Nissan Says Thunk Is Normal

Another trait that may cause some customers to complain but that the factory says is normal: This bulletin applies to 2013-2018 Nissan Altima, 2012-2014 Maxima, 2016-2019 Maxima, 2013-2017 Quest, 2013-2019 Murano and 2013-2019 Pathfinder vehicles, any equipped with a V6 engine only.

A two-piece design front engine mount is currently being used for these vehicles. A single thunk noise may be heard during the first few accelerations of the day from this type of mount, and is considered normal operation. This mount has also been designed with built-in free play that is normal under “normal driving conditions.”

Allowable vertical free play is  5 mm. Do not replace the mount if it has 5 mm of free play or if it has a “single event” thunk sound during the first few accelerations of the day. If a shift shock condition is present when shifting from Park into gear, this is due to transmission line pressure and not movement of the engine mount.