I have a 2009 350z convertible. Brought my car in under warranty for first time. I have about 18k miles. My items were:

- TPMS not working.
- Passenger visor won't stay attached
- Low volume hum in AC fan

It was clear the TPMS was not harmed from a curb hit or anything. Dealer admitted this. But would not replace under warranty. They wanted $117 for the replacement TPMS and then, I believe, $75 labor to install. Would not take care of passenger visor. Wanted me to buy part, $7, and labor to install.

The first two are really more frustrating than a big deal. But the last one really pisses me off.

The dealer told me that their technician listened to the blower and believes a mouse has nested in the blower and they will not fix under warranty. Ok, I have heard lots of motors that are going bad and this is what it sounds like. How they could come to the conclusion of a mouse nesting in there. Plus I have garage at home and work. I have also never had this problem before with any of our cars.

What really irks me is that they refuse to take it apart and see if that is the issue.

What gives with Nissan? I am an old fart and have eight kids. So we have owned a lot of cars through the years. Luxury and run of the mill brands. We only buy new so have done a lot of these warranty visits. I have never experienced anything like this for warranty work. Have I been spoiled? Or is this more of a rogue dealer issue? I have been surprised many times on what they will cover. I have had a couple of situations where the warranty had clearly ended and they still fixed things under warranty.

I dropped off my car Friday morning and have him just call me with this news really leaves a very sour taste in my mouth with Nissan. This is the first Nissan I have ever owned.

Like to hear input. Do I expect too much? Is this common with Nissan? Do I just need to pick it up and take it to another Nissan dealer?

Really appreciate any help!!

 

Call nissan consumer affairs and see if they can help.

 

I don't understand why they wouldn't replace TPMS under warranty. Unless it was physically damaged as a result of tire mounting/dismounting, there's no other reason to assume the cause of the failure.

Take it to another dealer.

 

Sounds like a normal trip to the dealership too me. idk.

Nissan told me lubing my axle is part of regular maintenance so they wouldn't fix the axle click for me under warranty. I gave up on ever calling them again.

 

hmm, my trips to my dealership has been great since I made friends with a guy around my same age there that works at the maintenance center. But you should totally take it to corporate since all of those things are suppose to be covered under warranty other for the visor since that doesn't really fit into the "drivetrain" warranty they set up. idk...

 

Go to a different dealer and don't look back. My local dealer submitted and got approved several goodwill warranty jobs done even past the warranty. They are trying to screw you.

 

lol this is actually a recall/bulletin...

 

my experience being a tech for nissan.... if u call nissan consumer affairs. and complain they will take care of it... also if u have just been dealling with the service writer, go to his boss the manager...

 

Best thing you can do outside of climbing the corporate ladder is to agree to pay for the diagnostic time if what they find is not covered. If you vehicle is covered, they can not refuse to look at your vehicle unless they have absolute reason that the part is no longer covered. Unless they x-ray'd your blower motor and found a mouse, they can not assume. They must verify. Now, if they are right, you should pony up and, at the very least, cover the cost of the technician's time. I think if you show a little willingness to pick up the tab IF the items are not covered, you might be received a little better. Should it be this way? Absolutely not. Unfortunately, some service departments operate this way. This is not a reflection of Nissan as a whole...just that service dept.

 

sounds like a rogue dealer issue..........pretty much because their reasoning makes no dammn sense....i would take it to another dealer and walk the car with the service manager and get a feel for what the outcome will be right then and there....I would never drop off a car just to "wait" to find out what bull they can possibly call you back with.

with dealerships and warranty work and the like, you kinda have to be a bit more involved to ensure YOU are being taken care of........its what ive learned....seems no ones honest anymore...

-J

 

Saturn was the only company I had good luck with at the dealer.

 

They acknowledged that it is a bulletin..

But they won't fix it under warranty because it should have been fixed under "regular maintenance."

The salesman apologized too me with the same baffled face I had when the service manager told me that with a straight face.

 

Look in your owners manual. Is there a Recommended Maintenance checklist? If not, ask for one from that service dept. Ask them to show you where that literature is located. 5 years of Nissan work, I was never asked to lube axle/hubs by my service manager, Nisasn or a customer unless there was a particular reason.

How many miles do you currently have?

 

I've always had great luck with my local dealer. However, there's another one close by and all I ever hear about them is horror stories.

Right before my bumper to bumper warranty ran out, I had an issue that they couldn't replicate at the time, so they noted it on my account. Once the problem arose again several months later, they covered it as well.

 

am a automotive tech i got couple year working in the ny area and the answer is yes this things happens more than you thing and the bad thing is this is more in asian cars than oders i love my z but nissan is dealers are s...... i work for one day in a nissan dealer by 11am walk out they f..... customer and employees.
dont go to that dealer just keep searching around your area, or just do like KATILLIDIE says if u call nissan consumer affairs. and complain they will take care of it... also if u have just been dealling with the service writer, go to his boss the manager.

 

+1 on it being a dealer issue and, as has been suggested, take it to another dealer.

Re. the TPMS issue, does your car have aftermarket wheels on it? If wheels were swapped out from the factory wheels it's possible to TPMS wasn't installed.

 

Quick follow up

- Picked up my car and they had not changed their position
- The fan is definitely way louder than it was before. He indicated that they took it apart and did see that there was stuff in it. Since it is definitely louder now I tend to believe that there is because it must be more in it now than before. So taking it apart must have made it get more wedged in there. But I just can't believe i you take it apart why you would not just remove the stuff.
- My car also leaked on the passenger side. He told me they adjusted the molding. Something I added and they did this under warranty. But we had rain this morning and the passenger side is leaking worst now. I did think to take pictures with my phone and can show them exactly where now.

Very frustrated. When get some time will follow up with corporate and also go to a different dealer.

I also have a BMW and the service center are freaky nice. They are really push you to also rate them afterwards. Apparently this rating is a big deal to BMW dealers. Does Nissan not have a similar program?

 

No it has original wheels nothing after market.

 

Yes, Nissan has a program as do most car manuf. If you received warranty work and your address was correct on the work order, you SHOULD receive a service survey. Service writers, service managers, general managers and the entire dealership receive bonuses for being above average over a given period of time. What most people don't know is that anything under a perfect score hurts in a big way. A bad survey can bring their average down. I never advocate for giving zeroes (no positives) on a survey....some people depend on reaching their quota. However, if you feel they did not treat you and your situation in a way that was efficient and helpful, I'm all for honesty. I think an honest survey about your experience and a call to the GM might help your cause. Never get defensive and, when you can, try to show that you're willing to understand their explanation. When customers get defensive, they clam up and don't budge.

 

I went to three dealerships before I found one that was willing to be polite and helpful and work with me on warranty issues without a shovel full of BS. I've been a loyal customer of theirs ever since. I even took the time to write a letter to the owners of the other two dealerships to let them know exactly why they'd never get any more of my business and that I'd tell everyone I personally knew to avoid them. One of the dealers sent me a Nissan Sentra key chain for my troubles. Shortly thereafter, they went out of business (figures).