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Comments
Unless your friend has insight into the actual parts used in cars like the Sentra and Corolla, I don't see how he can suspect that the steering motors don't have enough power to assist the steering--and why that would save any significant amount of money on the cars. Has he even driven the current-generation Sentra and Corolla?
It would be a good idea to rephrase your post: the way it sound right now puts you in the same boat with those people (working for the manufacturer probably) who try to tell us that we do not have a problem. Or that we should shut up.
Based on the symptoms my friend emitted a theory which explains very well the problems that we all feel: the steering requires a lot of effort when driving on the interstate. Interstate driving requires small adjustments and if you do not get enough assist from your power steering you'll feel it in your arms.
You are refuting the theory without presenting a better one, which nobody does in a world of adults. Only kids resume to saying "No, that's not it". Adults say "No, more likely this ... is the cause...". So please stop attacking MY theory if you do not have a better one. I do not need to drive the new-generation since that will not solve my problem, will it now? Unless you are willing to switch your Sentra with mine.
If you'll look at my post, what I said what that my Sentra does not seem to behave the same way you described your car's behavior--hence the speculation that mine might have a different design (which btw is in fact an alternate explanation, yes?). Mine does not require "a lot of effort" when driving on the interstate. I said that I'd prefer if the car actually had a firmer steering feel than what it does. I also questioned whether someone is in a position to determine that parts on a car are substandard or in some way not up to the task they were designed for, without knowing anything about the parts themselves or even driving the cars in question. Or has your PhD friend driven the Sentra, and Corolla, and has analyzed the parts in question?
I am not refuting or attacking your theory. I am pointing out that my car doesn't behave as yours does. I never said I doubt that your car behaves as you described.
Since you seem to want me to provide my own theory, here it is, which relates to cars like the Senta and Corolla that have EPS tuned for a light steering feel. My theory is that some owners will find the steering feel considerably different from what they are used to, and will think that the steering is therefore defective in some way. It's just a theory... you are free to ignore it. But if a car pulls to one direction or the other while driving down a flat road, that could be indication of a problem such as bad alignment or wheel balance, or some other defect. I wish you success in getting the problem resolved to your satisfaction.
Edit: Just found this, you might find it useful. Look in particular the section near the end starting "Disadvantages". I think the 2nd paragraph might explain why you are finding your car "tiring" to drive, especially compared to a car with non-EPS steering.
http://www.seminarprojects.com/Thread-electric-power-assisted-steering
I recommend everybody who has the problem to read your link.
I still do maintain the possibility of a small electric motor for the EPS. As we all know these work within certain ranges, that is you can only adjust the current within certain limits. If mine is already at a max, there is no solution. Also, increasing the current above a certain limit will decrease the lifetime of my EPS motor (right when I am about to go out of warranty).
Right now I am in contact with Nissan USA and they are collecting data from the dealers I have visited. With this new piece of information I can give more precise info about my problem. Let's hope they can tune my Sentra.
1) Within the first 3 weeks of ownership, I got in the car twice to find out that the clock reset to 12 and the radio presets were gone- just like when you get a new battery. Dealership service maintained they were clueless about cause.
2) Two weeks later, radio and clock went out entirely. Replaced, and service said that there was a short and burned out fuse. I thought to myself- in a NEW CAR?
3) A week later, car did not start at all. I jiggled the gear shift, it then started. Drove 2 miles, suddenly ALL electrical systems went out and car lost power. Fortunately, I was not up on the highway and coasted into a plaza. No lights, no horn, no nuttin'. Water in five of the six battery cells was very low. Towed into dealership, where they replaced a "bad" battery. I insisted that they check to see why the battery would burn up water like that. I was told- "No problem".
4) Exactly ten days later, car is towed again from work. Completely dead electrical system again. This time, I am told that the mechanic is "100% sure" that the problem is likely the one that caused the radio- failure of factory to properly weld a connection behind the battery so that battery wasn't recharging. I was told, however, that the proper part to fix this was on national backorder. The proper part being called both a connector for a wire harness or the right battery terminal. (Hmmm- do I smell a coming recall?) After six days in the shop, with no loaner car furnished to me, I picked up the car tonight after the proper part came in and it was "repaired". I drove it home two miles this evening. Two hours later, when I got back in to visit a friend at the hospital, the dashboard lit up real purty and I still had a horn- but it didn't start. Not even a sputter. I looked in the battery and the water in all chambers was low. (Curiosity question- why was the battery not checked?) I put more water in then tried to start the car both in park and neutral. Nada.
Service division was closed but I talked to dealership sales manager who told me another 2010 Sentra with exactly the same problem got towed in to them yesterday. The mechanic had last week told me he saw the same thing four months ago.
By the way, I took this in twice before the electrical problems started because of a "popping sensation" under the floorboard when I turned the wheel to the right. It came and went, and shop said they couldn't replicate it so had no fix. But if the steering is electrical, I wonder if there is a relationship.
Well, my "new car" got towed in a third time in 2 weeks tonight. But I am beginning to question whether this is fixable, and, if a bandaid is put on this, what confidence can I have that there aren't other slipshod quality problems awaiting me in the future? Meanwhile, my 175,000 mile Taurus that I thought was on its last legs and that my son now uses is going strong, air conditioning cold as the day I bought it.
Is anyone else aware of such problems? What has been your experience?
My car is about to go out of warranty because of mileage and I can't say I had big problems. Never had to tow it. Two problems that I had: sticking steering and "out-of-round" breaks. The latter got resolved. I think the former is a design flaw and I'm stuck with it like most people on this forum.
Sticking steering: the car would follow the last header after a small adjustment instead of reverting to the neutral position (go straight). You know, when you briefly pull on your steering wheel at high speeds and let go, it would revert to a neutral position. If you do a small adjustment (just to stay in lane), it would not revert. They replaced the rack and bushing with very little improvement. I believe they did it just to impress me (have something done). This problem is not solved. I believe it is a design flaw and I'll stay away from Nissan.
I also suspect most people do not feel this problem because they have nothing to compare with: we have two cars, and I can feel how different the older Toyota drives. If most Sentra buyers have the Sentra as their only car and haven't had a car before, they wouldn't know about this problem.
Out-of-round brakes or whatever that means (comes off the work sheet). My steering would rattle and shake vigorously when I used the brakes repeatedly. Say if I was driving down a 3 miles long hill I would use the brakes intermittently. By the time I reached the base, the steering would shake very bad,almost scary. At first I thought the ABS was kicking in but looks like it was something else. They solved this problem.
Conclusion: I am really scared about buying another car which uses EPS and, well, I cannot buy another Nissan. For them it is easier to deny/divert attention than get their engineers to look at it. This is not a job for the repair guy but for engineers and they failed to realize this.
As for steering feel, my Sentra does feel different than any of my other cars. I attribute that to the EPS (1 other car has it, 2 do not) and how it's tuned. I don't find the steering feel dangerous, but it is different and it does have less "feel" of the road than my older cars w/o EPS. I had a 2007 Rabbit with EPS and that car had a disconnected feel also, but cripser handling than my Sentra. I prefer the Rabbit's feel, but I have adapted to the Sentra's and know what to expect from it.
Choose wisely, I much would have prefered the 5 speed over the CVT now I know I should have followed my gut.
Chris
If you are under warranty, this should NOT be a "one time offer". They are obligated to fix it until it is fixed, assuming this is a new car under the usual warranties, and after four times within a year (or twice, if you make the argument, and I think you can, that this is a safety defect), it can be declared a lemon. My dealership towed me twice at their expense. :shades:
I fell head over heels for this car, I was even told that when we drove in the lot and i saw it that i had a twinkle in my eye. .
I thought they only did recalls if there are too many deaths?
what happens during a recall?
sorry my first new car
thanks for your help
By the way- a recall doesn't happen from deaths only, but from a known and systemic defect that can affect safety and needs repair. The fact this cable is on national back order tells me that the problem could be widespread and therefore could initiate a recall. Makers are generally reluctant to do this because it is their nickel, even for cars out of warranty. :surprise:
First of all, I want to thank you for posting your problems about your nissan sentras. I have been having issues with my 2009 nissan sentra since I about it mid-last year and it is good to know I am not the only one going through this . My car swerved since 2009 and still swerves whenever I am driving on the freeway. The terrifying problem usually starts when I reach 70mph and then I am forced to reduce my speed to maybe 60.
But just 2 days ago, the swerves was 100 hundred times more terrible and life threatening. I really thought that I was going to cause a big accident and I prayed to God desperately to protect my life. I had to immediately exit the freeway and went to the nearest Nissan dealership to see if they could take a look at my car. GUESS WHAT? The useless service manager told me that "sorry if I had come in the morning they could check it out...and that they only service like 10 cars a day". By the way i got to the shop around 3pm and according to their entrance, their hours was till 5pm. I begged the guy and he refused to budge one bit. Why don’t they change their hours or simply do their job? They treat people like the customers are doing them a favor.
This kind of horrible service is the same I have received from FOUR, I repeat 4 several dealerships. No matter how much I tried to reason with them and plead, they refuse to fix the problem. They made me look stupid as if I couldn't drive and continuously lied to me that nothing's wrong (your posts confirmed to me that the problems were real and I am not crazy). ARE THEY WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO ACTUALLY DIE BEFORE THEY DO ANYTHING? I DETEST Nissan and would never encourage anyone (even my enemies) to buy it, not only does their car suck but their service guys are plain deceitful, greedy and pretty much heartless.
So my next question is, does anybody know any solution to fix this dangerous freeway driving problem? I don't know much about cars, so is there like a temporary solution to do while I research into other brands and do a trade-in? I need to drive the freeway every week and really need a car that works and wouldn’t kill me.
Thanks in advance for your useful responses
A frenzied driver, an amazing boyfriend and a good Samaritan later, we were able to move my car into gear so we could jump it. Using the good Samaritan’s tools, we tested the electrical output and noticed an unusual spikes in the readings. I will be calling the dealership as soon as it opens. Just 21 days into having my new car, I am not feeling confident about its reliability.
Anyone have any ideas what is going on?
i have a 2010 nissan sentra sr and have been dealing with this steering issue for some time now. i have brought it to the servicing dealership where i purchased the vehicle (4 times!) and haven't gotten the problem resolved and i will now be pursuing the lemon law option.
I recently bought a new 2011 Sentra S (I have about 400 miles on it now). I have to admit if I had read about all the steering issues I may not have bought the car. However, I haven't experienced any steering problem or any other problems with the car. In fact I find the Electrical Power Steering to be excellent compared to my Civic Hybrid which also has EPS. On the Civic if you make a quick turn in one direction, then quickly change to the opposite direction (like in accident avoidance) you end up not having any power assist (the EPS can't react fast enough). Also, at one time I had a Satrun Vue with the exact EPS issues being mentioned. On that car the dealer was able to fix it the 1st time I brought it in. Before buying the Sentra, I drove a Corolla and a Civic and found the Sentra handled and accelerated much better. I guess Nissan finally fixed the EPS by the 2011 model year. I have owned 4 Nissans in the past including a Datsun 1200 and they have all been good vehicles. I got $3.5K off the MSRP, so the Sentra was aslo a good value. It has Blue Tooth, Smart Key and the CVT works great too. I got 44MPG on pure highway and 27MPG combined city/ hwy.
Another problem: one of these cold days (10F) the car wouldn't shift up in higher gears. I was able to drive at 40mph but any attempt to go higher was just higher rpms.
I would not buy another Sentra.