2010 Nissan Armada

The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Armada. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH, he heard abnormal startling and ticking sounds coming from the engine. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle would delay responding while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving at various speeds. The contact stated that upon opening the hood to determine the cause of the failure, he noticed that the engine manifold was fractured. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring increasingly while driving. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was not under recall. No additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

IN JULY 2017 AND AT 90K MILES , MY 2010 NISSAN ARMADA BEGAN LEAKING EXHAUST FUMES INTO THE PASSENGER CABIN AND THE FUEL ECONOMY DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY. I TOOK IT TO AN AUTHORIZED NISSAN SERVICE STATION, WHICH CHARGED ME $150 TO DIAGNOSE A CRACKED CATALYTIC CONVERTER EXHAUST MANIFOLD ON BOTH SIDES. THE REPAIR ESTIMATE WAS ABOUT $4,000 TO REPLACE THE MANIFOLDS AT THE DEALERSHIP. THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 80K MILES AND I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH ARMADA AND TITAN MODELS. I SHOPPED AROUND FOR ESTIMATES AND HAD THE MANIFOLDS REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WITH AFTERMARKET PARTS FOR A TOTAL COST OF $2,100 WITH A 2-YEAR/24K MILES WARRANTY. IN 2020 AND AT 125K MILES (3 YEARS/30K MILES LATER), THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRED AND THE SHOP WOULD NOT EXTEND THE WARRANTY. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT ESTIMATES THE REPAIR AT $5,000, AND THE INDEPENDENT SHOP ESTIMATES $1,900. ALL OF THE MECHANICS (INCLUDING THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP) HAVE ADVISED ME THAT THEY DON'T THINK THE CAR IS WORTH THE INVESTMENT AT 130K MILES CONSIDERING THE TRADE VALUE IS AROUND $5K. I CAN'T AFFORD THIS REPAIR TWICE IN 3 YEARS, AND I'M DRIVING MY FAMILY AROUND BREATHING IN CO FUMES THAT COULD HARM OR KILL US. I PRIMARILY USE THE VEHICLE FOR DAY-TO-DAY SUBURBAN DRIVING WITH OCCASIONAL CAMPING TRIPS - NO HARD OR OFF-ROAD USE. NISSAN SHOULD ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AND REIMBURSE THE COST OF REPAIRS AS THIS IS A POTENTIALLY FATAL ISSUE FOR DRIVERS. I AM NOW FACED WITH A DECISION TO INVEST ALMOST HALF THE VALUE OF MY VEHICLE IN A REPAIR THAT MAY FAIL AGAIN, OR TO BUY A NEW CAR I CAN'T CURRENTLY AFFORD IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC. PLEASE HOLD THE MANUFACTURER ACCOUNTABLE TO ITS US CUSTOMERS.