8th Generation Maxima (2016-) Let's see what Nissan has to offer on the 8th generation Maxima

Bumper Gap issue

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Old Mar 16, 2016 | 11:29 AM
  #1  
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Bumper Gap issue

So i brought a 2016 Nissan Maxima a few months ago. I noticed there's a gap on the driver's side of the vehicle that looked weird and has been driving me crazy. It sticks out like a sore thumb. I brought the car to the dealership to take a look at it but they said there was nothing they could do about it becuase it was already aligned. I made a case with Nissan's claim division and they said the exact thing! Is it me or are they ok with this being normal?! For a $36k car, this is not quality work! Anyways, i was wondering if anyone had the same issue or if anyone had a quick solution to fixing this problem.







Old Mar 16, 2016 | 01:27 PM
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It looks like one of the bolts that connects the bumper to the fender underneath is either loose or missing. I just walked through the row of Maximas at my local dealership while waiting for an oil change for the Murano...and none of them had this gap.
Old Mar 16, 2016 | 09:05 PM
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If the dealers says this is already 'aligned', then why are not all 2016 Maximas like this?

I try to be understanding, and accept that not all new cars are not absolutely perfect. But, unless somebody bumped into your car without you knowing, this gap is unacceptable in a new Maxima. I know this is a lot of trouble to do, but I think you need to persist until this is fixed.
Old Mar 17, 2016 | 01:48 AM
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im not gay but $20 is $20's Avatar
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What's difficult is he got the vehicle a couple of months ago...having body alignment conversations with a dealer go different ways shortly after buying a vehicle versus a couple months later down the road. Has this been like this from day 1?
Old Mar 17, 2016 | 08:24 AM
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Yes, It does look like a parking whack to me. Pulling the bumper is what I would do.
Old Mar 17, 2016 | 10:41 AM
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it definitely not acceptable for a new car have that kind of gap. I would be peeved, and I would have told the service manager or even the GM to walk with you and point that out and point out their other cars on the lot and show them how is that "normal" or aligned correctly while other cars on their lot is not.
Old Mar 17, 2016 | 10:50 AM
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I'm not sure it's a parking accident because there aren't any scratches or dents marks from another car. Unfortunately, when i brought the car it was dark out side so i did see it. I didn't look down at the bumper until i was ready to wash my car for the first time. I never thought i needed to look down at the bumpers because the car is brand new! Anyways, When i push it in it looks ok, but after driving it (especially over uneven pavement) that part of the bumper pops out again.
Old Mar 17, 2016 | 11:55 AM
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Since you say it looks good after u push it in and then will pop out after driving tells me
That the bumper clips that hold it in place may be broken. See if the dealer is willing to pull the bumper cover off to see if all the clips are in good order. If not try ring it to a Body shop. Something is definitely not right with that side of the cover.

Randy
Old Mar 17, 2016 | 02:31 PM
  #9  
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I had the same thing happen to mine. I had to push it back in every once in a while. I'll get it fixed on my 1st oil change.
Old Mar 18, 2016 | 07:49 AM
  #10  
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I had the same issue but i fix it the clips are not clamping the bumper hit it hard in that corner in it will clamp 😀
Old Mar 22, 2016 | 10:48 AM
  #11  
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That is def not normal. I would be upset. One max I drove had the top of the fender pulling away from the windshield column. I showed it to the salesman and he said they would fix it. Then I bought a different color ma. max.
Old Mar 22, 2016 | 02:01 PM
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Either way, they have to pull the bumper to reset the clamps etc. In the over all scheme of things, this is fixable without a lot of time invested. Keep us posted.
Old Apr 15, 2016 | 09:08 PM
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bought mine about 3 weeks ago and just noticed the same thing , same side , and it pops back in and back out after driving . Will take it in tomorrow and hope it gets fixed .
Old Jul 11, 2016 | 09:07 PM
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I have had the same thing occur but on passenger side. Dealership has just replaced with new bracket and the very next day it was back out. Taking it in again this week because car was too expensive for this to be occurring. So glad I found this tread because I thought I was crazy.
Old Jul 12, 2016 | 06:04 PM
  #15  
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This seems to be a common issue. It's strange that it's almost always the driver's side of the front bumper. Mine has started popping out also. I pop it back in, but it doesn't stay long.

Old Jul 12, 2016 | 06:54 PM
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Checked mine and both sides are flush.
Old Jul 12, 2016 | 10:56 PM
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Same thing on mine. Passenger side only and it happened after driving 9 hours at a speed of 160 km/h for almost the whole 9 hours loool
Old Jul 13, 2016 | 10:44 AM
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Originally Posted by mfshehri
Same thing on mine. Passenger side only and it happened after driving 9 hours at a speed of 160 km/h for almost the whole 9 hours loool
Dang man. Were you in the Cannonball Run?!
Old Jul 13, 2016 | 07:22 PM
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Drivers side. Had a body shop install a brand new clip and this is the day after they installed it. Faulty clips in my opinion.
Old Jul 13, 2016 | 07:24 PM
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Originally Posted by M. Dalrymple

Drivers side. Had a body shop install a brand new clip and this is the day after they installed it. Faulty clips in my opinion.
Is this a before or after cuz it looks like a BEFORE shot to me.
Old Jul 13, 2016 | 07:50 PM
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Originally Posted by raven69david
Is this a before or after cuz it looks like a BEFORE shot to me.
The new tab was installed last night and this was today. The body shop said they have seen this on several of our cars (and there are not very many driving around my city). They push it in and smack the bumper to simulate driving and bumps etc. and it just pops back out.
Old Jul 13, 2016 | 09:37 PM
  #22  
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pops back out... i'm thinking it could be a molding issue.
didn't cool properly... idk... i'm not a materials engineer.

replacing the bumper cover will solve it.
no?
Old Mar 16, 2018 | 07:56 PM
  #23  
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I just discovered this on my 2016 as well. I just bought this about a month ago with 31k miles. First I had the driver’s seat rock—they replaced the seat frame—now this. Seems this is a quality control issue during production of the vehicle. Anyone with a 2017 or 2018 having these issues? I’ve gotta say, when I bought this car, I was planning on getting the Nissan extended warranty for peace of mind and protection. I feel now I definitely must get an extended warranty because I’m beginning to wonder if this specific year is problematic when it comes to fit n finish. My previous Max was 2002 I bought in 2005 with 30k miles and it was excellent car. The only issue early on with the ‘02 was the stereo head unit. However, they were made by Clarion, no Nissan. The thought has already occurred to me that I may not be keeping this car too long... this kind of crap shouldn’t be occurring on a maxima.
Old Mar 17, 2018 | 04:19 PM
  #24  
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Originally Posted by JS Bach
I just discovered this on my 2016 as well. I just bought this about a month ago with 31k miles. First I had the driver’s seat rock—they replaced the seat frame—now this. Seems this is a quality control issue during production of the vehicle. Anyone with a 2017 or 2018 having these issues? I’ve gotta say, when I bought this car, I was planning on getting the Nissan extended warranty for peace of mind and protection. I feel now I definitely must get an extended warranty because I’m beginning to wonder if this specific year is problematic when it comes to fit n finish. My previous Max was 2002 I bought in 2005 with 30k miles and it was excellent car. The only issue early on with the ‘02 was the stereo head unit. However, they were made by Clarion, no Nissan. The thought has already occurred to me that I may not be keeping this car too long... this kind of crap shouldn’t be occurring on a maxima.
I understand your frustration and can tell you my early build 2016 does not have this or many other issues in 31K of driving. As I mentioned earlier, this is a fit issue that leads me to believe this car was bopped on that corner just enough to cause this. Insist that the bumper cover be removed so they can see what underlying issues are present.
Old Mar 19, 2018 | 05:47 AM
  #25  
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robtroxel,

Thanks for your response. I will bring it up on my next oil change. It is strange though that there are other Maxima's out there with exactly the same issue. As for the gap on mine... I can push it back in--and it will stay--but like another member pointed out, it just pops back out again when you drive. I have worked on cars somewhat and I feel it's an easy fix. Seems all you need to do is remove the wheel and inner fender liner to access the area.
Old Mar 19, 2018 | 05:55 AM
  #26  
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Originally Posted by JS Bach
robtroxel,

Thanks for your response. I will bring it up on my next oil change. It is strange though that there are other Maxima's out there with exactly the same issue. As for the gap on mine... I can push it back in--and it will stay--but like another member pointed out, it just pops back out again when you drive. I have worked on cars somewhat and I feel it's an easy fix. Seems all you need to do is remove the wheel and inner fender liner to access the area.
That is a good idea to access that area and see what is giving the "pop out" a chance to happen. Perhaps a broken clip/tab is my thought which might have been brought about by a light tap with another object. Otherwise the bumper cover is malformed some how. Let us know how you make out.
Old Mar 19, 2018 | 01:14 PM
  #27  
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Mine pops too, on the passenger side. I took it in to the dealer, but they refused to fix it under warranty. They said it's due to impact to the fender and showed me a little purple transfer paint on the top of the fender. There's no way any other car could've hit it up there and not damage the lip of the wheel arch.... maybe my wife bumped it with a heavy purse... IDK...
Attached Thumbnails Bumper Gap issue-bumper1.jpg   Bumper Gap issue-bumper2_li.jpg  
Old Mar 19, 2018 | 05:10 PM
  #28  
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Originally Posted by dmstangu
Mine pops too, on the passenger side. I took it in to the dealer, but they refused to fix it under warranty. They said it's due to impact to the fender and showed me a little purple transfer paint on the top of the fender. There's no way any other car could've hit it up there and not damage the lip of the wheel arch.... maybe my wife bumped it with a heavy purse... IDK...
Any kids with bicycles in the family?
Old Mar 20, 2018 | 08:55 AM
  #29  
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Originally Posted by compyelc4
Any kids with bicycles in the family?
There is a purple bike in the garage, but nobody rode that in ages.... And even if someone did, I still can't see how could the frame of the bike hit that high on the car fender...
Old Mar 20, 2018 | 10:05 AM
  #30  
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I am really nervous right now as my Maxima is currently in the body shop getting the front bumper cover replaced. I certainly don't want to be dealing with this issue when they are done.
Old Mar 20, 2018 | 11:06 AM
  #31  
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Originally Posted by 240tomax
I am really nervous right now as my Maxima is currently in the body shop getting the front bumper cover replaced. I certainly don't want to be dealing with this issue when they are done.
what happened?
Old Mar 20, 2018 | 05:10 PM
  #32  
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Was looking at my bumper today, and while I didn't see this problem I noticed something that never quite got my attention before, and is probably going to bug me now that I saw it.

I never really noticed that the hood isn't made of one piece going all he way down to the front grill. Instead, there's a rather wide seal separating the hood from the front, then a little more metal along the front. I think it would have looked better as one solid piece. Fortunately I have a dark blue paint, because it would drive me crazy if it were white. (Or do they put a white seal on the white version?)

Am I the only one that thinks that or am I just being too picky?
Old Mar 20, 2018 | 08:09 PM
  #33  
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Originally Posted by NisCal17


what happened?
When I picked up the car when buying it, and did the walk around I noticed extremely subtle dent on the right side protrusion. At first just thought it was the light, but when I ran my finger across it, it was confirmed. I am sure 9 out of 10 people would never see it and between purchase and this week I had service done at the dealership and when the service adviser did the walk around they did not pick it up.
Old Mar 21, 2018 | 08:47 AM
  #34  
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My guess is that this was a byproduct of the ABS/cruise control recall.
My bumper was perfect as new, but is slightly misaligned after the recall was complete.
They have to rip the whole front end off.
Old Mar 21, 2018 | 12:41 PM
  #35  
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Originally Posted by Fishlet
Was looking at my bumper today, and while I didn't see this problem I noticed something that never quite got my attention before, and is probably going to bug me now that I saw it.

I never really noticed that the hood isn't made of one piece going all he way down to the front grill. Instead, there's a rather wide seal separating the hood from the front, then a little more metal along the front. I think it would have looked better as one solid piece. Fortunately I have a dark blue paint, because it would drive me crazy if it were white. (Or do they put a white seal on the white version?)

Am I the only one that thinks that or am I just being too picky?
Hey Fishman, I get what you are saying but even with white, there is so much contrasting black trim on this car, I didn't notice anything that seemed out of the ordinary. I did go with Coulis Red as my choice but considering white later this year as a replacement for my next lease.
Old Mar 21, 2018 | 06:29 PM
  #36  
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Originally Posted by robtroxel
Hey Fishman, I get what you are saying but even with white, there is so much contrasting black trim on this car, I didn't notice anything that seemed out of the ordinary. I did go with Coulis Red as my choice but considering white later this year as a replacement for my next lease.
True that, I'll just imagine them as additional character lines
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