NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
129 reports78,000 miles · Nov 24, 2014
Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON AN AVERAGE DAY. AS I MADE A RIGHT TURN, AHEAD OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC, I TRIED TO ACCELERATE AND MY CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ABOVE 20-30MPH. WITH TRAFFIC SWIFTLY APPROACHING AT SPEEDS NEAR 40-50MPH, LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A NEARBY GAS STATION.NONE OF MY CHECK ENGINE/WARNING LIGHTS WERE ON.I TURNED T…
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I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON AN AVERAGE DAY. AS I MADE A RIGHT TURN, AHEAD OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC, I TRIED TO ACCELERATE AND MY CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ABOVE 20-30MPH. WITH TRAFFIC SWIFTLY APPROACHING AT SPEEDS NEAR 40-50MPH, LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A NEARBY GAS STATION.NONE OF MY CHECK ENGINE/WARNING LIGHTS WERE ON.I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND STARTED IT BACK UP BUT THE ISSUE REMAINED.WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE THE CAR WOULDN'T O OVER 30MPH AND WAS MAKING A HEAVING VIBRATION NOISE EVERY TIME I STOPPED. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHO ULTIMATELY RECOMMENDED THE REPAIRS OUTLINED IN THE SERVICE BULLETIN. MY WARRANTY COMPANY DENIED THE CLAIM "CITING WATER DAMAGE", BUT THE BULLETIN LISTS THE PFP (PRIMARY FAILED PART) AS THE "HOUSING ASSY- REAR AXLE,RH" (WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED). I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED (FROM A NISSAN DEALER) AND BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED I WAS FORCED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS ($1,000+) ON A VEHICLE THAT I BARLEY HAD FOR 1 YEAR. I CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS (AS RECOMMENDED BY THE DEALERSHIP) TO TRY AND GET SOME TYPE OF ASSISTANCE WITH THIS ISSUE. THEY BASICALLY TOLD ME ITS NOT THEIR PROBLEM SINCE THE NISSAN WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED ON THE VEHICLE. NISSAN IS VERY WELL AWARE OF THIS DEFECT THAT IS A SEVERE SAFETY CONCERN DUE TO THE OBVIOUS DESIGN. I LUCKILY HAD TIME AND SPACE TO MOVE MY VEHICLE SAFELY OFF THE ROAD; THE NEXT PERSON MAY NOT BE AS LUCKY. NISSAN SHOULD AND NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OVERALL SAFETY OF THEIR ALL VEHICLES AND THIS ONGOING DEFECT. A RECALL SHOULD BE MANDATED TO CORRECT THIS POTENTIAL HAZARD WHILE DRIVING. A LIFE IS FAR MORE VALUABLE THAN RECALL EXPENSES. HTTP://WW2.JUSTANSWER.COM/UPLOADS/BADDAD1/2009-12-06_140419_NTB07-016B.PDF -A DIRECT LINK TO THE OFFICIAL NISSAN SERVICE BULLETIN THAT WAS ISSUED TO CORRECT THE POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING DEFECT I HAD TO DEAL WITH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10660581
780,000 miles · Nov 24, 2014
Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON AN AVERAGE DAY.AS I MADE A RIGHT TURN, AHEAD OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC, I TRIED TO ACCELERATE AND MY CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ABOVE 20-30MPH.WITH TRAFFIC SWIFTLY APPROACHING AT SPEEDS NEAR 40-50MPH, LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A NEARBY GAS STATION.NONE OF MY CHECK ENGINE/WARNING LIGHTS WERE ON.I TURNED THE…
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I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON AN AVERAGE DAY.AS I MADE A RIGHT TURN, AHEAD OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC, I TRIED TO ACCELERATE AND MY CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ABOVE 20-30MPH.WITH TRAFFIC SWIFTLY APPROACHING AT SPEEDS NEAR 40-50MPH, LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A NEARBY GAS STATION.NONE OF MY CHECK ENGINE/WARNING LIGHTS WERE ON.I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND STARTED IT BACK UP BUT THE ISSUE REMAINED.WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE THE CAR WOULDN'T O OVER 30MPH AND WAS MAKING A HEAVING VIBRATION NOISE EVERY TIME I STOPPED. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHO ULTIMATELY RECOMMENDED THE REPAIRS OUTLINED IN THE SERVICE BULLETIN. MY WARRANTY COMPANY DENIED THE CLAIM "CITING WATER DAMAGE", BUT THE BULLETIN LISTS THE PFP (PRIMARY FAILED PART) AS THE "HOUSING ASSY- REAR AXLE,RH" (WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED). I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED (FROM A NISSAN DEALER) AND BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED I WAS FORCED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS ($1,000+) ON A VEHICLE THAT I BARLEY HAD FOR 1 YEAR. I CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS (AS RECOMMENDED BY THE DEALERSHIP) TO TRY AND GET SOME TYPE OF ASSISTANCE WITH THIS ISSUE. THEY BASICALLY TOLD ME ITS NOT THEIR PROBLEM SINCE THE NISSAN WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED ON THE VEHICLE. NISSAN IS VERY WELL AWARE OF THIS DEFECT THAT IS A SEVERE SAFETY CONCERN DUE TO THE OBVIOUS DESIGN. I LUCKILY HAD TIME AND SPACE TO MOVE MY VEHICLE SAFELY OFF THE ROAD; THE NEXT PERSON MAY NOT BE AS LUCKY. NISSAN SHOULD AND NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OVERALL SAFETY OF THEIR ALL VEHICLES AND THIS ONGOING DEFECT. A RECALL SHOULD BE MANDATED TO CORRECT THIS POTENTIAL HAZARD WHILE DRIVING. A LIFE IS FAR MORE VALUABLE THAN RECALL EXPENSES. HTTP://WW2.JUSTANSWER.COM/UPLOADS/BADDAD1/2009-12-06_140419_NTB07-016B.PDF -A DIRECT LINK TO THE OFFICIAL NISSAN SERVICE BULLETIN THAT WAS ISSUED TO CORRECT THE POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING DEFECT I HAD TO DEAL WITH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10660579
92,240 miles · Nov 19, 2014
Air BagsStructure
AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WON'T TURN OFF. I'M WORRIED IT WILL SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOY AT ANYTIME. IT IS THE OPINION OF VARIOUS CAR WASH ESTABLISHMENTS THAT ROOF AND HOOD PAINT IS A COMMON DEFECT ON NISSAN VEHICLES, INCLUDING MINI-VANS. MY CAR'S HOOD AND ROOF LOOK LIKE I'VE LIVED BY THE SEA FOR YEARS. TRUTH IS THAT I'VE ALWAYS LIVED INLA…
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AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WON'T TURN OFF. I'M WORRIED IT WILL SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOY AT ANYTIME. IT IS THE OPINION OF VARIOUS CAR WASH ESTABLISHMENTS THAT ROOF AND HOOD PAINT IS A COMMON DEFECT ON NISSAN VEHICLES, INCLUDING MINI-VANS. MY CAR'S HOOD AND ROOF LOOK LIKE I'VE LIVED BY THE SEA FOR YEARS. TRUTH IS THAT I'VE ALWAYS LIVED INLAND. THERE'S NO REASON WHY MY CAR SHOULD LOOK 20 YEARS OLD! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10659150
74,000 miles · Nov 5, 2014
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS CORROSION PRESENT AND A HOLE LOCATED ON THE DRIVER SIDE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS AND STATED THEY WOULD HAVE TO EJECT THE DRIVER'S SEAT FROM THE VEHICLE, WELD NEW MEDAL TO COVER THE HOLE AND PUT AN UNDER COATING …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS CORROSION PRESENT AND A HOLE LOCATED ON THE DRIVER SIDE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS AND STATED THEY WOULD HAVE TO EJECT THE DRIVER'S SEAT FROM THE VEHICLE, WELD NEW MEDAL TO COVER THE HOLE AND PUT AN UNDER COATING ON THE WELD NEW MEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
NHTSA ODI #10652830
84,500 miles · Oct 27, 2014
Engine
THIS FRIDAY OCTOBER 24TH I WAS DRIVING BACK HOME IN MY 2007 MAXIMA SE (VIN: [XXX]) WHEN SUDDENLY MY CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING WITH NO CONTROL OVER THE STEERING WHEEL. LUCKILY I WAS AT THE ENTRANCE OF MY SUBDIVISION MINUTE AFTER TAKING EXIT FROM A 50 MPH STATE ROUTE. MY CAR RAN OVER THE CURB BARELY MISSING A RARE COLLISION WITH A…
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THIS FRIDAY OCTOBER 24TH I WAS DRIVING BACK HOME IN MY 2007 MAXIMA SE (VIN: [XXX]) WHEN SUDDENLY MY CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING WITH NO CONTROL OVER THE STEERING WHEEL. LUCKILY I WAS AT THE ENTRANCE OF MY SUBDIVISION MINUTE AFTER TAKING EXIT FROM A 50 MPH STATE ROUTE. MY CAR RAN OVER THE CURB BARELY MISSING A RARE COLLISION WITH A SUV WHOSE DRIVER HAD NO CLUE WHAT'S GOING ON WITH MY CAR. I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THE CAR STALLED ON 50 MPH STATE ROUTE DURING THE RUSH HOUR. THE PROBLEM TURNED OUT TO BE A FAULTY CAM SHAFT SENSOR THAT I'VE ORDERED AND WILL BE ARRIVING IN A DAY OR TWO. REGARDLESS OF THE FAULTY PART I BELIEVE THE CAR BEHAVIOR IS UNACCEPTABLE AS A RESULT OF THAT. I DID SPENT TIME RESEARCHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ONLINE AND IT LOOKS I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE AS THERE ARE MANY NISSAN OWNERS WITH THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE THEIR OWN HORROR STORIES TO TELL. I GUESS I'M EXTREMELY LUCKY THAT I'M WRITING THIS EMAIL IN PERSON VS. SOMEONE ELSE DOING IT FOR ME. IT'S EXTREMELY HARD FOR ME TO BELIEVE THAT THE CAR WOULD STALL DUE TO A FAULTY ISSUE AND I'M SURE NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT THERE IS STILL NO RECALL. I URGE NISSAN TO CONSIDER THIS ISSUE SERIOUSLY AND MAKE REMEDY AVAILABLE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BEFORE ITS TOO LATE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10650280
98,000 miles · Oct 21, 2014
Structure
PASSENGERS SIDE FRONT FLOOR PAN RUSTED THROUGH AS IF CAR IS 40 YEARS OLD. NOT ONLY IS THIS A BODY FRAME DEFECT BUT A SAFETY ISSUE. HUNDREDS OF ON LINE FORUMS NOTE THE PROBLEM IS OBVIOUS AND NISSAN REFUSES TO ADMIT DESIGN DEFECT. THIS DEFECT JUSTIFIES A RECALL FOR REPAIR OTHERWISE VALUE OF VEHICLE HAS BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY DIMINIS…
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PASSENGERS SIDE FRONT FLOOR PAN RUSTED THROUGH AS IF CAR IS 40 YEARS OLD. NOT ONLY IS THIS A BODY FRAME DEFECT BUT A SAFETY ISSUE. HUNDREDS OF ON LINE FORUMS NOTE THE PROBLEM IS OBVIOUS AND NISSAN REFUSES TO ADMIT DESIGN DEFECT. THIS DEFECT JUSTIFIES A RECALL FOR REPAIR OTHERWISE VALUE OF VEHICLE HAS BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY DIMINISHED. SEE: HTTP://MAXIMA.ORG/FORUMS/6TH-GENERATION-MAXIMA-2004-2008/655476-FLOOR-PAN-RUST-ANYONE.HTML. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10649199
123,500 miles · Sep 26, 2014
Air Bags
AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT MALFUNCTION ABOUT 123,500 MILES ON MY NISSAN MAXIMA 2007. I AM NO LONGER A HAPPY NISSAN OWNER, I WILL NEVER PURCHASE A NISSAN AGAIN. I'VE HAD MY CATALYST CONVERTER FAIL ON ME NOTHING, BUT A MONEY PIT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10639451
105,000 miles · Aug 7, 2014
Structure
DRIVERS FLOOR BOARD STRUCTURE IS RUSTED OUT, I DO NOT FEEL SAFE LETTING MY WIFE DRIVE THIS CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10620727
55,000 miles · Jul 14, 2014
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARDS WERE SEVERELY CORRODED AND RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARDS WERE SEVERELY CORRODED AND RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. UPDATED 8/22/14*CN
NHTSA ODI #10610372
90,000 miles · Jun 23, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL ' THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED HEAD ON INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED STERNUM. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTR…
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TL ' THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED HEAD ON INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED STERNUM. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. JCC
NHTSA ODI #10605203
NHTSA investigations
1PE08045 · Transmission Hose Leak
Opened Jul 23, 2008 · Closed Oct 24, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines
THIS PE WAS OPENED FOR MODEL YEAR (MY) 2008 NISSAN MAXIMA VEHICLES BASED ON EARLY WARNING DATA THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSE MAY HAVE PINHOLES AND/OR CRACKS RESULTING IN A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK.THE LEAKED FLUID CAN CONTACT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND IGNITE.NISSAN HAS SHOWN THAT THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PINHOLES AND/OR CRACKS IN THE HOSE IS EXCESSIVE STRESS DURING THE MANUFACTURE FORMING PROCESS RESULTING IN HOSE DEFORMATION AT LOADING ONTO A MANDREL, OR DAMAGE DURING UN-LOADING.REGARDING LOADING STRESS, NISSAN STATES, WHEN EXCESSIVE STRESS IS APPLIED WHILE LOADING THE HOSE ONTO THE MANDREL, HOSE DEFORMATION (WHICH LOOKS LIKE A BULGE) CAN OCCUR AROUND THE BENDING AREA.A CRACK WILL START TO FORM ON THE INSIDE OF THE HOSE AT THE AREA OF DEFORMATION.REGARDING UNLOADING STRESS, NISSAN STATES, AFTER THE CURING PROCESS, IN SOME INSTANCES THE HOSE STUCK TO THE MANDREL TIGHTLY AND THE OPERATOR HAD TO APPLY A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FORCE TO PULL THE HOSE FROM THE MANDREL.IF THIS OPERATION WAS PERFORMED ROUGHLY, THE INTERIOR OF THE HOSE COULD BE DAMAGED BY THE MANDREL EDGE. NISSAN ALSO STATES, BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE HOSES RECEIVED INTERNAL DAMAGE, A DAMAGED HOSE WAS PRODUCED AS A RARE, RANDOM EVENT RATHER THAN SYSTEMATICALLY.THE TRANSMISSION HOSE SUPPLIER, COOPER STANDARD AUTOMOTIVE, IMPLEMENTED PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS THAT LIMIT EXCESSIVE STRESS ON THE HOSE DURING MANUFACTURE. NISSAN HAS SHOWN THAT THIS TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSE WAS ASSEMBLED ON MY 2007 AND MY 2008 MAXIMA VEHICLES.NISSAN REDESIGNED THE TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSE ON MY 2009 MAXIMA, AND THE HOSE IS MANUFACTURED BY A NEW SUPPLIER.NISSAN HAS ALSO SHOWN THAT THE LEAKS MOSTLY OCCUR WITHIN THE FIRST 2000 MILES OF SERVICE WITH A SEVERE DROP IN INCIDENTS BEYOND 2000 MILES OF SERVICE.MOST LEAKS HAVE ALREADY OCCURRED, AND THE ONE FIRE WAS MINOR. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines
THIS PE WAS OPENED FOR MODEL YEAR (MY) 2008 NISSAN MAXIMA VEHICLES BASED ON EARLY WARNING DATA THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSE MAY HAVE PINHOLES AND/OR CRACKS RESULTING IN A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK.THE LEAKED FLUID CAN CONTACT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND IGNITE.NISSAN HAS SHOWN THAT THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PINHOLES AND/OR CRACKS IN THE HOSE IS EXCESSIVE STRESS DURING THE MANUFACTURE FORMING PROCESS RESULTING IN HOSE DEFORMATION AT LOADING ONTO A MANDREL, OR DAMAGE DURING UN-LOADING.REGARDING LOADING STRESS, NISSAN STATES, WHEN EXCESSIVE STRESS IS APPLIED WHILE LOADING THE HOSE ONTO THE MANDREL, HOSE DEFORMATION (WHICH LOOKS LIKE A BULGE) CAN OCCUR AROUND THE BENDING AREA.A CRACK WILL START TO FORM ON THE INSIDE OF THE HOSE AT THE AREA OF DEFORMATION.REGARDING UNLOADING STRESS, NISSAN STATES, AFTER THE CURING PROCESS, IN SOME INSTANCES THE HOSE STUCK TO THE MANDREL TIGHTLY AND THE OPERATOR HAD TO APPLY A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FORCE TO PULL THE HOSE FROM THE MANDREL.IF THIS OPERATION WAS PERFORMED ROUGHLY, THE INTERIOR OF THE HOSE COULD BE DAMAGED BY THE MANDREL EDGE. NISSAN ALSO STATES, BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE HOSES RECEIVED INTERNAL DAMAGE, A DAMAGED HOSE WAS PRODUCED AS A RARE, RANDOM EVENT RATHER THAN SYSTEMATICALLY.THE TRANSMISSION HOSE SUPPLIER, COOPER STANDARD AUTOMOTIVE, IMPLEMENTED PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS THAT LIMIT EXCESSIVE STRESS ON THE HOSE DURING MANUFACTURE. NISSAN HAS SHOWN THAT THIS TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSE WAS ASSEMBLED ON MY 2007 AND MY 2008 MAXIMA VEHICLES.NISSAN REDESIGNED THE TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSE ON MY 2009 MAXIMA, AND THE HOSE IS MANUFACTURED BY A NEW SUPPLIER.NISSAN HAS ALSO SHOWN THAT THE LEAKS MOSTLY OCCUR WITHIN THE FIRST 2000 MILES OF SERVICE WITH A SEVERE DROP IN INCIDENTS BEYOND 2000 MILES OF SERVICE.MOST LEAKS HAVE ALREADY OCCURRED, AND THE ONE FIRE WAS MINOR. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Power Train:automatic Transmission
THIS PE WAS OPENED FOR MODEL YEAR (MY) 2008 NISSAN MAXIMA VEHICLES BASED ON EARLY WARNING DATA THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSE MAY HAVE PINHOLES AND/OR CRACKS RESULTING IN A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK.THE LEAKED FLUID CAN CONTACT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND IGNITE.NISSAN HAS SHOWN THAT THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PINHOLES AND/OR CRACKS IN THE HOSE IS EXCESSIVE STRESS DURING THE MANUFACTURE FORMING PROCESS RESULTING IN HOSE DEFORMATION AT LOADING ONTO A MANDREL, OR DAMAGE DURING UN-LOADING.REGARDING LOADING STRESS, NISSAN STATES, WHEN EXCESSIVE STRESS IS APPLIED WHILE LOADING THE HOSE ONTO THE MANDREL, HOSE DEFORMATION (WHICH LOOKS LIKE A BULGE) CAN OCCUR AROUND THE BENDING AREA.A CRACK WILL START TO FORM ON THE INSIDE OF THE HOSE AT THE AREA OF DEFORMATION.REGARDING UNLOADING STRESS, NISSAN STATES, AFTER THE CURING PROCESS, IN SOME INSTANCES THE HOSE STUCK TO THE MANDREL TIGHTLY AND THE OPERATOR HAD TO APPLY A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FORCE TO PULL THE HOSE FROM THE MANDREL.IF THIS OPERATION WAS PERFORMED ROUGHLY, THE INTERIOR OF THE HOSE COULD BE DAMAGED BY THE MANDREL EDGE. NISSAN ALSO STATES, BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE HOSES RECEIVED INTERNAL DAMAGE, A DAMAGED HOSE WAS PRODUCED AS A RARE, RANDOM EVENT RATHER THAN SYSTEMATICALLY.THE TRANSMISSION HOSE SUPPLIER, COOPER STANDARD AUTOMOTIVE, IMPLEMENTED PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS THAT LIMIT EXCESSIVE STRESS ON THE HOSE DURING MANUFACTURE. NISSAN HAS SHOWN THAT THIS TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSE WAS ASSEMBLED ON MY 2007 AND MY 2008 MAXIMA VEHICLES.NISSAN REDESIGNED THE TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSE ON MY 2009 MAXIMA, AND THE HOSE IS MANUFACTURED BY A NEW SUPPLIER.NISSAN HAS ALSO SHOWN THAT THE LEAKS MOSTLY OCCUR WITHIN THE FIRST 2000 MILES OF SERVICE WITH A SEVERE DROP IN INCIDENTS BEYOND 2000 MILES OF SERVICE.MOST LEAKS HAVE ALREADY OCCURRED, AND THE ONE FIRE WAS MINOR. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.