Versa Steering Assembly - KLUNK!!

[sooner4x4]

Versa*chic, good luck with your case. The farther your case goes, maybe it will get Nissan more concerned about the problem, to where they find a solution.

I had the clunking issue also, took four trips to the dealership, but the new steering assembly has corrected the problem for now. I just hope the problem doesn't come back outside of warranty. That is why I, and many others are interested in the progress of your case. Thanks for fighting the fight for the rest of us.

Keep us informed of the progress.

[puttputtinpup]

Well, we took our car in, and they replaced the strut bearings in the front and the electronic power steering (the steering column). When we left the lot Friday and drove to the restaurant to eat, it was fine. No klunking in the front end. No loose-like knocking when you rocked the steering wheel. Well, it's Sunday, and I swear it beginning the klunk again when you hit bumps and road irregularities. Seems to be on the right front. I'll crawl under there myself to see if something is obviously loose. They did show me the old parts, and I did take a picture of the old steering column. We'll keep you posted.Andy

[Versa*chic]

Under Lemon Laws of FL you have 2 yrs and 60 days to file from purchase date. Might want to check w/your state just in case.

You don't know how much your comments mean at this stage of the game and I will carry them with me... I will post as I go!

[Versa*chic]

I truly hope that your not feeling the KLUNK again but I know the feeling and it makes you absolutely crazy. Mine is getting worse and I can't even take it anywhere now since in arbitration.... once again hope that nothing serious occurs as I am cruzin'...good luck!

[Knightro2]

Are you hearing a "crunching" sound when going over bumps? CodeRed had this issue and it turned out to be a bent strut I believe.

As stated earlier, I had the "klunk" when I turned the steering wheel 1 1/4 turns to the right at low speeds. They replaced the Steering Wheel Assembly last September and mine has been fine every since.

[benchthug]

i had this one before i hit a pot hole and i started hearing the klunking noise under my feet by the pedals everytime i make a full turn or sharp turn even on slow speed turns... well they replaced a bushing because it was cracked and its not noticeable when you look at it... ill give more details tomorrow the documents in my car i think i made a post about this one a long time ago about 1 year ago lol... too bad im at 15,5xx miles but make sure you bring your car in for service before 12k miles or else your warranty will not cover normal wear and tear... ill post tomorrow and give you guys the part number that they replaced :P

[Versa*chic]

Wanted to let you know that I got a call from Nissan to do a "buy back". They were sent the copy of my book of documentation from the Atty. Gen. office and before it went to arbitration the pleaded NO-DEFENSE. Now the specifics and it appears that I will be charged usage fees of over $3500.00 which for all reasons considered, seems unfair. I will review settlement specifics with A.G. before anything finalized and will still voice when and to whomever as I move forward ...

*** Also if you are buying a previously owned Nissan have it checked out thoroughly.... BIG heads up based on info in the light!!

[Knightro2]

Which dealer did you buy the car from and how long have you had it?

[Versa*chic]

Autoway Nissan Clearwater- Purchased May 2007 and problems started July 2007 to date..

Worse than ever after all repairs...

[Knightro2]

Ahh yes, Autoway...ugghh. I bought my Xterra from Autoway of Brandon. My particular sales guy was great but the rest was awful.

I got my V from Ferman Nissan of New Port Richey. Great place. Mark Perryman was the GM and I knew him through my fiance who works for the advertising firm that Ferman uses. Unfortunately he got fired and is now the GM of Autoway Nissan of Brandon. lol.

I moved so I got my klunk fixed at Ferman of Tampa and their repair center is awesome.

[Versa*chic]

Yeah, my salesman J.Fabrielle was the best but not at all impressed with service and follow-up. They could care less which moved me to Crown in St. Pete since warranty and closer to home but same old after Nissan Man. Rep. came in to dealer sooo.... I think everyone just wanted me to GO AWAY... (Dig these Icons....hee-hee)

[sacversa]

Well, I researched but did not see this forum. I bought a 2009 Versa/hatchback in July 2008 and it worked well for a while. A few months into ownership, it began a "clunk" turning right and left at slow speeds. It also acts strangely on the freeway. Taken in it 3 times and they either can't duplicate or just haven't done anything.

Is there anything NEW to report re: fixes, recalls, etc.? Anything re: safety issues, because it does not feel safe.

[Versa*chic]

Your story is the same as my own and "de ja vu" is how I am feelin' for you. I can only say that it is not right and safety won't be considered an issue until someone gets hurt, unfortunately but I would bring it in again and at one point I left mine for the day and encouraged all condition driving. Please read full thread if you have not and note that there has been one bulletin for one part of steer assembly performance. You are under warranty and within your right to check it again. I would let let them take a look at this forum, maybe that will help you..this is such silliness....right!!

[Knightro2]

Hey Sacversa,

Try this. At low speeds (like driving in a parking lot) turn your wheel 1 1/4 times to the left and see if you get the klunk sound. Mine would do it everytime I did that and that is how I was able to show the dealership what was wrong.

[sacversa]

At about 2,000 miles on the car, it did do that, turning left. Now,at about 5,000 miles, it still does that BUT for some reason the klunk is much, much louder doing the same thing when turning to the right.

What did they do to fix your problem? I'd like to take that infor to my dealership, which so far has done nothing. Thanks.

[Knightro2]

The replaced my Steering Joint Assembly and it has resolved the issue. I had that done in September and it hasn't returned as of yet.

[BGDG]

Anyone have a Versa w/ steering assembly issues? I have had repeat repairs 8-10 with reoccurance again and found others at dealership with same problem. Contact with Nissan and state for Lemon Law protection/buy back...need feedback....

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 a complaint to Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), an office within the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). 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/

[ME18VERSA]

i have some lowering springs on my car should i remove before going to the dealer for this same part or do u think i might get away with them being on there

[DULCI]

My 2008 Versa w/ 22,000 miles starting the "klunking" in August. After replacing clamp over the muffler....Sept replacing strut bearings in front....finally replacing intermediate steering in Nov. The "klunk" started under driver and proceeded to spread under driver's side and under trunk from Aug to Nov. Repeat visits to dealership has been frustrating as they can't seem to replicate the sound. Have had car back from repair 2 days and heard klunk again under front of car when pulling in my driveway! I'll give it a few days since Nissan has kept the file open. Go directly to Nissan Corporate, 1-800-647-7261 and start file process. Corporate is very helpful and keeps the delearship on top of the issue. It's been exhausting.

[DULCI]

Fast forward to 2010. I have a 2008 Versa with the exact issues described in this feed. 2 ys old w/ 23, 000. Had front strut bearings replaced in Oct 2010. Intermediate steering shaft replaced last week..."Klunk" continues under rear of car.....any more suggestions ? Frustration level grows and I wonder about safety factor.

[ADOversa]

I'm noticing this clunk in my Versa too... a mechanic friend of mine was riding with me and he could hear it, but somehow when the guy from the dealership was driving it he couldn't. And I know it happened, I was in the car. Just a bunch of frauds.

[DULCI]

Nissan Corporate is still involved and is sending me to another dealership for service. The clunk is now only in the rear across back. They seemed to have corrected klunk in front and on driver's side ! I suggested we take a few days to see if car settles since it had intermediate shaft replaced last week. GADS ! I think issues are repairable but re-creating klunk for service dept is impossible. Corporate has been very helpful and patient - I'm worn out ! But I have to folllow thru.

Stick with your issue and involve Corporate.

[DULCI]

Versa*chic, we just took our car to the Nissan place today. We have had the klunking in the front end and another issue with the steering wheel....some noise and weird feel on the floor board under the pedals when turning the wheel. More noticeable when it's the car is cold and less when warmed up. Klunking while sitting still and rocking the steering wheel back and forth. Can noticed corresponding knocking like feel in the floor if you put your feel on the floor behind the pedals. It feels like the rack & pinion steering is loose. The technician said there was a bulletin out on it for the strut bearings to solve the klunking while driving, and a bulletin on the steering column for the knocking feel/sound in the steering wheel. When the parts come in, we will make an appointment to replace both strut bearings and the steering column. What all have they replaced on yours?

DULCI" Having this issue since 8-2010, have had strut bearings and intermediate steering replaced as recent as 11-10-20. As of today, the exact same issues occur. How did your replacement go and what is the status of your car ?"

[Tigermack]

Take a look at the Nissan Service Bulletins... NTB-094 for Versa.

What if warranty expires, does TSB still apply?

[PIMking]

I had my steering rod changed from a dealership that I didn't even purchase the Versa from. The original place told me that they heard the noise but wasn't worth wasting their time into changing it. So about two weeks later I had a SES or CEL come on and I called the same place. They told me that it would be 2 weeks before I could get in to even check the SES light.... I called another dealer about 10 mins further away from my house in Birmingham and they got me in right away. It happened to be my evaporator and they changed it along with the steering rod.

They had the wheel off by maybe two teeth so I crawled under the dash and fixed it. It was (2) 12MM bolts. One up top and one on the bottom. You have to take the bolts all the way out to get the shaft out. But if you don't really tighten the bolts down it will sound like the knuckle is bad again FYI.

If I were you chick I would just get the shaft and replace it yourself. It would only take about 20 minutes to do.

[Promise Land]

What if warranty expires, does TSB still apply?

Yes, if your vehicle is within the VIN or model year range specified on the TSB.

[Driving Instructor]

Klunk still here........ 190 000 kms and still can't figure it out!

I guess you get what you pay for! lol

[sooner4x4]

Saw the update from Driving Instructor and decided to post my own follow-up to the clunk repair on my V. Two years ago, the steering shaft assembly was replaced to fix the clunk. 25,000 miles later the clunk has not returned. Haven't noticed any owners of new Versas reporting the problem, so hopefully the problem has been corrected with the shaft assemblies for those that had the exact same problem as mine.

[Driving Instructor]

TO THIS DAY, IT STILL KLUNKS!

I JUST GOT USED TO IT!

[VersaChick]

Any luck? I've been hearing the same thing for a few months now!