Hello org members- I received an email from another Max owner he is getting the run around with Nissan Dealerships regarding TSB's.

Here is his email:
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I own a 2000 Max SE bought new in July 2000. Car has only 16000 miles
and I have read about warped rotors,bad coils,rear window noise to name a few.I have questioned local dealers and unless they "duplicate a given problem" they will not replace a given part unless a fault is found. I have only 2 months left on warranty and car has never been back for any type of service.How do I handle TSB issue with dealer??Will repair be made if I go in with more info?.I dont want expensive repairs to appear soon and be penalized for low miles where others may have experienced these problems and had them fixed under warranty.
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Let's rescue him!!! Thanks for anyone with info.

 

The local dealers are giving you a reasonable response. You can't fix what is not broke. TSBs are NOT recalls. They are provided as advice to the dealers on how to fix problems whether they are under warranty or not. Officially, if the problem occurrs under warranty, they pick up the cost. If the problem happens after the warranty runs out, you pick up the tab and hopefully the TSB allows them to fix the problem quickly and right the first time, saving dollars. The TSBs may apply to problems that occurr in one of only a hundred or maybe a thousand cars. It is unreasonable to expect them to automatically change out or repair every single part when most of them are fine and may last the life of the car (unless it is an emissions or safety issue which will trigger a full blown recall).

Two things you can do in your situation. First, if you suspect anything at all is wrong with a part or a system, bring it in under warrantee. Get and keep safe a copy of the service report. Even if the dealer says nothing is wrong or "that is normal" get it on the service receipt. That way, if the part totally dies later, even after the warrantee runs out, you have positive evidence that the problem had begun to happen during the warantee period.

Second, if something related to TSB's does occurr after the warrantee runs out, provide this information to the service manager. If he or she declines to provide a "customer relations" adjustment, get the name of a regional Nissan service director or contact Nissan's customer service department directly. I don't have the number or address with me right now but I'm sure some one will pull it up and post it here. Even if your car is out of warrantee, they may pick up the costs, especially if you are the original owner and you have low miles or the car is not that far out of warrantee.

Although I did not get an adjustment on a problem with my '92 Maxima with the infamous VTC problem (although original owner I did have about 110k on the car), I have heard of folks having the costs picked up at 70-80K. I had most of the cost of a new steering rack on my old Pontiac STE picked up by GM even though I was four years and 30K out of warrantee.

I think a logical, polite, and well organized letter is the best way to go. Keep it short and simple. State the problem. If there are TSBs, reference them. Include copies of any receipts documenting diagnosis or previous attempts at repairs. State exactly what you want to be done and keep it resonable (Demands for a 350Z loaner while it's in the shop are over the top). In any initial letter make a request, not a demand. Remember, they hold the cards. You're out of warrantee. They don't have to do anything. If you are the original owner note that in the letter.

In the final paragraph, slip in a little suck-up. Remember, that any adjustement or compensation is going to come as "customer relations". They need to know that their outlay of cash on this will come back to them as a future sale. State how, other than this problem, you're enjoying the car. If this is your 10th Maxima and you helped your sister pick out her third Sentra and your Dad drives a Quest, etc., say so.

You'll get a case number. If you don't hear back within a couple weeks give them a call to check on it. Reference the case number in any future phone, mail, or e-mail communications.