bet I would be....but not to a forum...myself, I blame the car and just want to get it fixed like most people, I dont go on crusades calling the entire brand garbage and trying to get free service on a used car that is way beyond warranty.....hell I had a chevy cobalt that the ignition control module went out after I had the car for only a year, but unlike you I went on the forums I belonged to at the time and asked questions and sought out help in finding out why the car was doing what it was doing where as the majority of your posts are just complaints about how nissan on a whole is garbage and how you will never buy one...not once did I ever read anything about wanting help or even a hint about needing help so im sorry if me calling you a troll offended you but thats just the feeling I get when reading your posts. Personally if I wasnt able to solve a problem with a car after repeated attempts I would have gotten rid of it

Ah...so you and I are different.

Who'd a thought it could be possible?!

And who here is going to tell me something I don't know about what it takes to swap out a clutch? Not that I have the time (and probably don't have the skill-set) to swap out a clutch myself. What "help" do you think anyone here could provide me?


Perhaps, I would find that there are other people with a similar problem, who are similarly angry and/or upset with the "Brand." So, if THAT's what you mean by trolling (its original definition, I would guess: laying down a hook and letting it stream behind your boat as you move slowly through the water, hoping to catch a fish), then maybe I am a troll. "Troller," I think, might be a more appropriate term, though. >

 

[Note-ified]

Ah...so you and I are different.

Who'd a thought it could be possible?!

And who here is going to tell me something I don't know about what it takes to swap out a clutch? Not that I have the time (and probably don't have the skill-set) to swap out a clutch myself. What "help" do you think anyone here could provide me?


Perhaps, I would find that there are other people with a similar problem, who are similarly angry and/or upset with the "Brand." So, if THAT's what you mean by trolling (its original definition, I would guess: laying down a hook and letting it stream behind your boat as you move slowly through the water, hoping to catch a fish), then maybe I am a troll. "Troller," I think, might be a more appropriate term, though. >

why call the whole brand garbage then based off of your one car? that would be like me walking into a restaurant and having one thing off the menu and then calling the restaurant garbage after not being satisfied with that one dish....guess i'm more open minded that way in that i give things a chance before i call it quits and jump to conclusions. in that regard i think we can agree to disagree and i wish you nothing but good luck in getting your versa fixed and working the way it is intended to

 

[Boothby171]

why call the whole brand garbage then based off of your one car? that would be like me walking into a restaurant and having one thing off the menu and then calling the restaurant garbage after not being satisfied with that one dish....guess i'm more open minded that way in that i give things a chance before i call it quits and jump to conclusions. in that regard i think we can agree to disagree and i wish you nothing but good luck in getting your versa fixed and working the way it is intended to

Thank you. Seriously!

I thought I was critical about the way Nissan handled the situation, rather than "calling the whole brand garbage." For all I know, their other cars are GREAT! Maybe their automatics are wonderful.

But, to reiterate, for any car to have a clutch fail at ~10K miles, with good drivers behind the wheel, is shameful.

I also don't like the fact that when I one day have to replace the spark plugs, I'll have to physically remove the intake manifold. What were they thinking?!?

 

[Note-ified]

Thank you. Seriously!

I thought I was critical about the way Nissan handled the situation, rather than "calling the whole brand garbage." For all I know, their other cars are GREAT! Maybe their automatics are wonderful.

But, to reiterate, for any car to have a clutch fail at ~10K miles, with good drivers behind the wheel, is shameful.

I also don't like the fact that when I one day have to replace the spark plugs, I'll have to physically remove the intake manifold. What were they thinking?!?

Sorry about that but the way you phrased it when you said "i'll never buy a nissan" I just equated it to you thinking all nissans are that way. I agree though the way they decided to put the spark plugs in the engine is pretty annoying from a maintenance perspective. Also the way nissan handles their customer service leaves alot to be desired from the people I have known to try and get things done through them...but that is also par for the course as far as any of the manufacturers go from what I've heard anyway.

 

[Boothby171]

...but that is also par for the course as far as any of the manufacturers go from what I've heard anyway.

Maybe it's just that I never had such bad luck with Toyota or Hyundai (and I've owned a LOT of Toyotas). I've had things go wrong with them, but it's almost always been something I could fix. Or it WAS covered under warranty. Either way, the first thing ever to go wrong on my Nissan was this, and I do NOT like the way they handled it.

But a serious question (I asked this before, but no one has answered yet): What should we, as consumers, do to try and remedy this shoddy workmanship? This shoddy coverage and support? Perhaps all that we CAN do is troll the forums. Cost the manufacturer a few sales, and let them see why.

Or do we just suck it up, and take it?

I'd write more, here, but one of my tasks tonight is to write Jose Munoz an angry letter.

 

[Note-ified]

Maybe it's just that I never had such bad luck with Toyota or Hyundai (and I've owned a LOT of Toyotas). I've had things go wrong with them, but it's almost always been something I could fix. Or it WAS covered under warranty. Either way, the first thing ever to go wrong on my Nissan was this, and I do NOT like the way they handled it.

But a serious question (I asked this before, but no one has answered yet): What should we, as consumers, do to try and remedy this shoddy workmanship? This shoddy coverage and support? Perhaps all that we CAN do is troll the forums. Cost the manufacturer a few sales, and let them see why.

Or do we just suck it up, and take it?

I'd write more, here, but one of my tasks tonight is to write Jose Munoz an angry letter.

my vote is to write as many letters as possible until the manufacturers finally get that their customer service is just as important as their bottom line

 

[Woogie]

I also don't like the fact that when I one day have to replace the spark plugs, I'll have to physically remove the intake manifold. What were they thinking?!?

Probably the same thing the Ford engineers were thinking when they designed the oil pan on my truck. The gasket has a small leak. Changing the gasket requires pulling the entire engine out. No, I'm not joking. You can't drop the oil pan far enough to get the new gasket on because the subframe is in the way.

I think every manufacturer makes stoooopid engineering decisions.

 

[MrWiggles]

Probably the same thing the Ford engineers were thinking when they designed the oil pan on my truck. The gasket has a small leak. Changing the gasket requires pulling the entire engine out. No, I'm not joking. You can't drop the oil pan far enough to get the new gasket on because the subframe is in the way.

I think every manufacturer makes stoooopid engineering decisions.

Gotta love their 4x4 trucks! I owned a 1994 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 before I bought the Note and the biggest issue I had was how much work it was to change that damn gasket. I got to the point where it was either rip the motor out and replace all the gaskets and hoses and whatever else needed to be replaced or trade it in which is what I did. I miss that truck though. It never gave up on my dumb ass, no matter what I drove her into.

 

[jas32]

I also don't like the fact that when I one day have to replace the spark plugs, I'll have to physically remove the intake manifold. What were they thinking?!?

I think you said you are an engineer so I would think you'll understand that decisions like these are not taken lightly, most likely this was seriously discussed and as a result compromises were made.

A long runner manifold is essential in getting the most torque out of a small engine so it was a matter of packaging the intake runner to get the performance target of the engine. I would think Nissan is not unique in this regard. I actually remember a friend saying it is impossible to remove the rear plugs on a 427 C3 Corvette.

On your clutch issue, agree that 10K is a ridiculously short life for a clutch and for sure that is not the norm (otherwise Nissan cannot stay in business very long). I've also seen a clutch destroyed in less than a mile.

Too bad you had such bad luck with your Nissan and Chryslers. I actually own both brands and they've been quite trouble free.

 

[07Versa6MT]

That clutch issue was quality control, plain and simple. Not enough lube on splines, deformities on splines, could be the rear main leaked onto disc, maybe slave started leaking slightly but not enough to notice. With low mileage, and assumed proper use of the clutch, that was built in from the factory. Won't know fully till you take it apart.

I prefer this manifold configuration over what Toyota does for long intake runners, buries it deep down to where you can't see anything. Like i've said before, i can take my manifold off in 5 minutes with power tools.

The overall quality and/or feel of the Versa is subjective, i've had imports and i've had German cars, and also drive every make and model you can think of being a mechanic at an independent shop. Every car has a personality, not good or bad, just a different feel. A BMW feels different from any cheap import, but it doesn't make either better or worse, they're just different cars. I like things about cheap and cheerful imports and i like things about V8 German luxury sedan beasts.

Trust me on this one, you don't want rear discs. Rear drums are a blessing, they're cheap and easy to maintain (they rarely need maintenance to begin with, they just work). I have dealt with so many problems on rear disc setups across the board on makes, and never any issues with drums apart from the usual servicing. On lightweight imports, rear discs are often overkill. In fact sometimes the problem is that they don't get used enough, the rotors rot. Drum friction surfaces are protected by the inherent design and thus don't get affected by how much they are used or atmospheric moisture as discs are.

 

[Boothby171]

Just came back here to see if there was any more activity....

Actually, my 1990's Dodge Caravan had rear drums, that fell apart at about 80K miles or so. For some strange reason, I didn't blame Chrysler for that one....

 

[08versailles]

i can take my manifold off in 5 minutes with power tools.

Trust me on this one, you don't want rear discs. Rear drums are a blessing, they're cheap and easy to maintain (they rarely need maintenance to begin with, they just work). I have dealt with so many problems on rear disc setups across the board on makes, and never any issues with drums apart from the usual servicing. On lightweight imports, rear discs are often overkill. In fact sometimes the problem is that they don't get used enough, the rotors rot. Drum friction surfaces are protected by the inherent design and thus don't get affected by how much they are used or atmospheric moisture as discs are.

True, my mechanic had intake off in a few minutes when he did my plugs.
Also that's one thing I research on the new mfr build and price sites, at what point do they bump up to rear discs...and avoid those.
My one buddy w the 92 Jetta sold it with 470000km, and the same rear drums and shoes he had when he bought it at 166000km.

 

[jas32]

......Also that's one thing I research on the new mfr build and price sites, at what point do they bump up to rear discs...and avoid those.
My one buddy w the 92 Jetta sold it with 470000km, and the same rear drums and shoes he had when he bought it at 166000km.

The only problem is, in most cases, you won't have much choice....

The problem nowadays is everyone has been making a big deal marketing 4 wheel disk brakes and people are expecting it. At this point any car that's somewhat "upscale" has to have 4 wheel disk even if its not needed so only low line less expensive cars are the ones getting rear drums, which to a manufacturer is godsend since rear drums are quite a bit less expensive than disk brakes.

Also, I had a 2007 Caravan that I sold last year with 75K miles. I checked the rear drums before I sold it and the brake shoes looked like they could have lasted another 200K miles.

 

[4DRZ]

Lol, well ladies and gents, I just stopped in to see what was popping and I am not at all surprised at all the short block replacements. We completely jumped ship. Bought a 2015 Mazda CX-5 Touring model for my wife and traded the Versa in...lol No more Nissans for me as long as Renault is partnered with them. (which means no more Nissans...EVER) Absolutely love the new ride. (Its actually for my wife) Only thing I miss is the unexplainable huge legroom the Versa has in the rear. That will truly be missed. I hope you gys and gals with issues get them resolved....but for me its "Zoom Zoom" time. I will tell you the last few days before the trade Nissan Consumer Affairs dept was trying everything to make us happy, BUT when they wanted us to take the car back to a dealer for a diagnostic check that WE had to pay for...... that was the last straw with this and all Nissans for us. With 105,000 miles on the odometer Mazda offered us $4500.00 for it, and I happily watched them drive it to the back of their lot, and funny as it was, park it next to a few more Versa...lmao. Anyway, best of luck to you all. I managed to pull the Kenwood DDX-418 from its sad little dash, that I will be selling if anyone is interested. Has the harness and funny antena adaptor already to go...plug n play. PM me if your interested and if it hasnt sold. Putting it on Fleabay also. If anyone has any questions about the Versa and our ordeal, I will try to check in every now and then to try n answer what I can.
Sincerely, Lawrence

 

[hemifan87]

well at 102k miles my engine has know started knocking very bad and it just started no real warnings was good one day then boom started knocking so I'm now hunting for an mr20 and saving up hope it can run just a bit longer

 

[gonzagnr]

hr16de knocking since brand new here.
is a very common problem on new versas, versas note and micra.
nissan is replacing engines, also a guy on canada has his engine replaced and the new engine has the knock also.
problem is crankshat or rod bearing at cylinder 2, there is not official report from nissan, but when disconecting cylinder 2 the knock is greatly reduced.

 

[Vern in IL]

2014 Model year Versa Note. Manufactured in Oct. of 2013.

21,000 miles and oil leaking from front timing cover.

 

[NickTheBooty]

CVT

I had my CVT blowout at 130 km's on my 09 Hatchback....

Paid 3.5k to replace it.....then found out 6 months later that they had known issues and Nissan extended the warranty to 10 years as a result.

Got a cheque 6 months later for Nissan paying me back.

Happy end to a crappy start.

Nick

 

[Jenn1ca]

I just found out from our local mechanic that my 2011 Nissan Versa has low to almost no compression on the #3 cylinder and spark plug was covered in oil (no wonder my oil level kept reading low) which he tells me I'll need a new engine. The check engine light was blinking and the engine went rough, so I had it towed. I called Nissan and asked what they are doing about this known issue. They issued me a case number and told me to have a Nissan authorized service center diagnose the issue, then a regional Nissan consumer affairs specialist will review the case as the vehicle is no longer under warranty. Yes, I had to have the car towed from the local mechanic to the authorized Nissan service center and pay another diagnostics!

Does anyone have any similar issues with low compression and experience with Nissan consumer affairs specialist? Hoping I can get some answers on how to handle getting this covered through Nissan. It's still pretty new and there's not even 100,000 miles on the vehicle. Aren't Nissans supposed to run longer than that?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated!