I've got an appointment to set up on Monday to have my 2k3 SE looked at for the following problems:

1) Dim SES Light
2) Alignment
3) Brake vibration at 60+ MPH

I already brought it in for 1&2. They fixed the alignment the first time (but it is still pulling). With the SES light they said "We've gotta call Nissan NA to see if we can replace it". I wasn't really bothered by that but now they say they can't order the part. They have to diagnose it again, then order the part if they find that that is the cause.

Also, he said that to fix the brakes the rotors will most likely be cut. No new rotors, no new pads. I've got 2200 miles on the car so I don't think it was me who did this. I argued that they are taking life off of the brakes but he said "It's just thousandths of an inch".

So what's the story? Am I getting hosed? I'm sick of bringing it to the dealer for a problem only to have them say "Bring it back, we've got to order the part". Also, I don't feel to warm and fuzzy about having my rotors cut with no new pads! He said it was "Nissan Policy no to replace rotors or pads" even though I recall having some people on the board who's dealers replaced them both.

Any advice would be appriciated!

 

First off, brakes and alignment are covered under 12K. Period. During the 12K period, you dont have to take crap them at all, it doesnt matter who they want to blame the first year, its their problem.

The service bulletins for brake judder specify new pads. Judder will cause uneven pad wear and you'll be sitting on warped rotors again pretty soon if not changed.

Cut rotors arent really a big deal, but what you will have are rotors that probably cannot be cut again. 1000th's of an inch isnt alot, except in a brake system :/ Often turning them a second time isnt an option, so that is the main issue there, that you'll be out of pocket for rotors should you need them turned outside of warranty coverage (12K unless Nissan extends the 2k/1 bulletin to cover your year too)

 

I think I know the break vibration he speaks of, Mine does it but only at like excess of 90mph when i start slowing down... I never cared much it just sounds weird. I suppose this is wrong?

 

That is typically how it starts...it will get worse at a wider range of speeds.

Yep, warped.

 

That's exactly my concern. There are several service writters at my dealership so it's hit or miss on who you get. Do we have a sticky for proof of the 12K thing or is it stated in my warantee?

Unfortunatly, the TSB doesn't cover my year it looks like so I'm SOL. I called Nissan North America to report my concerns and they said that they can document the problem and should my brakes wear prematurly they can readdress the issue. What ever happened to "The customer is always right"??? I'm getting sick of Nissan service already (with only 2200 miles!). I throw an oil change in usually when I go to the dealer to appease them for doing all warantee work but I guess that's not enough.

I wonder if I'm better off not getting the brakes done just yet? If they keep the pads on they are just going to warp again. Then I'm looking at new pads AND rotors

I've been waiting to put on my FSTB so they can fix my alignment problem *again*. My GF is getting me a RSB for X-mas so I want to have all the warantee work done first so they can't start pointing fingers.

I was so happy with this dealer (Habberstad Nissan, Long Island New York) when I first got the car serviced. Now I'm starting to get really annoyed.

 

Mine is more than a noise, it's more like they added massage to my heated seats! Who knows, they might charge me for this "option" that I didn't pay for!

 

If you dont have an extended warranty, be sure to keep ALL of your repair work papers. Yeah, they have all that stuff in their computer but they make you show them the paperwork most of the time. Once you have that in hand (like later at 20K when brakes arent covered) you can use the record of previous problems to make a strong arguement.

If you can get a peek at the bulletin regarding on-car rotor turning, it might specify new pads.

 

Your best bet is to just find a better, more competent, dealer.

If one team can't do a proper alignment for example, try another one and just don't go back!!

 

Yes you are getting hosed, it's not just you many of us have been there. You bought an exceptional car for under $30k, now you will dearly pay for it. Nissan seriously lowered it's QC standards on our dear 5th Geneartion Max, and yes you and I are paying fot it. It only gets worse with Nissan N.A., even when dealing with their headquarters, they're a bunch of disrespectful a-holes that will not stand behind their product. You will eventually have to wind up replacing those shifty rotors with aftermarkets, thereby dropping somewhere in the neighborbhood of $4-500 if you do it yourself. That price includes all four rotors and pads by someone like Stillen. It's a shame to have to spend so much on a car yet still have to spend even more repairing it. Welcome to the club.

 

Ummm...thanks, I think. Well, as long as this is not out of the ordinary. When I called NNA, they said I could have a case if they were to warp again. We'll see, but I guess down the line I'll end up with some new rotors it just kills me to spend the money on it.

Funny, you think you get such a great deal on a car but you either pay for it coming or going. I can't imagine a BMW dealer pulling this kind of sh*t!

 

SHIFT_TO A DIFFERENT DEALER

 

I've got an appt for Monday so I'll go through with this one. If I'm not happy with the results, I'll check out Smithtown Nissan. I've heard at least one .org member who said they have a good operation there.