I searched my heart out on this forum and the internet in general and couldn't come up with anything, so maybe this problem is specific to my Z, but the "aluminum" on my passenger door handle and on the Z emblem on my trunk strut cross-member is delaminating and bubbling off their backing. I know its only a matter of time before the laminate starts cracking and coming off completely. Has anyone else had this problem? Its a 2005 out of warranty, but I'm wondering if I can get Nissan to admit to the parts being faulty and get them to replace them. Otherwise its about $200 total from courtesy parts. thanks for any feedback.

Craig

 

OK, I'll post tomorrow. So this doesn't ring any immediate bells I guess? I was hoping for a TSB, but couldn't find one so maybe its just my car.

 

Ok, heres a pic of the strut logo with the wrinkled metallic covering and the door handle with the same. I don't imagine either of these pieces were supposed to do this within 3 years of production.

 

That is very unusual. Doubt if similar damage would ever be a warranty fix. Nissan would call it “cosmetic.”

 

I had my door handle sticker replaced, due to a large bubble that formed, while I was still under 3/36 warranty. I think it was around $250+ (if not covered by warranty). I doubt this would be covered out of warranty.

 

The parts are about $200 total on courtesy nissan I think, but this is clearly a fail on the design life of the pieces and kind of a blemish on Nissan, particularly with the wrinkling Z logo. I will probably at least "press to test" with the service department and NNA and see what happens.

 

Never seen that before...

 

I have the same issue on my drivers side door handle. I have a 2005 25th Anniversary and as long I can remember, its been there. I really haven't had the time to get it 'fixed.'

I'll try posting pics too when I get a chance.

 

Door handles are about $20-$30 on ebay. This happended to me too,
bought two off the bay and swapped out. My strut is also crinkling,
and was going to swap it w a cf wrap eventually.

 

Is replacing the door handle a simple task?

 

the handles were swapped by my body shop in roughly 5 minutes. I did not watch.
cannot imagine this was brain surgery.

 

Ah my god...that's horrible!

 

Thanks for the photo. Definitely a manufacturing defect. May be from a Nissan supplier but still a defect. Chalk it up to poor quality control.

 

Wow, thanks for the response guys! Been out of the country for a couple of weeks but it was at least heartening to know it wasn't just me. Nissan should really replace these. Possibly if we all put in calls to NNA?

 

No problems with the doorhandles on my Z, but the Z on the strut brace looks very similar to yours. Not nice, all wrinkly. Time to mod it my friend.