2007 Nissan Xterra: whining or grinding noise

Filed Feb 25, 2016 · Engine · 62,000 miles · NY

Engine makes a loud squeal at startup then whines at idle and during acceleration. I took the truck to nissan for diagnosis and they explained to me the components of the timing chain need to be replaced. The cost for the repair is $2700. Mileage is very low at 62000.

Filed Jun 9, 2015 · TN

On december 17, 2012, 2007 xterra with 63,200 miles was taken to nissan dealer in oregon. The complaint: at 50-55 MPH the transmission skips and catches like a bump on smooth surface. Also asked that dealer check whine from the engine compartment. Service dept recommended no repairs for radiator/transmission at this time just recommend routine service of transmission fluid as per 60,000 interval fluids not contaminated. Engine whine was diagnosed as timing chain issue. Secondary timing chains and tensioners were replaced. Total cost: $1,185.81. Service personnel said hang on to receipt, nissan may issue recall on chronic timing chain problem. On may 12, 2015 same vehicle with 88,500 miles, was taken to nissan dealer in tennessee. Complaint: at speeds between 40-45 MPH vehicle vibrates as shifts gears. Also, gas tank fuel-level sensor not functioning. Service dept. Replaced gas tank sensor and diagnosed vibration as insulating shield on driveshaft that had broken loose. Radiator also replaced as preemptive way to avoid nissan xterras ticking bomb of catastrophic transmission failure. Vehicle picked up after repair and vibration when transmission shifting resumed within half mile of dealership. Returned vehicle to dealer. Diagnosis: must not have been driveshaft problem, must be the transmission is already gone. One week later picked up vehicle with new transmission. Was told transmission fluid looked like chocolate milk contaminated by failed original radiator. Total bill: $3,178.99 including a $2,500 copay under warranty extension to address chronic defective radiator causing transmission failure.

Filed Aug 5, 2013 · Engine · 58,400 miles · OK

Witnessed loud whine from engine that increases due to acceleration. Was told by dealer that it was due to failed timing chain tensioner and could eventually cause complete engine failure without notice. Repairs would cost $1500.00 to $2000.00.

Filed Jun 7, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 41,587 miles · CO

Hearing whining/whirring noise from engine upon any acceleration and increased rpms. Repair required is replacement of secondary timing chain and tensioners (guides).

Filed Dec 11, 2012 · Engine · 62,000 miles · TX

My 2007 xterra with 62k miles began making a whining noise when accelerating . Not sure what it was I took it to the nissan dealer where I get all my major services done .the technician took a look at the problem and within min notify me it is the timing belt chain and guides , known issue for my nissan xterra . When I ask him if he is sure he confirm he does few of this every month and that the problem is so known that nissan has a service bulletin, with the title describing the issue and the symptom ! He has confirm the issue is with the plastic guide that is part of the design . Looking online I find many nissan owners are experiencing the same problem . I am extremely disappointed with the nissan brand and not sure what to do , if I replace the part , will it happen again as it is a design issue ? When buying the car, one of the selling point was that the car does not have a timing belt anymore but a chain! That will most likely engine itself . Calling nissan customer service did not help and I am left with a $2000 repair due to a known issue and bad design.

Filed Oct 14, 2011 · Engine · 45,000 miles · IL

My car 2007 nissan xterra started to make a revving noise under the hood on sunday 10/2/2011. The next day I was on the highway on my way home from work when the check engine light came on. I cautiously drove the min speed limit to the mid-city nissan dealership which was less than 2 miles away at this point. The next day, mid-city nissan informed me that I needed the timing chain repaired asap. This sight isn't the better business bureau so I'll save you the extraneous lies nissan tried to sell me so they didn't have to fix my car which was under 46000 miles and still under extended nissan factory warranty. Not wanting to spend $2000 on a car that I am still paying for and is still considerably new at 46000 miles. So I called my trusted neighborhood mechanic to look at it. He concluded that the guards on the secondary belt are worn away and it need to be replaced. Looking into "timing chains on nissan trucks" becomes quite a fruitful search when browsing the internet. Right now there is a service bulletin for defective engines in trucks like mine. This is the first truck I've owned and I believed that the high pitched whining sound coming out of the engine was normal for such a big, powerful car. I'm afraid that the engine has sounded like this for the last few thousand miles. I feel if it's such a widespread problem among nissan truck owners, it could one day result in someones engine stalling on the highway. Thank goodness it wasn't me. Nissan needs to address this problem and there should be a recall on these engine parts.