Dana's Response about failures - Page 4

Chevy4740 · 01-18-2008, 04:53 PM

I got 26000 miles before my rear end problems began. Now the truck has to go back again for slack between D and R and the hog head is leaking again. So far Nissan has been good to me. But enough with the rear end failures.

I still Love my Titan, rattling dash and all.

alby · 01-28-2008, 04:36 PM

did anyone replace their dana axles with dynatrac?

was it a tough installation?

BassTow · 02-03-2008, 10:49 PM

76K on my stock non-big tow LE 2x2 frequently towing a 3500+ lb bass boat around TN hills, no rr diff problems to report...

I worked for Nissan for over 12 years in powertrain engineering, quality, and production roles and i've read through this entire thread and here's my 0.02. With any new product Nissan works with the supplier (Dana) and specs out exactly what they think will meet the Nissan testing requirements for the application, sometimes more than one configuration, runs tests, analyzes the results of those tests, and makes the decision of exactly the configurations for each application in the product line. The Dana tech implied the Nissan standards weren't stringent enough for the application AND also clearly stated that Dana had quality issues in there assembly plant that led to more than one warranty issue for customers. For these implied statements and agreement to have them shared on this thread subsequently got his/her hand slapped because that was just their opinion. While I hate it for the Dana tech it is reality that no one in that position knows all the facts, nor do we, in order to try and peice it all together and figure out who might be at fault. Automotive is a tough business and I do know that Nissan is VERY serious about their quality. Even the Dana tech said that Nissan was "pushing them very hard" to resolve their quality issues.

Good news is that they all have learned since the introduction of the new product (2004 titan) and have improved the design to make it more robust for the titan applications in the more recent model years. The changes cost money and take time to re-test and implement, but the payback is lower warranty costs and increased customer satisfaction due to lower failure rate. It's no news flash for anybody that has been around a while that the first model year or so of any new vehicle that there will be problems (brakes for example) and if you buy one you should be ready for some issue(s). I hate if for the many customers that have had rr diff/axle problems, don't get me wrong, but I guarantee there 20-50 times as many that are like me and have had zero problems (yes the warranty rates are astronomically low). I know firsthand that Nissan takes their quality seriously and goes way beyond what other oem's do to detect and prevent problems from reaching customers. Remember I don't work for Nissan any longer so I'm not blowing smoke, their astronomical growth around the turn of the century is only one evidence that what I'm sharing is fact. Take it or leave it. Hope this helps.

TallTexan · 02-04-2008, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassTow

76K on my stock non-big tow LE 2x2 frequently towing a 3500+ lb bass boat around TN hills, no rr diff problems to report...

I worked for Nissan for over 12 years in powertrain engineering, quality, and production roles and i've read through this entire thread and here's my 0.02. With any new product Nissan works with the supplier (Dana) and specs out exactly what they think will meet the Nissan testing requirements for the application, sometimes more than one configuration, runs tests, analyzes the results of those tests, and makes the decision of exactly the configurations for each application in the product line. The Dana tech implied the Nissan standards weren't stringent enough for the application AND also clearly stated that Dana had quality issues in there assembly plant that led to more than one warranty issue for customers. For these implied statements and agreement to have them shared on this thread subsequently got his/her hand slapped because that was just their opinion. While I hate it for the Dana tech it is reality that no one in that position knows all the facts, nor do we, in order to try and peice it all together and figure out who might be at fault. Automotive is a tough business and I do know that Nissan is VERY serious about their quality. Even the Dana tech said that Nissan was "pushing them very hard" to resolve their quality issues.

Good news is that they all have learned since the introduction of the new product (2004 titan) and have improved the design to make it more robust for the titan applications in the more recent model years. The changes cost money and take time to re-test and implement, but the payback is lower warranty costs and increased customer satisfaction due to lower failure rate. It's no news flash for anybody that has been around a while that the first model year or so of any new vehicle that there will be problems (brakes for example) and if you buy one you should be ready for some issue(s). I hate if for the many customers that have had rr diff/axle problems, don't get me wrong, but I guarantee there 20-50 times as many that are like me and have had zero problems (yes the warranty rates are astronomically low). I know firsthand that Nissan takes their quality seriously and goes way beyond what other oem's do to detect and prevent problems from reaching customers. Remember I don't work for Nissan any longer so I'm not blowing smoke, their astronomical growth around the turn of the century is only one evidence that what I'm sharing is fact. Take it or leave it. Hope this helps.

All of that sounds good if you have one of those good trucks with no problems. After multiple failed differentials in my Titan that towed nothing, no mods and was maintained properly, Nissan refused to fix my last defective differential while still under warranty. After begging a Nissan to check my truck over and find out why diffs were failing, they just said I must be doing something wrong to cause the failures. My diffs never completely failed, they just kept getting that loud whine from the R&P. My diff now has a loud whine all the way to 65 mph. A diff shop here in town said it was definately comming from the diff and would eventually fail. Installing a trutrac would not help me so I drive till I figure It is about ready to fail and I dump it. One other note, 07 diffs are still failing and having leaking seals so where is the fixes you talk about after 4 years.
No I dont think Nissan did all they could and no I would not buy another so they could refuse to honor another warranty. I might get the same service out of another make but at least I will not make two mistakes.

**loufish** · 02-04-2008, 09:27 PM

Quote:

I worked for Nissan for over 12 years in powertrain engineering, quality, and production roles and i've read through this entire thread and here's my 0.02. With any new product Nissan works with the supplier (Dana) and specs............................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .........................................
one evidence that what I'm sharing is fact. Take it or leave it. Hope this helps.

Very well written, thank you for taking the time.
Although I'm not an Engineer I do come from an Engineering background, and still can't believe that both Dana and Nissan couldn't get this right...

At the very top of this Nissan mis-reading the very market they planned on entering, the light truck market is very much built upon brand loyalty and the perceived "ruggedness" loyal truck owners feel about their brand. Check any truck/RV forum and ask about the Titan...The first thing you'll hear is the rear end failures. Nissan was slow to respond to the issue, then replaced bad rear ends with the very same rear end....Although the claimed number of failures is low, how could we(TT members) have several members with multiple failures? And to add insult to injury lets have axle seal failures...
I'm sorry, I forgot the front brake issue...
I've had my font brakes replaced 3 times(final time has been awsome - they got it right) and am on my second rear end...ALL covered under warranty. but that's not what people know about this truck...

When you come out of the gate with a new contender for the light truck market, you better get it right the first time and if there is any issues get them fixed ASAP because unlike the competition, you don't have any history to fall back on. I'm not into marketing, but please Nissan tell me you're not that stupid you didn't know this and take it to heart!

Nissan should have made an all out effort to put out the fires fast, but instead the Titan is stuck with this legacy...Right now it's the "big truck with a great engine and a rear end that nobody trusts to last"

Don't get me wrong I love my truck and enjoy driving every day...But Nissan dropped the ball big time...

Derwud · 02-04-2008, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loufish

Very well written, thank you for taking the time.
Although I'm not an Engineer I do come from an Engineering background, and still can't believe that both Dana and Nissan couldn't get this right...

At the very top of this Nissan mis-reading the very market they planned on entering, the light truck market is very much built upon brand loyalty and the perceived "ruggedness" loyal truck owners feel about their brand. Check any truck/RV forum and ask about the Titan...The first thing you'll hear is the rear end failures. Nissan was slow to respond to the issue, then replaced bad rear ends with the very same rear end....Although the claimed number of failures is low, how could we(TT members) have several members with multiple failures? And to add insult to injury lets have axle seal failures...
I'm sorry, I forgot the front brake issue...
I've had my font brakes replaced 3 times(final time has been awsome - they got it right) and am on my second rear end...ALL covered under warranty. but that's not people know about this truck...

When you come out of the gate with a new contender for the light truck market, you better get it right the first time and if there is any issues get them fixed ASAP because unlike the competition, you don't have any history to fall back on. I'm not into marketing, but please Nissan tell me you're not that stupid you didn't know this and take it to heart!

Nissan should have made an all out effort to put out the fires fast, but instead the Titan is stuck with this legacy...Right now it's the "big truck with a great engine and a rear end that nobody trusts to last"

Don't get me wrong I love my truck and enjoy driving every day...But Nissan dropped the ball big time...

While I agree with you, this is just as much a fault of Dana as Nissan's..

We will have to talk about this some day over a ICDB....

BassTow · 02-06-2008, 10:05 PM

Ditto, the rear end problems are just as much Dana as Nissan's responsibility and yes they both screwed it up bringing the product to market in that condition. I'm sure everybody that has had problems or folks like me that just worry about having one wish both companies would have launched with a more robust rear axle design back in 2004...

StuntDriver06 · 03-10-2008, 06:29 PM

just some info i learned. a nissan engineer came to my dealer and diagnosed my truck. i spent about 3 hours talking to him that day about various things. as far as diffs are concerned, all diffs manufactured in 07 are good, some 07 trucks got leftover 06 diffs and thats where the problems came from. i checked the pic i had of my old rear end that failed, (my truck is an 07) and the diff was manufactured in 06. the new rear end was manufactured in late 07.. so it should be good. dont know what the difference is, exceft the 06's had carrier movement problems. my diff had been clunking for several months (almost a year come to think of it) and had a vibration at highway speeds. hope this helps.

matt20 · 03-31-2008, 12:56 PM

This really sucks, I've wanted a titan since the announcement in 03. I think, dream and somtimes want to sell a body part for this beautiful piece of machinery......Until now, I just read this thread and I might as well stick to another Chevy. Which has 185k with no drive-train problems what so ever.

Nissan not recalling the axles? I was planning on buying my titan this week, someone please help me.....

joeinstl · 03-31-2008, 03:50 PM

25,000 miles on my '05 with no issues yet, but... Here's how I see it. If my rear goes, I'll have Nissan fix it for free (extended warranty). Then I'll trade it in for another vehicle (probably a Honda).

TallTexan · 03-31-2008, 04:47 PM

Makes all of us with axles built in 06 or earlier feel good. I guess that old whinning diff I have now built in 10-06 is on its way out. Nissan said I was just too rough on my truck causing those great differentials to fail. Nissan could sell snowballs in Alaska for 100 bucks a piece before they could sell me another Titan or any other Nissan. It would be like when the president of Nissan died and went to hell and found it all froze over in Ice. His first thought was, TallTexan bought another Nissan!

*rtc1184* · 03-31-2008, 05:23 PM

i have a 07 2wd base model titan king cab. i bought my titan new in may of 07 and i have 31,964 miles to date on it. i drive the piss out of my truck. i mean the absolute dog sh.t. i bought a truck for the fact i will use every horse,torque, ground clearance, towing it has to offer. nissan was the best of all those for the price. i am the person to utilize everything to its maximum potential. i know i am not the person the service department at any dealership wants to see when they tell me they wont fix my truck when its under warranty cause i drive it to rough, cause if that is the case ill drive right up into their damn office. needless to say i have had absolutely no issues with me truck except a freaking squeak in my dash.

Justintoxicated · 03-31-2008, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt20

This really sucks, I've wanted a titan since the announcement in 03. I think, dream and somtimes want to sell a body part for this beautiful piece of machinery......Until now, I just read this thread and I might as well stick to another Chevy. Which has 185k with no drive-train problems what so ever.

Nissan not recalling the axles? I was planning on buying my titan this week, someone please help me.....

get a 2008, fo rme I'm stuck with my 05 although it has a new diff from 07 in it. Even if they fixed the rear I'd still be worried about the front poping out of place if I offroad it.

matt20 · 04-01-2008, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justintoxicated

get a 2008, fo rme I'm stuck with my 05 although it has a new diff from 07 in it. Even if they fixed the rear I'd still be worried about the front poping out of place if I offroad it.

Went to buy an 08 last week and with all the options I want, it was a litte out of my monthly budget. I heard from the dealer that nissan kicked dana to the curb and went with another vendor?? I can deal with leaky seals, but the diff just blowing up is another story.

I really want to know the fix. When is the diff more likely to blow? Is it just a heat issue or cheap gears? I read the whole thread, but too much info.

lrr · 04-01-2008, 08:07 PM

I posted this on another board so sorry if you have already seen this. I'm almost positive my '06 was an early '06 model and this site is scarring the crap out of me. A bankrupt parts company and a car/truck company that I used to swear by, will probably never see another new dollar (minus repair bills) from me. I already went to the government website to report my problem. I bought this thing to last a lifetime and it seems all I'm going to get is a few years....thank god I bought the extended warranty:

All right I'm new to the site, and only because my front diff is being replaced in three days. What questions and points should I be making to the service center at my Nissan dealership. They said things were covered by the warranty, but after spending an hour or so on this site, it is obviously a major problem. I do not have a lifter kit, I don't tow or haul anything. What would have caused this? Is it just a general design failure? Is there a Nissan replacement part that should fix the problem? God I'm ticked about this '06 with 34k (80% of which are hgwy), what can be done to prevent this?