So I have a question about TSB's. 2 actually. Isn't it true that a TSB is to help a dealer have a reference point for a particular problem/complaint that has occured for more than just a few people? And if so, do they contain information suggesting what the solution is to the described problem?

I bought a 2010 Max SV in Nov that had 34,xxx on it and was 1 month out of bumper to bumper coverage. And I have been noticing several "issues" that seemed not normal to me but didn't give them much thought until i started reading the TSB info and found that all the complaints I have are covered by a TSB. But of course I'm just out of warranty so any repairs falls to my wallet. Fabulous. Don't get me wrong, I love the car, but aren't Nissans supposed to have less problems?

 

Your understanding of a TSB is correct. If the problem associated with a TSB has occurred with your car, while still under warranty, then the dealer can fix using the TSB and bill Nissan. IF the problem occurs after warranty, the dealer might be able to appeal to Nissan for extra warranty coverage, but this depends on how 'out-of-warranty' the car is, and also the relationship you have with the dealer.

IF you reported the problem before the warranty expired, the dealer was not able to fix the problem, and now the TSB defines a specific new procedure to follow for a the repair...you have a very strong case to request post warranty assistance because you have a pre-existing work order that failed to fix the problem.

Go in softly, speak calmly first, then go louder if the result is not fair.

 

Per Consumer Reports auto maker reliability Nissan is ranking in the lower third. More important here is the model and the Maxima is actually rating above average.

 

Some TSB's on the 7th gen are covered under the 5/60 Power train warranty.

Which TSB's are you referring to ?

 

speak softly and carry a big stick...haha

has anyone had any luck appealing to a dealership?

 

welllll, there are several. here's a list and descriptions:

13-089, 11-089, 11-002 - all refer to a lower than normal accel from a stop, mine is intermittent which is more of the 11-002. it is sometimes very sluggish until about 30mph.

09-138 - a boomy sound coming from the CVT at 20 - 45mph, mine is more of a humming i guess, but this could simply be the nature of a CVT, i've never owned one before so i have nothing to compare to.

09-086, 12-055A - refers to a clicking sound from front left suspension at lower speeds, to me it sounds like a bad ball joint would sound but i was reading this is a common problem and could be a cracked strut insulator.

13-063 - pax seat vibrates at highway speeds, nothing else vibrates and tires are perfect and balanced

13-028 - windshield has a popping/cracking sound when i hit bumps in colder temps

10-153 - brakes are very sensitive just before coming to a complete stop, they seem to get very responsive without extra pressure on the pedal

09-092B - driver seat rocks/shifts slightly

and of course 12-071A - #1 main bearing issue, but i don't think i have any knock right now

so that's it. any insights? i'm not afraid to do the work myself if i know what the problem is.

 

That's quite the list...........just see what the dealer says

 

The first two are TCM reprograms. They would both be corrected at the same time. This is covered under 5/60 powertrain.

NTB09-086 is a recall, not a TSB. If you visit a dealer, they can pull what's called a "service comm" on your VIN and see if it applies.

NTB12-055a is covered under 5/60 powertrain. The "primary failed part" for warranty coverage is the front hub bearing.

NTB13-063 involves replacing the entire seatback. This is rather expensive if not under warranty. You might want to ask if your dealer can "goodwill" this. It helps if you bought the car there are get your service done there.

NTB13-028 deals with using steel wool to clean the windshield. Has nothing to do with noises.

NTB10-153... If this applied to your car, trust me, you'd know. Slightly increase braking is normal. That's the CVT. I've driven a Maxima with this issue. As you're slowing, it suddenly feels like you slammed on the brakes. It throws you against the seatbelt. You probably don't have this, but if you do, it's also expensive. It requires replacing the brake booster. In 2 years, I've only seen one Max with this problem.

NTB09-092... Also only covered 3/36 and expensive. Requires replacing the seat frame and the plastic finishers around the lower cushion.

NTB12-071a is covered 5/60, but if there's no audible knock, it doesn't apply.

 

thanks, this is awesome. i can remove 10-153 cause it doesn't throw me against the seat belt so, and 09-092 doesn't bother me enough to pay anything for it. so the list is shrinking already.

 

I have a followup question. How come i8acobra has been on this board around a dozen years, clearly has a very strong working knowledge of Nissan problems and problem resolution, but averages only around 5 posts per year?

I think i8acobra may be a quintessential example of hiding our light under a basket.

 

I joined the forum years ago when I needed to ask a question about a car I was working on. Been working on cars for about 25 years. I've been working for Nissan for a little over 2 years. I only just purchased a '14 Maxima about a month ago, although I've owned other Nissans before. I actually forgot I was registered here until I tried to re-register after buying my Max.

 

Welcome back! Your comments are appreciated,

 

Agreed!

Cobra - are you a master tech at Nissan? You're GTR certified right? Usually only one or two GTR techs per dealer, and they're usually the most senior mechanics.

 

Nope, not a Master yet, so not GTR certified. Kinda funny actually... I'm not allowed to even change oil on a GTR at work, but I've built 2 Dodson GTR trannys and built a few GTR motors outside of work.

Not to take this thread too OT, but here's a video of one my buddy Mike (He is a Nissan Master) and I built:

 

Is there a TSB for sluggish transmission ?
I'm having an issue when I'm at a stop and then go to take off, i feel there is a hesitation in pressing the gas pedal. I noticed this since I took off my CAI (hot air intake) and put back on my stock air box. With my CAI, the stop and take off is great.

 

Could be your long term fuel trims. They'll adjust over time to the new intake.

 

Could be, but I remember there was a post about people with Sluggish transmissions and there was a TSB or something to adjust the CVT, and after that their issues was gold.

I like to add this was not the case when I first got the car, but I will do a little more searching.

 

There is a tsb for this. It's for pre 2012's. I forget exactly what it says but it's something about feeling bogged down in 25-40 mph range. It's an ECU fix that the dealer can do in like 10 min.

But I suspect that Cobra is right. Give it some time w the stock intake.

 

I hear you, I've actually had my factory CAI it on for over six months now and i'm starting to notice it more often. In December I was away for 2 week and I disconnected the battery, and when I came back and drove the car for a few days and up until now it still doing it "sluggish" acceleration. Now once it is going it is fine, but from a stop and go it is not what it is like when I first got the car.