So I have a new 2003 Z Touring.

It has the Bose stereo and it sounds okay. I have the treble cranked and it still sounds a tad flat. Is that normal?

I heard there was a recall on the Bose units depending on your VIN.

And that you can tell just by the sound.

 

Check the cars service records to see if the Bost TSB NTB 03-87 has been applied to the car. The new amp part number is 28060-CE400.

 

Cool thanks, how do I do that?

Call the service dept and give them my VIN?

It was sitting on their lot for quite some time. It had 60 miles on it...so lots of test drives. Wonder if the would have done it on their own?

 

No they wouldnt. If you want more clarity then get it done. It sounds awesome now. We had the problem of too much bass and not enough highs.

 

That is correct call or even go up there. If they have never heard about this TSB. Show them this.

Link

 

Where is the amp located? I read the manual and don't recall it's position.

 

If you open the hatch it will be on the back left quarter panel(driver side).

 

Hmm, didn't see it. Do I have to remove any panels? I don't really want to do that.

I called Nissan and ran my VIN, they say there are no issues associated with that VIN.

Maybe I don't have the uber Bose stereo then? I have a 6 disc in dash radio that says Bose. Tweeters in the upper doors where the mirrors are at and a huge sub behind the driver's seat.

Is that it?

 

Its in the quarter panel. Hidden. What is your vin. If you dont know how to read it look here.

VIN


When I called my dealer they gave me the same mombo jumbo they just gave you. My Z is 15641.

 

No I called Nissan directly. 1-800-NISSAN1.

They said my car was clear. The dealer didn't even bother checking. Just told me to call Nissan.

 

Did they tell you why your Z didnt qualify and also did you tell them the TSB. I have seen Z's with lower VINs than mine with the new amp. And I mean way low. Like 1000 ish.

 

Yah I gave her the TSB and she did not see it for my car.

My VIN ends in 21712

 

Hmm. Your are up there. So it maybe true.

 

I got mine replaced with a VIN just over 20K and an early June 2003 build date.

 

FYI

http://www.infinitihelp.com/Nissan/R.../350Z/2003.htm

Defect Summary:
Nissan will be conducting a customer satisfaction initiative on certain model year 2003 350Z Touring vehicles, equipped with Bose* audio system, as noted below
Consequence Summary:
On 350Z Touring model vehicles manufactured prior to September 28, 2002, some customers have reported that the AudioPilot* noise compensation feature of the Bose audio system may cause the volume and bass to go up and down unexpectedly or cause the volume and bass to be exaggerated or excessive at times.

Corrective Summary:
For owners of the affected vehicles who are not satisfied with their audio system, Nissan, in conjunction with Bose, will replace the amplifier on these vehicles with one having an improved noise compensation feature that is more balanced with less noticeable change in the volume and bass. There will be no charge to the customer for the replacement.

Statement
"Nissan North America is conducting a customer satisfaction initiative on model year 2003 350Z Touring model vehicles. Some owners of 350Z Touring vehicles manufactured prior to September 28, 2002 have reported that the AudioPilot* noise compensation feature of the Bose audio system may cause the volume and bass to go up and down unexpectedly or cause the volume and bass to be exaggerated or excessive at times. For owners of these vehicles who are not satisfied with their audio system, Nissan, in conjunction with Bose, will replace the amplifier on these vehicles with one having an improved noise compensation feature that is more balanced with less noticeable change in the volume and bass. All repairs will be made at no cost to the customer. Nissan is committed to a high level of customer safety and service and will be working with its dealers to promptly implement this initiative. Customers will be notified of this initiative by mail"

 

My understanding is that there is more than 1 issues with the BOSE system. If you had a "early" car...the complaint was actually excessive BASS. Or the volume was abnormally changed for different conditions. My Z was built after the VIN of the early complaints. My complaint, like others, is that there is NO BASS and very little midrange performance. I've emailed NISSAN and BOSE and they both keep responding a fix is on the way. But I've still not received a response!

I've seen a few folks report a fix for the low BASS and poor midrange response. All of these reports were false alarms as far as I know. The only TSB out there that I know of addresses the excessive BASS. I've got my BASS max'd out and it is really bad. I drove a Pontiac Grand Prix last week as a rental and its stereo was a ton better than the "high end" BOSE in the Z! It was the bottom of the line stereo in this Pontiac!!

If anyone has heard of a fix for the poor BASS and poor midrange let me know the TSB.

I still feel pretty cheated!

Cheers.

 

Here is the best way to see if your radio has a problem:


If anywhere on the original sticker it says Bose then that means that you got ripped off. Bose sucks.

 

More here

http://www.nissan-techinfo.com/nissa...L.asp?mscssid=

2003 350Z; Bose Audio Amplifier Customer Satisfaction Initiative
To ensure customer satisfaction, Nissan, in cooperation with Bose, has launched a Customer Satisfaction Initiative. Affected owners are being notified by mail (see Page 11 for a copy of the letter).

2003 350Z; Bose Audio Pilot - Overboosted Bass (Amendment)
This bulletin has been superceded by NTB03-086. Please refer to NTB03-086 for details.

2003 350Z; Bose Audio System - Sound Clarity
IF YOU CONFIRM: The treble lacks "clarity" (clear tones). ACTION: Check the part number on the Audio Amplifier. Refer to the Audio Amplifier Part Number Check Procedure (page 2). · If the part number is 28060-CE400, this bulletin does NOTapply. · If the part number is NOT 28060-CE400, replace the Audio Amplifier. Refer to the Audio Amplifier Replacement Procedure (page 9).

Looks like they want you to pay to see full TSB - take your car back to the dealer & tell them to fix your Bose, at least 3 TSB's

Technical Service Bulletins
In order to view the full TSB as an Adobe .pdf document, you'll need to have a current online viewing subscription.
Purchase Viewing Subscription

 

The new amp fixes both problems. That was my understanding.

 

Good one buzzdsm...but it hurts to laugh. Non of the items oscar mentions sounds like my issue. I did get an email from Nissan and BOSE stating the were working on a fix for my poor BASS and midrange response. (this was in April 03 and Oct 03!! ) After reading all of the latest info I just typed up a bunch of letters to send out certified. BOSE tells me to see Nissan, Nissan tells me to see my dealer, and the dealer tells me to call Nissan. I'm approaching 1 year of ownership and there is no sign of a fix. I don't know what everyone else is experiencing but my Z seems to have gutless BASS and midrange response. I would say 70 % of my complaint is poor BASS and 30 % is poor midrange response. I'll have to listen closer on the clarity item.

In either case, Nissan has my complaint and my VIN so I would have figured I would receive a letter by now if there is a fix on the way??