Nissan Consumer Affairs - Rant

bclarke22

All,

I have about had it with Nissan. I'm not a basher - I've owned a few Nissans - in fact my first 1979 280ZX ran like a tank. But I'm at my wits end.

I have been experiencing a hard start issue ( See thread in Engine/Drivetrain forum - Rough Start - Something Seems Wrong ) with my '09 370Z Touring for well over a year now. I'm in year 2 of a 3 year lease. The dealership cannot figure out the issue - they have just thrown parts at the car (Fuel pump, IPDM, ECU, Vent Tube assembly, replaced fuses, key coding system, Battery, etc etc). My car has been in the service department on at least 12 separate occasions (cumulatively over a month). I contacted Nissan Consumer Affairs due to the lack of the dealerships ability to solve the issue.

Since contacting Nissan in April I have had my file # transferred to 5 (count 'em FIVE) separate Consumer Affairs Specialists - each time having to re-explain to each person the details (which are now lengthy - 23 pages) of my hard start issue. I have now requested to speak to a supervisor on 3 separate occasions - which has been refused. They literally will NOT refer you to a supervisor. They claims to have a "process" in place that requires them to send an electronic message to the supervisor - and takes 4-8 business hours to process. Well - it never gets processed. Seemingly they work independently without supervision - they claim to not even know their supervisor name or telephone extension. How nice would that be?

The Consumer Affairs Specialists gather your information and document it - but don't seem to take any action. They fill out ficticious "paperwork" to escalate your issue - but nothing ever comes of it. They are full of promises to call you back - but never do. They use terms like "I apologize for the inconvenience" without really meaning it. I don't want apologies anymore -- I want some action!! "Sorry" does not start my car in the morning. Is that too much to ask from a major corporation?

I finally had a data monitoring device installed by Nissan (in an attempt to find the problem) - That was over a month ago - no results, no one seems to know where it is now?? Really?? Are you kidding me??

This is likely one of the most frustrating/comical/mind-boggling situations I've ever experienced in my 49 years of life on this planet. I'm SERIOUSLY concerned about the stability of this company. It is becoming brutally obvious that Nissan Corporation does not care about me (and likely you) as a consumer of their product. They are trying to wear me down with B.S., Lack of Communication, Incompetence, Red-Tape, Promises of Solutions etc etc etc. I am NOT GOING AWAY!! I call them back and ask them why they do not fulfill their promises to call me by noon, I call them for updates (that they cannot provide), I question their processes. I will not be defeated. I will probably never buy another Nissan ever again. But they do not care, someone else will...

Be aware of your specific states "lemon law" - I'm in VA. You have 18 months from the date you take delivery, you MUST contact Nissan Corporation in writing and advise them of the issue formally. Unfortunately I am a victim of listening to the Service Manager's promises of "Give them time...we'll make things good..." and time ran out.

Good luck to you all...you will need it. I feel better now