Paint chips on 5th gen unusually excessive??
Re: Time to act
Originally posted by Colonel
If you have problems visit www.maximapaint.com its a sticky at top of page. Formally register your complaint and help the cause.
If you have problems visit www.maximapaint.com its a sticky at top of page. Formally register your complaint and help the cause.

We've already had 130 views of the post announcing the site and almost 90 new visits to the site, but only 12 registrations so far...let's get this complaint running. If as many people who replied to this post complaining, register their complaints we could have a good case...spread the word.
Ringing In
I have owned close to 13 cars in a time period equal to 15 years. Some have stayed longer and some have been driven by my beloved wife. I have had accidents, and have had damage done through vandalism. I have never neglected my responsibility to clean and care for the cars inside and out. The Nissan Maxima is my first delve into a foreign car and some of their praises are true. The fit and finish were first rate, although the Maxima AE's price should dictate this. Never has a finish looked so striking leaving the floor and remain so for only a few days. My front end looks like a rental car that was neglected and damaged due to interstate driving in excess of the current 7200 miles that I have placed on my 2001. Nissan has placed more money into advertising a car (and micron paint) than needed to repair or retool the line in order to protect future cars. I don't believe a Nissan authorized paint redo could match the original finish and so I don't look for a refund or repair. I would like someone to admit to the error and allow those that feel their damage should be warrantied...to recieve that extra incentive from Nissan. I will support this and any petition on this subject as it is honest and looking for a reasonable return. You all praise this car and obviously enjoy spirited driving, and I believe this damage to be excessive and beyond our ordinary control. Nissan should be proud that few have taken on the challenge of the Lemon Law's ....to at least bring attention to this matter.
Updated Cover Letter
Note the updated cover letter on the sticky post for NISSANPAINT.COM. Srmtn updated the letter to include the quote from the 2000 Owners Manual which describes "The Diamond Test." Thanks, once again, to Srmtn.
Only a month old!
My new SE 01, Icelandic Pearl and beautiful has 7 paint chips on it already and I just mailed my first payment. NEVER have I had a car that had paint chips like this. I had my Camry for 3 years and only had like 3-4 chips total. I paid tooo damn much for this car fully loaded and stocked for it to get paint chips! We all did! My dream car is beautiful both in and out but the paint chips are killing me!
The biggest pain is that the primer is gray underneath so it makes the chips worse. If the underpainted primer was the same color as the exterior, it wouldn't be near as bad!
Please keep us informed! Thanks for all your hard work! I truly hope it pays off for all of us!
The biggest pain is that the primer is gray underneath so it makes the chips worse. If the underpainted primer was the same color as the exterior, it wouldn't be near as bad!
Please keep us informed! Thanks for all your hard work! I truly hope it pays off for all of us!
ACT NOW!!!
Ok, we've all spent months just talking about this problem. The site is up, and running!! Go fill in your information. Be sure to have your VIN handy. It will take you less than 5 minutes to read and complete the form.
Thanks! Only through the combined support of all of you will we register on the radar screen of Nissan! Go and be heard!!!
Scott
Thanks! Only through the combined support of all of you will we register on the radar screen of Nissan! Go and be heard!!!
Scott
Re: ACT NOW!!!
Originally posted by srmtn
Ok, we've all spent months just talking about this problem. The site is up, and running!! Go fill in your information. Be sure to have your VIN handy. It will take you less than 5 minutes to read and complete the form.
Thanks! Only through the combined support of all of you will we register on the radar screen of Nissan! Go and be heard!!!
Scott
Ok, we've all spent months just talking about this problem. The site is up, and running!! Go fill in your information. Be sure to have your VIN handy. It will take you less than 5 minutes to read and complete the form.
Thanks! Only through the combined support of all of you will we register on the radar screen of Nissan! Go and be heard!!!
Scott

Hopefully this thing really gains some momentum over the weekend.
Just submit my complaint @ www.nissanpaint.com
hope they'll listen to us and do something about it
thank you all
Erwin
hope they'll listen to us and do something about it
thank you all
Erwin
I have to disagree...
Originally posted by MaxSEAE
i say you send this thread to them
i say you send this thread to them
thread as evidence
I have considered including this thread, but think it would be much more effective to send the documentation we are compiling, and direct them to the link so they could see, if interested, REAL time activity on this, and many other issues. That is, assuming they are clueless about this site.
It would have a lot of impact. But think about it: We'll be lucky if they read the cover letter and complaints, much less a 50+ page thread of random remarks.
Good suggestion, but we don't want to overwhelm.
srm
It would have a lot of impact. But think about it: We'll be lucky if they read the cover letter and complaints, much less a 50+ page thread of random remarks.
Good suggestion, but we don't want to overwhelm.
srm
Guest
Posts: n/a
Can anybody show some pic of the paint chips?
I am planning to buy a new Maxima. I want to know how serious this problem is. Could someone show some chips pic? I did not find this kind of complaints on Edmund.com maxima forum. is it really serious?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Edmunds
Someone at Edmunds needs to be notified of this problem.
That would be another notch in our assult against the Nissan paint problem.
If a company like that included this information in their publication, buyers might be swayed to purchase another vehicle.
That would be another notch in our assult against the Nissan paint problem.
If a company like that included this information in their publication, buyers might be swayed to purchase another vehicle.
Re: Edmunds
Originally posted by max34
Someone at Edmunds needs to be notified of this problem.
That would be another notch in our assult against the Nissan paint problem.
If a company like that included this information in their publication, buyers might be swayed to purchase another vehicle.
Someone at Edmunds needs to be notified of this problem.
That would be another notch in our assult against the Nissan paint problem.
If a company like that included this information in their publication, buyers might be swayed to purchase another vehicle.
Hey I'm GAME
How big are yall's paint chips anyway? The one's I've got on the hood is about 1-2 cm -- and that's from just driving in the rain for a short while.
My dealer's been calling me everyday to make sure that when I get the Nissan survey I should put "excellent" across the board. I haven't received the survey yet, but they sure will hear from me regarding their paint quality!
My dealer's been calling me everyday to make sure that when I get the Nissan survey I should put "excellent" across the board. I haven't received the survey yet, but they sure will hear from me regarding their paint quality!
Originally posted by lsf
Sorry if I'm re-creating old news, I'm new here, but a long time poster on Edmunds. I have noticed a few paint chips on the front of my hood about the size of freckles. Does that accurately describe everyone elses experience?
Sorry if I'm re-creating old news, I'm new here, but a long time poster on Edmunds. I have noticed a few paint chips on the front of my hood about the size of freckles. Does that accurately describe everyone elses experience?
Well, just gave my Max another bath and as to date, I have had the car 36 days and have 9 paint chips on it. Been on the freeway 5 times and the rest has been town driving, which shouldn't produce any. I can't believe I finally have my "dream" car and the paint is so sh*tty. The Icelandic Pearl exterior makes it even worse since the primer underneath is gray! Tried the touchup paint and I HATE it! I can see the touchup spots which makes me ill in my stomach so I WON'T be using it anymore. What else is there we can do?????
Has Nissan submitted anything back to us yet? Have we contacted them as a collective group via our website yet?
I know we are all frustrated but something has to be done. I can't believe that Nissan would repaint all of our cars, especially since they would have to provide loaners to all of us while that is occurring. If we get a credit, it better be more than $500 since they will slash up at trade-in time for having chipped paint!
Has Nissan submitted anything back to us yet? Have we contacted them as a collective group via our website yet?
I know we are all frustrated but something has to be done. I can't believe that Nissan would repaint all of our cars, especially since they would have to provide loaners to all of us while that is occurring. If we get a credit, it better be more than $500 since they will slash up at trade-in time for having chipped paint!
Not quite...
Originally posted by lsf
Sorry if I'm re-creating old news, I'm new here, but a long time poster on Edmunds. I have noticed a few paint chips on the front of my hood about the size of freckles. Does that accurately describe everyone elses experience?
Sorry if I'm re-creating old news, I'm new here, but a long time poster on Edmunds. I have noticed a few paint chips on the front of my hood about the size of freckles. Does that accurately describe everyone elses experience?
Guest
Posts: n/a
paint chips
I have a red 93 maxima which had paint problems right from the start. Very bad chipping. I complained to the dealer, to another dealer, had a factory rep look at it, no one would do anything about it. Finally, in 98 I was going to get rid of my 90 maxima, which had metallic paint. This car had no chipping problems. I wrote to a letter of complaint about the paint on my 93 max to Nissan Japan, explaining how my 90 Maxima was three years older, driven on the same rodes and didn't have anywhere near the number of chips that the 93 had. I also explanined that I was about to buy a new car, but my 93 max made me sick, and that I understood some competing companies also made reliable cars but that they kept their paint on. Anyway, I was eventually contacted by Nissan America who offered to pay for half a paint job or to give me a significant credit toward a new Nissan purchase. I wound up purchasing a new Nissan with silver metallic paint that is holding up ok.
So, I was wondering, do you guys with the chipping paint have metallic or non-metallic paint?
So, I was wondering, do you guys with the chipping paint have metallic or non-metallic paint?
just jumped on the boat - have had my grey lustre max for 8 months now - and if u look closely, there are paint chips all over - "excessive wear and tear" is right!
filled out the form.. i'm in on whatever we do.. thanks
filled out the form.. i'm in on whatever we do.. thanks
Originally posted by punkdork
Pretty much. Some have had bigger chips. Be sure to fill out the form at http://www.nissanpaint.com.
Pretty much. Some have had bigger chips. Be sure to fill out the form at http://www.nissanpaint.com.
49 registrations...
Guest
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Good LORD, someone knows my problem!
My beautiful new Max is only three months old, and I'm getting chips even on the CORNER PANELS! Huge momma chips. I had a 200sx before this, and I have to admit, it was never this easy to chip. I mean, the paint comes off mighty easily - I'm bumping this thread and *****ing to www.nissanpaint.com immediately!
What I do for touch up - I get a paper match from a matchbook, and cut it diagonally so I have a perfect point. Then I scrape some paint off the paintbrush stem, and put the point in the CENTER of the paint chip, allowing capillary action to fill the void with a paint bubble. Once it dries, I use pink Liquid Lustre to dissolve the paint bubble down to the level of the hood (careful not to go too hard, or else the entire touch up gets rubbed right off). It simply makes the chip the color of the hood, and it's still noticeable, but it's a killer having to see all the paint chips (even touched up ones). I compared my max with 4k miles on it to my brother with 15k miles on his impala, and he doesn't have half as many as mine. It's a serious problem, not just something in the heads of perfectionist owners. This is killing me!
What I do for touch up - I get a paper match from a matchbook, and cut it diagonally so I have a perfect point. Then I scrape some paint off the paintbrush stem, and put the point in the CENTER of the paint chip, allowing capillary action to fill the void with a paint bubble. Once it dries, I use pink Liquid Lustre to dissolve the paint bubble down to the level of the hood (careful not to go too hard, or else the entire touch up gets rubbed right off). It simply makes the chip the color of the hood, and it's still noticeable, but it's a killer having to see all the paint chips (even touched up ones). I compared my max with 4k miles on it to my brother with 15k miles on his impala, and he doesn't have half as many as mine. It's a serious problem, not just something in the heads of perfectionist owners. This is killing me!
undecided...
I have one open claim.. and another in the works. My problem is they arent paying enough to get the car repaired properly - $380 for hood and fenders!???. I cant get a Macco/Earl Shives job for that! but they are addressing the issues. which will make any organized effort difficult if relief is sought thru mediation. Well, my point is I dont know if its better to have started the process with them or not.
I'm not sure if I would help/or hurt the cause or me with my pending paint cases (actually, one open and one closed - in Nissan's eyes).
I guess our resale is sunk anyway, and we will have to keep our cars, why not have new paint jobs. resale was my main concern about repainted panels.
I'm not sure if I would help/or hurt the cause or me with my pending paint cases (actually, one open and one closed - in Nissan's eyes).
I guess our resale is sunk anyway, and we will have to keep our cars, why not have new paint jobs. resale was my main concern about repainted panels.
Re: undecided...
I'm going to have to get in on this.
I counted today - I have 14 paint chips - 13 on the hood.
Now, something of interest. I would say that I have had a bra on the car - at least on the hood portion about 90% of the time I have owned the car (1year).
I don't know how it is possible to have that many paint chips. It is ridiculous. I cannot imagine how many chips those of you who have not used a bra must have.
I counted today - I have 14 paint chips - 13 on the hood.
Now, something of interest. I would say that I have had a bra on the car - at least on the hood portion about 90% of the time I have owned the car (1year).
I don't know how it is possible to have that many paint chips. It is ridiculous. I cannot imagine how many chips those of you who have not used a bra must have.
Originally posted by Green 2kSE
What do you guys count as paint chips? I have several that are about 3-5mm in diameter and can be touched up, but there are significantly more tiny white dots on the front of the hood that can't be touched up at all.
What do you guys count as paint chips? I have several that are about 3-5mm in diameter and can be touched up, but there are significantly more tiny white dots on the front of the hood that can't be touched up at all.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Hello everyone.
I wandered over here from the B15Sentra.net forum, and
I just have one question.
Are you limiting nissanpaint.com to Maxima owners, or
will you accept other Nissan models? I haven't been
able to access the site to gather information, as it appears to be under construction.
We have many owners of 2000-2001 model Sentras on the
forum who have paint complaints, myself included, who
would be more than willing to add our names to a list.
I was actually thinking of starting my own petition on
the Sentra forum, but as someone here mentioned, there
is strength in numbers.
Thanks.
I wandered over here from the B15Sentra.net forum, and
I just have one question.
Are you limiting nissanpaint.com to Maxima owners, or
will you accept other Nissan models? I haven't been
able to access the site to gather information, as it appears to be under construction.
We have many owners of 2000-2001 model Sentras on the
forum who have paint complaints, myself included, who
would be more than willing to add our names to a list.
I was actually thinking of starting my own petition on
the Sentra forum, but as someone here mentioned, there
is strength in numbers.
Thanks.
Under construction...
Originally posted by UtahJ
Hello everyone.
I wandered over here from the B15Sentra.net forum, and
I just have one question.
Are you limiting nissanpaint.com to Maxima owners, or
will you accept other Nissan models? I haven't been
able to access the site to gather information, as it appears to be under construction.
We have many owners of 2000-2001 model Sentras on the
forum who have paint complaints, myself included, who
would be more than willing to add our names to a list.
I was actually thinking of starting my own petition on
the Sentra forum, but as someone here mentioned, there
is strength in numbers.
Thanks.
Hello everyone.
I wandered over here from the B15Sentra.net forum, and
I just have one question.
Are you limiting nissanpaint.com to Maxima owners, or
will you accept other Nissan models? I haven't been
able to access the site to gather information, as it appears to be under construction.
We have many owners of 2000-2001 model Sentras on the
forum who have paint complaints, myself included, who
would be more than willing to add our names to a list.
I was actually thinking of starting my own petition on
the Sentra forum, but as someone here mentioned, there
is strength in numbers.
Thanks.
In regards to registering other Nissan models. I would be glad to setup either another page for Sentra's or just add the Sentra models to the existing page. Srmtn and I discussed this when the site first went up. I would be more apt to setup an entirely separate page with colors and models of the Sentra. Anybody want to post a reply with all models, colors, and years of production for the current generation Sentra?
Guest
Posts: n/a
The first few times I attempted to access the site, I received an error message, the last time (before my post),
I received the 'under construction' message, but this time
it worked.
If you feel a separate page would be better, that is fine.
I will do a poll on the Sentra site and come up with a
list of models and colors for you, although the problem
does not appear to be model/color specific.
Thanks again, I'll post the results when I have them.
I received the 'under construction' message, but this time
it worked.
If you feel a separate page would be better, that is fine.
I will do a poll on the Sentra site and come up with a
list of models and colors for you, although the problem
does not appear to be model/color specific.
Thanks again, I'll post the results when I have them.
Odd...
Originally posted by UtahJ
The first few times I attempted to access the site, I received an error message, the last time (before my post),
I received the 'under construction' message, but this time
it worked.
If you feel a separate page would be better, that is fine.
I will do a poll on the Sentra site and come up with a
list of models and colors for you, although the problem
does not appear to be model/color specific.
Thanks again, I'll post the results when I have them.
The first few times I attempted to access the site, I received an error message, the last time (before my post),
I received the 'under construction' message, but this time
it worked.
If you feel a separate page would be better, that is fine.
I will do a poll on the Sentra site and come up with a
list of models and colors for you, although the problem
does not appear to be model/color specific.
Thanks again, I'll post the results when I have them.
In regards to doing a separate page...just want to keep the list simple...listing all models and colors for all Nissan vehicles would be messy...plus, this way I'll have database of Maximas, Sentras, etc.
I know it is not a color specific issues and by listing the different colors/models, we show Nissan that fact...that it is not color specific.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Huh... Well, we're running on Compaq servers here, so maybe
it was a default error page spewing incorrect information.
If you want a starting point, here is the general info.:
B15 Model Years: 2000, 2001
Models: XE, GXE, SE
Colors: Avalanche, Ice Cappuccino, Inferno,
Blackout, Out Of The Blue, Jaded, Radium,
Granite
We appreciate the cooperation. This "defect" has been
a major source of frustration for us.
it was a default error page spewing incorrect information.
If you want a starting point, here is the general info.:
B15 Model Years: 2000, 2001
Models: XE, GXE, SE
Colors: Avalanche, Ice Cappuccino, Inferno,
Blackout, Out Of The Blue, Jaded, Radium,
Granite
We appreciate the cooperation. This "defect" has been
a major source of frustration for us.
What kind of polish/cleanser/wax did your dealerships use when they delivered the car?
I noticed that the stuff my dealership used did a very poor job of resisting damage from bird crap, road dirt, scratches, and chips. Now that I polished and waxed with Meguiars I noticed that washing is much easier because I don't have to scrub to remove the debris. This makes me think that the pink stuff in a squeeze bottle that the dealership used did more harm than good for the paint.
Has anyone else noticed the wax from the dealership was crap?
I noticed that the stuff my dealership used did a very poor job of resisting damage from bird crap, road dirt, scratches, and chips. Now that I polished and waxed with Meguiars I noticed that washing is much easier because I don't have to scrub to remove the debris. This makes me think that the pink stuff in a squeeze bottle that the dealership used did more harm than good for the paint.
Has anyone else noticed the wax from the dealership was crap?
Originally posted by mike_bresnahan
What kind of polish/cleanser/wax did your dealerships use when they delivered the car?
Has anyone else noticed the wax from the dealership was crap?
What kind of polish/cleanser/wax did your dealerships use when they delivered the car?
Has anyone else noticed the wax from the dealership was crap?
WOAH!!!
Stopped by my neighbor's on Saturday when I saw him out washing his 2k1 I30t. He'd told me before about the paint problems he's been having to so I took a look-see. Wow! His paint is just about flaking off the hood. Not to mention he's got scratches all over the place that a decent clearcoat would have been able to stand up to. What a mess. Such a nice looking car, too (or was).
I've emailed him the address for this site as well as the paint petition so hopefully he'll be signing it soon.
I've emailed him the address for this site as well as the paint petition so hopefully he'll be signing it soon.
"bump..."
the thread back to the top. Last check on the paint site there were some 750 hits. I don't know how many 5th gen Max's have been sold and I haven't done the math, but I think to have a statistically significant sample population, we need AT LEAST 450 responses. Ok, so this is not a true "random" sample, but to get ANYONE'S attention in the ivory tower...we need NUMBERS...lots of UPSET, ANGRY, numbers.
So, if you have NOT yet filed your complaint on our database...do it NOW!!!
Thanks!!!
srm
So, if you have NOT yet filed your complaint on our database...do it NOW!!!
Thanks!!!
srm



