I had the Nissan dealership check out my steering wheel column on my 2004SE because of the slight movement when the wheel is in the downright position. My car has the Drivers preferred package which includes the power tilt convenience. Well....the dealership informed me that I will need a new steering wheel column at the cost of $1250!!!!!! As long as I drive with the steering wheel in the upright position there is no movement at all. However, when the steering wheel is down, you can push up and down on the wheel and it will move slightly. The technician explained to me that this is a common problem he has found on cars with the power tilt option on them. What next! At the same time they checked out this problem they also explained to me that my A/C blowing hot in my vehicle is due to needing an A/C hose at the cost of $450 installed!!!!! Once again, the technician also informed me that the A/C hose replacement seems to be a common problem on these cars. Of course, my certified car care warranty does not cover any of these problems so now I have to try and come up with$$$$$. I may hold out on getting the column repaired right away due to the cost. Are there any recalls on these parts???

 

I kind of figured that the technological crap behind any special gadgets would be just one more thing to possibly go wrong. And $450 for a ****ing hose? Must be all labor since a piece of rubber costs no more than $20, unless I am missing something here

 

Nope. That's how much it costs. I had my A/C hose replaced once under warranty, would have been bucks if not. Serenity can probably find someone else to do the A/C work cheaper though.

This link will get you some good info on the A/C part of your problem

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=521135

 

The steering was a problem in my car as well. It had some play in it. the steerinf column was replaced under my warranty and the part is about $950, so they aren't jiving you on the total cost. I was just lucky that it was covered and that I have the extra warranty anyways. Why does you warranty not cover this as you bought yours certified. It should. Its not just a powertrain warranty unless I am missing something.

 

That's insane.

 

The Nissan extended warranty should cover this, is yours a different (aftermarket) warranty?

 

Man, this sucks, my Maxima has all the nice gizmos.

When I got my used Maxima from another dealership, I got an aftermarket warranty, but I don't know if it would cover this; I did buy the most expensive warranty they offered me, so I will only find out if the steering does go bad.

One good question though, what do you guys mean by 'when the wheel is in the downright position'? Does this only happen when you adjust it all the way down? Or it happens at any height you put it?

 

Do you guys think that hose is failing because of the location i'm thinking heat
and rocks poping up from the road. Maybe if we put some kind Installation around to keep it protected just a thought

 

My warranty is through Certified Car Care (Aftermarket). This warranty came with the vehicle when I purchased it. The problem with the steering wheel happens when it is positioned downward towards your lap. That's what I mean when I say in the "downright position".

 

Ill keep my fingers crossed for the next couple years....ive had enough problems to date.

 

Thanks Serenity, that means I will change my steering wheel from my 'lap position' to a higher one. I don't think this will solve the issue, but hopefully will delay it from happening sooner

 

If it goes, it will go and placing it higher will do nothing. Hopefully it will not happen to you.

 

To original poster: I had both replaced under warranty. At first the dealer was playing dumb like there was no problem with the steering column but another dealer just replaced the whole assembly. It was like over $1200 if I remember correctly.

As far as A/C hose goes, had that replaced after too, after the warranty of course but yeah, extended warranty doesn't cover a lot of parts so you'd have to speak to a rep to see what exactly a particular plan covers.

 

the a/c on my passenger is alittle warmer than the driver's side. did anyone who has had to get the hose replaced experience this and around what mileage did things start to fail?

 

this guy always delivers. Thanks again.