Bucking/Hesitation/Stuttering
Thread Starter
Newbie - Just Registered
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 4
Bucking/Hesitation/Stuttering
2011 Maxima
71k miles
No codes or pending codes
Bought the car used with 69k miles, no issues up until this point. The problem seems to occur when the car gets below 1/2 a tank of gas.
Under moderate to heavy acceleration, the car will buck and lose power for a few moments, then it kicks back in and continues to accelerate. It seems to be sporadic and can happen several times while accelerating, or just once or twice. The problem also occurs during city driving when leaving red lights or stops. Under light throttle, it generally doesn't occur, but sometimes feels sluggish.
Things I've tried so far:
Cleaned MAF - No change
Replaced MAF - No change
Several tanks of gas with iso-heet - No change
Chevron fuel injector cleaner also used - No change
Short of lighting the car on fire, I'm running out of patience.
I'm leaning towards a fueling issue, possibly a weak/dying pump, but you'd think it'd be throwing codes for lean issues. The only other thing I can think of is the dreaded CVT problems. Thoughts?
71k miles
No codes or pending codes
Bought the car used with 69k miles, no issues up until this point. The problem seems to occur when the car gets below 1/2 a tank of gas.
Under moderate to heavy acceleration, the car will buck and lose power for a few moments, then it kicks back in and continues to accelerate. It seems to be sporadic and can happen several times while accelerating, or just once or twice. The problem also occurs during city driving when leaving red lights or stops. Under light throttle, it generally doesn't occur, but sometimes feels sluggish.
Things I've tried so far:
Cleaned MAF - No change
Replaced MAF - No change
Several tanks of gas with iso-heet - No change
Chevron fuel injector cleaner also used - No change
Short of lighting the car on fire, I'm running out of patience.
I'm leaning towards a fueling issue, possibly a weak/dying pump, but you'd think it'd be throwing codes for lean issues. The only other thing I can think of is the dreaded CVT problems. Thoughts?
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,847
From: Central Florida
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,132
If not the fuel pump, which as o recall is actually a full assembly under the rear seat, something else that could cause this is bad/fouled plugs. Because you've correlated this problem with below a half tank, it has you looking elsewhere...perhaps there is zero correlation, more coincidence. The 07 I had I replaced plugs around 75k even though recommended at 100k. I'll be honest, should have replaced them at 65k, they were in bad shape, and the car ran considerably better after the swap.
Thread Starter
Newbie - Just Registered
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 4
If not the fuel pump, which as o recall is actually a full assembly under the rear seat, something else that could cause this is bad/fouled plugs. Because you've correlated this problem with below a half tank, it has you looking elsewhere...perhaps there is zero correlation, more coincidence. The 07 I had I replaced plugs around 75k even though recommended at 100k. I'll be honest, should have replaced them at 65k, they were in bad shape, and the car ran considerably better after the swap.
Newbie - Just Registered
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 15
From: upstate NY
I had the same type of issue but I also had the infamous LIMP mode. I also have had to replace my battery 3x in 1 year. No it wasn’t alternator or starter. My battery terminal kept coming loose and caused false engine codes bc it wasn’t getting right voltage. My max was acting as if it had a bad spark plug almost bc of the battery terminal. It’s a cheap thing give that a look. Limp mode went away after I put an extra tranny cooler in and change CVT fluid. Good luck