The 2017 NV200 with the 2.0L I4 (MR20DE engine) is a reliable workhorse overall, but suffers from a catastrophic oil consumption defect that can destroy engines, plus transmission cooler failures that strand vehicles. Most issues stem from design flaws rather than poor maintenance.
Symptoms: Blue smoke from exhaust on cold start or acceleration, Oil level dropping 1+ quart between changes, Check engine light with misfire codes (P0300-P0304), Rough idle and loss of power, Catastrophic engine failure if oil starvation occurs
Fix: Nissan's MR20DE has piston ring design flaw causing oil to burn in cylinders. Early stages may respond to piston ring replacement (12-16 hours labor), but most need complete engine rebuild or replacement. Short block replacement is 18-24 hours; full rebuild adds 6-10 hours for head work. Used engines are gamble since defect is platform-wide.
Estimated cost: $4,500-8,500
CVT Transmission Oil Cooler Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 70,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid leaking from radiator area, Milky/pink coolant indicating cross-contamination, Transmission slipping or shuddering, Overheating warnings, Complete transmission failure if coolant enters CVT
Fix: Internal cooler in radiator fails, mixing coolant and CVT fluid. Requires radiator replacement (2-3 hours), complete CVT fluid flush (2 hours), and often full CVT replacement if contamination went undetected (8-12 hours). Time-sensitive—cross-contamination destroys CVT within days.
Symptoms: Vibration during acceleration between 15-40 mph, Feels like driving over rumble strips, Worse when transmission is cold, May come and go depending on conditions
Fix: CVT fluid degradation or valve body issues cause torque converter shudder. Start with CVT fluid replacement using Nissan NS-3 fluid (2 hours). If persists, valve body replacement (6-8 hours) or full CVT rebuild/replacement (8-12 hours). Extended warranty claim if under 60k miles—known Nissan TSB issue.
Symptoms: No-start condition with cranking but no fuel pressure, Stalling at idle or while driving, Intermittent starting issues, Check engine light with fuel system codes (P0087, P0230)
Fix: NHTSA recall 20V-355 covers this on some units, but many fall outside VIN range. Fuel pump control module under rear seat fails electronically. Module replacement is 1.5-2 hours including diagnostics. Check recall status first—free if covered. Otherwise straightforward repair with OEM part.
Estimated cost: $450-650 (if not recall-covered)
Transmission Mount Failure
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking when shifting from park to drive/reverse, Excessive vibration at idle, Visible sagging or torn rubber on mount, Transmission movement visible during acceleration
Fix: Hydraulic transmission mount degrades, causing drivetrain movement and noise. Replacement is straightforward: 1.5-2 hours with transmission support. Use OEM mount—aftermarket units fail quickly. Often done alongside engine mounts if vehicle has high mileage.
Estimated cost: $250-400
Ignition Coil/Spark Plug Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Check engine light with misfire codes, Rough idle and hesitation, Poor fuel economy, Can mimic early oil consumption symptoms
Fix: Individual coil packs fail, especially if oil consumption issue exists (oil fouls plugs/coils). Replace all four coils and plugs together (1.5 hours). Critical to diagnose whether misfire is ignition or oil consumption—don't chase coils if engine is burning oil. Use OEM Nissan coils.
Estimated cost: $400-600
Owner tips
Check oil level every 500-1,000 miles religiously—this engine WILL consume oil even when 'healthy'
Inspect radiator/coolant for pink/milky color at every oil change to catch transmission cooler failure early
Use only Nissan NS-3 CVT fluid, changed every 30k miles to extend transmission life
Run VIN through NHTSA recall database for fuel pump module recall eligibility before paying for repair
If buying used, compression test and borescope inspection are mandatory—many engines are ticking time bombs
Avoid unless under 60k miles with documented oil consumption testing—the MR20DE engine defect is a financial land mine waiting to detonate, and CVT issues compound the risk.
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 van application; engine bay located
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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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION · 18V551000
2018-08-21
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2017 Nissan NV200, Sentra, NV3500 Van, NV3500 Bus, NV200 Taxi, NV1500, NV2500 Van, Chevrolet City Express, 2017-2018 Frontier, Versa Note, and Versa Sedan vehicles that have a mechanical (physical) key ignition system. In these models, over time, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.
Consequence: If the vehicle stalls, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the production information on the ignition switch, and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
Fuel economy (EPA)
City
24mpg
Highway
26mpg
Combined
25mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
Capability & size
EPA class
Special Purpose Vehicle 2WD
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 2017 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.