Clutch Burnout - Please Respond To the Email Address Inside

[bcountry]

Hello,
To all Versa owners that had a burned out clutch or transmission please email me at [email protected]. I'm currently in the process of sending a complaint into the government for a recall. It's a dangerous problem that Nissan is failing to take ownership of. I've also filed a complaint with the Better Business - Auto Division.

Phyllis

[Andrews Chalmers]

Can you provide a little detail as to what happened to you?

[bcountry]

I have a 2008 Versa. I've driven manual autos for 25 years and am an older adult so I know how to drive and don't abuse my cars. I always brought it to Nissan for maintenance, which as anyone knows is typically more expensive than a private mechanic. But I was assured that if anything happened up to 100,000 it would be taken care of. The clutch wasn't all that smooth from the very beginning and I did talk to the service manager about it and was told I just needed to let the car warm up a little more. The automobile is 3 1/2 years old, 57,000 and the clutch burned out already and the flywheel might be damaged but they can't tell until they remove the clutch. We're talking about a lot of money here for a fairly new car. I brought it to Nissan and they quoted me $1,700.00 just for the clutch and labor, flywheel not included. I brought it to an authorized private mechanic and the cost is $650.00.

I began searching the internet for similar issues with Versa's since the mechanic I brought it to said this should not have happened. I found many links to people who have had similar problems with the same or less mileage. It was discovered that the problem seems to lie with the cruise control switch which seems to be faulty and slips in the Versa and over time can cause the clutch to burn out. The mechanic told me to call Nissan which I did and they have the worse customer service among any that I've ever dealt with. I'm trading my Versa in, it was the first and last Nissan I will ever purchase. Due to all the similar manual and automatic transmission problems that seem to be occuring with the Versa I've decided to contact the Better Business Auto Line and the Government Recall Department. They seem to be interested and I'm currently in the process of sending them documents that they have asked for. If Nissan fails to take ownership of what seems like a recurring problem, I will go forward with it. Even though I'm trading mine in for another auto, I don't want others to be treated with disrespect by Nissan. And it is dangerous if the clutch goes out while on a major highway.

[Promise Land]

so how exactly does cruise control (an electrical function) wear out the clutch/flywheel assembly (a mechanical function)? Almost 100,000 Versas were sold in the last year and this is the first I've ever heard of the clutch wearing out prematurely (which is an opinion) and it being claimed to tied to CC or ASCD.

[bcountry]

I copied a quote from a source that is in the industry (please see below). It may be the first you've heard of it, but if you google versa's and clutch problems it's certainly not a new problem. The clutch wearing out prematurely is more than just an opinion if it happens to versa's that have mileage that range from 168 +. I've driven manual auto's for over 25 years, I like them. I've driven all makes and models and have never had a clutch as shoddy as this one right from the outset. I've never had a clutch burn out in a car that is 3 1/2 years old with approx. 57,000. My mechanic who also works on Nascars said this should not have happened and is surprised Nissan has not offered to rectify the problem. This is his area of expertise so I lend credibility to his view as well as all the owner's that have experienced similar problems and I intend and am currently in the process of filing a complaint with the Government.

"THERE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOUND IN SOME VERSA SL’S WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, RELATING TO THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM. IT HAS BEEN FOUND THAT ON HOT DAYS, THIS SWITCH MAY MOVE, AND CAUSE THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH TO DISENGAGE PREMATURELY. THIS PROBLEM CAN BE DANGEROUS IF IT OCCURS IN A REMOTE AREA OR ON A HEAVILY TRAFFICKED ROAD. THIS PROBLEM WILL SEVERELY COMPROMISE YOUR VEHICLE’S ABILITY TO MOVE, AND YOUR CAR MAY END UP DISABLED OR POSSIBLY WITH A BURNED OUT CLUTCH IF YOU IGNORE IT. THERE SEEMS TO BE A GROWING TREND WITH CLUTCH PROBLEMS IN NISSAN VERSA'S RANGING FROM MILEAGE OF 168 AND UP. NISSAN FAILS TO RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM."

[bcountry]

Copied below is an article that I copied. This is just one of hundreds I've found.


"Problems With Nissan Versa Clutch
By HoracioGarcia, eHow Contributor
updated: November 20, 2010

1. Problems with the clutch on the Nissan Versa have been reported since the car was first introduced in 2007.
shift stick image by BaSSaBaS from Fotolia.com
Problems with the clutch on the Nissan Versa have been reported since the car was first introduced in 2007.
Only two recalls of the Nissan Versa have occurred since the automobile's introduction in 2007. No recall has been for any clutch problems, but, according to Truedelta.com, some owners have reported problems with the clutch and Carcomplaints.com has listed several Versa problems that affect the clutch operation of the Nissan.
Squeaky Clutch Pedal
2. Truedelta.com has reported problems with the clutch on the Nissan Versa. A technical service bulletin has been published by the manufacturer dealing with an extended crank during start-up and a squeaky clutch pedal. No reason has been reported by Nissan or Truedelta.com, but this squeaking problem can be attributed to a too tight adjustment of the clutch. The Nissan Versa owner should take the car back to the dealership to have the clutch readjusted to prevent this noise during operation.
Clutch Wear
3. The clutch on the Nissan Versa experiences premature wearing, according to Truedelta.com. Most of these reports about premature clutch wear have come from Nissan owners who drive in the city more often than on the highway. Since the driver must stop and start more often when driving in the city than on the highway, the Nissan Versa owner must engage the clutch more frequently, which builds up heat in the clutch disc. This excessive heat buildup causes the clutch disc to wear prematurely because the disc does not have time to cool down between clutching during acceleration and deceleration.
Clutch Slipping
4. Carcomplaints.com has reported that the 2007 Nissan Versa has transmission problems that cause the clutch to slip under loads, when accelerating or driving uphill. This clutch slippage problem has been attributed to the transmission input shaft seal leaking fluid. The deterioration of the input shaft seal can leak transmission fluid onto the clutch disc, causing the clutch to overheat as well as slip when the clutch pedal is engaged. The slippage in the clutch also builds up heat in the disc and pressure plate, creating more damage to the entire clutch assembly. Once the clutch begins to slip, the Nissan Versa owner needs to take the automobile to the dealership to have the input shaft seals and the clutch disc inspected."


Read more: Problems With Nissan Versa Clutch | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/list_7372879_proble ... z1EkX2FiSP

[bcountry]

I copied the post below right from this site.

"Nissan Versa Clutch Problem

Postby Charmc » Sun May 31, 2009 1:39 pm
The clutch went out on our new Nissan Versa after 12,000 miles. We were floored and the dealer has been trying to say that it is our fault (not possible) We have just found out from the NICO club.com facts page that the clutch slipping on the Versa is connected with the cruise control and can be easily fixed by the dealer. Has any one else had this problem? Please contact us because we are contacting the corporate office tomorrow and there is no way we feel we should pay the $2,700 for a new clutch when it is a problem with the Versa not the way my husband drives.
We are so upset because we like our Versa and this seems like an easy problem for the dealer to fix."

[Andrews Chalmers]

I would focus on the "This clutch slippage problem has been attributed to the transmission input shaft seal leaking fluid."

I can't envision how the cruise control can impact the clutch.

[bcountry]

Hello Andrew,
Thank you for your suggestion. I'm a female who's job is accounting so I can tell you I know little to nothing about mechanics. I just think someone ought to look into it, there are to many coincidences.
Phyllis

[Promise Land]

How many claims have been made to Nissan for the fix vs. how many cars are out there in owner's hands? I haven't seen any TSBs in the last 2 years about it. I would say the number is smaller than you think, but since it affects you, your sample size is one (and that is enough). I wasn't a happy camper when I had to take mine to the dealer last time, and they "couldn't find anything wrong". The problem came back 5 miles from the dealership and I just fixed it myself after that.

[bcountry]

As I've stated, I'm in the process of trading it in and very happy with the make I'm trading it in for. I've driven that make in various models in a clutch over the course of many years and never had a clutch problem. The problem may be smaller than I think or it may be larger than you think. In any event, I'll let the Govt. over site recall agency decide. And I've also logged a complaint to the Better Business Auto Division. I can imagine there are people who get frustrated and don't want to go through the process, it's lengthy and detailed. I almost decided not to. But I know a lot of large Corporations gamble on the consumer not wanting to spend time going through the process. It's cheaper for them to ignore an issue that will cost a lot of money to fix in a recall vs. a lawsuit if someone should get seriously hurt. Now, I'm not saying Nissan is taking that approach, but those two agencies require a lot of documentation. If they feel it is in the consumers best interest to investigate and/or recall, they will. If not, at least I know I followed my conscience. I'm not in this for any financial gain. The dealership that I'm trading the car into is taking it as is for almost the normal trade in balance minus the $650 my mechanic was going to charge me to replace the clutch.

[bcountry]

Promise Land, your replies sound a little angry. I"m not putting down Versa's, I really liked the car, the way it handled the road and road noise was great for a small car. You can't beat the leg room. My problem is with how Nissan has treated me and how I've read and heard they treated others with similar or disimilar problems. There customer service department (when they finally called me back) told me that it isn't normal for a clutch to burn out in 3 1/2 years. But that being said, decided that they won't assist in the repair because it exceeds the 36/30,000 mile limitation.

Well if it isn't normal, than why don't you stand behind your product Nissan? especially since I used Nissan's certified maintenance technicians because it was supposed to extend my warranty to 100,000. Using Nissan's R&M (which is the dealer's service dept.) vs. my own mechanic is double and sometimes triple the amount depending on what you're getting done. So where is there loyalty now? I can tell you it's in there pocket book. I would have been happy if they offered a 50/50 split on the cost to repair even though that works out to slightly more than my own mechanic's price. How Nissan has and continues to act is exactly what is wrong with this country.

In any event, aside from my rambling I don't mean to put down the Versa, I liked it.

[Promise Land]

My posts aren't "angry". I am just trying to better understand the situation. You aren't the first, or probably the last, person to say that the Nissan help line isn't very helpful or that a dealership was just as unhelpful. That is very unfortunate. I've experienced problems at 2 of my 3 local dealers, and I dread trying the third.

The clutch isn't usually covered under the 100,000 mile Power Train warranty, BTW. It is deemed a "wear out" item like Brake Pads, tires, and fluids. I don't know of an acceptable wear out range in mileage, but I would agree that 57,000 miles would be on the low side of what I would consider "good". I am needing to replace my rear Brake Shoes at 38,000 miles and it sucks. But I am not going to fight my dealer over it. it's not worth my time. I'll pay for a new set and install them myself.

What are you trading it in for?

[bcountry]

$7,500. What do you think about that price?

[Promise Land]

I meant what other car. Sorry to not be specific.

[bcountry]

The fiesta

[Camyman]

For what its worth I may as well share my experience.

My 08 V has about 71k miles on it as it sits right now, and earlier this year it had an insurance claim due to some faulty towing and a potential accident that I was not involved in (someone else was driving and I never got the full story.) The front left axle was replaced several times with rebuilt units and they replaced the seals every time. Every time I got my car back from the shop it seemed like it was fixed, but I kept smelling burning gear oil (VERY distinct smell for those who haven't experienced it) and then one day I was stopped at a light on a highway we have (speed limits are anywhere from 50-60 mph depending on where you are) and the light changed and I pushed in the clutch pedal to engage first and the pedal is buried in the carpet and doesn't come back up. At the time I thought I had snapped a clutch cable, not knowing these cars had hydraulic clutches. I manage to engage first with quite a bit of force to get out of the way of traffic and pull over. I have the car towed to my local Nissan dealer. They get it up on a rack and tell me I need a new clutch. $1800 repair. I decline the service and have my vehicle towed back to my home to regroup and speak with my insurance as I believe their mechanic has done something.

This is where it gets somewhat interesting. I called an independent transmission shop and they offer free towing with any major diagnostic work. They take my car and look it over for a few days. He pulled the transmission drain plug and a thick silvery paste comes out. The gearbox itself is toast. He believes that because of what the mechanic failed to recognize that it was causing the clutch to bind which burned out the transmission. My insurance (thank god for them) agrees to cover the repair for nearly 3000 dollars, and I get a used box out of a 08 (same year) but the car only had 32k miles on it. I have put roughly 6k miles on this new gearbox and clutch and I am very hesitant to drive my car for long distances, as I am experiencing similar clutch feel as I did just before it kicked the bucket.

Just as a reference point, my first car was a manual and both my parents have driven manual cars regularly their entire lives, so I believe I have been taught properly. I'm not rough with the clutch by any means, but in stop and go traffic or short lights I do hold in the clutch with it in first (I know, for shame) but the question begs to answer itself, why hasn't Nissan recognized this problem yet? I have only had my car serviced at the dealership outside of this insurance claim, and I actually really like the V, but I don't like the feeling that I am sitting on a ticking time bomb.

Has anything been done on Nissan's part in regards to this issue? Have you heard anything back about your complaint?

[Rev_D21]

Sadly Nissan has very little sympathy for clutch wear outs.