Nissans' Consumer Affairs/Complaint Departments Email Address
I just recieved this email from Nissan about an email I sent to Motortrend about some problems with my Max, so just incase anybody would like to send them concerns you might try sending NNA Consumer Affairs an email at nnaconsumeraffairs@nissan-usa.com. Here is their response to my email incase anybodys interested.
Dear Enthusiasts,
Thank you for your email in regard to the 2000 Nissan Maxima. We know that
the proper operation of your vehicle is as important to you as it is to us.
Currently, Nissan engineering is in the process of investigating the
existence of this problem. We want to assure you that we are doing our best
to make sure that you feel safe and comfortable in your Nissan vehicle.
Our dealerships and customers will be notified once Nissan North America,
Inc. has completed its investigation.
Sincerely,
Nissan North America, Inc.
Consumer Affairs
> -----Original Message-----
> Sent: Wednesday, January 17, 2001 6:55 PM
> To: motortrend@emapusa.com
> Subject: Problematic ECU Software for 2001 Nissan Maxima!
>
> Dear Motor Trend,
>
> This email is in response to an article in your February 2001 issue on the
> one-year test update of "Black Max". I recently purchased a 2001 Maxima
> SE
> with a 5-speed manual transmission. After driving over 1000 miles in less
> than 2-weeks, I definitely noticed the overly sensitive throttle and ECU
> overcompensation problem you tried to uncover. I'll explain the symptoms
> I
> noticed just in case Nissan is actually interested in trying to fix what I
> believe is a poorly developed Engine Management Computer or ECU software
> program.
>
> First, in the mornings I start my car and it idles around 1100-1250 rpms.
> After more than 30 seconds I begin to drive through a parking lot
> containing
> speed bumps. On approaching a bump I FIRST release the gas pedal and
> quickly push in the clutch. The rpms automatically increase up to 1500
> rpms
> until I reengage the clutch even if I completely let go of the gas pedal.
> I
> know the ECU is trying to warm up the car(catalytic converter), but this
> seems like overkill and not very smooth/refined as I would expect from
> Nissan's "flagship" model. Also, each time I slightly increase or
> decrease
> pressure on the gas pedal before or after a speed bump the car "bucks" or
> "rocks". This is definitely noticeable to passengers and extremely
> annoying
> to myself. I have to ride the clutch to keep the car from rocking back
> and
> forth.
>
> Second, when I'm trying to drive at a constant speed, no matter how long,
> and slightly release the gas pedal the car rocks noticeably forward. Then
> as
> I barely apply pressure to the gas pedal the car rocks to the rear. This
> all occurs while the car is fully warmed up, between 2000-3000 rpms, and
> in
> 3rd or 4th gear. This situation occurs whenever I travel to or from work
> in
> medium traffic as I'm forced to reduce/increase my speed because of a
> slower
> vehicle in my lane.
>
> Third, after I warm up the car, I can NOT hold 2000 rpms with the car in
> neutral. As I approach 2000 the ECU forces the rpms up towards 2500 and
> then as I try to let off to decrease the rpms the ECU forces the rpms to
> 1500 or less. Also, if I hold approximately 3000 rpms and try to slowly
> decrease the rpms by slightly releasing the gas pedal the rpms drop fast
> to
> below 1500 rpms. This only effects me as I prepare to make a quick
> launch,
> however it shows how the ECU is controlling the throttle and not my foot.
>
> This is fixable problem, however since these issues are more pronounced in
> manuals than automatics and only 15%(I think) of Maximas are manuals, I
> doubt Nissan will ever admit there is a problem. Nissan would first have
> to
> invest a lot of money into fixing the current ECU program. Then every
> Maxima owner who noticed or cared about fixing the problem would have to
> have a dealer upload a new ECU calibration program. So, I'm not going to
> hold my breath and I'm going to look into "Lemon Laws" and see how much
> money I'll lose.
>
> Besides the annoying "normal behavior", I really like the styling,
> handling,
> horsepower, and features of my Maxima. If Nissan would admit to their
> mistake and remedy the problem I would consider buying a 4th Nissan
> automobile. However, depending on how they handle my complaints, I may
> just
> wait until my income stabilizes and buy the Lexus IS300, BMW 330, or Acura
> 3.2TL S that I should have waited for.
>
> By the way, I just graduated college with a Computer Engineering degree
> and
> I currently work for an Aerospace company developing software for jet
> engine
> ECUs. This was my first new car purchase with many more to come in the
> future, but I highly doubt Nissan will ever see my business again. I have
> been an avid Motor Trend reader for years and I appreciate the work you
> guys
> put into your articles. I ask that you please retest the Maxima, because
> without the publicity I fear this issue will never be resolved.
>
>
> P.S.: How can I get a VIP pass to join you guys next time you do a
> shootout
> at the Ford Secret Oval outside Kingman, AZ? My home town is only about
> 45
> minutes away and I'd be there night or day.
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
>
> Alex Moir
>
> Tucson, AZ
>
>
Dear Enthusiasts,
Thank you for your email in regard to the 2000 Nissan Maxima. We know that
the proper operation of your vehicle is as important to you as it is to us.
Currently, Nissan engineering is in the process of investigating the
existence of this problem. We want to assure you that we are doing our best
to make sure that you feel safe and comfortable in your Nissan vehicle.
Our dealerships and customers will be notified once Nissan North America,
Inc. has completed its investigation.
Sincerely,
Nissan North America, Inc.
Consumer Affairs
> -----Original Message-----
> Sent: Wednesday, January 17, 2001 6:55 PM
> To: motortrend@emapusa.com
> Subject: Problematic ECU Software for 2001 Nissan Maxima!
>
> Dear Motor Trend,
>
> This email is in response to an article in your February 2001 issue on the
> one-year test update of "Black Max". I recently purchased a 2001 Maxima
> SE
> with a 5-speed manual transmission. After driving over 1000 miles in less
> than 2-weeks, I definitely noticed the overly sensitive throttle and ECU
> overcompensation problem you tried to uncover. I'll explain the symptoms
> I
> noticed just in case Nissan is actually interested in trying to fix what I
> believe is a poorly developed Engine Management Computer or ECU software
> program.
>
> First, in the mornings I start my car and it idles around 1100-1250 rpms.
> After more than 30 seconds I begin to drive through a parking lot
> containing
> speed bumps. On approaching a bump I FIRST release the gas pedal and
> quickly push in the clutch. The rpms automatically increase up to 1500
> rpms
> until I reengage the clutch even if I completely let go of the gas pedal.
> I
> know the ECU is trying to warm up the car(catalytic converter), but this
> seems like overkill and not very smooth/refined as I would expect from
> Nissan's "flagship" model. Also, each time I slightly increase or
> decrease
> pressure on the gas pedal before or after a speed bump the car "bucks" or
> "rocks". This is definitely noticeable to passengers and extremely
> annoying
> to myself. I have to ride the clutch to keep the car from rocking back
> and
> forth.
>
> Second, when I'm trying to drive at a constant speed, no matter how long,
> and slightly release the gas pedal the car rocks noticeably forward. Then
> as
> I barely apply pressure to the gas pedal the car rocks to the rear. This
> all occurs while the car is fully warmed up, between 2000-3000 rpms, and
> in
> 3rd or 4th gear. This situation occurs whenever I travel to or from work
> in
> medium traffic as I'm forced to reduce/increase my speed because of a
> slower
> vehicle in my lane.
>
> Third, after I warm up the car, I can NOT hold 2000 rpms with the car in
> neutral. As I approach 2000 the ECU forces the rpms up towards 2500 and
> then as I try to let off to decrease the rpms the ECU forces the rpms to
> 1500 or less. Also, if I hold approximately 3000 rpms and try to slowly
> decrease the rpms by slightly releasing the gas pedal the rpms drop fast
> to
> below 1500 rpms. This only effects me as I prepare to make a quick
> launch,
> however it shows how the ECU is controlling the throttle and not my foot.
>
> This is fixable problem, however since these issues are more pronounced in
> manuals than automatics and only 15%(I think) of Maximas are manuals, I
> doubt Nissan will ever admit there is a problem. Nissan would first have
> to
> invest a lot of money into fixing the current ECU program. Then every
> Maxima owner who noticed or cared about fixing the problem would have to
> have a dealer upload a new ECU calibration program. So, I'm not going to
> hold my breath and I'm going to look into "Lemon Laws" and see how much
> money I'll lose.
>
> Besides the annoying "normal behavior", I really like the styling,
> handling,
> horsepower, and features of my Maxima. If Nissan would admit to their
> mistake and remedy the problem I would consider buying a 4th Nissan
> automobile. However, depending on how they handle my complaints, I may
> just
> wait until my income stabilizes and buy the Lexus IS300, BMW 330, or Acura
> 3.2TL S that I should have waited for.
>
> By the way, I just graduated college with a Computer Engineering degree
> and
> I currently work for an Aerospace company developing software for jet
> engine
> ECUs. This was my first new car purchase with many more to come in the
> future, but I highly doubt Nissan will ever see my business again. I have
> been an avid Motor Trend reader for years and I appreciate the work you
> guys
> put into your articles. I ask that you please retest the Maxima, because
> without the publicity I fear this issue will never be resolved.
>
>
> P.S.: How can I get a VIP pass to join you guys next time you do a
> shootout
> at the Ford Secret Oval outside Kingman, AZ? My home town is only about
> 45
> minutes away and I'd be there night or day.
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
>
> Alex Moir
>
> Tucson, AZ
>
>
Member
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 43
Sorry to say, but I've been there and done that in regards to the "fuel cut"/"uncontrollable throttle" with the 5 speed Max. Between calling the Nissan 800 number, emailing the same address you have posted, faxing the engineering department directly, being on a first name basis with the head person of the "team follow up group", and having a Nissan district rep come to look at my car four separate times, Nissan finally decided to tell me that my car is fine and that they refuse to try to fix it anymore. I have that on tape since the rep left that message on my answering machine at work. I should upload it as a wav or mp3 for everyone to hear that Nissan refuses to look at my car anymore.
Even after the publicity of this problem on Edmunds.com and Motor Trend, we are no closer to a fix. I am taking other actions with Nissan to solve my personal frustrations with my 2000 SE, but I hope they address this problem for all others bothered by it. Good luck! Keep fighting!!
Dave Z
Even after the publicity of this problem on Edmunds.com and Motor Trend, we are no closer to a fix. I am taking other actions with Nissan to solve my personal frustrations with my 2000 SE, but I hope they address this problem for all others bothered by it. Good luck! Keep fighting!!
Dave Z
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