Owners with Top issue(s) - please chime in
 

Hey guys,

I know there is already a thread related to the top problems with the ZR but want to create another to determine the actual in-field number to illustrate whether this is actually a defect in design. As such, I would like to gather some information in a format that may benefit all ZR owners and to have the data to support our claims and for Nissan to be more aware and remedy problem related.

Year:
Build Date
Original Owner:
Number of Problem (s) or Concerns (s):
Number of dealer visits to address issue:


Problem or Concern Details:

Tear (_)
Location of Tear:

Mechanical (_)
Details:

Electrical (_)
Details:

Specifics details of repairs history:

Other Thread: http://www.the370z.com/nissan-370z-r...ing-issue.html

If anyone that has had problems, I would appreciate the input.

My details:

Year: 2010
Original Owner: Yes
Number of Problem (s) or Concerns (s): 4
Number of dealer visits to address issue: 4

Problem or Concern Details:

Tear (2)
Location of Tear:

1) rear portion on driver side - caused by window rubbing
2) front leading edge passenger - caused by window rubbing

Mechanical (1)
Details:

1) frame misalignment and broken pivot hinge - told that one cable jump the track causing a cut into the frame thus twisting the frame causing excessive pressure breaking the hinge.

Electrical (1)
Details:

1) Top would not operate at all consistently when cold (8< C) but would operate after driving for 2 or 3 kms - told that the electrical system needed to be reset. - Never really solved the problem but I learned to live with it.

Specifics details of repairs history:

The first time related to the cut to the rear portion of the driver side caused by the window not dropping enough to clear the top as the door is opened. This was covered under the TSB.

The roof was replaced under warranty and the windows (supposedly -see below) adjusted. Upon repair, I started to notice the inconsistent operation in additional to noise vibration from the driver side. The top would not do anything (no beep no movement) and would happen on cold morning after sitting overnight. But would operate after driving for a km or two. I was told that electrical system might be low causing the top not operate, they reset it and sent me on my way. The issue would not however happen if I park in my heated garage overnight. After research I came to the conclusion that a safety sensor might become stuck when cold causing the roof becoming non-operational. They could not solve this issue but I learned to live with it

After storing my vehicle (heated garage - never saw snow) for winter with the top up, in late spring I noticed that my font passenger leading edge had similar window cut. This was what I believe to be the result from the passenger window hitting the roof slightly lower portion at the front.

Upon having the roof looked into, I was told that the roof was misaligned due to a cable jumping the track causing the roof to put pressure on one of the hinge and it broke off. This was news to me as the roof never had any issue closing properly. A new roof was order and replaced but would not latch on first attempt. I will be having it looked into again. so in two years of ownership, I've had my roof repaired twice.

Just a quick comment, it might be helpful to add "Build Date" (located on sticker on driver's door jam) to the template.

Year: 2010
Build Date 03/10
Original Owner: Yes
Number of Problem 4 or Concerns (s):
Number of dealer visits to address issue: Two for top replacement, one visit for other problems


Problem or Concern Details:

Tears: 2. More chafing than a tear due to window rubbing top on opening closing doors.
Location of Tear: Left and right side rear of door windows. Replaced top under warranty. Returned to dealer second time to correct a misinstalled bow padding on the original top replacement.

Mechanical: Replaced steering lock unit
Details: Replaced under warranty
Mechanical: Incorrect wheel alignment on rear tires causing premature wear
Details: Wheel alignment performed under warranty

Electrical: Fuel level sending unit
Details: Replaced under warranty

Year: 2012
Build date/ 4/2012
Original owner: yes

Number of problems: 2

Problems: first time i put the top down, small tear on driver side by window.
Dealer action: replaced the top and window actuator. Gave me a loaner

I attribute this mainly to buying a brand new 2012 in the middle of 2013. It had 9 miles on it, and had been sitting the entire time - about a year with out selling.

No issues since.

Now I know these tops are far from perfect! My roadster has been at Nissan for 3 days now, the other night the top opened about 3/4 then stopped I had to manually close it back up. Today the dealer showed me how one of the wires that was connected to a hydraulic broke off alot of this mechanism is on the top itself, a new top is $14,000.00 that is not a type-o 14 grand for a piece of cloth and some wires. The service manager told me he is going to look at local shops that specialize in tops and can maybe get the hydraulics by themselves because Nissan doesnt sell them like that. I hope all goes well and I'm surprised a dealer would consider sending a car elsewhere.

Bow Padding?
 

Question, about "..misinstalled bow padding.." did this cause an unsightly lump in the roof? as I suspect my 2013 has this issue. I just bought it a couple of weeks ago and didn't notice it right away, I've still got some warranty on it so I will get it checked out but I was curious to know if this is what I was seeing. the lump is located almost directly above the passenger head rest location.

Many thanks.
BB

Year: 2013
Build Date 07/12
Original Owner: No
Number of Problem 1 or Concerns (s):
Number of dealer visits to address issue: One

Problem or Concern Details:

Lump in the roof above passenger headrest

Dealer Action:
According to the dealer a critter had set up camp and built itself a home between the headliner and the outer shell, they have since issued an eviction notice and the critter has vacated the premise. Problem solved. No idea how a critter could get in there but just beware that it is possible.

This is going back a few years but iirc, the padding was on the underside of the bow but it should have been on the top of the bow to prevent damage to the top rubbing on the bare metal of the bow. Anyone, does this make sense? Anyway, I took it back to the dealer and they made it right.

See 13 Roadster with multiple problems
 

Waiting for the Factory Rep from Tennessee to arrive and evaluate

Addendum - Hydraulic Motor Pump
 

I have a similar problem with the top on my 2010 370Z Roadster. The dealer says the hydraulic pump requires replacing. Price labor and taxes in, $10,000.00.

Then the dealer tells me the work is NOT covered by the 7 year extended warranty I had purchased with the vehicle when new. I knew that HAD to be wrong!

Next day I get a phone call and apology that the work is totally covered. Only problem is about a 30 day wait for the part. Oh well......car is normally off the road November to March.

I've seen and heard of several roadsters with the same (expensive!) problem. Considering the roadster is relatively a rare breed, I suspect Nissan has chronic reliablility issues with the top's hydraulic pump.

February 2015- Addendum-

Car was at dealership for 3 weeks waiting on the new pump. Service department staff informed me new pump has different part number than original pump. (not 100% convinced of significance of that).

Recently picked up car, the top operates 100% normally and dealership stored vehicle in their heated basement garage for additional 2 months as I don't drive vehicle in winter.

Overall, except for the major momentary scare regarding not honouring their extended warranty, I'm more than satisfied with the service department at Regency Nissan, North Vancouver.

Year:2012
Build Date too lazy to look it up
Original Owner: yes
Number of Problem (s) or Concerns (s): 1
Number of dealer visits to address issue: 2


Problem or Concern Details: Driver side window would go half way down after I got out and closed the door. Also notice the rubber window seal on the right side was torn because it wasn't closing properly.

Tear (_x) tear in rubber on passenger side door seal. I could see some metal under the rubber where it tore.
Location of Tear:

Mechanical (x_)
Details:

Electrical (_x) Replaced both window motors and adjusted sensors
Details:

Specifics details of repairs history: took it to the dealer to have them take a look. They kept it for a day then called and said I'd need to come back after they ordered the parts they'd need. It was Christmas/New Year week so it took two weeks to get all the parts they needed. They also had to bring in an expert from Nissan to work on it. The entire job entailed replacing the top, both window motors, adjusting the windows and resetting the sensors. Dealer covered everything including a rental for a week under warranty. Very painless operation. I only paid for the rental for the day I left it for diagnosis and I probably could have gotten them to cover that if I pushed it but since they were treating me so well I let it go.

Year: 2010
Build Date July 2009 (serial production #381)
Original Owner: Yes
Number of Problem (s) or Concerns (s): 1
Number of dealer visits to address issue:0


Problem or Concern Details:

Tear (1)
Location of Tear: Passenger side behind side window

Mechanical (0)
Details:

Electrical (0)
Details:

Specifics details of repairs history: in Aug. 2012 wear points noted on both sides of top directly behind side windows. Rubbing with support brace caused a pin hole to develop. Local body shop placed 1" square patches inside of top to prevent further wear. I caught the driver side before a pinhole developed but a very small hole is visible on the passenger side. The patch has prevented any further degradation to date.

2012 Top replaced by dealer
 

After two trips to the dealer, they agreed to replace the entire top for me due to rubbing on the drivers window area and the passenger side.

The top of the driver side window on my 2012 roadster had continued to hit the edge of the soft top until it wore a hole in it. I purchased the car as certified pre-owned and this was already the case.

Since it still had a year left on the warranty, I decided to have the dealer look at it. Once they did, they had to have a corporate rep fly in and approve of the entire top replacement, since the part costs about 15k. They have had it for two days and expect to take two more to finish the install.

I'm very pleased to get this done under warranty and have since purchased the 96 month warranty to cover this issue in the future. Also, since they agreed to replace it, I tried to put it down and up and it got stuck on the way up and broke a plastic piece. Maybe they found something else wrong with it.

Really like the car, but the top failing after 2 years concerned me enough to buy a warranty. I've never had a warranty in the past, but I haven't owned a convertible until this one.

Bought a new 2015 roadster. After a month the top kept getting stuck about 3/4 of way up. Dealer changed the wiring harness. Seems to be working fine now.
I'll keep my fingers crossed.