30th Oct 2010, 16:52

I have a Nissan Micra e 1 litre 03 plate with no problems whatsoever, from 44k-66k miles. I highly recommend this car.

3rd Dec 2010, 15:54

A few posts back someone stated: "My little car has done, wait for it, 214,000 miles, and all this without the timing chain replaced. I think that's amazing!" This poster also stated that he (she) did all their own servicing.

Now this is something I very quickly realised, as I've researched extensively this Nissan timing chain stretch problem, as I have a French designed Primera, and my father in law has a Micra. Both are just over 80k miles.

I do not believe the service intervals that Nissan give are adequate, especially as a lot of the smaller units (Micras) are driven short stop/start journeys all the while. Fresh oil at frequent intervals I've observed, seems to be the solution to this problem. Of course it's essential when buying a Micra, Almera, Tino, Primera etc to check there is no engine hesitation, no constant stalling and no engine management light showing. If so, then avoid, as these can soon become total non-starters. Look on Ebay at the numbers of non-runner Nissans being offered with "engine won't start" descriptions. The general cost of repair seems to be around £1000 GBP in 2010, and it's not a job you can easily do yourself like a conventional belt replacement, although the kits are cheap enough and I'd certainly give it a try before spending this amount.

This is just my observation, and of course it's open to debate, but I hope it gives some insight. Cheers.

17th Dec 2010, 17:58

Just as above, new timing chain having only done 21k, new ignition, new wiper motors, new suspension, and constantly cuts out and refuses to start, and the car has always been serviced.

After 7 weeks of discussions with Nissan and the mention of legal action, they agreed with half the costs totaling in the 2k mark.

Anybody having these problems, which are very common, contact Nissan as I did.

18th Dec 2010, 14:23

Hi, everyone is complaining about issues, but no solution / fix so far???

Anyone know how to fix these issues!!!

By the way, the timing chain and other parts are cheap on Ebay!! You can get brand new for 1/2 of what a dealer charges, but you have to make sure it's the correct parts you are buying, as some sellers do not accept returns!!

9th Jan 2011, 14:39

Hi,

I own a 53 reg Micra 1.2. Until this year it was pretty reliable. However by this year, the car was beginning to judder and stall at lights.

A possible timing chain??? No, a timing valve replacement for 400 pounds, which included the Nissan diagnostics test.

The car has been running fine until today. It started after not being used for a week, drove a few feet down the road, then cut out. The driver's door jammed and there was no power to the steering either. I couldn't restart. However the flashing immobiliser light was still flashing.

Does this sound like a dead battery?? Or worse??

27th Jan 2011, 12:59

I have a 53 plate Micra too.

I just replaced the cam sensor. Now I have been told to replace the crank sensor. If it is not that, then try a new chain, but reading all the comments, I think I won't bother!

Sounds like as soon as the engine management light comes on, you can scrap the thing.

7th Feb 2011, 12:59

Since buying my Micra new in 2003, I have replaced four radiators, one cam shaft, one timing chain, two locking mechanisms on the boot, I have paid to have the engine warning light switched off, new driver's seat, passenger seat upholstery fell apart, all this on a supposedly economic car. I will never buy Nissan again.

17th Feb 2011, 00:03

Oh dear!

I too have a Nissan Micra 53 plate bought from new, have taken it in for a recall for ignition, also the boot opens and shuts whilst driving as it pleases, won't unlock when you need to unload heavy groceries and then unlocks when in the middle of a car park when you have stuff in it. The battery is constantly going flat. It lets me down when I am away from home and I constantly have to call out garage.

Have had it standing for a while as I purchased another vehicle recently, had it MOT'd but don't feel confident to drive it away from home due to its unreliable antics.

Seems like we all bought these cars for reliability and that the last thing they are RELIABLE. I think I will take it to an auction and get rid before it costs me thousands of pounds.

I personally think these cars have a built in obsolescence in the computer because mine was OK for 3 years and then all of this started, just after the warranty elapsed.

20th Feb 2011, 09:40

As like all complaints on here, I too have an 03 plate Micra E series.

The engine management light is on, had it put on a machine; says cam sensor fault. Changed that, then told crank shaft sensor is on the same fault, so changed that too, and the two lambda sensors. Yes, you guessed right, still not fixed.

Told now to try timing chain, have decided to just run it till it won't run any more or pass MoT, then get it to a scrap yard. It's all they are worth, so never getting a Nissan again; waste of money.

8th Apr 2011, 21:11

Has any of the windows in the doors been smashed and replaced? Mine does this noise because there's still the broken glass on the inside of the door after the new window was fitted.

29th Apr 2011, 06:43

I agree, never buy a Micra. Same problem as you, but going to drive it into the ground!!!

17th May 2011, 05:56

My girlfriend recently bought a 1.0 K12 Micra, what a bargain we thought we'd got for a low mileage model!!! Very tidy little car, still very stylish looking now...

...now we know better. We're having the same issues as most of the above, all stemming from the warning light. Car has been serviced and warning lights reset, but now they are back again.

Car randomly decides to chug or kangaroo when pulling away from a stop. Then it just dies, and eventually can be restarted.

Going on earlier posts, looks like we'll need to change all the sensors, throttle bodies, timing chain, as well as underwear due to the car dying on the road :)

It's pretty shocking how Nissan dealerships have no clue how to fix this, and haven't been brought to task. I've never heard of a car needing so many different things changed, just because of an EM light. And all that with no guarantee it will work anyways. Shocking.

G&U.