Has Nissan fixed the rocking seat yet and how bad is the engine noise if you don`t use the Nissan high ester based oil ?

Thanks

 

What are you talking about?

Only 1 person here reported a rocking seat issue and I've never heard anyone complain about the noise coming from the engine.

In fact, what "noise" are you talking about?

If you noticed, you haven't received any replies because none of us are experiencing these so called issues as a problem that is common amongst this car.

All you can hear from the engine is the "Sound Generator" and nothing else.

 

I think he may be asking (correct me if I am wrong) if engine noise will increase if the Nissan oil is not used (ie synthetic) which is a question I cannot answer because I haven't had an oil change yet (only 250 miles) and I don't really see how it would increase noise level.

 

Nissan did my oil change and didn't use the "ester" oil.

Also, there's more than 1 of us with the "rocking chair" issue. It's a generic issue as a few other Nissan cars have it as well.

No, there's no "fix" for it yet. Not much anyone can do about it yet. I had my whole seat frame replaced. Other than wasting 5 hours, it did nothing else.

 

No rocking seat here at least in front and my Nissan dealer at my request changed the oil with Mobil 1 5w30 and they highly recommended it over the stock dino.

 

IIRC, I think I have seen around six or seven posters here so far who have noticed varying amounts of rocking with their driver's seat, one who had the rocking only in the front passenger seat, and two who had some rocking in both front seats. So far, I haven't seen anyone complaining of rocking with their back seats. No fix as of this time.

As to the oil, any name brand 5W-30 dino oil with Service Rating of SM will work fine, keep your warranty valid, and should have no audible effect on engine noise. Castrol GTX seems to get very good ratings whenever oils are tested, and I have used it for many decades.

I would recommend against switching to synthetic oil for at least 10K miles, as it is so slick it slows down desirable engine break-in, so, in the meantime, the engine will not be operating at maximum efficiency. Some dealers push the Synthetic, but Nissan designed this engine to operate perfectly with dino oil, and Nissan techs told us six or seven years ago it is best to break the engine in with dino. Since they designed and built the engine, I took them at their word.

 

My driver's seat rocks from time to time, its annoying, but not too annoying.

 

You actually get somewhat used to the "rocking", but it's still an annoyance to know it's there.

 

My drivers seat started to rock a week after having it so I took it in to be fixed. The techs there confirmed the problem and they ordered a new track which seemed to fix it. I still notice a tiny bit of movement but not near the amount before. Don't know if you would classify that as fixed? Also, for everyone's info, the manager of my dealership says that this is also a problem with Altima's and the 350Z. He also mentioned the Corvette having the problem as well as they have a Chevy dealership next door.

 

Most of those issues including 350Z info are in the other thread which has most of the discussion on this.

 

Glad I came to the forums.. My front drivers seat rocks a little.. If I adjust the seat position the rocking becomes somewhat minimized but it's still annoying to feel the rocking under hard acceleration. Would love to have a fix for it.

 

Im a newbie what does DINO mean?

 

'dino' is short for dinosaur, and refers to motor oil made from natural petroleum (crude oil) taken from the ground, which supposedly resulted from chemical decomposition of thousands of bodies of dinosaurs who died millions of years ago.

Or, to put it another way, 'dino' refers to the old basic motor oil we have used for a hundred years; the only motor oil we had until synthetics began appearing on the market around thirty or forty years ago.

 

I'm so glad I joined this forum because my driver's seat rocks too! I thought it was just me, but clearly that's not the case. I'm taking it to the dealer tomorrow to see what they say. If they aren't able to fix it, I will take it to NTCNA and address it with the engineer and hopefully get a design change in the works.

 

Will they let you in? NTCNA is here in Phoenix also I've driven by and spied on the track but security is high and I wasn't interested in spending the night being bailed out. I wonder if they have a open house?

 

I work in the automotive industry and Nissan is my customer. I should have an office at NTCNA for the amount of time I spend there.

 

That is great I bet they appreciate that you own a Maxima!

 

Yeah, they love it when I show up.
So the service advisor and tech couldn't believe the car was even delivered this way. The Regional Technical Service Manager is supposed to be back to look at the car with Nissan Engineering on Tuesday so hopefully we will get this problem resolved for the rest of the new owners as well.

 

My dealer told me that he heard of the problem and Nissan told him that if you tighten the tracks more it would prevent the power seat form moving. The tracks need to be lose in order for the power seats to works. I say BS!!! and he agreed!
Lets get this fixed!!

 

Interesting about the rocking seat. I also notice this every once in a while, but very rarely. Guess it's not worth having the dealer check it out since most have not had any luck with this?

Here's another curious tidbit about the seat -- I noticed the same thing in my 1997 Maxima but thought it was an anomaly. BTW, for what it's worth, I just sold the '97 w/130k miles and that car still runs great after 12 years; my brother's been coveting it since I got it and I thought it time to treat myself to the new Maxima, which I love!

Will keep track of this thread w/any news from the engineers.

Rob

 

What oil do you guys recommend for the Maxima?

 

I am going to go with Synthetic Pennzoil or Mobile 1 at 6000 Miles (whichever is cheaper at the time), after I get my FIRST FREE Oil change from the stealership.

 

UPDATE on the rocking seat!
Seat bottom and track replaced. Problem fixed.
Nissan is aware of this problem and has tried several countermeasures to remedy it. The problem is, depending on when the seats were made, some countermeasures work and some don't. They are working with the supplier to try and resolve them on a case by case basis as they come in. No recall or TSB is set to be issued. It took almost a month to get it fixed but it finally feels like it should.

 

Hello, first post for me here... Been lurking a while and I also have noticed the rocking seat problem and I'm glad there is a fix.

 

Yes, good to know. I noticed the same rocking the 2nd day I had the car. Based on my work schedule, it's going to be a pain to keep going back to the dealer to get it fixed. I'm glad it's been narrowed down, so hopefully it can be repaired more quickly.

I find that I can reproduce the rocking if I plant my feet on the floor and gently press backward on the seat. Should be easier / safer to explain when the car doesn't have to be driven to demonstrate the problem.

 

TFocker
Could you scan and post your work order from the dealer. I`m sure alot of people could use the info, such as part #`s and the dealer that fixed it.
thanks.

 

I don't mind doing this and I will, but here's the problem: These parts didn't go thru the typical Nissan repair sequence, they were shipped directly to the Regional Technical Service Manager from the supplier. So there is technically no "standard" Nissan part number for them. Also, depending on when your car was built, there may be a different fix for you car because they have tried several countermeasures. I think the repair order actually states that it was an internal failure.

My advice to anyone with this problem is to tell your service advisor how mine was fixed and if they give you any crap about it, demand to have the contact info for the Regional Service Rep or Tech Rep. Nissan knows about this problem and for how much these cars cost, it should not be a hassle to get it fixed.

 

Here a TSB has been issued:

 

Has anyone else had any luck with this? Having the passenger seat vibration issue fixed next Monday and want to know if it's worth having them poke around with the driver's seat yet. ???

 

We really need to have a moderator merge this thread in with:

http://forums.maxima.org/7th-generat...x-finally.html

 

This is a separate issue. Everyone here is discussing the rocking of the drivers seat under acceleration/deceleration as opposed to the passenger seat issue in the TSB.

 

Yup, separate issue.

I don't have the passenger seat shake issue, but I do have the drivers "rocking chair" still. I spoke with my service manager again, he still has no updated info on this one even after replacing the track, etc.

 

My drivers seat started to rock at start stops after about a week or 2. My car is in the shop now and the dealer has said
"all of the 2009 Maximas have this issue to some extent, its just the way they were made, there is no fix"
The seat movement is extremely annoying. The fact that it started after delivery it implies movement after assembly. This in turn implies the potential for further movement which is clearly a safety issue.
I am pissed, this is my first Nissan, and from what I have experienced so far, it may be my last.
This is bush league at best.

I will be speaking with the dealer today, and may be calling the NTHSA as well.

 

How long are you guys going between oil changes? I had a change at 2k miles and now the car tells me it needs another at 5200 miles (I used Ester oil).

 

3500 miles so far, just switched to Amsoil and will increase to 7500.

 

I've had my Max for two days now and have already noticed the rocking seat!

 

Nissan recommends changing each 3750 miles with dino oil, but those who have converted to a good synthetic are usually doubling that mileage between changes.

 

I also have the rocking issue. I talked with my dealer - no luck. Called Nissan USA and since they say it is not broken they are also unwilling to help. I do not know what to do.. It is aggrevating since it rocks back and forth all the time (start, stop, and corners). Quite frankly I do not believe the seat will perform well in a crash.

HELP .....

 

I've had the same issue and Nissan USA is screwing around saying that they do not know about the problem and they are reviewing the information and will get back to me. I'm tired of waiting as I had a 2004 Maxima that also had a number of problems and Nissan was terrible on that front as well.

I am going to file a lemon law report with the state and make Nissan fix the car or take it back. There is clearly a safety issue here and I am not willing to take the risk.

This is a joke for Nissan to sell a $40,000 car with two faulty front seats.

 

hope its fixed for the 2010s