Sport Z Magazine has received the following information from Nissan North America regarding a front-end alignment warranty extension for '03 and '04 350Zs. Owners will receive a letter from NNA detailing tire reimbursement (including prorated costs, an FAQ, and a printable form required for compensation), which you can download now as a pdf at: www.sportzmagazine.com

FRONT-END ALIGNMENT WARRANTY EXTENDED ON 2003 AND 2004 NISSAN 350Z MODELS

LOS ANGELES, CA. (August 8, 2005) – Evoking emotion, passion, and excitement are key principles behind every Nissan product. For more than 30 years, the Z has been a testament to this philosophy. And thanks to many Z owners around the world, they have carried on its rich tradition and legacy and have made the Z one of the finest performance cars on the road today.

As part of its commitment to continuous improvement and customer satisfaction, Nissan North America (NNA) has announced plans to extend the warranty relating to the front-end alignment on all 2003 and 2004 350Z models.

In late April of 2004, owners of 2003 350Z vehicles were notified regarding the Front Wheel Alignment Warranty Extension. The Warranty Extension was in response to customer concerns about an irregular wear pattern which was occurring on the inner edge of the front tires. The wear pattern caused a noise described as "tire roar" or "tire growl". Customers with 2004 350Z cars were not included under the Warranty Extension at that time as any vehicles which exhibited similar issues would be covered under the vehicle’s original New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

Nissan closely monitored this situation and investigated customer comments received via letters, emails and the internet, in addition to the company’s own research. Based on this information, Nissan recognized that while the incidence of this noise was significantly reduced, for some customers the situation was not fully resolved, and that some 2004 350Z owners were also experiencing the same situation. After a thorough assessment, Nissan identified that, in addition to correcting the front-end alignment, a new tire with a slightly modified tread pattern, more resistant to “heel-toe” wear together with correct alignment, virtually eliminated the incident. Vehicles equipped with these tires have experienced virtually no incidents of tire noise.

To demonstrate its commitment to customer satisfaction, Nissan is extending the warranty for front-end alignment due to tire noise until 36 months from the in-service date or October 31, 2005 (whichever is later) and unlimited mileage for 2003 350Z models, and to 36 months and unlimited mileage on 2004 350Z models. The warranty extension ensures all owners will receive an effective repair, including in some circumstances replacement of their front tires with the new tire design, if they experience tire noise during the extended warranty period. Customer notifications will be sent out beginning today.

“Z owners are very loyal owners and they love their cars,” said Jed Connelly, senior vice president, sales and marketing, NNA. “We listened to what our Z owners had to say and looked into the matter. Extending the warranty not only demonstrates our confidence in the 350Z, but also our commitment to customer satisfaction.”


Sport Z Magazine will follow this issue and release updates if and when they are available.

Dave Bexfield
Editor, Sport Z Magazine
www.sportzmagazine.com

 

Damn, I should have waited. I just bought new tires last month.

 

So I guess I better go in and get mine all checked out.

 

My 04 just started to show the signs. Glad to see Nissan step up and add the 04 cars to the extended warranty and fix the issue.

Just wondering what handleing issues will be with front and rear tires with different tread patterns.

 

wow...great news. i have a 03 touring and bought used with 34.5K miles...i hope this extension still pertains to me.

 

Wow! I hope this is for real. Anyone know if I'll actually get the notice since I purchased my '04 used? I don't think I ever registered with the Nissan site. I'll have to make sure I do that tonight.

I was just about to bring mine in next week for a rotation/alignment due to the noise. Hopefully it will be covered. Would an alignment be covered even if the tires aren't in need of replacement? Or does the roar mean they ARE in need of replacement?

 

And next they should address the tranny...

Thanks for the info!

 

This is really good news.....glad to see Nissan stepping up and doing the right thing. I know that I have had lots of correspondence with NNA over the status of my individual tire feathering issue......I was even asked to fax the "before and after alignment specs" from my case......I wondered whether anything was done with it.....

So help me, while writing this post, I got a call from the NNA rep who handled my case advising me of the notice and Nisssans intent to correct the situation!

Anyway, thanks to all others who sent in e-mails letters, and organized action......

 

That is great news.
I have '04 Z, and I just notice uneven wear on my front tires inner edge, both of them.

 

Well...despite the fact that I just put new tires on this weekend....I'll be taking them up on their alignment offer. Make sure that the feathering doesn't happen again.

 

A pdf of the official owner's letter from NNA detailing tire reimbursement (including prorated costs, an FAQ, and a printable form required for compensation), is available for download now: www.sportzmagazine.com

Dave Bexfield
Editor In Chief, Sport Z Magazine
www.sportzmagazine.com

 

this ruins my free alignment fun....


what nissan NEEDS to do is switch to a better tire.

They keep trying to solve this issue by replacing your crappy stock tires with new crappy stock tires...

 

wow, hopefully this is true.
I took my car to a Nissan dealer just today for my 04 feathering. Lets see what they have to say about it...

wonder if I can print this letter and take it to them

 

Awesome! I noticed today that I need to replace the front drivers side and was going to go to Discount Tire after work. The owner before me had already replaced the passenger side tire because of this issue. So, instead, Im gonna hit my local "Stealership" service department and bring the paperwork with me. Time for a free tire and some repairs.

 

Hyru...take a copy of the notice to ur dealer.

 

sweet!! about time! Im calling my dealer tomorrow

 

I'd contact Nissan USA directly and find out what is up. I'd ***** up a storm in regard to this, especially to the stealership. "Tough ****, we already replaced your tires...blah blah blah." Id have kicked him square in the *******, then stole two new tires.

 

You forgot to mention telling him to bake you a chicken pot pie.

After they fixed my original tire feathering problem, my new tires wore evenly. But I couldn't stand the stock tire noise, and bought some Michellin Pilot Sport A/S - now THATs a good tire, and my ride is so much nicer and quieter. I'm lowering the car this week, so oh well to free alignments.

 

I read it only once...
but doesnt it say that even if youve had it done in the past, if the problem is still there.... youre covered..

might wana check

JoneZZZ: Im gona take the letter to my local dealer tomorrow