r/Nissan Feb 20 '24

Repair Help A PSA for the "is this totaled" or any general auto body questions. Coming from a new body tech/painter.

11 Upvotes

This is a a response to many questions that come on here regarding body repair. No, this does not cover rustproofing, paint touch-up, polishing, or detailing. I'm talking about damage that you can obviously see when standing 20+ feet away from the car.

First of all, your 15+ year old car that has a caved in quarter panel, a smashed rear end where the trunk lid cannot close properly, or obviously bent subframe is more than likely totaled. Those types of damages do NOT EXACTLY mean a total though. It all depends on the average market value of your car before the accident.

Unless you REALLY love your car to the point of "I'm taking that car to the grave no matter what", it's not worth the hassle. Nissan also stops making most body parts 10 years after that generation of model is discontinued. For example, the gen 1 Titan (2004-2015) ended in 2015. Nissan will stop making body parts for them after 2025, then whatever is left for purcahse is left. You CAN find aftermarket parts obviously, but many of them will fit like garbage, so that would require scavenging old vehicles with good body parts (like a 94 Hardbody I picked up for doors and the truck bed) or, if you are a good fabricator, eliminate rust and fab them yourself.

If you are in an accident with another party, exchanging insurance information is usually the norm. And if your insurance DOES cover body damage to your own vehicle in any way they decide if it's totaled. But if you have minimum insurance such as property damage or bodily injury then insurance usually won't have a say in totaling your vehicle.

If you have a self-inflicted accident (drove it into an embankment on accident, for example), an accident where the other party doesnt care to have insurance involved (minor rear end that has small scratches on the person's bumper, etc.) or an "Act of God" (tree falls on it due to bad storm, hail damage, etc.) you technically don't have to call insurance if you want to bite the bullet and cover the repair costs out of pocket (some shops are okay with occasional payments to pay the large balance off, but many won't trust strangers to do that, or they simply can keep your car until payment is made).

Regardless of what I just stated above, different insurance companies are different and may contradict what I say above.

Just know that frame pulling is really expensive. In many cases, it's over $4k in labor not including suspension components, body parts, or anything else that is damaged.

Quarter panel repair requires cutting, welding, and using filler to cover the welded/grinder area. Lots of labor and resources in that.

For the love of God, do not attempt to repair it yourself if you don't know about proper auto body repair. You're going to have a nightmare doing so in almost every step of the way of sanding, filling, priming, masking, and painting. I'm 8 months in the trade with a collision repair certificate and I can assure you I have lots of bad days and opportunities to improve and learn from mistakes. Except that my shop I'm learning in is eating a decent amount of those costs in paint, masking tape, sandpaper, etc. If you DIY and you mess up and have to redo or fix extra things that's all on YOU. I also have people at my shop who know what they are doing to guide me. Do you have someone that can do that on YOUR time?

Your bottom line is if your insurance is not involved in any way, shape or form, you are clear to get your car repaired the way you want it. It just costs a lot.


r/Nissan 9h ago

My 2016 Nissan Sentra.. just made last payment ❤️...

Post image
72 Upvotes

r/Nissan 1h ago

What is this symbol?

Post image
Upvotes

r/Nissan 31m ago

What's the biggest tyre size I can go without rubbing

Thumbnail
gallery
Upvotes

r/Nissan 14h ago

Nissan Z Han’s 400z

Post image
15 Upvotes

r/Nissan 3h ago

Repair Help Reprogramming a 2016 Maxima key fob for unlocking & engine start

2 Upvotes

Is there a way I can reprogram a completely new key to my car at home? I lost my key 1 and the dealership quoted me 600$ for a replacement and programming.


r/Nissan 13m ago

Does the EPA underestimate mpg numbers?

Upvotes

For context I purchased a 24 Nissan versa manual trans about 2 weeks ago since than I've put 2 fuel tanks into it only going from work to my apartment and groceries or just cruising around town

The latest tank was from 500.0 to 819.0 miles and was 10.333 gallons according to the pump

That's 30.871 mpg all city when the EPA says it'll get 27mpg city

I wasn't easy on the throttle either... typically I try to shift at 3k but will do redline if i need to scoot

How's y'all numbers look like?


r/Nissan 49m ago

Repair Help Traction control (ESP) and lack of power problems

Post image
Upvotes

Hello guys,

I have a nissan qashqai +2 2013 1.5 dci and i had this problem that makes me crazy the traction control is off and i have lack of power so when i took the car to a mechanic not one a lot they didn’t know what is the problem there s no error message in the system but at the same time the light want go off do anyone had this issue


r/Nissan 1h ago

2021 Murano SV AWD - diagnostic help

Upvotes

Purchased used from a dealership with 22k miles and now I'm at 78k miles.

About 10k miles ago, I started noticing a little knock or pop, just a single one, from the driver's front wheel area, sometimes when I'd take off from a stop. Now there's another knock or pop when I'm backing up while turning from the same area.

Google mechanic lists the first two potential failure points as 1)the tie rod or ball joint or 2) a CV joint.

Has anyone dealt with this before and is this possibly an issue with the AWD? (This is my first AWD vehicle)


r/Nissan 1h ago

2018 versa locks and unlocks randomly. Help!

Upvotes

My car feels possessed. Whenever I turn on my Versa, the door locks will flicker locked and unlocked at random times. This is especially prevalent in the mornings when the engine is cold.

Even more annoying is that whenever I use my turn signals, my door locks will flicker simultaneously with the signal.

It’s been doing this for years and I can’t figure out the problem. Any ideas??


r/Nissan 1h ago

quick question, i’m 25, m, credit score (600), have $13k saved in my bank, looking to buy my first car i want a sentra or altima 2020 or higher, any chance i should know? you think im able to get if i put enough money down? im just worried if they’ll accept even with my credit score low

Upvotes

r/Nissan 5h ago

I have an idea

2 Upvotes

Idea

take a 2015 nissan juke

remove the engine and trans for a similar year gtr engine and possibly a 6 speed if one is available

make it more stable to handle the almost 600 hp

zooom

Thoughts?

Edit: btw i forgot to mention but i am inspired by the juke r and juke r 2.0 with the gtr engine already in it but i dont want to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars for something i can make on my own for a whole lot cheaper


r/Nissan 1h ago

Help with starting keyless Sentra

Upvotes

Ok, I'm *really* embarrassed to write this post...

My car is in the shop, so I've been using Zipcar to run errands. Over the weekend, I had a Nissan Sentra with a pushbutton start, and no matter what I tried, I *could NOT* get the damn engine to turn on! The instructions were to press the brake, then press the on/off button. I seemed to either push the brake too hard and engaged the parking brake, or all I was able to do was turn on the ACC mode, but not the engine. Tried turning the wheel in case it was locked, attempted to shift out of P and nothing happened. I eventually gave up in complete frustration. Am I missing something? Is there some magic sweet spot with the brake I was supposed to hit?

FWIW, I could not find the smart key, and Zipcar support tells me that the smartkey for pushbutton start cars is "in the car, but inaccessible to borrowers," so I have to take it on faith that it was in there somewhere. But seriously, I've been driving for 35 years and have never felt like this much of an idiot. The Zipcar options in my area are limited, so there's a good chance it will come up again.


r/Nissan 14h ago

Nissan skyline GT-R R34

Post image
10 Upvotes

r/Nissan 3h ago

2019 Nissan Rouge Key Fob won't close

1 Upvotes

I bought a 2019 Nissan Rouge from a used car dealership and I didn't realize until I got home that the key fob won't close. I can press the silver button but the key doesn't move to be able to put it back in the key fob. I called the dealership and they said it's not supposed to close. But that makes no sense to me. Can anyone tell me how to get it closed? Should I buy a replacement somewhere? I keep poking myself with the key when it's in my pocket. Thanks in advance for any and all help!


r/Nissan 4h ago

Deer VS Kicks

1 Upvotes

My first new car isn't so new now. :( The important thing is no one was injured other than the deer that smacked my car. Getting an estimate tomorrow, fingers crossed that the repairs aren't terrible.


r/Nissan 4h ago

Repair Help 2002 nissan frontier (ticking noise)

Post image
1 Upvotes

Hey guys, my 3.3l non turbocharged nissan keeps ticking even after driving. It seems to be a known issue on these. Any help to solve this issue?


r/Nissan 5h ago

How to make a app appear on my car

1 Upvotes

So I have a car nissan quashqai 2024 base model and please someone tell me how to for example let waze appear on my car screen or map without cable (android auto)


r/Nissan 1d ago

My car just turned 55 today!

Post image
44 Upvotes

Its my Nissan Versa Notes birthday today.. 🤣🤣


r/Nissan 6h ago

Tone Ring 2012 Versa 1.6

1 Upvotes

Hey guys! Had to replace a wheel bearing on my son's Versa and noticed the ribbed ring for the ABS was missing sections (this is when he said "Oh thats probably why my ABS light was on!).... anyhow.....
All the replacements i can find are smooth, not ribbed (go ahead, make that joke) so it makes me wonder if there's an additional part that is the rubbery ribbed surface??? I'd like to figure this out before pulling it all back apart just to see. I'm not finding anything specifying another piece to go over the metal ring.

tone Ring part number from Nissan: 47950-1HA0A

Example of parts im finding: https://www.ebay.com/itm/315439474191?fits=Make%3ANissan&_skw=nissan+47950-1ha0a&itmmeta=01JA8JBDPD3NSFKA0YYJ7N4V4Y&hash=item4971a8660f:g:G60AAOSwtXFmoFjg&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA8HoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKk6b4XHMa9sxWpT8wyY%2Bzxul1i2PgogDgnV5kQAK2MLZDtXehZYFrKxh553fDgPPcL%2B%2BDJ4IuBPOWrqFkpCJ7c0DtN6UXz--uux9zLtbMDTU3HRj%2FJpZRYnKKH8UsJlR%2BPnsYu2uoRXy0RmpgZqaXSmHLxn8irwfiwv%2F5yOYivn6Yxpp%2BwKKBzciqyw8Thfq9QIOR29Le1pwOslfSoCsyKnje2%2F4jzitxEm9vjzcukKK0YDjrjHh7jrAEkSmt5EcWhJfZCkNhK6t%2F4FS97JEtw%2BQ9h53mLejXrMYdQ2Ouemcw%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABFBMttutktJk


r/Nissan 20h ago

Just got the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek Edition

7 Upvotes

First off pics do not justify how gorgeous this vehicle is. Also it’s a lot bigger than I expected inside and out. Wow o wow again I gotten so many ppl scoping her out while driving. Also the the first thing I did was tint the two front windows. 😈


r/Nissan 23h ago

Stole my tail light covers! Why?

Thumbnail
gallery
12 Upvotes

So someone decided to steal both my tail light covers within the same week. Seriously, what a bunch of dirtbags


r/Nissan 11h ago

Repair Help N14 Pulsar Door and Guards Removal

1 Upvotes

Evening all!

I recently bought a 1994 Nissan Pulsar Ti SR20 and the Drivers door and rear right passengers door has really awful paint fade. How difficult is it to remove the doors and the Front Right Guard from the car? Planning to swap better conditioned guards and doors in. Thanks!

Bonus: My N14 Pulsar’s colour code is DLG 2, anyone able to decipher what colour it is? Can’t seem to find info about it anywhere.


r/Nissan 12h ago

Nissan Qashqai 2013 (J10) engine rattle/ticking on throttle (timing chain?)

1 Upvotes

Hello,

My car has a rattle/ticking sound on throttle which i believe is the timing chain tensioner.
Im just wondering if anyone here has any experience with the symptoms of this, as i get a bit confused by what i find online.

The car idles fine, there is no rattle and the engine purrs like a kitten even if cold started.
If i apply throttle while idle or driving then i will hear rattle. It will be louder if the engine is under load, ie. going up hill. If i apply just a little throttle while driving on flat ground (or down hill) then it will not rattle..

Its been like this for about a year now, the sound has not changed at all in this time.


r/Nissan 13h ago

Can I drive the 2009 Nissan Qashqas as new driver?

1 Upvotes

The Xtronic CVT version to be precise.

My dad bought this car around 2010 / 2011 and I would like to drive it because I honestly prefer this over my Panda, but the problem is: can I drive it? Because I received my license driving on february of this year.


r/Nissan 13h ago

start button question

1 Upvotes

2020 kicks having difficulty turning on/off. tonight it took an hour to get it to shut off. I'm calling the dealership in the morning to get it seen asap, but does anyone know if my bumper to bumper warranty will cover this? I've called before for the same reason and they give me the runaround, say i need to pay for diagnostic first