TOP Tearing issue

Joebarchuck

I've had the car for three weeks and I am seeing some fabric fatigue exactly where described by the OP. I will post some pics. I am very worried.

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Red 2010 370Z Roadster: Stillen G3, Stillen Exhaust, Up-Rev Tune (312 RWHP), Eibach Pro Springs, 20mm spacers front and back, Rear Camber Kit, Tinted Windows, GT-R Start Button, Interior Mods

Zaggeron

Is it wearing from the inside or outside?

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2010 Platinum Graphite 370z Roadster:Touring/Sport
2013 Subaru BRZ Limited

Z_U_later

It is wearing from the inside

vifferman

Z_U_Later - please keep us fully posted re: the Nissan rep's findings, et al. Hope your nightmare ends well, and soon.

Z_U_later

Well they found the problem, it was 2 sharp edges on the folding assembly causing the tear. In order to find the cause they has to cut into the top but the dealer stitched them up, man what an eye soar. Well the good news is that they will replace the top assembly and fabric. The bad news is that it will take a month to order the replacement parts from Japan. Well thats the latest from my top tearing saga. I have to say I am now really worried about the durability and design of the top and top assembly. I hope once this is repaired that the problem dosent come back after my warranty is up because the rep told me that the top assembly cost $13,000 not to mention labor and the fabric too, Im glad it is not coming out of my pocket. This is my first rag top and with how things are going may be my last.

Hi-Step'n370Z

The question now is; are those "two sharp edges" present on EVERY Roadster, or are they an assembly/manufacturing problem that only occurred on a few?

The first good news is that your problem will be taken care of under warranty. Glad to hear it Man.

The second good news is that now Nissan clearly knows about the problem and will correct that error in future production, and will cover the repair under warranty for the rest of the Roadster owners.

The $13,000.00 price tag seems high, that's 1/3 the total cost of the whole car!

IF a tear happens after warranty, there is a chance Nissan will still cover the repair because they know of the "two sharp edges," or, if we have to repair it at our expense, those edges could possibly be filed down/otherwise rendered harmless, leaving only the cost of the fabric and installation.

Too bad you didn't get the chance to take some pic's of those edges, maybe when they do the repair, you can take some pic's of those edges and post them here on the Forum so we all can see just what the heck is going on under the canvas. I know I'd appreciate it.

Thanks for posting the final diagnosis, and I am glad that your problem will soon be over with. I don't think that once the top is fixed you'll have any further tears because the reason for the tear will have been corrected. You should be able to operate the top worry free from now on. Besides, this IS a warranty repair, and if it happens again, they should still cover the next fix.

vifferman

I'm suspect here. If this issue applied only to an early production run, I might accept the "sharp edges" diagnosis; but in fact, both early and late editions of the roadster seem to exihibit the problem equally; and some report no problem at all. My example (just 4 months old, with moderate top down/up usage) shows a noticable "pinch/indentation" but no sign of tearing. I will visit my dealer soon for the iPhone update, and inspection of the top issue. Will advise.

Hi-Step'n370Z

Yes, I agree, this whole issue is very weird to say the least, and frankly I feel it's useless to guess and speculate, which I am plenty guilty of doing.

It would be great if we could get an accurate number regarding who has the tears, and when their Z was made and the average times the top was operated over how many months.

If there's a manufacturing glitch that caused this, I wouldn't think that we have to operate the top a thousand times to find out whether or not we will have this tearing issue.

Seems like operating the top a couple of times a week for at least three months would either create the tear, indicate that it's starting, or indicate that it is probably not going to happen at all.

My Z was made in July of 2009, took delivery December 2009.
Began driving it April 2010.
Top operated around two times a week over the last 5 months.

At present time: No tear, creasing or indication of any problem at all. The top looks just like brand new.

Zaggeron

I definitely have a crease there -- and to a lesser extent on the passenger side in the same area. I did reach between the frame and the top in the area as best as I could and couldn't feel any evidence that it was wearing from the inside -- but it was a tight fit with my fingers and I couldn't be 100% sure. I think that, for some of us, that area is just a crease that tends to collect dust and dirt and make it appear that it is wearing, but if there is no wear on the inside, I doubt it will become a problem.

I'd like to know for sure. Is there a particular position between top up and down with access to that spot so I could verify there is no wear on the inside?

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2010 Platinum Graphite 370z Roadster:Touring/Sport
2013 Subaru BRZ Limited

Zaggeron

I have a crease/indentation on the driver's side in the place people have described. And to a lesser extent on the passenger side. It's kinda noticeable because it tends to attract dust and dirt. Now I've had my Z about 10 months now and probably open and close the top around 4 times a week. So let's say I've opened/closed it between 150 and 175 times since I've owned the car. I really didn't notice anything until around 4 months of ownership and at that time I thought ...simply a crease that attracts dirt. I've not convinced it is still not just that, but I haven't been able to confirm that since I can't fit my hand inside the area between the top and the frame in that area ... I've tried various intermediate positions of top up and down.

If I can confirm there is no premature wear on the inside, I'd be satisfied and chalk it up to just a crease. Can someone post a pic of the correct position of the top in a semi down position that gives best access to the area? I need to find out yea or nea whether there is wear on the inside.

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2010 Platinum Graphite 370z Roadster:Touring/Sport
2013 Subaru BRZ Limited

vifferman

Top-wear/tear victims ~

While my issue is still relatively minor, I'm not at all happy with the cosmetics of the wear mark/indentation/crease, and I clearly want to avoid Z_U_Later's top replacement nightmare. I'm also suspicious of the varied disagnoses & fixes...is it sharp edges on the folding assembly (per Z_U) or is it the hatch arm wires/conduit (per Merlin)? Or...are these two different issues? Regardless, it's time for Nissan to fess up and give us some answers (the roadster has now been in production for a full calendar year). Accordingly, I sent this message to Nissan USA...

As you must know, there are significant "issues" with the 370Z Roadster's soft top (see owners' reports at http://www.the370z.com/nissan-370z-roadster-convertible/20621-top-tearing-issue.html). I had a wear mark/indentation/crease on the driver's side within the first few weeks of ownership, and based on other owners' reports of such wear resulting in perforation of the canvas, I'm quite concerned (at best, it's an unacceptable cosmetic flaw on my $48,000 roadster). My dealer knew little about the issue, and other owners report varying responses/diagnoses from NissanUSA. When can we expect an official acknowlegement/response & a proper fix from Nissan?

Merlin

It will be interesting to hear the response...

vifferman

Here's the expected lame response from Nissan...

October 20, 2010



File # 6962899


Dear Andrew Bertsch:

Thank you for contacting Nissan North America, Inc. and allowing us the opportunity to be of assistance. We are sorry to hear about the experience you are having with your Z Roadster and apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you.

Please contact your local Nissan dealer and schedule an appointment, as the dealer is in the best position to diagnose and repair your vehicle. Your Nissan dealer will be more than willing to assist.

File #6962899 has been created to document your concern. If you have any further questions, comments or are unsatisfied with your dealer experience, please feel free to contact us at 1-800-647-7261.

Your satisfaction with your vehicle and your Nissan dealer is very important to us. Thank you for allowing us to be of assistance.

Sincerely,

Nissan North America, Inc.



Vivian Gonzalez
Consumer Affairs Representative
Nissan Consumer Affairs

B52EWO

I have a 2010 Roadster I purchased used in September with about 4000 miles; it had been bought new earlier this year. The top on the passenger side is wearing exactly as the picture in Z_U_Later's post except mine is reversed - the hole is on the passenger’s side and the dimple is on the driver's side.

I took my car to the dealer two weeks ago and he's ordered a new top so only time will tell whether this will be a permanent fix. The technician is supposed to look at the top mechanism to see what's causing this and I hadn't seen all these post before I went to the dealer so I'll print out all of them so there's no question about this being an isolated incident.

I purchased a new 2004 350Z Roadster and the top started rotting just after the warranty expired. I got no assistance from the dealer so I traded it before the top got too bad. When the 370Z Roadster came out with a new top material, I decided to try it again. The 370Z is such a much improved vehicle over the 350Z so I’ll live with this issue, especially since the dealer has accepted responsibility. I open and close my top at least 2 times a day and usually more on the weekend so I would estimate it will go through at least 1000 cycles a year. If Nissan has to replace the top once a year – so be it. I’ll always have a new top!

Hi-Step'n370Z

I commend you on your effort!

This is something that needs to be addressed to Nissan, this is not a minimal little glitch. The top is everything regarding the appearance - and resale value of the whole car.

I have had absolutely no problem with my top in any way, but I did have the thought that the issue needed to be addressed regardless.

For those who have experienced this issue, it is has to be devastating. And to the rest of us, we just wait and wonder if it will happen to our Roadster.

Depending on the response you receive from Nissan, perhaps more of us should follow your lead, and encourage Nissan to give the matter the level of priority it deserves.

I would also like to know if this is an occasional problem, or if they all were manufactured with the same glitch that will eventually ruin the canvas on all the Z's. If so, there should be some kind of piece of mind life time warranty on the 2010's for this specific problem.

I don't want anyone to forget the problems that some have experienced with the installation of their new top because, it was not installed to look like a factory install, and were told that the fit will "wear in."

If my new Roadster was delivered to me, with the top looking like the one that was pictured on this Forum after it was replaced, I would not have accepted the car with it looking like that. If anyone needs to have a top replaced, their Z should not be delivered back to the owner looking any less than factory.

Once again vifferman, I commend you for pursuing this with Nissan. Of course, keep us posted.
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