Roof and Nissan North America
 

My Roadster roof is faulty. When it closes, the rear hatch support arm on the drivers side rubs the canvas top and has been rubbing a hole into the top. After two months a regional tech came and tore up the arm, tapped it all up and has now ordered a new canvas top. Support arm is dinged/scratched up and has been bent in an effort to prevent rubbing. This of course all occurred courtesy of Nissan North America. New canvas top is to arrive in two weeks and then they plan to replace it. God knows what damage they will do then! Car has 2630 miles. The top still rubs against the arm when the roof is retracted except it is rubbing in a new location thanks to the bent arm (update! I looked more closely at what the tech did and now the arm he bent to clear the canvas top is rubbing the frame of the car inside and wearing on a rubber gasket). These idiots are just making a bad problem worse and every indication from Nissan North America is if this doesn't work, it is my issue and I need to go to Better Business Bureau Auto to seek resolution/arbitration. Anyone have any experience with this process? I am getting indications from the Customer Affairs rep that the 2010 Roadster has a lot of roof issues. If you are thinking of getting a 2010 Roadster, recommend you STAY AWAY for a couple of years. Don’t waste the money or give yourself any headaches. It’s a piece of crap. This is just one of several problems. Nissan is friggen lame and is not being very responsive. Looking for advice from anyone. :shakes head:

The part where you say; "This is just one of several problems." What are those other "several Problems" you speak of?

Additonal Issues
 

Yes, there are other issues with this car.

1. The “service engine soon" light kept coming on and after three trips to the dealer, they finally replaced the gas cap and it hasn't come back on again. That took place in the first two weeks I owned the car.

2. The roof issue I have been dealing with since the third week I owned the car. They have fouled that up beyond repair. I hesitate to allow them to touch it again. I can live with the small rub mark that was beginning rather than have the new canvas installed by a technician who is incompetent.

3. The passenger seat back rattles between mild and badly when driving over and any bumps or when taking turns...Just rattles back and forth.

4. The nav systems continuously crashes my iPod. Every 4-5 times I start the car it freezes up my iPod. Have told dealership about it and am waiting to hear what they recommend/want to do. There is a mod that is out concerning the iPhone. Perhaps that software upgrade will stop the system from crashing my generation 5 iPod. I have had my iPod for four years and it has crashed on me twice in that time frame. Since plugging it into this car it has crashed at least a dozen times when connected to the car (basically four months).

5. The synchrorev system revs the engine far too high and far too long when downshifting from 3rd to 2nd gear. Depress the clutch and it continues to rev. It is irritating. The system can't keep up with the driver. I have turned it off and love driving the car without that system engaged. Waste of money and I think purely a marketing gimmick.

6. Who knows what will occur next. I have only had the car since the first week in June and it has been to the shop at least twice a month or more since purchase.

I stand by my recommendation. If you can wait a year or two before getting a Roadster, wait. If you can’t wait, look at purchasing another make of car. There are far too many bugs they have to work out in this model. For those that aren't having a problem, I am happy for you. I would rather be in your shoes. I still like the rest of the car, but don’t want to deal with the PC customer affairs pukes and BS from Nissan North America.

You are most likely under warranty so just take your car to the dealer and have them fix it.

Dealer
 

The dealer had to let the techies deal with the roof issue. All is under warranty and I am only paying in time and time and more time. It is the fact that they are tearing things up and making the issue worse, not better. The first four months of owning a car should not be focused on fixing it over and over again; it should be about driving it and having fun with it. :excited:

Continous Top Problems
 

Our new Z has spent more time in the shop than at our home. Top was put down and would not come back up. Pulled the manual cables in truck to open hatch and lid would not release. Delivered the car to the dealership for repairs and they tore up the paint on the lid and fenders not to mention other scratches and dents. They changed the motor and tore the inner vinyl liner and broke several retaining clips that hold the cover just below the glass between the head rests, not to mention a few other issues. Has been in and out of the shop with them slowly fixing there problems. Factory rep. will be in town tomorrow to look at the top and they are trying to get the complete top, frame, motor, etc. changed. They say it's an $11,000.00 job. Love the car but very dissapointed with the quality of service. Not even 2,000 miles on the car yet and I'm am trying to hold my wife off from trading it in on something else.

^^u got a lemon

id want a whole new car.

Sounds like a couple of you got bum cars. Mine has been just about perfect (high oil temps). I am however keeping an eye on the drivers side top in the "wear" area to make sure that mine is ok...

Mine has been perfect besides the 280 degrees temps on the Los Angeles highway and that is cruising at 75MPH. Nothing else has gone wrong and I am extremely happy with the car. Like many others with the convertible though I am seeing some wear on the top that I had not ever seen on my 350Z. This troubles me somewhat but I know the car has warranty and will use it if for some reason the top breaks down.

Enjoy your cars people and if you happened to actually get a lemon do not get discouraged. Just get a new car as the law permits and enjoy your new car as if it was the first you got.

I've had my roadster for almost a year now, and do have what appears to be some very slight fraying in one spot about the size of a half dollar on the passenger side.

My car is only used during the weekend, and spends most its time garaged.

I also have an issue with my center brake light on the trunk. It appears to have become warped, with one side slightly popped out.

I do love the car, and honestly don't drive it much with the top up. At the same time, if the top does become an larger issue, I will have to think about making switch.

You may want to think about getting that brake light replaced under warranty soon, the warped edge could allow moisture to get through.

I am about to have the third top replaced on my car. First top had rub wear and started to make a little hole in rear part passenger side. They replaced the top. Numerous times, the same side would not go all the way down and hard cover would not close over it, which has now caused scratching and pulling on the top, passenger side, above window. When I took it back to dealership, they discovered that a support bar had cracked. So they ordered a new support bar and new top. I must say, it has been a pain at times, but the dealership is wonderful, and the service manager is wonderful! They take extra care with my car, no scratches while its there, and we go over it top to bottom when i drop off or pick up. I bought the car from a dealership in AZ and I live in DE. My current dealership service dept makes having these problems with the top less frustrating. I woould suggest finding another dealership to those who get lousy, unacceptable service!

It almost sounds like your top frame got bent somehow, either during production or in some other way before delivery. This top tear issue is confusing as there doesn't seem to be any real definition as to just exactly what is causing the problem. Some tops have it, and others - so far - are problem free.

All I can figure is that there are rough edges that if not really properly wrapped will cut through the fabric, but your issue doesn't seem to fit into this category.

Now I am wondering if at sometime between production and installation, some frames got bent during shipping or storage.

It would be nice if someday, when Nissan actually discovers what the core cause of this top tearing issue is, we will have some concrete answers to work with.

Seems like Nissan should know by now just what the cause(s) are by now though.

Sorry for all you are going through, but it's good that you're comfortable with your new dealer. They seem to be in your corner on this issue.

Thanks for the info and let us know if you learn anything about what Nissan knows about this issue.


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Update!

A Nissan tech replaced the canvas on my roof this week and it appears that they did a very nice job. One of their regional techs did the work. It looks good. However, there may still be a small problem. There are small square plastic supports attached to the canvas at places where the canvas comes into contact with the frame when the top is closed. One of those squares on the driver's side does not seem to settle into place every time the roof is opened and closed and it looks like there is a big lump in the roof. I pushed on it and it snapped into place. This issue may work itself out. I have to watch for a while. But, for my trouble Nissan ordered and installed a rear spoiler at no cost. I had seen the spoiler on the forum and asked the tech what he thought about it when we were talking on the phone about the roof. He offered to order it and install it. It looks great! I have to admit Nissan is trying to make things right. And my dealership is also very cooperative and accommodating.

It's good to hear that you are pleased with your dealer vice all the dealer bashing that's in the forum. Hope that small problem works out for you. Free spoiler, eh? That was awesome for the Nissan tech to do that.:happydance:

Good to hear. Are you saying there is an OEM roadster spoiler from Nissan or they got you the spoiler solutions one?

I'm real glad to hear that things are going well for you, Merlin. Having a cooperative and competent dealer sure can help take the sting out of this whole upsetting top-tear experience.

Real good to know that they're on it like they are, and determined to make you happy with your Z. Nothing worse than having a problem like this with nowhere to turn for the help you deserve.

And a nice spoiler doesn't hurt either!! How about some pic's when you get the chance.

Keep us posted, and I hope this is the last of your problems.

Well, got the 3rd top installed! went to pick it up the day before thanksgiving and wanted to make sure the top opened and closed properly before I drove off the lot. The top would only open a few inches and then just stop! I refused the car, it is still sitting in the shop to be looked at on Monday. I called Nissan to get my continuous problems on record before I go back to pick up car...if they can fix it! Supposed to have an executive from consumer affairs call me by end of day Monday to discuss. We'll see what happens and let all know the progress.

Keep us posted. I am still having problems with the top on our Z. As the top folds into the well, it hits the deck lid and will eventually tear the clolth. Factory rep. looked at it two weeks ago and was suppose to have a reply by this past Wednesday. She called and said due to the holidays, she would not be able to give us an answer until next week. I have called Nissan and basically filed a complaint. We spoke again to the rep and requested a factory engineer look at our issue. So, we'll see how it goes next week.

Did this issue with your Roadster just start, or was it doing that from the day you bought it?

Tech was off on Monday. Tuesday they still couldn't figure out why it wont open but for a few inches. They put calls and emails into Nissan to have a field rep come take a look. I called my consumer affairs lady and told her to get on the feild reps butt to get there and look at it. She informed me that he should be there this friday to look at it. My service guy said to call him by noon on friday, if I dont hear from him first, to see how things are going. I have told my rep that one of three things will happen Friday: They replace the complete top..mechanics and everything. They give me a new car. Or I will file a lemon law suit. They have had my car for 2 weeks, that does not include the time it spent there before getting the other 2 tops replaced. I'll keep posting to let inform what happens Friday. Cross you fingers and knock on wood!

Well, of course the tech rep couldn't make it today because he got held up with another car in PA or NY! Supposed to be there on Monday, we'll see what happens then.

I had my top slashed in July. Nissan in Shreveport, La outsources their upholstery?!?! WTF? My top was on backorder for a month!! I'm glad they outsourced because the guys did an awesome job. It looks like nothing ever happened. THANKS Faries Top & Trim!!!

^^^ Congrats! Glad to hear somone that had issues with a top actually had it repaired/raplaced to their satisfaction! Nice to hear that it was outsourced to a shop that knows what they are doing.

I agree. Although there have been some successes, it always seems like getting there was a torturous journey. It's nice to hear something positive for a change. I'm with BeachZTT on this one!

Merlin,

I too had the top buldge problem & no thanks to the dealer, I fixed it myself. Here's my original post...

Eureka! I think I've solved the mystery "top bulge" problem myself (no thanks to the dealer tech who was dumbfounded, and called Nissan before making any real attempt to diagnose the problem himself). He said, "well, there's no access to the interior of the top, so my initial call to Nissan suggests that we'll have to replace it." WRONG!...got to thinking last evening, and lowered the top just half way to reveal a full open view of the area in question. The culprit is a nylon pad/guard (as expected) that is velcroed to the top fabric to cushion it from a plastic rail clip assembly below. My guess is that the bulge occurred when the pad got caught on the back edge of the clip, and then eventually freed itself and returned to normal. There's another nylon guard that runs the middle length of the frame rail, and it may have been a catch point as well. Made a few adjustments, and so far so good. Can't begin to express my sense of relief, but now wonder if I should trust the dealer even to do the Free first oil change. The "top" issue didn't exactly inspire confidence.

Well, Merry Christmas to all! Would be much merrier if I had my Z! Have been through hell with this top issue. Nissan has had their engineer out quite a few times, replaced quite a few parts (even the convertible top computer brain), still didn't work! I have had a lawyer send a letter to Nissan NA to let them know that we are looking into a lemon law suit. Wouldn't you know, I got a call from service shop on Wednesday! The problem: (LOL) the top was not installed correctly the first time! So much for having a nissan expert engineer to figure it out. took him 4 visits,
replacing parts, and going to somerville, NJ to a convertible top seminar (and taking pictures) to figure it out! So, my car still sits at the shop because I'm not picking it up until Nissan comes up with a meaningful offer for me for not being able to drive my car for a month (this time. was 2 weeks before!). Nissan was supposed to call me back on Thursday before Christmas, of course they didn't, so I didn't even have the car to drive on Christmas....Oh, I can't wait until Monday rolls around and I can call them back!!!

Got my car back. the upholstery shop had installed it wrong from the get go. Took a month to figure it out, but it's done! I'm happy.