The 2013 NV200 uses Nissan's HR16DE 2.0L engine paired with a CVT transmission. While generally reliable for a commercial van, this platform suffers from catastrophic CVT failures and timing chain-related engine damage that can total the vehicle economically.
Symptoms: Shuddering or jerking during acceleration, especially from stops, Whining or grinding noise from transmission, Loss of power, hesitation, or slipping between gear ratios, Check engine light with CVT-specific codes (P0868, P17F0, P17F1)
Fix: Nissan CVTs of this era are known failures. Transmission fluid cooler contamination often leads to complete internal damage. Requires CVT replacement (remanufactured units preferred). 8-12 labor hours for R&R, plus fluid flush of cooling system to prevent repeat failure.
Estimated cost: $3,500-5,500
Timing Chain Stretch and Premature Engine Wear
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Rattling noise from front of engine on cold start that quiets after warmup, Check engine light with cam/crank correlation codes (P0011, P0021), Loss of power, rough idle, or misfires, Metal shavings in oil during changes
Fix: HR16DE engine has weak timing chain tensioners and guides. Stretched chain causes valve timing issues and can grenade the engine if it jumps or breaks. Often discovered too late—resulting in bent valves, scored cylinder walls, bearing damage. Timing chain job is 10-14 hours; full engine rebuild or replacement runs 18-28 hours. Many shops recommend used/reman engine over rebuild due to collateral damage.
Symptoms: Milky or strawberry-colored transmission fluid (coolant mixing), Coolant level dropping without external leaks, Overheating transmission temp warning, CVT failure shortly after coolant contamination noticed
Fix: Internal leak in radiator-mounted CVT cooler allows coolant and CVT fluid to mix, destroying the transmission. Requires radiator replacement, complete CVT fluid flush (or CVT replacement if damage occurred), and cooling system flush. If caught early: 4-6 hours. If CVT damaged, add full transmission replacement labor. This is a known design flaw.
Symptoms: No-start condition or engine dies while driving, Fuel pump not priming (no hum when key turned to ON), Check engine light with fuel pump circuit codes, Intermittent stalling, especially when hot
Fix: Fuel pump control module (located under vehicle near fuel tank) fails due to corrosion or internal electronics failure. Subject to recall (NHTSA 18V-385) but many units still fail outside recall scope. Module replacement: 1.5-2.5 hours. Sometimes requires fuel pump assembly replacement as well if pump damaged from voltage spikes.
Symptoms: Clunking when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Excessive vibration at idle or during acceleration, Visible engine/trans movement when revving in Park, Drivetrain feels loose or sloppy
Fix: Hydraulic transmission mount wears out prematurely, especially in commercial use with frequent stop-and-go. Mount replacement is straightforward: 1.5-2.5 hours. Often replaced alongside motor mounts for complete refresh.
Estimated cost: $250-450
Steering Column Lock Mechanism Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Symptoms: Steering wheel won't unlock when starting vehicle, Warning message 'Steering Lock Malfunction' on dash, Key won't turn in ignition, Intermittent no-start due to steering lock system
Fix: Electronic steering lock actuator fails, preventing vehicle start. Subject to recall (NHTSA 16V-025) but failures still occur. Requires steering column disassembly and lock mechanism replacement. 3-4 hours labor. Some aftermarket bypass kits available but not recommended.
Estimated cost: $600-1,000
Owner tips
Change CVT fluid every 30,000 miles with Nissan NS-2 or NS-3 spec fluid—not 'lifetime' as marketed. Inspect radiator/trans cooler for leaks religiously.
Listen for timing chain rattle on cold starts after 80k miles. Early chain replacement (around 100k) can prevent catastrophic engine failure.
Flush cooling system and inspect transmission oil cooler for internal leaks every 50k miles—this single check can save your CVT.
Commercial use accelerates CVT and mount wear significantly—cut maintenance intervals in half if used for delivery/taxi service.
Avoid unless under 60k miles with documented CVT fluid changes and timing chain service—catastrophic CVT and engine failures make this a risky used buy for the price point.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2013-2021 NV200 Van, 2014-2017, 2019 NV200 Taxi, and 2015-2018 Chevrolet City Express vehicles. The Fuel Tank Temperature (FTT) sensor harness may have been incorrectly routed, damaging wires and causing a short circuit in the fuel pump fuse.
Consequence: A blown fuel pump fuse can cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and reroute the FTT sensor harness or replace the fuel pump assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261. Nissan's number for this recall is PMA56. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov October 10, 2025.
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION · 16V244000
2016-04-26 · EA15004
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano Hybrid, and Chevrolet City Express, 2014-2015 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, and 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles. In these vehicles, the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may be turned off and not deploy in the event of a crash.
Consequence: If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors. Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in Altima, Maxima, Murano, Rogue, and Sentra vehicles, and replace the OCS ECU in LEAF, NV200, NV200 Taxi, Pathfinder, Infiniti Q50, JX35, and QX60 and Chevrolet City Express vehicles, free of charge. Interim notices were sent to owners on May 31, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669, Infiniti customer service at 1-888-833-3216 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · 14V138000
2014-03-25
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, and Sentra, model year 2013 NV200 (aka Taxi) and Infiniti JX35 and model year 2014 Infiniti Q50 and QX60 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the occupant classification system (OCS) software may incorrectly classify the passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult.
Consequence: If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger airbag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the passenger.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2014. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
STEERING:COLUMN · 13V603000
2013-11-29
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013 NV200 vehicles. After the affected vehicles were built, the steering column assembly was disassembled for inspection. The steering columns may not have been reassembled correctly after the inspection.
Consequence: The incorrect reassembly of the steering column may cause certain steering column components to separate resulting in a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Nissan has notified the owners and inspected and corrected the steering column assembly as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in November 2013. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · 13V521000
2013-10-17
Nissan North America Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013 NV200 vehicles manufactured February 6, 2013, through August 2, 2013. Due to the routing of the wiring harness that connects the fusible link to the battery fuse terminal, the wiring harness may wear through its protective covering, allowing the wires to touch the bracket that holds the fusible link.
Consequence: If the wires and the bracket make contact, a short circuit may result, causing the battery terminal fuse to blow. If the fuse blows while driving, the fuel pump will stop and cause the engine to stop running, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and reposition the wiring harness and apply a protective covering to it, free of charge. The recall began on December 9, 2013. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1-800-647-7261.
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