Experience with a "klunk" when turning steering wheel???

[sooner4x4]

Sooner, which dealer did you go to? Bob Howard ?I am having the same problem and please give me your feedback from the dealer.

The first dealership I went to was Bob Howard, they had the Versa for three days and agreed that there was a clunk but they couldn't fix it.

The second dealership I went to was Hudiburg. They claimed to have tightened some of the bolts. It may have been my imagination, but the clunk seemed to be a little less noticable after this visit. I will be taking it back to Hudiburg for another attempt.

I don't want to turn this into a Bob Howard bashing thread, but I have many reasons not to go back to their service department, primarily based on my experience with Bob Howard Toyota.

I will report back here after my next visit to resolve this issue (hopefully sometime this month).

[boqibama]

Good to hear from you.I went to Bob Howard before to fix the rattles and fuel pump issue, they were OK for that. My situation is when turning right (especially bumps) I can feel from the steer wheel one or two clunks, like you said, it is more than heard.Did you try to force them checking the strut bearing on the passenger side? or steer wheel assembly.Thanks for your feedback

[sooner4x4]

Good to hear from you.My situation is when turning right (especially bumps) I can feel from the steer wheel one or two clunks, like you said, it is more than heard.Did you try to force them checking the strut bearing on the passenger side? or steer wheel assembly.Thanks for your feedback

My plan was to go through this entire thread and cut out all of the unique fixes reported and present them to the service writer. It is unfortunate that Nissan doesn't query their dealership repair data and when they discover fixes to what is apparantly not an uncommon problem, provide that information to their dealerships so they can fix problems the first time.

As soon as I get another one of my vehicles out of the body shop, the Versa will be going to the dealership for the clunk fix ( I hope).

[sooner4x4]

Just got my car back from the dealership, the third visit to fix the clunk issue. I do not have good news to report. The dealership was unable to find out what was making the noise and the problem isn't fixed, again.

The dealership had the car for four days. I had printed out the posts from this thread that described different fixes that had been reported by other owners, and gave that to the dealership to give them some potential ideas.

After four days in the shop the dealership called me and said come pick it up, they can't fix it and don't know what else to do.

So far, three trips to the dealership, in the shop for a total of eight days and the problem persists.

[boqibama]

Bad news. What's your next move? Maybe I will go to Bob Howard and force them replacing something, since they have no idea to deal with the problem. Sooner, can you give me your email? Mine is [email protected]

[ilinimud]

Hey guys, i am here trying to gather info on the Versa so i can decide whether to buy a Caliber, or a Versa. Right now i am leaning heavily towards the Versa. Mostly because it isnt a Dodge, and i like the looks of the Sport Package.

The problem you guys have been having with the clunk sounds like it is really getting to you guys, so it cant just be some minor thing.

My question is: Would this problem or any other problem you have had keep you from buying your Versa over a competitor, or keep you from buying another Versa? I would like to think Nissan has much better Quality than Dodge, but i REALLY like the looks of the Caliber.

Thanks!

[Driving Instructor]

Been about 1 month since I heard the KLUNK>....... I think the car is temper-mental, she likes the heat!

I think it has to do with the rubber(plastic parts) in the winter shrinking.

I heard it the most when it was starting to warm up...... coincidence?

[sooner4x4]

Bad news. What's your next move? Maybe I will go to Bob Howard and force them replacing something, since they have no idea to deal with the problem. Sooner, can you give me your email? Mine is [email protected]

Boqibama, I will shoot you an e-mail.

My next move was made earlier today. I read through the Nissan Customer Care Program section of the "Warranty Information Booklet" that came with the car. Following the instructions I contacted the "Dealership Manager" at Bob Howard (where I bought the Versa) and said I had an unresolved mechanical issue. He directed me to contact the Service Manager. I am bringing in the Versa in the morning and they are providing a rental car while they work on the Versa.

I will let you know how the fourth visit turns out.

Hey guys, i am here trying to gather info on the Versa so i can decide whether to buy a Caliber, or a Versa. Right now i am leaning heavily towards the Versa. Mostly because it isnt a Dodge, and i like the looks of the Sport Package.

The problem you guys have been having with the clunk sounds like it is really getting to you guys, so it cant just be some minor thing.

My question is: Would this problem or any other problem you have had keep you from buying your Versa over a competitor, or keep you from buying another Versa? I would like to think Nissan has much better Quality than Dodge, but i REALLY like the looks of the Caliber.

Thanks!

I am not sure if this is a minor thing or not. On the one hand, the car drives fine, there is no uneven tire wear or anything to suggest a loose front end. But it could be a myriad of things, some of which could be expensive that may not actually fail until the warranty runs out. Either way, I have logged well over a million miles in front wheel drive cars and have never experienced this type of noise or feeling in the suspension. It is not normal.

I test drove a caliber before buying the Versa and had logged quite a few miles in one when I rented one for a week. IMHO the caliber was a much more substantial vehicle than the Versa and I would have much preferred it over the V, but a year ago, the Calibers were 4-5k more in price than a comparable equipped V. That may not be the case now.

[alonsorules8]

I have had an intermittent klunk and found out it was rubber bushings not seated properly and once they finally set in at 15K miles no more klunk.

As for Versa verse Caliber I would defiantly buy a Versa again, Especially with Dodges poor reputation with their front wheel drive transmitions (sp?). Also when I test drove a Caliber it had to many blind spots for my liking.

[Driving Instructor]

I have had an intermittent klunk and found out it was rubber bushings not seated properly and once they finally set in at 15K miles no more klunk.

As for Versa verse Caliber I would defiantly buy a Versa again, Especially with Dodges poor reputation with their front wheel drive transmitions (sp?). Also when I test drove a Caliber it had to many blind spots for my liking.

Yeah, the huge mirrors they use on the V is great! Small blind spot...nice to teach driving in!

Bushings??? Can you find the work order and get more details. This way I can hit up my dealer.Please and thank you!

[alonsorules8]

Yeah, the huge mirrors they use on the V is great! Small blind spot...nice to teach driving in!

Bushings??? Can you find the work order and get more details. This way I can hit up my dealer.Please and thank you!

There was no work order I just pushed the V a little harder during right hand turns and in 4 30 mpg tight corners klunk went away. I looked underneath after word and the sway bar bushings moved a little and have had no problems since.

[ilinimud]

Thanks for the opinions, and answers to my question. I really like both the Versa and the Caliber. I work for Continental Tire which supplies both companies with tires, so i get a discount on both. Im not trying to hi-jack the thread! LOL But this is a hard decision that just got harder. Thanks again, and if anyone else has anymore opinions i am open to them.

[sooner4x4]

As reported earlier this week, I took the V in for the fourth repair attempt to fix the clunk. Before bringing the car in this time, I called the manager and very calmly explained my situation and concern. Apparently that helped because this time, the dealership took a serious interest in finding the problem.

The diagnosis was a bad steering column. It had to be ordered. The dealership rushed the shipment and got it installed earlier today. This fixed the problem. No more clunk. Also, the steering has a lighter feel.

The dealership - Bob Howard Nissan - handled the issue in a very professional and pleasant manner. They were a real joy to deal with, and even detailed the car.

Reading through this thread there have been several different repairs that have been reported to have fixed the clunk. Here is another. Apparently there is no single problem causing the noise.

[boqibama]

Good to hear this! Thanks for your inputing

[Driving Instructor]

Hi,

Had my car in for my anuall safety and they found 2 bushings that needed to be replaced. This might be the solution to the "KLUNK".

We will find out in about 1 week when they change it.

I will let you know.

As of today........ 100380 kms

[Versa Blues]

Hey!!! VersaBlues here. Anybody remember me? Months ago I had "the Klunk". Seems to be developing into an epidemic. Well, a friend convinced me to go to Stone Mountain Nissan here in GA and their technician (Bobby) was intelligent, competent, and attentively listened to my theories. Ultimately, the strut bearing was replaced. And my "klunk" has been gone for months.

Those of you going thru this heart-ache, DEMAND that your dealers replace that damned strut bearing. It is elusive, but a mechanic worth his salt should be able to figure it out. If the dealer can't/won/t replace it, DEMAND another car. Maybe if enough of this happens, NISSAN will wake up and DO SOMETHING. Truthfully, NISSAN CORP is a bunch of useless slugs slurping up an inappropriate portion of your purchase price.

Unfortunately, my Versa is developing a lot of little "clunkity-thunks" in the front end that border on being "normal" noises associated with a "cheap car with some miles on it" (25,000) My only question: Why don't Hondas and Toyotas get noisy after a year or two? Answer: Toyota and Honda focus on QUALITY..........NISSAN is only focussed on the DOLLAR. NISSAN...color me "GONE". When I finally get totally fed up with your rattletrap, I'm going back to Ford.

[c5neb]

My klunking returned after 6000 miles and they replaced the same steering assembly again. The klunk was still there. So, the dealer replaced the entire steering column. The klunk is gone, but so is my Versa. It was a good car, but I lost confidence in it. When I have continual problems with things like steering and brakes, no car is worth it. So I bought an Accord coupe. It was fun talking and sharing ideas with all of you. Stay safe!!

[mayahmed423]

Hey,

The same thing happened with me 2 weeks ago, I took my car to dealer and they they changed the Tirerods and rackends, and now its gone, so cool..

Mike.

[Slither]

Re: Toyota and Honda focus on QUALITY

Different recently - there has been a 'quality-slide' at the focused duo.. That is to say the newest Camary's are more Buick than Buick in teething problems and less trouble-free than Camry past. This is across the board for both H & T.

And Accord coupe owner hope you don't have automatic.

JD Power found the cheapest Toyota - the Yaris had the fewest problems of all Toyota.

[RodneyReynolds]

Does anyone know if this problem has been resolved in the Vesra 3 door hatchback 2009 SL models? Because we purchased one a few weeks ago and my wife is telling me she is hearing/feeling something like being described here.

[Disphunktion]

I believe not as I have a 5 door hatchback 2009 with 15000 km and it started doing it.

Does anyone know if this problem has been resolved in the Vesra 3 door hatchback 2009 SL models? Because we purchased one a few weeks ago and my wife is telling me she is hearing/feeling something like being described here.

[Rodeo]

Brought mine to the dealer this weekend with the same problem. They did the strut bearing (?) TSB. The clunk remains. I am taking it back to the dealer on monday anyway for another issue (squealing belt to be replaced) and I will get their take on it then. I want that steering link to be replaced, but we'll see what they say.

BTW, has anyone ever had a real mechanical failure because of this, or is it more of an annoyance then anything?

[Rodeo]

Update for all those who care. My sqealing belt seemed to have worked its self out. I think that when I bought the car (only about 400 miles ago), the dealer who had detailed the engine mustve got some dressing on the belt which was causing it to slip. A couple weeks of 100 degree days later, its quiet as can be.

I took the car in this morning and they had the steering joint replaced in about 2 hours flat! No more clunk!! Not only that but they gave me a ride to work, and left me a complimentary tool kit in the car.

I am thouroughly impressed with Quality Nissan in Temecula.

[The Edge]

Strut bearing replaced........still klunking

Strut replaced.........still klunking

Intermediate steering shaft replaced...........still klunking but less noticeable but still there

I'm tired of going to the dealer. What the hell could be causing this. Gonna take it back again in a few weeks and see what happens. Thankfully I have a great dealer and they have been very helpful.

[BGDG]

I have the same problem CLUNKING AND KNOCKING NOISE IN THE FRONT END (front suspension) OF THE VEHICLE AND I FELT IT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. The noise was coming from passenger side. All these issues are acting when the vehicle is driving slowly and making right turn going up on the driveway or down on the driveway. I filled the complaint form to the DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND AUTO SAFETY. If you have the same problem even without accident I'm going to recommend to file a complaint too.
Guys, I found the same complaint all over the different forums and it looks like this is a manufacture defect.
PLEASE TAKE A MINUTE FROM YOUR TIME AND FILL OUT THIS COMPLAINT FORM.

You can find a link below:

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/

http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/problems/