The 2014 NV200 with the 2.0L I4 (MR20DE) suffers from catastrophic timing chain and oil consumption issues that can destroy the engine, plus transmission cooler failures that strand vehicles. These aren't minor inconveniences—they're expensive rebuilds or replacements waiting to happen.
Timing Chain Stretch and Guide Failure Leading to Engine Damage
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Rattling noise on cold start that subsides after warmup, Check engine light with timing correlation codes (P0011, P0021), Loss of power and rough idle as chain stretches further, Complete engine failure if chain jumps or breaks—bent valves, piston damage
Fix: Timing chain kit with guides and tensioners is 8-12 labor hours if caught early. If the chain has jumped timing, expect valve damage requiring cylinder head work (add 6-10 hours) or complete engine replacement (15-20 hours). Many shops quote engine swaps due to internal damage being discovered mid-job.
Estimated cost: $2,200-4,500 for chain job alone; $4,500-7,500 with head work; $5,500-9,000 for used engine swap
Excessive Oil Consumption from Piston Ring Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Burning through 1+ quart of oil every 1,000-2,000 miles, Blue smoke from exhaust on acceleration or deceleration, Fouled spark plugs causing misfires, Low oil pressure warnings if run too low
Fix: Nissan issued TSB NTB13-058a for oil consumption but their fix (software update) rarely helps. Real solution requires piston ring replacement or engine rebuild—25-30 labor hours for full rebuild with new rings, honing, bearings. Many owners trade out or limp along adding oil until timing chain fails.
Estimated cost: $4,500-6,500 for piston/ring service; $5,000-8,000 for complete rebuild
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Failure and CVT Contamination
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission slipping or shuddering, Milky/pink transmission fluid indicating coolant intrusion, Transmission overheating warnings, Complete CVT failure after cooler line ruptures internally in radiator
Fix: Cooler lines corrode where they enter the radiator causing leaks or internal rupture mixing coolant and CVT fluid. Caught early: replace lines and flush (3-4 hours). If coolant entered CVT: new transmission required plus radiator replacement and complete cooling system flush (12-16 hours total). This is the number-one reason these get totaled.
Estimated cost: $800-1,200 for lines/flush only; $4,500-6,500 with CVT replacement
Fuel Pump Control Module Failure (Recall 21V-384)
Occasional · high severity
Symptoms: No-start condition—crank but no fire, Engine stalling while driving without warning, Intermittent starting issues that worsen over time
Fix: NHTSA recall 21V-384 covers fuel pump control module replacement. Dealer should do free. If out of recall window or aftermarket replacement needed: 1.5-2 hours labor. Module is under vehicle near fuel tank.
Estimated cost: $0 if recall applied; $350-550 if not covered
Transmission Mount Collapse
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 90,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Excessive engine movement visible from outside when accelerating, Vibration through cabin at idle
Fix: The main transmission mount on passenger side wears out from CVT heat and stress. Replacement is straightforward: 1.5-2 hours with engine support. Use OEM mount—aftermarket versions fail quickly.
Estimated cost: $250-450
Fuel Filter Clogging (External Inline Filter)
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Loss of power under load or highway speeds, Hesitation and surging during acceleration, Difficulty starting when fuel tank below half
Fix: NV200 has both in-tank strainer and external inline filter. External filter not in maintenance schedule but clogs from poor fuel quality. Located under vehicle near tank—1 hour replacement. Check if this was skipped during ownership.
Estimated cost: $150-250
Owner tips
Check oil level every fill-up—these engines consume oil even when 'healthy.' Keep consumption logs to predict failure.
Inspect transmission fluid color every oil change. Pink/milky = immediate cooler line replacement before CVT dies.
Listen for timing chain rattle on cold starts. Any rattling beyond 2-3 seconds = plan for chain job soon.
Replace transmission fluid every 30,000 miles with Nissan NS-3 only—extends CVT life marginally.
Budget $3,000-5,000 for inevitable engine or transmission work if buying over 80,000 miles.
Hard pass unless under 60,000 miles with complete service records and selling cheap enough to budget an engine rebuild—these are ticking time bombs that bankrupt small fleet owners.
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.
Fitment notes: Compact battery; located under hood
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Every control module on the 2012-2017 Nissan NV200 — where it lives, replacement time, and what it takes to program a replacement. Modules marked dealer / factory tool won't work after a part swap alone — budget for programming.
Electric Power Steering Control Unit (EPS)2.0 hr R&Rdealer / factory tool +0.5 hr▸ programming details
📍 Behind instrument panel, attached to steering column
⚠️ Mileage programming required; VIN must match vehicle
Sonar Control Unit (SONAR)0.8 hr R&Rrelearn only +0.2 hr▸ programming details
📍 Behind rear bumper, center mounted
🔧 CONSULT-III or aftermarket scan tool
⚠️ Optional equipment; sensor calibration recommended after replacement
Audio Visual Control Unit (AV)0.6 hr R&Rno coding
📍 Center instrument panel, dash mounted
⚠️ Radio code may be required on some models; plug-and-play on most
Aftermarket tool coverage varies by software version and vehicle build — treat "aftermarket tool" rows as "usually possible" and verify against your tool maker's coverage list before promising a customer. Spot a wrong location or hour? Tell us — corrections ship fast here.
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.
Wiper blades
Compact cargo van with rear swing doors typically equipped with rear wiper. Some cargo variants without rear glass may not have rear wiper.
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2014 Nissan NV200 2.0L I4 and can vary by trim.
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years.