I want your advice because I feel I may be just over-reacting and jumping the gun a little, but on to my problem...

The car has now been through my local service department 3 times to fix the same problem. The passenger side door has started to unlock only occasionally. It will literally work for 3 days, not work for 2 weeks, go back to working for 2 days, go back to not working for 2 weeks, etc etc.

The work began by them diagnosing a "jammed lock". They unjammed it and gave it back to me. Problem came back. Second time, they replaced the lock actuator (which I thought was the problem) and gave it back to me. Problem came back. Third, and most recent time, they replaced everything in the door lock/latch assembly and gave it back to me. Problem came back. They are now clueless, as am I. They have called corporate for suggestions. We are now awaiting word from them.

I have now been without the use of my passenger door for over a month. If I was single, I might not care. But I'm not and it pisses me (and her) off. I had a track event scheduled for this weekend that I had to cancel because I couldn't be sure my instructor could get in the car with me. I feel I have a safety issue as well, like if I got in a wreck and the only way I could get out was the passenger door.

My driving time in the car has obviously been greatly diminished. I feel helpless, pissed off, and confused all at the same time.

Anyway, those with experience in the lemon law issue, and those with experince with door lock problems, please chime in with any suggestions you can make.

Thanks in advance.

Sean

 

Thats weird bigdaddy, try this one them. Ask them your seriously considering a LemonLaw case and see if you can get them to completely replace the entire door.

 

that isn't a bad idea...and probably my next plan of attack. i am sure there will end up being some problem with that though...bad paint match, having to get another window tinted, etc. i am actually surprised they havent tried to blame it on my tinted windows yet. they might after corporate gets ahold of them.

sean

 

I just recently had a problem where my keyless entry/alarm system would intermittently not unlock the doors/disarm the alarm. Sometimes it would take me 15 or 20 tries to actually get into my car without using the keys. Sometimes I HAD to use my keys to get into the car. As soon as I started the car, I could turn it off and the KE worked fine for awhile. I replaced the battery in my key-fob, but the problem persisted.

The dealer told me that they would order a new BCM for me. The BCM is the "Body Control Module" that controls MANY of the cars functions, to the point that everything in my trip computer (mileage, times, Rev-limiter programming, etc) was reset except the vehicle odometer. An ECU reset doesn't even do this, so the BCM is a major electronic component. Suggest to them that they replace this and see if that fixes your problem. It fixed my problem 100%.

Good Luck

 

kcobean,

I too thought that might be the problem initally, but you can actually hear the actuator trying to unlock the door. the lock tab switch inside the car moves about 1/2 way, but not all the way. so the car is trying to unlock it, it just can't.

damn thing.

sean

 

Don't know NC Lemon Law, but in FL. 3 tries from dealer, then you send registered arbitration form to Nissan North America in CA.
Then they have one final shot by a specialist of their choice. Then the arb. starts. Luckily, their specialist got lucky on their last shot. My problem? Loose Oxygen Sensor switch. Kept kicking Z into "FAIL SAFE" mode. Before they found the loose switch, New ECU, Throttle Body, and wiring harness. Don't think dealer won any awards that few months.......

 

For good information on North Carolina's Lemon Laws, go to www.nclemonlaw.com. It gives you a good basics.

You do have to give them 4 chances to fix one defect (the last time, you have to give them written notice that it is their last chance to fix it or you wil file a Lemon Law claim, if the warranty requires that, and I have not looked at the one for my Z to see if it does or not - but read the warranty, it controls.) There is also an exception if your car is in the shop for a number of days (20).

Also, the Lemon Laws only apply if you bought the car NEW. Lemon Laws do not apply to used cars, even extremely low mileage ones.

 

thanks for the link DMeier...

I really hope it doesn't come to a Lemon Law claim. They have one more shot at it. It will be an interesing conversation when I have to tell them this is their last shot.

btw, the lock went back to working properly Saturday morning and is OK at the present time. i wonder when it will break again...

Sean

 

Double check the warranty, but make sure you tell them in writing it is their last shot.

 

will do.

thanks again for the help.

where in NC are you?

sean

 

Aint it funny how our States have a web site dedicated to just the Lemon Law. I don't know if that is a Good thing, or a bad thing. Z Ya!, Dave

 

I'm in Durham, and I am an attorney, though don't take what I posted here as legal advice, just a helpful hint. :-)

I had a 2003 Touring Coupe, just traded it for an 04 Touring Roadster.

 

haha...thanks DMeier.

An attorney huh? what field? i ask because i am an accident reconstruction engineer and get involved with you lawyer types quite a bit.

PM me if you would rather talk that way.

thanks again.

Sean