The 2016 Nissan Elgrand is a large JDM people-mover sharing the VQ35DE V6 platform with various Nissan/Infiniti products. Primary concerns center around timing chain stretch on higher-mileage V6 models and the CVT transmission's heat management issues, both of which can lead to catastrophic failure if ignored.
Timing Chain Stretch and Guide Failure (VQ35DE V6)
Common · high severityTypical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Cold-start rattle lasting 3-10 seconds, often described as 'marbles in a can', Check engine light with cam/crank correlation codes (P0011, P0021), Loss of power and poor fuel economy as timing drifts, Catastrophic engine damage if chain jumps timing
Fix: Full timing chain kit replacement including guides, tensioners, and both cam phasers. Requires front engine disassembly. Book time: 12-16 hours depending on additional damage. Many techs find worn lifters during this job, adding another 4-6 hours if you're doing a proper refresh.
Estimated cost: $2,800-4,500
CVT Transmission Overheating and Judder
Common · high severityTypical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Shuddering or hesitation during light acceleration (15-30 mph), Whining or grinding noise under load, Transmission slipping or delayed engagement when cold, Transmission fluid smells burnt or appears dark brown
Fix: Early cases can sometimes be managed with fluid exchange using genuine Nissan NS-3 fluid and external cooler installation (2-3 hours). Advanced cases require CVT replacement or rebuild. CVT swap: 8-12 hours. External cooler is cheap insurance if caught early.
Estimated cost: $800-1,200 for fluid/cooler; $4,500-7,000 for replacement unit
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Corrosion
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Pink/red fluid dripping from front of vehicle, Low transmission fluid warnings, Transmission running hotter than normal, Visible corrosion or green deposits on cooler lines at radiator
Fix: Replace corroded cooler lines and top off CVT fluid. If leak was slow and caught early, no transmission damage. If run low, expect CVT issues down the road. Line replacement: 2-3 hours including proper bleeding procedure.
Estimated cost: $400-700
Hydraulic Lifter Tick and Collapse (VQ35DE)
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 90,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Persistent valve tick that doesn't quiet down after warm-up, Metallic tapping from valve covers, worse at idle, Misfire codes if lifter fully collapses, Loss of compression in affected cylinder
Fix: Requires removing both valve covers and replacing affected lifters. Smart move is replacing all 24 lifters if you're in there. If doing timing chains simultaneously, add 3-4 hours. Lifters alone: 6-8 hours due to intake manifold removal.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,000
Head Gasket Failure from Overheating
Occasional · high severitySymptoms: White smoke from exhaust on cold start, Coolant loss with no visible leaks, Milky oil or oil in coolant reservoir, Overheating with no clear cause, Rough idle and misfire codes
Fix: Usually secondary to cooling system neglect or CVT cooler contamination. Full head gasket job requires head removal, resurfacing, and while you're there — check for warpage and do timing chains. Total job: 16-22 hours. Many shops recommend full head rebuild at this point given the VQ35's valve guide issues.
Estimated cost: $3,500-5,500
Transmission Mount Failure
Common · low severityTypical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunk when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Vibration at idle that disappears when shifted to Neutral, Excessive engine movement visible from engine bay during acceleration, Thud or knock over bumps from front of vehicle
Fix: Replace transmission mount. This is a heavy vehicle and the CVT adds significant weight. Mount replacement is straightforward but requires supporting the transmission properly. 1.5-2 hours.
Estimated cost: $250-450
Buy only with full service records showing religious CVT fluid changes and no cold-start rattle; budget $3-5K for deferred timing chain work on any V6 over 90K miles.
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.