Nissan troubles

Hey guys, this is not RC but i felt that i need to share my story with the world on the past 19 days dealing with Nissan USA.

Vehicle: 2007 Nissan Pathfinder SE Off-Road

the problem:
While towing our boat home from the lake, our engine just cut off at 75mph The dashboard goes crazy (allllll the lights start flashing). We lost acceleration, power steering, power brakes, and trailer brakes. Ended up having to call the police to stop traffic so we could be towed over to the side of the road. As soon as the wrecker got there i tried one last time and rhte car started fine. Everyone was kind of confused. Police wrote a report and we where on our way. Few days went by with no problems. Then the car started to do it again randomly. Sometimes as soon as we start it, sometimes after driving a little. Finally i got fed up when it started to die 3-5 times a day and did some research. Looks like this is a common problems in the pathfinders, titans, and xterra. Nissan even has a service bulletin on the problem.

Service bulletin states the IPDM (module that controls the relays that controls the ECU and rest of the car) seems to be working intermittently. and to replace with a new one. on the bottom of the page is says "*known electrical problem"

I felt this was a pretty crazy problem so i took it to the dealership to get them to fix it even though its out of warranty. Dealers seemed to think it was def going to be covered by Nissan USA, but told me we had to go through nissan.

NISSAN USA
Went to the dealer Friday to get the diagnostic that corporate wanted. The result was no code, but the mechanic was able to recreate the cutoff and recommended IPDM.

Monday - got a call to give me my case number.

Tuesday - i get a call saying the regional specialist would be calling me wednesday.

Wednesday - regional specialist calls me to tell me she is looking into the case and will call me friday

Friday - she calls again to tell me she is still looking at the case and would give me decision by Monday.

Monday - never get a call, left 2 messages on regional specialists voice mail requesting a call Tuesday

Tuesday - waited but no call. left a message for a call back

WEdnesday - Called in the morning but no answer again so i left a message. Waited till 3:30 (she leaves at 4:30) before i called the consumer affairs line and spoke with a different representative. He wasn't sure why i was not given a call and told me i was scheduled for a call monday. He told me i was also scheduled for a call today and that he would talk to her and guaranteed a call back by 4:30 today. nothing. Left another message on her machine requesting a call back.

Thursday, called 3 times leaving 2 messages. Finally called the regular consumer line and they sent an internal message requesting my regional specialist to call me. Later in the afternoon someone from consumer affair called me and told me that kristy (my regional specialist) wpuld be calling me no later than 3:00 on Friday.

Friday - nothing. called and left a message.

Weekend -

Monday - i get my call from kristy at 4:25 pm. I was in a meeting and could not answer so i let it go to voicemail. The message: "this is bla bla bla with nissan...bl bla ill be here till 4:30 today. Call me back before then"

REALLY?! call me at 4:25 asking me to call back by 4:30? i left a very upset message

Tuesday - left a message in the morning for a call back. Later Her supervisor called me and told me that the vehicle was not under warranty (no crap) so nissan has no responsibility of the problem or any injuries that could occur. I explained to her the whole situation and that there was already a police report of the incident and she told me that it doesn't matter and that nissan stands behind her decision. i must have struck a nerve when i asked her if nissan was goign to be the next toyota () and she said that we had nothing more to discuss and the decision was final. She is sending me a letter stating this in 4 weeks.....

Result is we are selling the car....if i dont feel safe driving it...i dont want it. Personally I will never be purchasing another nissan. Just thought id share if anyone here was looking for a Nissan....

[suicideneil]

Shows you how much they value the customer once they've took your money...

Funny thing though, in Euroland we get the same 12 month warrenty thing ( as you do with pretty much all items really ), but there are various little-known/publicised bits of law that state a product must remain fit for purpose/ functional for upto 6 years! So even if it craps out after 12 months the manufacturer has to repair or replace the item, or offer a refund based on how long you've had it- the longer the less you get back ( kinda like crapsamps lipo warrenty I believe ).

I wonder if theres something in US law you can find that gives you a similar level of protection? How much would a replacment IPDM cost just out of interest?

[BrianG]

That sounds like a safety issue directly caused by a manufacturer defect. I'm surprised it is just a bulletin and not a recall item. I would contact a lawyer.

[lutach]

Friend of mine has a Nissan Quest and it was having some issues. One of which happened in the Holland Tunnel going to NYC, the vehicle just shut down. It got started again. A few days later, we were going to his brother's house and the vehicle started fine, but a few seconds later it just died. He waited a little and it started fine. His Quest is also out of warranty, so he just took it to his mechanic and only had to pay $200. Funny thing about the problem is that the mechanic already knew exactly what it was. Nissan would've probably charged him a couple grand for the same job. Reason I say that is the fact he had a previous problem and that was how much Nissan was charging and his mechanic only charged him less then $200 to get that previous problem fixed.

Originally Posted by suicideneil

How much would a replacment IPDM cost just out of interest?

The dealer i went to quoted me $870
Reading through forums seems the average price is $600

I just ordered the ipdm for $170v Shipped. Its literally 4 connectors.... so obviously, itll be fixed by me

[ClodMaxx]

i've had my 350z ('04) for about a year and a half now with no problems, but i have read on the z forum i belong to that there are quite a few problems with nissan corporate for warranty issues.

if it's an issue of safety, like yours, i'd definitely contact a lawyer. you might even be able to find a class action suit to become a part of.

[JThiessen]

Ok, so here's my take on it.

1) The issue is on an out of warranty vehicle. Nissan is not obligated to pay for anything that is not on a Saftey Recall. If you want coverage on items for an out of warranty vehicle, buy an extended warranty. Not meaning to be harsh here, but it is the consumers only protection.
2) Safety recalls are mandated by the NHTSA, not Nissan.
3) If at some point there are enough reports of this failure, and there is a recall on it, you can recoupe your costs on it at that time. Save your paperwork, even if you sell the vehicle.
4) This is an example of why picking a dealership is important, not just based on who gives me the lowest price, but also which one is going to go to bat for me.

Here's an example: Dodge Diesel trucks are known among enthusiasts to wear out the steering box assembly due to the weight of the motor, and a steering system that was designed for a gas motor. Dodge has a service bulletin out on it, and has for many years. The steering box on my 03 went out at 40K. Had it replaced, out of warranty, and I was going to pay full price (about 1400 or so). When I showed up to get it, the service manager told me I only owed for half the cost - he contacted Chrysler, and went to bat for me on the bill. I walked out happy with the dealership, and not so happy with Dodge. But I had learned a lesson. Unfortunately, this dealership was one of the ones that was closed last year, and the new one I've gone to is not near as good.

I feel for you, and know how frustrating this experience is. But left your emotions settle down before you decide to jettison the Nissan into the next county. Every time you buy a car, you loose money.

[TexasSP]

That's lame of Nissan if you ask me. I have had Toyota take care of TSB issues (technical service bulletin, similar to what you are talking about) well out of warranty and do it with a smile. My brother had similar problems with his 2005 suburban shutting off on the freeway just like what you describe. GM basically told him to jump in a lake, idiot thing is he bought another damn suburban. He did graduate from Texas A&M though (they're called Aggies and there are numerous jokes about them, just do a google search).

[snellemin]

My Nissan 720 use shutoff at times or wouldn't start at all. After long searching and troubleschooting, it was relay that cuts off power when it gets a hard hit in a accident.

My Ford Expedition use to go into crawl mode intermittenly in the most incovienent times. I brought in for the 60K service and problem never showed up again. I wonder what they did?

[PBO]

Originally Posted by Andrew32

While towing our boat home from the lake, our engine just cut off at 75mph

Am I the only one...isn't this is an extremely fast towing speed?

As per the warranty, the advice "Later Her supervisor called me and told me that the vehicle was not under warranty (no crap) so nissan has no responsibility of the problem or any injuries that could occur", I doubt Nissan's liabilities end after the vehicle warranty period expires...

It seems writing to you "in 4 weeks" is an unnecessary time delay. It may be a tactic to force your hand, which in your case & as you have stated is to sell the vehicle (if you want to sell the vehicle & you're morally prepared (making an assumption here) to sell a vehicle that you don't feel safe driving to an unsuspecting buyer, then that's your decision...I doubt I could do that without informing the buyer & noting it during transfer of ownership) then sell up & wash your hands of it

If you are prepared to keep a repaired vehicle I would write to Nissan, verbal requests mean little in business, you need to document your experience to date & requesting an immediate copy of the proposed letter AND requesting Nissan reconsider their position...if all this fails - lawyer up!

[snellemin]

Originally Posted by PBO

Am I the only one...isn't this is an extremely fast towing speed?

Not in America. Houston Highways are seen like personal race tracks.

[zeropointbug]

Get a Honda, they really are the most reliable car on the road, based on service reports from rental companies and business bought cars, the Honda Civic is the most reliable car on the planet. I have one, at almost 215,000 miles and haven't had a single problem besides a radiator replacement.

It seems like cars are having more and more problems nowadays, electronic related is increasing especially. Engines aren't getting the quality control like they used too, they die and or develop piston slap/blow-by alot now.

That sucks about the Nissan too.

[JThiessen]

Originally Posted by PBO

Am I the only one...isn't this is an extremely fast towing speed?
!

naw - its fine........as long as absolutley nothing happens, like a tire blows, or somebody causes you to perform an evasive manuever.....but those things never happen.

Tough to judge that since we dont know the weight of the boat. As long as the boat is withing about 70-80 percent of the tow rig, and the driver has had experience in controlling an out of control trailer, should be fine.

@clodmaxx - yea, the thought crossed my mind...but i dont know if i want to deal with it..

@ JThiessen - haha yea, im goign to sleep it off and just fix the car. And after speaking and adding my report to the NHTSA database...its not an uncommon problem

@ TexasSP - Nissan = lame

@PBO - I will defidently fix it before i sell. already have the part on order. and for the speed..for the combo i had...technically yes. Pathfinder weights 4800 + passenger and equipment. The boat i was towing weighs ~4000 loaded. And with nothing but electric brakes, the trailer tends to sway a bit but its nothing uncontrollable. If i really start swaying i just tap the trailer brakes and itll straighten up.

With the F250 and our fishing boat (~11,000 loaded) i usually hall ass cruise control at 85mph all the way from atlanta to pensacola FL.Our record time was 4:30mins With the integrated trailer brakes and trailer sway control...its a piece of cake even at those speeds

@zeropointbug - agreed, more and more and more sensors and technology might just bite us in the butt

[PBO]

Originally Posted by JThiessen

naw - its fine........as long as absolutley nothing happens, like a tire blows, or somebody causes you to perform an evasive manuever.....but those things never happen.

ya, never!

@ Andrew32, you must have a very nice trailer to be confident enough to do that. Good luck with your Nissan issue

My wife owns a Nissan Stagea. Excellent car although the air flow meter did expire after a huge dust storm...can't complain about that though