My 2005 Nissan Maxima (Build date of 08/04) has 69000 miles and has started showing signs of what may be serious transmission problems. I welcome any feedback as to the best course of action to correct these intermitent and random symptoms that include:
1. Takes about 5 seconds to click into gear after the shift lever is put in "D"
2. Very hard jerky shifts between 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 1st and accompanied by loud clunking noise.
3. Transmission slips out of gear during regular driving allowign the engine to rev freely then jerking back into gear with a loud clunk. The is followed by a burnt oil / electrical type smell that gets inside the car and evident outside after stopping.
Sometimess I go for days with no symptoms at all and other times it may happen a dozen times in a day. I took it in to the dealer and none of the problems showed up for them but they noted that the engine mounts were broken but that would not cause these symptoms. They suggested a new transmission and motor mounts for $4,000. I drive mainly on the freeways in Southern California and have maintained and babied this car since it was new.
This is my first Nissan and I have loved this card until these symptoms. Please suggest what course of action should be taken to correct this and restore my faith in Nissan. I have been eyeing the new 2009 Maxima's but now I am not sure of this car's long term reliability.
I can be contacted at
[email protected]
Thanks
Rob