2008 Nissan Maxima Engine
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS PREMATURELY WEAR, CAUSING A WHINING NOISE AS THE CHAIN RUBS AGAINST THE TENSIONER WHILE THE VEHICLE IS TURNED ON. THIS WEAR EVENTUALLY GRINDS THROUGH THE TENSIONER RESULTING IN COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE WHICH CAN LEAD TO A CRASH OR INJURY. THIS BEGAN TO HAPPEN FOR ME JUST OUTSIDE OF THE MANUFACTURER WARRANTY, AND IS A COSTLY REPAIR FOR A PART OF THE ENGINE THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE MAINTAINED WITHIN THE ENGINES EXPECTED LIFETIME.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DROVE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO OTHER TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.
ABOUT 4-5 MONTHS AGO I NOTICED AN OIL SPOT ON MY DRIVEWAY AND AS THE MONTHS PASSED THE SPOTS GOT LARGER AND LARGER. NOW IF THE CAR IS RUNNING MY 2008 MAXIMA LEAVES A LARGE OIL SPOT WHEREVER I AM STOPPED. IT IS GETTING VERY AGGRAVATING BECAUSE I NOW CAN'T DRIVE MY CAR ANY LONG DISTANCES FOR FEAR OF IT RUNNING OUT OF OIL AND CAUSING SEVERE ENGINE DAMAGE. PLEASE HELP! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THAT DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, A LOUD TICKING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR AN UNRELATED REPAIR WHEN THEY DETECTED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,280.
Trend Over Time
Complaints by year
Other Issues
Common problems reported
Quick Summary
The 2008 Nissan Maxima has 4 Engine complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.