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I will start this off with my story (sorry for the length) and the reason I started this page, so here it is. I recently started having problems with my 2006 Nissan Xterras engine shutting off without warning, while driving, and then ultimately refusing to start or when it did start it was misfiring and running rough.

I did some on-line research and found a few sites where other Nissan owners had posted similar issues, one thing led to another and I found out that there was a recall (that I did not receive) of the ECM (Engine Control Module) causing this very issue. I made the appointment and had my local Nissan dealer fix the recall, perfect problem solved, well not really, here is where the real issue starts. The very next day, after getting my Xterra back, the "service engine" light came on. Being the handy "shadetree" mechanic that I am, I plugged in my OBD II engine code scanner and found a P0430 code saying that the Catalyst efficiency was below threshold on bank 2 (a problem with one my catalytic converters).

I called the dealer again to report my issue and to tell them what trouble code I had found and to ask them if the ECM failure was related. He said he would look into and call me back later on that day. Well, during that time, I did some more on-line research and again found sites where people had discussed having the same issue after the failure of the recalled ECM. Hmmmm, it does appear that the failure of the ECM caused the failure of that catalytic converter, good info..

When the dealer called me back I told him what I had found, it was at this time, he told me (off the record) that it was a common issue and that he was glad that I had done my research and that he would look into trying to get it covered under warranty even though my mileage was 2000 miles over the 80,000 mile limit. The next day, when he called me back, he mentioned that he was getting resistance from his end and that he suggested that I contact Nissan directly, so I did. I called them, told them my story, and then waited another few days for them to get back to me with their decision whether they were going to cover the issue or not. When they called they said that they were happy to inform me that they would cover $300 of the $1300 cost to replace the catalytic converter.

I said, "only $300?? I feel that Nissan should be covering 100% of the repair costs because it was the failure of the ECM that had caused the catalytic converter to fail". Well, Nissan said, "Our engineers have not determined that the failure of the ECM can cause the failure of the catalytic converters, but if at some point they do determine that, we will refund all of your repair costs". I don't think it is mere coincidence that my "cat" failed directly after the failure of the ECM, I call BS on this.

I am certain the Nissan engineers know much more about these failures than I do and are keeping it hush so that they don't have to cough up millions of more dollars to fix their faulty engineering.

Monetary Loss: $1300.

Location: San Diego, California

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Guest

Have a Nissan nv2500 van2 years ago have a check engine on,Tooke to my mechanic.. he told me..oohh "YES, THE SENSOR AIR FLOW OR CATALYTIC CONVERTER"YES "MOSTLY ALL TITANS AND NV VANS ARE LIKE THAT"WILL COST ME AROUND $1200 TO REPAIR IF IS CALALYTIC.I tooke to Nissan dealer..good news was a "RECALL" and Nissan will covered all %100 cost ..but the check engine never off..tooke 4 times to dealer..

they fixed (of course not)last time give a big list like "TUNE UP, CHANGE WIRES, AROUND $900 TO FIXING THE PROBLEM?SO I CALL THEM "LIERS"AFTER 2 YEARS GETTING TO BAD PUSHING THE GAS.. AND OLNY CAN DRIVE LIKE 5 MILES POR HR...AGAIN MY MECHANIC TOLD ME IS THE CATALYTIC AND AGAIN $1300 TO FIXING..TO BAD..

I DONT HAVE MONEY AFTER CANT WORK BECAUSE A CAR ACCIDENT.. SOI AM DRIVING WITH MY CATALYTIC WITHOUT FILTER ,, AND MAKING GUILTY TO THE NISSAN COMPANY FOR CONTAMINATE THE PLANET.

Guest

I had trouble with 430. And 420 codes.

Changed out cats, same codes a month or two later. Finally put o2 non foulers on.

No trouble since. They can be found online for 30 bucks or so.

Guest

Exact same issue here, except after performing the recall at local Nissan Dealer, engine light came on and now codes for bank 1 and bank 2 cats are showing bad..

Guest

I have the same problem, 2005 nissan frontier, ecm reprogrammed, now cat. problem, but cats are new.

pain in the but, this vehicle, have been nothing but problems.

Guest

Hi

What's up bro yeah my xterra has the same problem right now and I don't know how to claim this problem Cuz I'm the third owner

Guest

Same as all of you. Had an relay issue that took some time to track down, the day after it was replaced the ominous yellow light comes on.

Dealership said because it was an 05 with low miles (only 58k), they had "broken down" due to non use, wants 2250 to fix.

Was also not informed that the was an ECM relay recall.

Guest

I have the same issue on a 2005 nissan titan. After taking the truck in to have the recall fixed, the check engine light came on and the catalytic converters are shot. I will not buy another nissan after they abandoned loyal customers

Guest

I recently had the same issue and was told high milage made the Cat fail. Meanwhile I am advised to update and reprogram the ECM before both Cats fail.

Did you already try this? I have a 2009 Nissan Cube with 120,000 miles.

Guest

I have the exact same issue with my 2006 Pathfinder. It kept leaving me stranded.

My mechanic could not find the problem so I researched myself and discovered the ECM relay recall. I bought the new "updated" version of the relay and installed it. Less than 10 miles later my check engine light came on for the first time ever and it is codes PO420 and PO430.

All my converters have failed. This is BS!

Guest

Same problem!! Both cats just went out $3000 to replace what a bunch of ***!!!

Guest

05 frontier with 100k and the ecm decides to take a permanent vacation . the part is no longer made and there is not a single one left in the country .

nissan north america is absolutely no help whatsoever . do yourselves a favor and never buy a nissan .

they are pure junk and the nissan corporation and their customer support are completely worthless . you have been warned !!!!

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1098609

NO!!!

I just discovered the problem, last week.

Guest

Currently dealing with this now!!! Ugh....will be selling it after I fix it

Guest

My scenario is the same, my 2005 only has 58,000 miles. i have a scanner and checked my truck out of curiosity..

no codes ever until my truck died..now my cats are shot.. i had to limp home on a 700 mile trip...when i dropped the cats, have of the core was missing. the substrate disintergrated and plugged up the rear.Nissan refused to help..

what a disapointment.. going back to Toyota..(2004 tundra with 225,000 miles) never a hiccup.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1022381

I just purchased a 06' Pathfinder that I have driven less than 500 miles. It has 80k miles on it and it left me stranded lastnight.

It was 5 degrees out and I bnearly froze to death before getting a tow truck for this piece of ***! I was just driving along with the cruise on 60mph and it just quit running. check engine light flashing very quickly. Tried to restart and it sounded like it was running on 1 cylinder.

Im sure I have the same issue. Im done with Nissan!

Guest

I have an 05 Titan with 88k miles, same thing. The recall fix turned on the light, now I need 2 catalytic converters and 2 o2 sensors to the tune of $4800! I have to get rid of the truck as I am not going to pay that much.

Guest

Same as my

Guest

I have a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder. I just got the ECM relay replaced because my truck was doing the same thing as your vehicle.

Luckily, I found out it was a recall and the Nissan dealership repaired it for free. Now my service engine light is on again less than a week out of the shop. Went to Auto Zone and another mechanic to read the codes and they both determined that both of my catalytic converters need to be serviced.

UGH! Nissan needs to do something about this.

Guest

Horrible brand...same with pathfinder..they made their customers vulnerable to risk and road danger..why don't they simply shut down and save pl from their failing brand

Guest

My check engine has been on for 2 years after I had the same recall done on my 2005 Nissan Xterra called dealer they wouldn't help called nissan and got nowhere so I put a black piece of tape over the light and just let it go

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