Nissan (Lack of) Customer Service

[MolaKule]

Just thought you guys should be informed.

The following information is for academic study only.


Background:

Nissan Frontier 2001.

CE light stays on. Oil analysis shows high Nitration Levels. Nissan says recalls will take care of CE. Nissan installs Fuel Shutter valve because of National recall to install fuel Shutter valve. Gas would shoot out of tank during refill. OK, that's fixed.

Dealer calls and says CE light not going off because of an error in the code of the ECU computer. I ask them if converter rattle may have been caused by this software fault; no comment. Code is P0420, "TW convertor." [So no wonder they didn't comment!]

Dealer (very nice people BTW) wants $210 to download new code into the computer, but they want me to pay for it.

I say no, the code error came from the factory so you, Nissan, pay the dealer to reinstall the code at your cost. I say, should I pay for fixing Nissan's problems? I move this up to Nissan corporate and they say no pay, it is out of warranty.

I say look, suppose I work for a military contractor and they fire a missile and it goes off course by 10 miles, and we trace the failure back to the software in the control computer. It doesn't matter how old the missile is, the code was the vendor's fault. Who do you think replaces the code, me the vendor, or the Air Force, the customer? The answer is self-evident.

And oh, btw, their IS a technical bulletin, NTB02-092, out for this problem.

So as of right now, I cannot recommend new or used Nissans.

My only resort at this time is to go the legal route.

Anyone else had this situation?

 

[totttalled]

Do a search on Maxima.org. Your pickup won't be on there specifically, but thousands of Nissan owners and a well organized site.

Lots of info there from Nissan owners regarding their trials and tribulations concerning warranty and non-warrantly work. Your concern reads familiar to me from my browsing.

 

[mikep]

That is a surprise. I've not had a problem with Nissan corp. or a dealer but aside from routine maintenance I've not had cause to need one. ('93 Pathfinder).

If there is a TSB on this specific problem then they should absolutely foot the bill for the reflash. I would keep at it and maybe they'll come through.

I'd be very interested in hearing how this plays out. I am considering trading my F150 on a new Frontier next year when the put the 4.0 VQ motor in it.

Good luck!

Mikep

 

[Amkeer]

How far out of warranty are you?

 

[JohnBrowning]

Molakule, I have you beat! THeir is a recall for all the cars that used the GM 3.8 V6 from something like 95-97 Vin code K. It lists the specific plant that was affected and gives a vin break.

My wifes 1997 Buick Lasber happens to have been built at the problem plant on the last day of the recall period. My wifes car missed the VIN break by less then 100 vechiles. It has the classic coolant leaking from the plastic manifold!

I call local dealership and ask them about repairs. They say no problem bring it in we will have it done in an hour. They call me back and tell me they can not do it. The tell me to call BUick Customer assistance. I skip lunch to talk to them. THey basicly tell me I am out of luck because I missed the VIN break by less then 100.

SO I remain calm and I tried to explain that my car was built at the same plant and is only off buy less then 100 on the vin break. I asked them if they could please reconsider as parts control does not track that closely.

I presented the casting number as being from the bad batch and they still refused. I even offered to go 50/50 on parts and labor. They flat out refused to fix it.

I will never buy a GM product again. In my opion they build disposable cars and will not stand behind the products that they make!

I refused to put their over priced third design junk parts on! I used 100% after market parts and the parts were specificly redesigned to prevent this same mode of failure from happening again. FOr less the $220 dollars I fixed it myself!

 

[Last_Z]

Mola,
Sue their butts! I guess GM is not the only a-hole company out there huh? How long ago did the warranty expire?

JB,
I don't blame you for never again buying GM. I think I'm on the same boat!
I just had all 8 pistons replaced on my Z28.....although I didn't pay a penny for it. They've had so many problems with V8s and knock, it's impossible for them to hide the problem anymore.

Good luck!

 

[ex_MGB]

Sorry to hear about your problem. However, unless its safety related, any repair out of warranty is on the owner's dime. All car manufacturers work like this. Which is why some people get extended warrenties (but not me).

I got a brand new alternator installed in my '97 Max for free due to possible diode overheat and fire. This was with 85k miles, so, sometimes it works in the owner's favor.

I think the lawyers and all their lawsuits have taken some of the zest out of customer service for the manufacturers.

 

[MolaKule]

quote:

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I think the lawyers and all their lawsuits have taken some of the zest out of customer service for the manufacturers.

---

Possibly so, and I despise lawyers in general, but small claims court is my first recourse and I will be persuing that. It could be too that some companies don't or won't stand behind their products, which is why lawyers do have to become involved.

I am about 25,000 miles over warranty (according to Nissan), truck will have its 3rd birthday in May.

The main problem is, if a major fault occurs, this current situation will mask any other fault.

Also, dealer said exhaust rattle was caused by hitch installation. I looked underneath last night and no part of the exhaust system is touching the hitch, so I am convinced that the rattle I am hearing is from the catalytic convertor, especially when decelerating. I am also convinced, by the chain of events, that this code fault may have affected the cat.

Anyway, thanks for letting me open my pressure valve and vent.

[ February 25, 2004, 12:03 AM: Message edited by: MolaKule ]

 

[harper]

Things go wrong ocasionally with all vehicles. I would just cough up the money and have it fixed by dealer unless you find a qualified independant who can perform the work. The route is to contact Nissan regional rep. and see if they will bear part of cost. In essence $200 is not horrible.

good luck

 

[shortyb]

Mola, how many total miles on the PU? I believe emissions related parts or necessary service to maintain emissions parts is covered for longer than the regular warranty.

Did you call 1-800-NISSAN1 and get your case number started? They will probably give you info on other ways to pursue this through Nissan if you haven't found out already.

Keep plugging away at it. By and large Nissan makes a decent product. Too bad its things like crappy customer service that can ruin a reputation.