Truck owner weighs limited help after Nissan bulletin

A 2017 Nissan Titan owner reports a loud knocking noise, discovered an older 2019 Nissan service bulletin describing the issue, and is now asking what recourse remains after Nissan learned about the problem years earlier.

A truck can make a sound you can’t unhear—especially when it starts knocking loud enough to turn a routine oil-change stop into a question about whether the manufacturer should have acted sooner.

A 2017 Nissan Titan owner says the truck recently developed a loud knocking noise in the engine and was taken to a dealer for an oil change. The dealer confirmed the noise but did not perform any testing to determine the cause. The truck now has 60,450 miles.

The owner then found an older Nissan service bulletin dated July 22, 2019. The bulletin describes the same problem. The owner says the truck had about 7,000 miles when that bulletin was issued. The question now is blunt: what recourse is available now that Nissan knew there was a problem with the owner’s specific kind of engine back in 2019?.

The response is careful. and it underlines the gap many drivers run into when they try to turn “known issue” information into coverage. This engine has been known to have issues. and the repair is described as a major service that may involve replacement of the engine block and related components. The problem is typically, though not always, linked to wear in the number seven cylinder.

But the key detail for the owner’s next step is what the bulletin does not include. Reviewing the technical service bulletin, there is no mention of a warranty extension or a customer goodwill program.

At this point. the advice is that options may be limited unless the dealer investigates further and advocates on the owner’s behalf with Nissan. Technical service bulletins, the response explains, identify known issues and provide repair procedures for technicians. They are not the same as recalls and do not obligate the manufacturer to cover repairs.

One potential path still exists: a formal letter to Nissan North America’s executive offices. The response says this approach has occasionally resulted in partial assistance. including a recent example in which a reader with an older vehicle received 50 percent coverage for repairs after taking this step.

The same Q&A also addressed other vehicle troubles readers raised—underscoring how often drivers are left waiting for the “why” behind a failure, even when maintenance has been careful.

A 2011 Buick Lucerne owner asked about a broken transmission at only 13,000 miles, despite proper maintenance. The response says the exact cause won’t be known until the transmission is disassembled. Even with proper maintenance, the vehicle is about 15 years old. Possible causes include coolant contaminating the transmission fluid due to a leaking transmission cooler. internal wear debris clogging valves. or failure of a gear. clutch. or servo component. The response adds that seals and internal components degrade with age even at low mileage.

Another reader with a classic 1977 Plymouth asked about an Optima YellowTop battery installed in April 2018. The car is kept with a battery tender connected when parked in the garage. and a digital volt gauge reads 14.5 volts when running. The response warns that voltage alone only tells part of the story. Fourteen-point-five volts is normal charging voltage, but it is not an indicator of battery health. A better assessment comes from measuring both voltage and cold cranking amps. using an affordable battery tester to indicate overall health. The response recommends testing twice a year. noting that the battery’s long lifespan may be due in part to the Battery Tender maintaining proper voltage—and citing experience with well-maintained AGM batteries like the Optima lasting up to 10 years.

And for a 2002 Honda Accord owner whose ignition key won’t come out of the cylinder after the key turns and the car starts. the response lays out troubleshooting steps. Start by shifting between park and drive; if the key releases, the shifter cable may be worn. If not, try wiggling the steering wheel and moving the shifter repeatedly. If the key still won’t come out. check the fuses for the shift interlock; a faulty fuse can prevent the key lock from releasing. If that checks out, the ignition lock switch may be worn. The response also points to simple causes. including a recent case where a phone charging cable was tangled in the shifter. preventing it from fully engaging park and releasing the key.

One last question came from an 81-year-old reader who changes oil and filter on two low-mileage cars every six months. even though miles driven are low. saying it’s cheaper than major repairs or a new car. The response says many vehicles require oil changes at least annually. and some recommend every six months even with low mileage. It advises consulting the owner’s manual. Even cars with oil life monitors typically call for yearly service regardless of indicated oil life. Short trips can lead to moisture buildup because the oil may not reach a temperature high enough to burn it off. Changing oil every six months also gives a technician a chance to inspect the vehicle and catch potential issues early.

John Paul, AAA Northeast’s Car Doctor, fields these questions. He has over 40 years of experience in the automotive business and is an ASE-certified master technician. Readers can send questions by email to [email protected]. and the Car Doctor Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts or other popular podcast sites.

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