I have 1800 miles on mine and found my first chip I also found a few gouges in the paint underneath the drivers door and back by the trunk lid. I have no idea how they got there either.

 

I have about 5k on my 350Z, and it looks like someone took a 12 gauge shotgun and blasted the front 3 or 4 times. I have at least 30-40 chips/pits. These chips, I feel, are way beyond normal damage to occur for everyday driving. I have a 97 Mitsub. Eclipse with 110k on it, that has fewer rock chips on the front.

My Z's rock chips are right through the primer and to bare metal...or for the bumper right through to the beautiful black plastic.

I may have a situation that will help me out, that not many others have spoke of to date...I have a hair baked into my base coat on the rear bumper. Yes, a hair, about 1-2 inches long, and somewhat curly. I assume that it is of asian decent, and occurred during hte paint process. THis is really what I want fixed, and I am hoping that a combination of the hair, horrendous amount of orange peel, and rock chips, that maybe Nissan will help me out. Then again, I have been fighting this battle for 7 months, and still haven't even gotten them to issue a paint inspection....so I haven;t gotten anywhere yet...

Any ideas as to how I can turn up the heat, I have written 2 letters, and started 2 claims with 3 customer service reps, and still no luck...

 

Where in Pa. and what dealer are you working with on your particular set of problems?

 

Officially my Nissan rep is saying that the paint I have is normal and they will not replace my paint. I explained I have 175+ other Z owners complaining, but she said there was nothing. Any ideas This is an outrage Better Business Burea here I go!

 

You may want to go over your reps head and ask for the supervisor or regional manager. Also send a letter to Nissan Corporate. I would send copies to the CEO and everyone you can...
You will get a response from someone and force that the issue be addressed. Provide them with this thread and web page information documenting your problem and other with similar complaints your problem.

Ask your dealer and the reps you've dealt with for copies of their reports on the issue. This will press them to really do their job and document your time line for your appeal to corporate. Make sure you have everyones name and contact info that you have dealt with also.

The hood not having paint on the underside shows a "corporate design" of cutting back, perhaps you can use that to prove your point.

Also, Car companies, especially BMW, actually visit these sites to get a feel for how the consumers feel, so they may be watching now.

Hope this helps.

 

I am close to Harrisburg, and I have been working with Brenner Nissan in Mechanicsburg. They have been great to deal with, especially since I didn't even bu ythe car there...their service departmetn staff is top notch, and the body shop guys are helpful too, but they ahve to get paid for their work, so they have to go through the same crappy channels I do to get anything done...this keeps stalling out, and its starting to wear thin.

Don't get me wrong, I can live with orange peel. After all I have a Chrome Silver, and its not that obvious, but a hair in the paint ? And paint so fragile that it chips off if you look at it funny...this is ridiculous. I want a new rear bumper that fits, and a paint job, minus hairs and orange peel. I have applied 5 coats of Zaino, and the car looks and shines great, but I do know where the problems are, and I want them fixed.

I now have a Nissan customer service rep with 13 years experience at Nissan working on this, and hopefully she knows what channels to go through to get something done.

I sent a letter to Nissan's HQ and never got a response, that was very disappointing. I may file a complaint at the BBB, and get some legal advice next. I hate being ignored, and Nissan is doing a superb job of ignoring me...

 

Nothing is going to come of this. I've complained about the paint on my 95 Maxima years ago. Nothing was done. My Maxima still have chips galore and orange peel. Fast forward to 2003. I now have the same issues on the Z. The painting process has obviously not changed. If that service rep has been there 13 years, she would know many people have complained about the paint. All they're going to say is that the chips are normal.

Complaining to Nissan will do absolutely nothing. They'll make it seem like they're working on it. Getting such people as "paint specialists". But in the end, there is NO outcome. I'd propose complaining by other means; to some companies that deal with customer complaints. Once this problem goes more public, maybe Nissan will actually take action.

 

Does anyone have a rough idea about a re-paint cost for the rubber bumper cover?

With 6000 miles on the Z, and numerous little chips, I keep the bra on as much as possible.

A 98 Maxima[silver] and my wife's 00 Quest[sand beige] didn't / don't have as many nicks after 40,000+ on each of those.

 

yes i have 3 or 4 small paint chips on the front of my Daytona Blue.

 

let me know how this goes.. i would be in on a BBB complaint

 

Just filed my complaint with the BBB, who has a special automotive manufacturer area. My complaint number is 1108354. Here are the details of the compaint: *Paint coat excessive chipping on front hood/side
*Paint coat has texture resembling an orange peel
*Paint coat is unusually thin, noticably in certain areas

Desired Settlement: Other (requires explanation)
Settlement Explanation:
Nissan admits to the problems, but will not accept the issue as a warranty claim. I wish Nissan to treat these severe manufacturing defects as a warranty claim.

I will post the website that you need to file a complaint. Anyone that needs help filing a compaint, please let me know.

 

There are power in numbers, people. Everyone please file your compaint with the BBB. Please post any problems getting your complaint submitted and I will do my best to help you get it in. Here is the website: http://complaints.bbb.org/Welcome.asp GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!!

 

I will file a complaint if Nissan doesn't care to repair the front bumper cover after the trans. is replaced [still waiting for that to come in]. So, I'm at least 4-5 weeks away before I can help.

 

I am right there with ya bud. I have only 419 miles on my new Chrome Silver and already have a small chip on the front lower bumper area. This IS crap. Frankly, I don't think I'll take my car out of the garage until I get one of those 3M clear bras. If anyone can give me the website for the "clear bra" I would appreciate it. BTW, I'm here in Atlanta.

 

I just submitted my claim as well. I tried to document the slew of problems that I have dealt with. The form only takes minutes to fill out. Everyone needs to do their part, not just for themselves, but for all others out there looking to get one of these cars. We know the heartache, so let's do what we can to spare others from this path.

 

Sorry to say this...
My silverstone enthu has plenty of paint chips after 2200 miles.

 

i just submitted my complaint to bbb...i sent a complaint to nissan 2 weeks ago and never heard back...that is just shitty and them trying to avoid the problem

 

I encourage everyone that has voted to also submit a claim. As it was stated by schwarme, the form only takes minutes to complete. I really appreciate everyone that has submitted a claim so far, so thank you very much And again, if anyone needs assistance submitting their claim, please let me know.

 

Who is the administrator to this site? I wish to have this paint problem and BBB claim submittal information posted as a public announcement. Thanks.

 

Well after 6 months Nissan agreed to paint the back half off my car. I told them they are crazy and how was this going too solve the issues I had on the front of the car.... Nissan is sorry and not willing to help. I traded the car in on a vette today. Good luck to everyone else.