I am looking for '02 Maxima owners or other 5th gen owners who have had problems with the frame or subframe, or an unresolved thumping or knocking noise in the front end of their car.

My problem started in July of this year at 39,000 miles. It sounded like the right front strut was broken, or bottoming out, when driving over bumpy roads and speed bumps. After many, many, returns to two different dealerships, two inspection/repair attempts by Dealer Technical Support, and the last two days being inspected by a Nissan Engineer (yes, they brought in an engineer to figure out what was causing the problem), Nissan has determined that it is something with in the frame/subframe. My car is completely stock from a mechanical standpoint and has never been wrecked.

Nissan's engineer suspects it's a brace or support inside the frame that has broken in the crumple zone area of the car. However, the only way to know for sure is to cut into the frame to perform an inspection and/or repair.

I am pursuing legal options and want to find others who may have the same problem, especially if you have initiated litigation. This type of problem potentially has serious safety consequences and calls into question the integrity of the vehicle frame. Not to mention the impact on the value and integrity of the vehicle once the frame has been cut.

Since it's out of the 3/36 warranty, there is no lemon law protection in the State of Texas. There are other consumer protection statutes that would apply. I also want to make sure that others that have had the same problem report the problem to NTSA.

Please contact me at centexbnkr [at] gmail.com if any of this applies.

Thanks,

Shannon Smith

 

Mine recently started a knocking in the past week, however, it has 96k on it. I believe mine is a strut issue, but it's getting body work now so I can't test it.

 

Odd, you know what's funny is that I've had the same thing for 2 years now The thing is, I always figured it would be a strut or strut mount, so I've left it alone.

When I get around to getting them replaced, I'll see if it goes away.

 

you might have a problem with your transverse link. some 2001-2002 had a recalls due to this suspension link breaking. it starts as a CV joint type noise, then progressing to steering problems.check or go to www.alldata.com/TSB/41/01416289.html and check you VIN there.

 

Thanks for the replys and suggestions. My car was not part of the recall, but the transverse link was replaced in addition to many other parts. In all, three motor mounts, the rack and pinion, transverse link, cradle, both strut mounts (and struts) were replaced. Not to mention a multitude of bolts replaced and/or tightened to specs. The dealer used its "chassis ears" to determine the location of the noise, and pinpointed it to the frame.

Nissan also sent a regional Dealer Technical Support expert twice, then a factory engineer. That's in addition to two dealerships attempting to fix the problem. Every possible issue was looked at. It's a frame defect.

I can't say Nissan hasn't tried because they have. But, the problem is still there and getting worse. The next step (according to the engineer) was to cut into the frame. That's not going to happen.

 

Have you tried applying the brakes to see if the sound goes away. I have a knock from the right front area. It sounds just like a strut bottoming out. But I can apply the brake and the noise goes away. Still searching....

 

i had a knock like you described and it turned out to be the front sway bar. they replaced the bushings and noise is gonna. but your problem might be deeper than that

 

I have the exact same problem. I have actually brought my vehicle back to the dealership over 10 times for this problem. People on this forum have suggested, lower ball joints and/or wheel bearings. I have just learned to live with the noise and turn the radio up. If all hell breaks loose and the car falls apart, works for me, I hate my maxima because of this problem.

 

well, they should fix it under warranty as I assume you took the car before the warranty ran off. Call Nissan North America and tell them you want your car repaired.
Lemon law should apply to your vehicle IF you brought your car to the dealer to be fixed. You only have to take it in once and the Lemon Law starts running. If they cannot fix it properly in three attempts "Florida Lemon Law" the manufacturer should give you a New car. Call Nissan and specify that the dealer tried to fix the problem with no luck.

 

you didnt take it to GUNN, did you? haha...if so, they may be trying to play you...several of us have had that problem and it never turned out to be something so serious...as you can see there have already been several suggestions of what it may be....my car does this as well over rough roads but nissan couldn't find anything wrong with it, so i tend to ignore it...

 

Thanks for all of the suggestions and comments. I can't post any personal comments due to legal proceedings, but after the car was at various dealerships for more than 45 days (cumulative) and a Nissan engineer investigation into the problem, the last comment on the most recent invoice states that the noise is in the subframe and would have to go to a body shop for repair.

I will say this - if you are contemplating legal proceedings, plan on it being a very lengthy and time consuming process.

Good luck to everyone.

 

Same here....I've replaced all my suspension components and still can't get rid of the problem.