Nissan Pathfinder check engine light at 50K

[mrteamc]

I brought a used 2017 Pathfinder from a used car dealer 1 year ago. It started puffing smoke and the check engine light came on after the last oil change. Took it to a dealer who said it needs a new engine. Figured it would be covered under the 60K warranty in that it only has 50K miles. Yet the Nissan is denying the warranty claim. Anybody else having engine problems at 50K?

[mdmellott]

I would guess that nobody on the planet has ever had a "needs a new engine" diagnosis with only 50K miles on the clock unless the engine was abused. At only 2 to 3 years old with 50K miles on it, there was obviously quite a bit of running around in a fairly short time frame. The fastest way to wreck an engine and not think much about it actually happening, is to ignore the prescribed oil change maintenance intervals. For the '17 Pathfinder that would be every 5K miles. At 50K miles, that's 10 oil changes in the 2 to 3 years since that Pathfinder hit the road. If the oil has only been changed once a year then you may have an abused wrecked engine. However, maybe some other crazy stuff is going on with it. Given the check engine light is now on, what is the trouble code or codes that are indicated by this?

[mrteamc]

P0304 when my son scanned

[mrteamc]

I have had it changed twice and have put 10K on it so far

[mrteamc]

Only owned the car one year.

[mdmellott]

Having to replace your engine, because it was "puffing smoke" after an oil change was made and a #4 cylinder misfire trouble code indicated at about the same time, wouldn't be the first or last thing I would think was needed. How did the dealership justify to you that replacing the engine was the only solution?

[mdmellott]

Was it a used car dealer or a Nissan dealership that gave your engine the terminal diagnosis?

[mrteamc]

They said two of the cylinders had bad compression and there was sludge accumulation. This is the second 2017 Pathfinder that had accumulation of sludge and puffing smoke mostly at startup. The first one was replaced with the one I have now by the dealership at no charge. It had about 50K at purchase. This one just got to 50K which is why I assumed it would be covered under the Nissan 60K portrait warranty. Been in a rental since Monday waiting to hear back from Nissan Consumer Relations about my Complaint.

[mrteamc]

It was a dealership

[mrteamc]

By the way thanks for responding. It has been helpful therapy for me dealing with this stressful experience.

[mrteamc]

I cannot afford the cost of a new engine. Can barely afford the car but was hoping to get a more reliable vehicle because my job requires a lot of driving.

[mrteamc]

I did question whether the symptoms required a new engine or whether a less expensive option is available. My hope was that Nissan would honor the 60K powertrain warranty. I really did not expect them to give a terminal diagnosis.

[mrteamc]

Or to deny the warranty service

[mdmellott]

Sounds like a poorly designed engine which just simply has the tendency to produce engine sludge regardless of proper routine maintenance. Once that sludge starts blocking oil circulation and clogging up piston rings, the engine is doomed. Having read so many breakdown issues with too many of the latest models for various reasons, I am truly disheartened to hear what has become of Nissan's quality over the last several years. Keep pushing Nissan and the dealership on the warranty claim. I sincerely wish you the best for a favorable outcome.

[mrteamc]

I too am disheartened. This is the third Nissan I have owned which is why I bought this one. The other two were a 99 Pathfinder and 07 Xterra. Both reliable vehicles.

I plan to keep pushing Nissan to honor the warranty claim.

Thanks for your best wishes.

[Mike W.]

There are certainly ways they can try, sometimes successfully, sometimes not, to strong arm you, but I'm wondering if your strongest leverage might be thru the emissions end of things. I forget what the warranty number are, but I think it's well over 50 or 60K for emissions. If they sold it to you and you have documentation of any appropriate service since then, I think you have a valid claim. Don't know where you are, but the state might have a department to advocate for you. In California it would likely be the BAR, other places I haven't a clue, they're all different. But I'd pursue an emissions claim.