Roadster Top problems - Nissan Corporate wants you to call in and open case
 

For those of you that are currently having problems with your roadster top - lid hitting the roof, there is hope. I talked to Nissan Consumer affairs at 1-800-647-7261 option 7. They have created a fix for this (which they say works perfectly) but need 2 to 3 months to finalize the fix.

I told them that we have a forum full of people with this issue. They asked that everyone with this issue call in and open a case so they can track.
Nissan Consumer affairs 1-800-647-7261 option 7

I opened a new case with them today and was told that if everyone with this issue calls in and opens a case, the fix may come sooner and may even become free for those that are out of warranty. It's pretty much a question about how many people are affected. If a lot of people complain, Nissan will act differently than if only 1 or 2 people call in.

See the original thread for this issue:
Storage lid rubs the fifth bow when opening the soft top
http://www.the370z.com/nissan-370z-r...ml#post3839823

Whatever this fix is, I hope it works/lasts. I have a pretty nice sized chuck of paint/scratch on my Tonneau cover from this problem. Gonna call them today

On the phone with them right now. Asking for a case to be created.

update: Case created, got the agent ID# as well.. I am supposed to receive a call tomorrow from a regional service rep.

i sent a message to the following users on this forum to let them know, if you know of any others please let them know to call in
Spoiler
LHMBP
NismoUFO
Dramagodes
HEFFAE
OldGuyFla
Rodd
gsx95
blake29
xpenziv
BoilardZ
ReeceZ
opruitt
DocJ
gbhrps
Hi-Step'n370Z
dsmarks2002
gsx95

I made the list twice, lol! Unfortunately I don't have the car anymore, partly because of this issue. Good luck to everybody in getting this fixed though!

Eugh doesn't work for folks in Canada.

They told me to call 1-800-387-0122 and Nissan Canada said they cant do anything. Go to the dealership.

Shortly after my post a couple of years ago (I think) I took it to a Nissan dealership to have the 5th bough replaced which has fixed the issue, but I thought it was very expensive. The only issue I see now is when I close the top when the back of the top comes down more forcefully than I think it should. Seems like it is putting too much stress on the rear section. It didn't do this for a while.

I opened a case yesterday. They advised me to take it to a Nissan dealership for diagnostics and call back.

The 5th bow bungie is worn.

It's only been 2 years since they were replaced.

Some people never have problems with their tops, some have a never ending problem :icon14:. When the top is closing, one the purposes of that 5th bow bungie is to provide enough resistance to the top so that it doesnt "snap" when it extends the back of the top. The other is to pull the rear of the top back far enough to give clearance to the tonneau lid when the top is opening.

Theres a great video in this section that shows how to replace the bungie. It looks really easy to do. Theres also a thread that has links to buy the bungie, Nissan dealers also sell them.

Great News For All Roadster Owners :tup:

There are a number of video's by Top Hydraulics on how to replace cylinders, bungees, and trouble shoot the top on our roadsters. Very helpful and reassuring to know that things can be fixed if they every start acting up.

Thanks for the update. I called the number and got a case created. The agent I was talking to, though, seemed to know nothing about the "fix" that is supposedly in the works. He advised me to take the car to my local Nissan dealer. However, if the fix isn't yet ready, I don't really see the point in that. Please keep us updated on when Nissan releases the fix, and I'll take my car in at that point.
Is there anything else we should be doing right now?
Thanks again!

Thank you I appreciate the information on this & will call immediately.

Mine just started doing this two days ago!

Just got off the phone with NCA, the agent said: "you need to take it to the dealership".

I asked... what about the rep calling me, she said no, they (NCA) just email the rep in-house.

I work at Nissan #3755 in FL ... guess I'll have to wait until Monday :ugh2:

Again, I hope I am wrong but my best guess is that the Nissan Dealer gave the OP a BS line about Nissan coming out with a "fix" for the 5th Bow/Deck lid issues that everyone is having.

The amount of BS "fixes and solutions/causes" they (Nissan and Local Dealer) tried giving me ultimately resulted in legal action taken against Nissan and their "Vehicle Service Contract" subsidiary (CPO Provider, keep in mind a CPO or extended warranty is not really a warranty, it is an insurance product).

If you are still under original manufacturer's warranty or under a "CPO product/extended warranty, aka VSC" you most likely will only gain fair compensation by taking legal action of your own. If you are no longer under the warranty......you are most likely out of luck and should start looking towards 3rd party options. My convertible top specialist has confirmed that this issue is easily fixed by swapping out for a more robust set of straps (even the "revised straps" in his opinion are garbage).

I called in and made a case, they talked to me about them repurchased
the Arbitration Specialist sent me a email and i have to provide some information. She also stated that they would send me a check for $5000 and i sign a agreement that Nissan will not be liable for the top any more, but all other warranty will be still in affect. it would be $5000 and keep the roadster or they repurchase, $5000 would not be enough for me to keep the car

Very interesting fiat218. I just called my nissan dealer. Was told nissan japan has the new fix as a kit. They are now trying to figure out how many kits to send to U.S.

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Fiat 218- If you lawyer up you can get more than that. I took the deal after getting an attorney involved; however mine was a 2010 and a larger payout offer was involved (which I am not allowed to disclose).

I absolutely would not have taken the $5k offer on a 2018 and I think you made the right decision there.

vman12- Again, I hope I am wrong but it sounds like this dealer is just making things up to string you along and hope you forget about your broken top.

we'll for now i have a small workaround. While in the car, i just use my hand, while the roof is opening or closing, i just pull the roof in so the lid doesn't hit it, see below.



https://youtu.be/6jglum0vlx8

vman12,

I do exactly the same thing, but from outside the car, while holding down the door unlock button on the driver's door handle.

Curiously, my top storage compartment door only strikes the top when opening, not while closing, and only on the passenger side of the car.

This 70 year old is wondering how you are sitting in the seat and manage to contort your body to be able to reach back and grab that top ..... from the seat???? (I can feel the pain just thinking about it.)

Gene

Vman, I thought you chanaged out the bungee? Like gbhrps, my lid only hits when opening the top, not when closing, and I also hold the top from outside while opening the top using the unlock button on the drivers side door handle.

I actually sit straight in the seat and without looking move my arm back and feel the roof and pull it in. So no need to contourt the body :).

They put a brand new roof from factory on it. Same week roof started hitting lid. They then replaced bungees but it didn't fix anything. Waiting on japan to provide a fix.

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My lid hits driver side and middle while opening and closing. Not sure about passenger side.

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I recently just changed the bungee cords and it solved the problem.
Let's see how long it holds up.

Glad this worked. And keep us updated...

Well, for everyone's benefit and those who are not sure what I am talking about, these are the bungees.
Nissan 370Z - How to Replace the Soft Top Bungees

I got sick of the top hitting the cover when opening so decided to try this out.
It solved the problem and I did find out the old bungees were all worn and stretched out. I also found out the previous shop which changed my canvas did not change the bungee cords. Instead, they attempted to tighten it by using thread and sewing the cords so they are shorter. :facepalm:

Another thing to note, my 370Z was a resale unit and when I close the top, I always thought that loud "pop" sound (like when you quickly open a huge umbrella) was normal. It is at the final stage, when the top stretches out just before locking into place.

After these bungees were in, I no longer have that loud "pop" sound... And all these while I thought it was normal!

In my case, there wasn't a need to adjust the arm, which I did sometime back when I started having this problem
Roof hitting the tonneau when opening

Here is the Service manual, which may help.
370z 2012 Repair Manual Roof Section RF-45722

Nice info. Thanks for posting this... and I’m certainly glad you got your problem solved...

:tiphat:

-Spoiler

Hello and thank you again for this post - I called in several weeks ago and they took most information down from me. The only part that the person said he cannot move forward unless I take the car in and have them diagnose it first. I've already done this several times in the past. I guess I'll need to do it again so they can officially put me on the list.

Crossing fingers that FINALLY we get our tops fixed :)

I am currently having the same problem with my 2012 Z and the dealer said it is due to old age of my car. I have a Gold preferred extended warranty, would it cover this issue? Did you pay out of pocket for your repair? Thanks in advance for your reply.

Yes the nissan gold preferred extended warranty covers all the roof components. They replaced my roof and hydraulics under it.

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I have what may be a dumb question, but here goes. I've watched the videos from Top Hydraulics - excellent resource. I did not see any info on the best way to bleed the hydraulic system after repair/replacement of components. Is there a right/best way to bleed the air out of the system?

You may want to start a new thread for that question so everyone sees it

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The system will self bleed. Just make it go up or down and add fluid as needed. A couple times will probably do it.

Thanks - I learned this late yesterday. Self-bleeding and should be simple. I appreciate the quick replies!

have an update on the fix

received a call from my dealership about the 5th bow roof fix. Nissan is starting to schedule appointments for people to come in to get this finally fixed.
since the bulletin has not yet been shared with the dealers, the Nissan engineers are flying out themselves. I got my appointment scheduled for mid-August. We'll see if this is the final permanent fix for this nightmare of an issue. LOL

Good. I’m really tired of reaching back to pull the bow forward. I already have paint chips and very unhappy about it.

@vman, sent you a pm.

I also recieved a call to schedule an appointment since they have a fix now. Hope it works. I will be scheduling an appointment at the end of the month. Hope it works.

I received a call from my dealership. I scheduled August 27th.