2014 Nissan Maxima Engine Problems

Date(s) of Incident: Multiple incidents from [June 3, 2025] to [July 1, 2025] Summary of Complaint I am filing this complaint against Best Price Transmissions for negligence, non-compliance with automotive repair safety codes, and unprofessional conduct that has resulted in substantial financial loss, vehicle damage, and emotional distress. I have patronized this shop for years, trusting their work, but my vehicles have repeatedly left their care with more problems than they arrived with. The most recent incident involved an air conditioning repair that led to a coolant leak, the recommendation of unnecessary part replacements, and ultimately damage to my vehicle’s performance. Details of Incident 1. Unqualified Workers & Code Non-Compliance Mechanics admitted to not being certified automotive technicians. One employee intentionally released refrigerant from my AC system, claiming there was “too much pressure.” Repairs involving refrigerants must legally be performed by certified personnel; this was not followed. Several workers could not speak English, making communication difficult and contributing to repair errors. 2. Damage to Vehicle My AC and defrost no longer function. Vehicle now runs irregularly, despite having no such issues before their service. Owner previously promised to replace damaged parts caused by their negligence but has not contacted me or honored that agreement. 3. Evidence Collected I recorded both video and audio of conversations, mechanical work, and admissions from employees about their lack of certification. Receipts and photos are available to verify the timeline and repairs. 4. Financial & Emotional Impact I have spent over $2,000 on this matter. I am on a fixed monthly income, making these repeated expenses a severe financial burden. I feel bullied and taken advantage of by the staff, especially since I am disabled and rely on my vehicle for mobility. 5. Attempts at Resolution

NHTSA ID

11680401

Incident

Jun 3, 2025

Over the last couple months I've noticed my vehicle delay acceleration after coming to a stop. I've also noticed jerking while driving at a constant speed. First I thought it was bad gas but the problem has persisted for several fill ups now. I thought maybe the transmission fluid needed to be replaced so I paid a couple hundred bucks to have it serviced. The problem continued. I took it to a local car shop to get it scanned. There were no codes present at the time. A few weeks later and after nearly being struck by three different vehicles in one day, I decided to try a different car repair shop. At the tune of another $91.00 for the diagnosis, this time it threw 5 codes all for transmission. The mechanic proceeded to tell me about all of the problems people have been having with Nissan's and their CVT Transmissions. It's $5k to fix the issue and I'm outside of the extended warranty timeframe. I read about the recent lawsuits against Nissan for this issue. Would be nice if they extended that warranty a little further.

NHTSA ID

11527303

Incident

Jun 15, 2023

The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer, Napleton St. Louis Nissan (10964 Page Ave., St. Louis, MO 63132) where the mechanic replaced the crankshaft and camshaft; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and diagnosed with and intelligent power distributor module (IPDM) failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 56,500. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID

11503199

Incident

Jan 9, 2023

Mileage

56,500 mi

The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power. The contact stated he was able to pull over and was only able to restart the vehicle by shifting the gear shifter into neutral(N). The contact stated that the vehicle was operating while in neutral(N), however, while driving the vehicle failed to exceed 5 MPH despite depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the engine was revving abnormally. No warning lights were illuminated. The failure occurred on various occasions while driving at various speeds. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure and was informed that there were no known recalls related to the failure. The contact was informed to schedule an appointment for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 31,000.

NHTSA ID

11485865

Incident

Sep 11, 2022

Mileage

31,000 mi

I’ve been getting pulled over by the state trooper because of my headlights they’re stating they aren’t bright enough. The bulb was changed and still same problem. My Nissan was slow to accelerate while driving, then looses power, turns off.

NHTSA ID

11458374

Incident

Feb 8, 2022

TRANSMISSION FAILED PRIOR TO FIRST SERVICE REQUIREMENTS, CVT TRANSMISSION. WARRANTY EXTENDED BUT NOT FOR CURRENT YEAR. ONLY YEAR PRIOR. ALSO VTC RETARTDER KIT RECALLED FOR 2009-2013, NOT FOR 2014. SAME PROBLEMS ARE HAPPENING BUT NOT BEING COVERED UNDER RECALL. TOOK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT IS NOT COVERED EVEN IF THE PROBLEM WAS A RECALL FOR THE YEAR BEFORE.

NHTSA ID

11245368

Incident

Aug 5, 2019

Mileage

56,000 mi

MY 2014 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH MY FAMILY AND MYSELF INSIDE WERE IN A NEAR DEATH SITUATION WHEN THE CAR DID NOT HAVE POWER TO CROSS TRAIN TRACKS THAT WENT ACROSS THE ROAD. WE HEARD THE TRAIN COMING AND THE ONLY REASON WE ESCAPED DEATH WAS BECAUSE OF A MAN IN A PICKUP TRUCK IN BACK OF US OBSERVED THE SITUATION AND QUICKLY PUSHED THE CAR OVER THE TRACKS AND OUT OF THE WAY JUST BEFORE THE TRAIN QUICKLY PASSED THROUGH. I LATER FOUND OUT FROM THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE NISSAN CVT TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THAT WAS WHY THE CAR DIDN'T HAVE THE POWER TO CROSS THE TRAIN TRACKS. THEY ALSO SAID THAT THE CVT TRANSMISSION REPAIR WOULD COST ME $5000.00 AND THAT THE REPAIR WASN'T COVERED UNDER ANY CVT TRANSMISSION WARRANTY. NISSAN SHOULD COVER THIS REPAIR ON THERE KNOWN TROUBLESOME CVT TRANSMISSION. WOULD NISSAN COVER EXPENSES FROM THE DEATH OF MY FAMILY AND MYSELF BECAUSE OF THERE FAULTY TRANSMISSION?

NHTSA ID

11121291

Incident

Jul 25, 2018

Mileage

94,000 mi

VEHICLE CAN BE TURNED OFF WHILE PRESSING IGNITION BUTTON WHILE STILL IN GEAR. THIS RESULTS IN THE CAR DRIFTING ONLY A BEEPING. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT TURN OFF AND WILL GO INDEFINITELY UNTIL PARKED. SEVERAL TIMES THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED MAJOR ACCIDENTS.

NHTSA ID

11019901

Incident

Aug 26, 2017

I PURCHASED A 2014 NISSAN MAXIMA IN JANUARY 2015 EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN MARCH OF 2015 WHERE THE CONSOLE SCREEN (RADIO, HEAT/AC CONTROLS, GAS MILEAGE, ETC.) CONSTANTLY BLACKED OUT/VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL LINES APPEARED. THE SCREEN WAS COMPLETELY REPLACED AND THE REPAIR WAS FIXED BY A LOCAL NISSAN DEALER. AFTER RECEIVING AN OIL CHANGE IN EARLY JULY 2015 (FIRST FREE OIL CHANGE) I NOTICED THAT MY VEHICLE HAD A TICKING AND KNOCKING NOISE/SOUND THAT WAS RATHER LOUD COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AN ENGINE KNOCK FROM #1 MAIN BEARING. AT THE DEALERSHIP A SERVICE APPOINTMENT WAS SET-UP AND I WAS PROVIDED A SERVICE BULLETIN (TECHNICAL BULLETIN) FROM NISSAN. THE BULLETIN READS AS FOLLOWS: CLASSIFICATION: EM12-014A REFERENCE NTB12-01A DATED DECEMBER 17, 2013 THAT FOR 2009-2014 MAXIMAS HAVE ENGINE KNOCKS FROM #1 MAIN BEARING (ON THIS NOTICE THERE IS A NOTE DO NOT REPLACE THE ENGINE FOR THIS ISSUE). I DID NOT REALIZE THE MAXIMA HAD ENGINE ISSUES. IF I KNEW THIS AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE I WOULD HAVE SELECTED ANOTHER VEHICLE. I HAVE MADE A FORMAL COMPLAINT TO NISSAN REQUESTING THE REPURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE WITH VARIOUS MANUFACTURE DEFECTS (CURRENTLY WAITING ON A RESPONSE). ADDITIONALLY, I HAVE TRIED TO RECEIVE AN EVEN TRADE FOR A SAFE VEHICLE DUE TO THE MANUFACTURER DEFECTS FROM THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BROUGHT THIS CAR BUT HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL AT THIS POINT DUE TO THE DEPRECIATION OF THE VEHICLE/CURRENT MANUFACTURER DEFECTS (UNSAFE ENGINE). THIS IS UTTERLY RIDICULOUS FOR A CAR THAT HAS LESS THAN 7,000 MILES TO HAVE SO MANY DEFECTS THAT WAS PURCHASED 6 MONTHS AGO. ANY ASSISTANCE IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.

NHTSA ID

10735668

Incident

Jul 16, 2015

Mileage

5,103 mi