Start-up problems at 400 miles?

[bdu]

Not true my 08 Versa has the fuel pump problem and tomorrow i goes in to be put on the list to have it replaced. It takes at least 1- seconds to build pressure and then starts or even after 10 seconds it takes 2 different crank cycles to start.

Yup, I bought my 08 in late September, and by mid-October it was having the startup problem as well. It's behaving at the moment, and it's never taken more than the second attempt to get it to start, but I plan on printing out this thread before my first service appointment next week.

[Versa Madness]

Yeah, My new 2008 Versa S is doin the same thing and it only has 100 mile on it. The first time it happened was when I picked it up from an aliment adjustment at the dealership. I hopped in, turned the key..crank...crank...crank..crank....waited a moment and tried again and it started right up. I had it happen a second time and now I have learned to turn the key to ON and then wait about 5-10 seconds before I try to start it. I will try to call the dealership on this and see if they are aware of the problem.

[caramilk]

I've been having the starting problem happen for 13 months but with a twist. Last winter the car when the car was 6 weeks old it started to occasionally only start on the second or third try. When it started it was in safe mode and wouldn't drive faster than 20 KM/HR. Also, the engine light remained on. Once turned off and started again it was fine.

All summer I had no problems. In September Nissan Canada replaced the fuel injection parts for a cost to them of over $2000.

Now that it's cold I've started to have problems again. Twice in the past week the car started first try but in safe mode. When I turned it off it wouldn't restart until the second attempt. The engine light came on and never shut off so this morning I drove to the dealership. The computer said that there was a throttle problem and the engine light shut off. The throttle had been replaced in September so goodness knows what the real problem is.

Nissan Canada and my dealership have been trying to rectify my problems and are at loss. I've scoured the forums and haven't found anyone with the exact same problem as me - just bits and pieces.

[fjwagner]

just replaced my fuel pump in my November 2007 purchase of a 2008. I have ~ 1200 miles on the car, but noticed that the crank time was 1-3 seconds on very frequent occassions. Called Baker Jackson in Houston and they knew immediately what my problem was, scheduled me that day, gave me a loaner until the next day and were super. Seems like a recall is in order though. Fred

[caramilk]

I'm pulling this to the top so new posters will see this thread.

The starting problem occurs in both the US and Canada and so far I have seen reports of it happening in the 2007s and &2008s. It seems that for many changing the fuel pump has solved the problem. Is there anyone out there besides me who continues to have a problem? Any 2009s reported to have starting problems?

Cathy

[ldyjam]

We have the 2007 Versa. We actually had to replace the fuel pump twice. It only took about a month before we started having the problem again. My husband drives about 65 miles each way 5 times a week so we put the miles on quick. If you already had it replaced and are still having trouble have them replace it again.

[markolson]

I have just over 1000 miles on my 2008 SL hatchback CVT - started about a week ago, will sometimes take three tries to catch. Tried the holding key in on position and that helps sometimes. Tonight it took a good five seconds of cranking to start - I thought I was going to have to call Triple A cause it did not sound like it was going to start.

I am going to be calling my dealer to see if he has heard about the fuel pump problem before I waste a day having him just look at it.

[crazybitch]

I bought my versa back in September of 2007. I posted a comment on here way back around that time regarding the trouble I was having with mine starting up.

Here's the deal...

I don't know if it had anything to do with it at all, but about two months ago my car started making a real strange ticking sound, turned out that my brand new car had to get an entirely brand new motor. The entire engine had shot craps on me. Guess what? I had that installed about three weeks ago, just got it back, its making more strange noises and I started having trouble AGAIN getting it to turn over when trying to start it. Turns out, that this week I will be getting fuel pump #3 installed. And I'm not sure about any of this, but I seem to be getting nowhere near the gas mileage that was promised to me by my salesperson.

I love the look of my versa. But I could never say that I feel I made a smart decision when purchasing it. It has been nothing but trouble.

[afx]

My GF has been having problems with her car not starting up and she does 400km with a full tank (6MT). The dealer says there's nothing with the fuel pump, and they never saw any problems related to that.

She brings the car and they tell her the carpet gets stuck under the clutch pedal so that's why it's not starting up. WTF.

Any good dealerships near Montreal? She went to Blainville.

[crazybitch]

I would think that if there were an actual problem with carpeting in a brand new car, then they need to get their brains in gear and fix the carpeting!

I've had so much trouble, I've submitted information for the lemon law in Illinois.

My car has been out of service for a total of 45 business days since I purchased it in September.

Good luck. If you have to call Nissan customer care, anyone you talk to will not give you their name or extensions. They all have "codes" which mean nothing to anyone when you call back.

I can only say that this has been my very first "new" car purchase and I will never ever ever purchase a nissan again.

I haven't read/heard/seen a positive comment about Versas. Ever.

[bikeman]

I haven't read/heard/seen a positive comment about Versas. Ever.

The reason is obvious. Great name to say the least.

David

[dr.zed]

My car is doing this.

3000 kms.

[crazybitch]

Good luck. I don't have my Versa anymore. In a nine month period, I had three fuel pumps installed, and an entirely new engine.

Listen for knocking sounds under the hood. Too much fuel gets dropped into the engine and it caused mine to mess up.

I qualified for the lemon law. Nissan had to buyback my car. I still got kind of screwed in the deal, I lost all the money I had paid down, and also my trade in value on my Saturn.

Three days before the buyback, my car stopped starting up again.

All I can say is that I am relieved to no longer be driving my Versa. I actually get better gas mileage in the new 2008 Dodge Avenger that I purchased. I'm not sure if that had anything to do with the fuel pumps or not. But, 24 mpg when promised over 30 is a scam.

I really thought it was a cute little car. Maybe in a couple years they will have all the kinks worked out...

[llott4me]

My car is having this same problem. It is a 2008 V HB purchased NEW. It randomly does not recognize my IK or my actual key. When I insert actual key, the ignition remains locked and will not turn. What did you find out about yours. Mine is in the shop now, but they cannot find the problem.

[llott4me]

what became of this... my car is doing the same thing

[crazybitch]

You need to take it in and get a new fuel pump installed. It's a commonly known issue to Nissan. Take a printout of this thread with you, so your dealership can see how common it is.

They've actually changed the way they manufacture these parts about three times, I believe.

Make sure you get one of the new ones. They put the old style pumps in my car three times and it was still not starting up for me when I returned the car.

[srellim234]

From the Nissanhelp website:

" NTB07-094 2007-2008 NISSAN VERSA; LONG CRANK TIMEBEFORE ENGINE START

The engine needs to be cranked for a long time (4-10 seconds) before the engine starts.AndFuel system pressure after engine shutoff drops lower than 200 kPa (29 psi) after 30 minutes time. "-----srellim's note:The TSB calls for replacement of the fuel pressure regulator , not the fuel pump.

[Luke S]

I have a new 2008 CVT SL Hatchback at 800 miles and just started to have the same problem with my ignition and hope to get it resolved soon.

[kozmo210]

Hey, I've been lurking on this forum for a while — both before and after I took the plunge — but I finally have my HB. Love it, love driving it, love taking it for car washes (how is it that birds know you have a new car?), love the looks I get on the road and all that. So, hey, everyone.

But today I noticed a weird glitch while starting up my car. I ran in to get some lunch, came back and started my car. Maybe I was in a rush, but it seemed like it died right after turning over. My interior lights stayed on but my engine was dead. I restarted, and it worked fine. No weirdness. I didn't think much of it, but then I got out of work and it did the same type of thing again; turn, tried to turn over, made some chugging noises, stopped. I stayed in the parking lot and tried it again. Worked fine. Started, stopped, restarted. Seemed like it was fine. Then I lost my contact in the parking lot and was more worried driving home at 1 a.m.

I'm concerned about this, having never owned a car of my own before and planning to make a small trip to Iowa tomorrow. Does this seem that abnormal? I've had it for a month now and feel dumb taking it in for service, but I don't want to get stranded on some highway rest stop in the middle of a state I barely know. It could also be I don't know how to turn the ignition, since I'm always weirded out about not using a real key. This is a CVT SL model with the conv. package, has never had any problems before, brought brand new to the airport for me. Am I being paranoid here? Should I not take Vice (my car's nickname) on the road trip? Help?

Q

Modified by seize at 2:50 PM 7/3/2007

[kozmo210]

I am a

Dealer installed the fuel pump today and it's been working good.

I am a brand new Versa owner my very first new car since my divorce. I did lots of research before buying and found the perfect car>>>until it wouldn't start on the first try. And it seemed to happen more and more often and always in front of people. There would be silence in the car because no one wanted to hurt my feelings and say,,what the hey is going on>>this car is Brand New. I did take it to my dealer,,of course they could not "recreate the problem" so I felt like an idiot,,but they did research and found like you said a fuel pressure problem online,,and my part is on order,,and hopefully that will be the end of this. I hope so because just today my car would Not turn over at all. I had to wait and then of couse it started on a dime,,,very frustrating not to mention wastful of fuel. I will mention this,,I did notice that the problem Always happens at my mothers house and she has a slight incline to her driveway

[VIsa Versa]

We had a 2004 Sentra that use to have the same problem. We would always say "3rd times a charm!" Because thats how times it would take before it would turn over. The warranty had already ran out at that time. So we never had it checked out, and it always ran just fine. We never had one problem with that Sentra for 81000 miles, until it was hit and totaled in a wreck.

[blockmachining]

Add my 08 Versa to the list. At 6300 miles, the car decided it did not want to start on the first try. Took it in to the dealer yesterday, and they were very much aware of the problem. Nissan of Rivergate stated the problem has gotten so bad that nationally, fuel pump regulators were not available and on back order. To make matters worse, he said the ones they have received lately had the gaskets folded, so they could not use them or they would leak. He stated the gaskets are now being shipped flat and not folded. He could not tell me when he expected to get the replacement part.

[centcal]

I have only had my 2008 Versa SL for a month (it has a little over 1000 miles on it) and I've been having a problem getting it to start the first time since last week. I've set up an appointment to have it looked at. Does anyone know if it matters when the car was built? I notices on the TSB it has a Jan. 2008 date on it. My car wasn't built until May 2008.

[Luke S]

Just wanted to send an update. I could not start my 2008 versa until 4 to 5 cranks. Called dealers and was told to bring in per recall. Just got back and seems problem fixed. Replaced fuel regulator, car now has strong epoxy odor.

[kc5f]

Two days ago, my daughter took hers in and they replaced the fuel pump regulator after hers didn't start right away a couple of times. Luckily, no problems with it being out of stock.

They did, however, not return my daughter's messages a few times when she first had the problem, and this got my wife pretty upset. She went to pick up our daughter at the dealership while they worked on the Versa, and decided to tell off the service manager. And she did. At the Saturn dealership... And he chewed out his staff. Then she realized she was at the wrong dealership. I must say, the Saturn service folks are pretty understanding bunch! (And she did tell off the Nissan folks when she got there, too!)

[zilvia_brothers]

yea ive been having the same problem as well. it happened to my twice after buying it brand new in july. it has 2300 miles on it right now and it had a hard time starting again. i'll be calling the dealership for this problem if it occurs again

[rdavila12]

It is pretty evident that a lot of people are complaining about this problem. I had the same problem after 450 miles. Mine is a 2009. I called Nissan service and explained my problem. The tech told me that this has been a recouring problem. He told me that he did not need to look at the car because he knew what the problem was. He said the fuel pump needed to be replaced so I am waiting for the dealer to call and let me know when the part arrives so they could replace it.

[rentalnurse]

I had the same prob and was told it was my fuel pump. didnt have time to take it in before left for contract and when went to dealer where i was going was told i had to bring it back in and have it diagnosed again.. what a waste of time

[rainerng]

Between this fuel pump problem, mediocre fuel economy and horrible rattling noises 6 mths after I bought the car, I am not going to get a nissan again.

[zilvia_brothers]

just got the car back from the dealership and they replaced the fuel regulator...they said thats the one that went bad