Hi All..

Well.. this is a lengthy story, but please read as it may be in your best interest. In December, I purchased my '03 Max from a dealership in Springfield, NJ.

About 3 weeks ago, one of my HID's were stolen. Upon further inspection of the vehicle, I noticed that the wires for the headlight looked like they had been spliced already. In light of this, I removed my other remaining light and my suspicions were confirmed, both of my headlights had been replaced previously and body work had been done to my Max BEFORE I purchased it.

So, I went to the dealer, and was offered very little help. Apparently, my car was a "swap" from another dealer so the dealer I got the car from claims they didn't know. I even got a "What difference does it make...?" from the manager there. Next, I went to the local police department and found that my dealer had a reported 40 pairs of headlights stolen in the window of time when my car was on their lot. Unfortunately, none of the VIN's matched mine.

Next, I went to Nissan Corporate and thought I was getting somewhere. The last thing they had me do was bring my car back to the dealer I bought it from (something I was reluctant to do) for them to look at what I say was body work and wire splicing. Well, every time I pointed out over spray to the manager that was blatantly obvious I received a "I do not see what you're talking about."

Finally, Nissan Corporate called me up yesterday and told me they are out of the loop on this one. They said it's on the dealer in fewer words (silence to my statements and questions). When I contacted a lawyer, I was first told that since this case would most likely not be won, he wanted a $5000 retainer.

I got royally shafted here, but I'm not alone. There are AT LEAST 40 other cars ON POLICE RECORD (VIN's and amount of damage) that have been repaired at this dealer. I highly doubt every one of the buyers of these vehicles were informed. This is an unfair and deceptive trade practice and must be stopped.

I urge anyone who recently purchased a Max (2002 or 2003) to inspect your headlight assembly. Look for splices in the wires. The replacement harness has all yellow wires, however, the car comes from the factory with multicolor wires, so look for all yellow ones going to the back of the light. Also, look for overspray on the front tip of the hood over the lights, and on the tips of the fenders.

If you have been deceived, please post here, as a group going against a dealership is stronger than just one. The dealer is selling cars with their electrical warranty's voided from the start (isn't that what we are told when we say we want to put the old style lights in our 2002's and 2003's?). You will void your warranty with a splice, the harness cannot have a break in it. Well I bought this vehicle that way. This has to be stopped.

Thanks to all,

Nick

 

Yikes ... good luck!

 

Ummm, there have got to be other lawyers who will take this without a $5K retainer. You should contact your State AG and read up on laws concerning undisclosed damage on new cars.

 

Hi all..

Just wanted everyone to see a pic of what this would look like..



You can see that the wires going into the light are all yellow and that there is a bunch of electrical tape wrapped around the wire instead of the plastic tubing all the way to the back of the light..

Anyone else exhibiting these things on there "new" Maxima?

Thanks,
Nick

 

That would make a BIG difference to me if my car had been repainted, ESPECIALLY by the dealer. I've had paint work done and after 4-5yrs, you can OBVIOUSLY see the difference in OEM vs. repaint. Plus, electrical tape?!?!?!?! F-that! I'd DEMAND the whole harness be replaced and if they say no, I'd unwrap some of the electrical tape, place a 40 or higher amp fuse in the fuse box, turn the headlamps on and then touch the wires together. Then after the harness MELTS, I'd replace the stock fuse and take it to the dealer.

They gave you the shaft and unless they give you MONEY back, I would get a lawyer. Everyone should have prePaid Legal http://www.prepaidlegal.com/, but they wouldn't cover it since it's before you had the policy.

FIGHT THIS! Go to the media. I know here they have a local "Invesigator News Team" that advertises for people to write/call them with issues like this. You should see if there is something similar in your area. If they put that crap on the news, the dealership will receive a load of heat and will have to admit it.

Good luck!

 

Thanks for the support IceY2K1...

Looks like I'm alone in this.. I just find it hard to believe that the dealer informed 40 people before they purchased their cars, that their lights were previously stolen, and that their cars were painted. Hopefully I could at least get them to warranty their poor paint job as if it were factory being that I got it that way. Plus, I'd like them to replace the whole wire harness.

I'll keep you informed..

Nick

 

Which Nissan dealer? I bought mine in Springfield last March from Nissan World, IIRC, it used to be Springfield Nissan back in the day. My car was fine, but the dealer was sketchy as anything. They let me drive the car off the lot without telling me it didn't have any insurance of any kind on it. They are, I believe, supposed to provide temporary insurance since they can't really expect you to have insurance on a car that you bought the saem day you took delivery. In any case, I wouldn't put it past them to pull that stunt since when I talked to them about the insurance thing during plate pickup, they just stonewalled me about it. Very sketchy, the only reason I bought my car there was b/c it was the only dealer I could find with the 6spd HLSD. I hope you can resolve this, don't lay down for them, when you buy new, you deserve new.

 

Y2K2Driver,

Did you check the back of your lights though? The officer I spoke to said there were many headlight thefts from this dealer in 2001 (on the 2k2 models) as well. I would look just to be on the safe side.

Keep me updated..

Nick

 

Now you've got me worried. I'll check when I get home from work.

 

I had similar experience with my 2000 SE. When I purchased it, my salesman called me right before I was supposed to go and pick it up and told me that there was a little scratch on my bumper and they gona buff it out. So I thought it won't be a big deal and didn't think of it much.

I took delivery of the car and couldn't notice any damage or anything. Car looked brand new.

Anyways, after two days of having the car I started noticing overspray paint on mud guard, chrome window trim, rear taillight etc, etc...
So basically my car was worked on pretty heavily before they delivered it to me.

I went back to them and they of course had no idea what happened to my car. Morons.

I learned that you should inspect your car before taking delivery. Once you leave the lot it is very hard to make them fix anything afterwards.

 

Yea...

Check.. let me know what you find.. Also, if you know anyone w/ an '02 or '03 Max and they got it from your dealer, I'd have them check too. You're looking for something that looks similar to the picture that I posted above..

Good luck,
Nick

 

Can you see it without taking out the headlight assembly?

 

tmuscedere,

Below is a picture of the light assembly installed. Please notice the yellow wires which are part of the wire harness going to the back of the light. This is a replacement piece that Nissan came out with to fix the lights without having to replace the entire harness. If you notice anything like this, start looking for any other signs of work done (overspray under the edge of the hood, etc).



Let me know what you find..

Thanks,
Nick

 

I just checked mine and don't have any yellow wires like that so I guess I got lucky. Hope you get this resolved.

 

Hi all..

Just wanted to post a pic of a spot where I found very obvious over spray. Notice that one side of the hood U-bolt is the color of the car (painted) and the other side is the color that's under the hood (factory).

Maybe you all could check on this if there still is a question in your mind about the vehicle being repainted..

Thanks,
Nick

 

1. Call your local news station and report this to their investigation team, this will get the ball rolling.
2. File a claim with you Attorney General. They have to investigate all complaints.
3. Try and get the names and information on the other 40 people who this happened to, see if they were told.
4. Call the Federal Govt., they do have a lemon law that applies.
5. You can find a lawyer that will take this case for cheap or Pro Bono (just to get the exposure). SUE, sue, sue!
6. If the did have headlight thefts, get all records of the incident, copies of police reports. If your car was there at the same time, you might be able to prove it was involved, and the delaership overlooked it. If your car is new, then this becomes a fraud claim, because they have to explain how the wiring in your car is different from all the other new Maximas.

I know this may take time, blood, sweat and tears. But you need to fight this one.

 

i would definitely try to get a new harness from the dealer under warranty

 

Yea..

I guess that's what I want to do, get the harness replaced and then get in writing that they will fully warranty my repainted Max..

Thanks,
Nick

 

Was just reading the HP thread...

Thought I had a chance with legal action.. I think we should pursue that one instead, seems like they're actually getting somewhere... Anyone have any updates on the missing HP legal action?? What happened w/ the dyno for the crank??

Later,
Nick

 

Hi all..

Just got off the phone of a Nissan Dealer Service guy. I asked him how they would fix the car if the harness was broken during a theft and he told me that they would just splice in the new Wiring Harness Kit that Nissan came out with. He said in the beginning, they used to have to replace the whole harness, but now, they just splice in this little piece with the end connectors..

When I asked him if he knew when Nissan came out with that kit, he could not help me..

Knowing when this kit came out might help me in my case, you see, they are trying to blame it on the Port where the car shipped in to, but if the kit didn't exist when my car shipped it, then it had to happen AFTER it was at the port.

Does anyone know when this kit started being available? Any help in getting me this information would be very much appreciated.

Thanks,
Nick

 

You need to contact DAVEB...he be your man on this type of query! Good Luck!

 

Thanks Colonel,

Anyone know where DAVEB is? Didn't answer an email I sent him yesterday morning...

Later,
Nick

 

Nick, here you go. This is DAVEB's new place.

888-254-6060, South Point Nissan

 

Nick, Go back to the Police Station. Get the VIN # from the other 40 cars or try to get a list of some cars. Go to DMV, Pay $1 per car to find out where the owner is for that car. Contact that Owner, And ask to look at their car, And ask that owner if they were informed about their HIDs.