Another Sticky Dash Issue

RyanWest

They didn't say. Just they would cover 50% of the repair.

Nixin

How sh!tty of Nissan! Just 50% is totally unacceptable but as consumers there is not much we can do. I think your idea to cover it in a material of your choice will not be cheap but it is the same thing I would do. Your other option is to find a car that has been written off and the dash is in good condition.

Jayhovah

I'm starting to think re-covering the dash might not be as difficult or expensive as we think... there aren't any seams in the vinyl so we may not need a custom cover. Might be as easy as pulling the old stuff and stretching new stuff over it... Disclaimer: I do not have much upholstery experience.

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2013 Gun Metallic Sport - Gamma V3 Twin Turbogized
DIY Gamma V3 TT Install * Jayhovah's Gamma V3 TT Install Pic'Z and Vid'Z * DIY: Washer Reservoir for the Boosted

JARblue

Make them pay you 50% of the cost of labor to remove the dash ... and then DIY.

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khern11

Nissan offered me zero.

One thing that stands out to me is the obvious negligence of Nissan North America to take responsibility to correct this and many other issues (like the CSC). My first interaction with a Nissan corp. representative lead me to believe that there are many complaints on this issue and it has happened to many different vehicles that Nissan has sold (FX35, Altima and others), including the 370z. Through settlements and voluntary service campaigns for those vehicles, Nissan agreed to a decreased cost or a free repair of the dashboard. To a certain extent, this implies a degree of acknowledgment that many of their vehicles have had dashboard issues. Yet, they are unwilling to cover it when a Nissan owner is having the same type of issue with a different model vehicle manufactured in the same year. With settlements being made for those instances, Nissan has avoided taking responsibility by using the word "voluntary". This sets the precedent that there is no problem with the dashboard. Instead, Nissan is generously repairing something on thousands of vehicles, that didn't have a problem to begin with, by choice.

If Nissan was to cover it outside of warranty, a recall, or voluntary service campaign they label this as a "good will" service or gesture. The approval of "good will" coverage is based directly on the amount you have spent with Nissan. Here are the examples that the Nissan regional service rep gave me to assess my eligibility for "good will" coverage; if you have previously owned any Nissan's, if you purchased extended warranty, if you serviced your vehicle with Nissan (oil changes, tire rotations, etc.), if you have had this problem in the past. The representative also went on to state that this coverage is assessed on a case by case basis and other similar complaints should not be considered in the evaluation process. Instead, it is only when a complaint reaches a threshold for that particular model vehicle that a service campaign may be initiated, and it is no longer considered a "good will" coverage.

This issue is known by Nissan, they are the only ones at fault for this problem and they are unwilling to correct it for all of their vehicles. Wear and tear does not constitute your dashboard lighting up like a Christmas tree when the sun hits it, or a chunk getting stuck to your finger if you touch it. It also does not constitute your clutch pedal falling to the floor when you're driving. Regulatory automotive manufacturing bodies need to look into this type of negligence and malpractice from companies that do not correct known issues. Not only for consumer protection but because peoples lives are on the line every time a person gets behind the wheel. Consciously cutting corners on the quality of parts that may be putting lives at risk for increased profit margins is unethical and it seems to be very common to the type of culture at Nissan.

I hope this wasn't interpreted as a rant, my intentions are so that people encountering this with Nissan are informed and know how to handle the situation. My greatest interest is that Nissan corrects this issue for the safety of future consumers.

If you read all of this and you have the same issue I hope you have the courage to complain to Nissan corp. and post in this thread.

RyanWest

I have watched many Youtube Videos on how to wrap a dash in Microfiber suede and it does not look hard at all. I will of course be practicing on my 96 Integra GSR rear plastic trunk panels first to see well I do.

I have no intentions on buying another Nissan car now.

JARblue

I have asked Nissan about goodwill coverage on three separate occasions. The only service a Nissan dealer ever performed was an initial free oil change and headliner replacement under 36K mile warranty. They denied ESCL coverage (it didn't actually fail - I pulled the fuse). They denied CSC coverage (it didn't actually fail - I installed the Z1 kit).

But when my airbag light came on randomly last year apparently indicating that virtually the entire system had crapped out, Nissan did take care of me with goodwill coverage and absolutely no hassle. They replaced several airbags and a variety of the electronic modules that had failed. Parts and labor was pushing $8K, so I was grateful to say the least. That won me over enough to let the dealer replace my steering rack (under 3rd party warranty) while they were doing the airbag work.

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khern11

Good man, happy for you.
This just further proves the lack of transparency in the process.

This is what was said by the person representing Nissan. The rep didn't say anything about safety or a possible manufacturing flaw, all the rep said is what is quoted below. Now you can read it and come up with your own conclusion. My conclusion is that all of the things the rep listed to me, with exception of one, had to do with Nissan getting more money.

PickleZ

Yup my 2010 dash started cracking a few months ago and is just getting worse. I'm super OCD about it Just bought a sunshade in hopes it slows down the process. My car is mostly garaged and I think I'll stop with any "protectants" and just use soap/water to clean if needed...

DamnThatZGuy

www.Covercraft.com

Just put a dash mat cover on the dash and call it a day.

redondoaveb

Here's the dash mat I installed on mine. Fits great.

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AstatenateZ

I have every window on my car at 5% tint and my whole windshield tinted 30% and I've had no problems in the 100+ southern heat!

Jayhovah

I once had 5% all around (only glare strip on the windshield) and I couldn't see sh!t at night.

__________________
2013 Gun Metallic Sport - Gamma V3 Twin Turbogized
DIY Gamma V3 TT Install * Jayhovah's Gamma V3 TT Install Pic'Z and Vid'Z * DIY: Washer Reservoir for the Boosted

Spooler

This biggest mistake is to use any kind of treatment on it. It will make the dash hold heat. A damp cloth works best. I have my front window tinted with 70% ceramic. This is about all you can do.

cv129

FYI, this is not specific to Nissan, this happens to cars across price ranges...Hyundai, Lexus, Maserati, Ferrari, they all have the same issue. It's not necessary the heat either, I've HEARD combination of moisture and even lack of use/sunlight can cause this as well.

From what I've read, it's not the plastic melting, it's the layer of matted finish that's failing.

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