My experience with my 2k2 Bose stereo is worthy of a posting...

The problem started 6 months after I bought the car, when I started getting a "F5" error when playing CDs. Not every time, just sometimes. I called the dealer: no problem, they'll order me a new one. TOOK 2 MONTHS to get it! Finally, it's replaced and hurrah, I can listen to CDs again.

Then about 6 months after that, the CD player just stops for seconds at a time. Not consistently, but occasionally. At the same time, I noticed the sound was mostly coming out of the left speakers--the whole right side was muffled. Again, not all the time, but sometimes. Meanwhile, cassette and radio worked fine. Apparently now there's a TSB out for this, but not back then. All these problems worsened as the weather got colder here in Michigan, but they did not occur every day.

Meanwhile, I had just passed my warrenty milage limit (I commute 110 miles/day). However, since it's a problem with the replacement stereo (which was under warranty), the dealer said they could get it covered, but would need to talk to Nissan Cust. Service (1-800-Nissan1). Long story short, 4 months later, the Cust. Service people finally agree to cover the stereo. I literally called this guy "STEVE" at extention x3847 every day for two weeks to hassle him about calling the dealer. [feel free to call and bug him if you're bored]

In the meantime, I write a letter to Bose to tell them their system is crap. I work for Delphi, so maybe we can give them a few tips on how to make a reliable stereo. They tell me then that the stereo is actually may by Clarion, not Bose. So why are you putting your name on a crappy product made by someone else?

So then I wait another 6 weeks to get the new stereo, which came in last week. I'm about to drive away, when on a hunch, I decide to try out the CD first. DOESN'T WORK!!! "ERROR F3" or something like that. Dealer (in Ann Arbor) said "Uh, we didn't have a CD to test it out." I HAD A DOZEN CDs IN THE CAR!

So now they're ordering another one, "expedited." Whatever. Clarion sucks. My dealer sucks. For some reason I still love my car though.

 

yeah BOSE BLOWS! Thats why i Ripped it out last night and now i have a big hole in the dash

 

The worst thing about the whole setup is the fact that the HU is the weakest link. I had replaced only my HU and noticed a significant increase in sound quality and clarity, even on the Bose amps/speakers.

But yeah... for the 5th gen, the Bose blows harder than the non-Bose.

 

On a happier note, my Pioneer deck is scheduled for delivery today, W00t!

 

Here is my deal:
Bose unit 1 has left channel cut out. Dealer replaces after 3 weeks.
Bose Unit 2 does the exact same thing. Unit is replaced after 1-2 weeks.
They install Bose Unit 3 and realize that the CD does not work. I ask them to put back in Bose Unit 2 and they refuse. Now I have no CD until Bose Unit 4 comes in. I can't wait to replace this farking piece of crap. If only it didn't look so good in the dash and have that 6CD capability.

 

damn i've had no problems with my bose system (knock on wood). that sux to have to go through all that. i hate when they take their time but when its the other way around, you better have their money right away..

 

My non-Bose got an F3 Error this past May. CD stopped working and it kept making a "clanging noise" (if you can imagine that) when I tried to use it. It took me SIX WEEKS to get it replaced. WTH?!?

 

what's TSB?

 

Technical Service Bullitin I think.

 

Yep, it is.

 

i had my car for a year and a half when i noticed the driver side speakers were almost producing no sound. they were very muffled. the dealer said he's seen it before and that he'll order a new one. 2 weeks later (pretty quick delivery compared to everyone else) i got a new one. the day after i got the new head unit the CD changer stops working. it would keep making clicking noises and would give me an error everytime (not sure about the error code) so then about 4 weeks later i get a new-new head unit. its been about a month and everything seems okay. but just today it started making the clicking noises again when im trying to switch CDs. and the #4 CD didnt work, twice. i finally got it to work but im worried this one is on its way out.

a TSB does nothing if the product is completely defective. the new one will just have the same problem. bose/clarion needs to redesign the head unit.