Just got the car back less than two weeks ago with its 5th Bose head unit for the left channel cutting out.

Although the display had some minor scratches that can be seen in sunlight - I wasn't about to be picky anymore because this time a) it works, and b) they didn't bang up the dash or plastic bezel while installing it.

Then this morning I went to start the car and leave for work - and now the sob won't even power on! Nothing! Power button does nothing, pressing "FM" or "CD6" does nothing, and even pressing the "mode" button on the steering wheel does absolutely nothing.

Checked the fuse under the hood for "audio" and it's not blown.

I did notice this stereo was manufactured in Nov 2002 (checked it at parts counter before it was installed) and it's the same exact model (same number on tape door, can't recall what it is).

I was so ticked today about it, I rode my motorcycle in the rain to work... ARGH!

Is there ANYTHING I can do to make them give me a NEW stereo??? I'm tired of these refurb'd jobs. My car only has 15k miles on it and the first problem didn't occur until close to 10k.

Or if anyone can point me to the preferred replacement model that would be great. I tried searching around here (don't have search feature) but the high activity here pushes threads down the list real quick.

Thanks in advance..............

 

That's rediculous. I would say get an aftermarketed stereo and replace all the speakers. Err, that would be a real pain in the ***. Maybe just tell them straight up, this is the f***ing 5th Bose system in here and it's busted. GIVE ME A NEW ONE!!!! NOT REFURB'ED!!!!!

I hope it will all work out for you.

 

Gerrrrr...... I've had mine replaced once. The current one plays fine normally, but takes spells where it skipppppssssssss skippppppsssss. Then finally it will play fine. I want to get it replaced before my warranty runs out, but I'm affraid I'll end up with something worse, my warranty will expire, and I'll be screwed. Gotta love Clarion! pos!!!

 

Now, this is in the 2002/2003? Mine is a 2001 and *knock on wood* I've had no problems with it. I'm at 48K and....nothing. Is this a 2002/03 thing?

 

My whole ordeal is a pain. Hey everyone it's storytime!

After reading several posts about left channels cutting out I noticed my was fine - "hmmm.. maybe I'm a lucky one!" Nope, a few months later it crapped out.

Got it replaced w/o a hassle at Arlington Heights Nissan (where car was purchased). Get in the car, stereo seems to be ok, but crap! There's a huge scratch in the digital climate control display! I didn't leave the dealer yet so I went back inside and showed the guy. Of course the parts guy that needed to see it wasn't there so I had to come back the next morning.

Part gets ordered for the climate control and and I made the appt to have it swapped out. It gets done, but this time they hose up the new stereo! It has huge screwdriver marks on the top corners like someone has no idea how to uninstall these things?!?! WTF?? Same thing - the parts guy isn't there that night to see which stereo I need so I have to come back the next morning.

Stereo gets swapped out again and this time the install goes smoother, but the display is cloudy as hell. I verified everything was ok (aside from that) and left.

After it bugged me for about a month, I called up Woodfield Nissan (Arlington isn't touching my car anymore) and asked if I could order a replacement display panel for the radio. Nope - they come with the stereo only (unlike the climate control). I explained my situation and the parts guy was real cool "if you're not happy with it we'll order another one since you're under warranty." This was even AFTER I told him the other dealer had previously taken care of me. Cool right?

Same deal - had to bring in the car for them to check it out to see which stereo to order. New stereo comes in, gets installed and looks muuuch better. This time there are minor screwdriver marks on the top left and right. This is something I was willing to overlook if everything was ok. Everything WAS ok for quite some time. I did notice it was skipping more often than any other player I've had (in my life) and dealt with it for the most part. THEN the left channel started cutting out and back the car went.

Ordered up another stereo, it came in and I wanted to see the display. I went to parts and scoped it out - looked ok and all the plastic was in perfect shape. I went over to service and briefly explained how many times I've been in for stereos and PLEADED that they be extra careful when installing it (w/o trying to sound like a total a-hole).

Got the car back and they did a perfect job - looks great, works great. Less than two weeks later and we're at today and my situation as posted above.

I tell ya - I've never had my old Ford in service this much in my life. It may have squeeked and rattled, but at least it wasn't like this! Of course that car had a fully custom stereo install that I did.

So you ask why don't I just go aftermarket? Well first of all this isn't no $15k Ford. Second of all it's under warranty and it's owed to me. Lastly - it's a lease and I'm not dropping a dime into the car if I don't have to.

 

That's messed up. I wouldn't want to keep taking it back for same repair over and over again. Does lemon law apply in this situation?

 

 

Just called the dealer and he said it was a no-go for getting a new unit. He has no way of telling what will show up (cosmetic condition or manufacture date).

Also called Nissan (1-800-NISSAN1) and the guy basically said that inquiries for this sort of thing have always been denied. The agreement they have with Bose is to just get a remanufactured one.

Nice how they recognize the problem but won't do much for it right?

If Nissan is going to put Bose systems in their car, they should back them up and not give you the story how they can handle it how Bose wants it handled.

The service manager at Woodfield Nissan said he would try and rush order me a stereo and that I wouldn't have to come in before it could be ordered.

We shall see...........

 

Man, hopefully your Bose will work w/out any problems. I know how much pain in the a$$ is it to take your car in for same repair over and over again.

 

I remind you all that we paid over $1000 for these POS'!!!

I'm on #2 -- same skipping problems, nothing catastrohpic.

If I had the other guy's problems -- I'd have scrapped it for an aftemarket for SURE. It's not worth the time spent in the dealer, and my time lost at work.

Agree it's totally wrong on Nissan's behalf -- but all they need know is that 1) I'll NEVER buy a Clarion Stereo sold under the GUISE of the Bose name, and 2) I'll never buy another Maxima again given the declining quality factors.

Your revenge is best heard in excercising the power of consumerism -- or non-consumerism in this case.

gr

 

You story sounds way too familiar. In the first 3 months of owning our 2002 Maxima SE we lost the left side speakers. Took it to the dealer where purchased and they replaced - no hassles. Didn't realize that we weren't getting a NEW replacement part - but one that was reconditioned. Same as you, installation resulted in scratches on display & it appeared "foggy" but hey it worked and what do you want for something reconditioned. About six months later with the replacement stereo we lost left side speakers again, went back to dealership and went through the same process except this time now there was a rattle in the dash we couldn't figure out. In between visits to the dealership for the radios:
I had lost ability to adjust drivers seat up and down - had that fixed but they broke trim on bottom of seat and gouged the plastic door trim while doing so. Had to moan & groan about the damage they did to get them to repair (not replace) both trims.

 

BOSE I'm on #3 and i have had it for about 2 weeks. SO far so good..

 

Hit wrong button - wasn't finished

2) Had data dots installed on car headlights and when I picked up the car - there were obvious scratches/gouges that required yet another visit to the dealership
3)Complained to dealer about lack of power when accelerating - started noticing about 6 months into ownership - took to dealership 2x (even took paperwork from this website) before they finally agreed that there was something wrong (this was even after I told them that the check engine light came on -dealer told me know to worry about it - it stayed on for a week). They reprogramed the computer told me all should be fine - We just received recall notification for our vehicle stating problems with engine that could cause it to stop running without warning.

All these problems, we had 22K and our warrenty was running out = we had planned on this being a "keeper car" like our last one we had for 10 years.
We were getting worried but,
WE FINALLY FIGURED OUT WHAT TO DO -----
WE GOT RID OF THE CAR AND BOUGHT A 2004 ACURA TL!

 

You should go with a aftermarket CD/Mp3 player and stop wasting your time with all the pain of removing and reinstalling the bose system.

 

Trust me - I would have done that by now but the car is a LEASE so I'm not putting a dime into it.

I had a CD/MP3 HU in my previous car along w/ 2-12" subs. I sure miss that setup - I figure a high end OEM system would suffice - so much for that eh?

 

get a used 2000 year bose and be happy. the 6cd changer aint worth it.... it really isn't. seriously...