I just searched the org and found an old thread on the paint litigation dated 9/10/2003, so I thought I would start another thread. I was wondering what ever happen to the the paint litigation law suit against Nissan. I just finished washing my 03 Max with 3,700 miles and noticed I have about 2 dozen paint dents/chips. I drive 90% city roads (less than 45 MPH), so paint chipping on my car should be minimal, but it is not. Here is a copy of the email I sent Thanasides, Zalkin & Acero:

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Is it too late to complete the attached documents and join the class action law suit against Nissan? At the time of receiving the original email my car was only 2 months old with just a few paint chips. Now its 7 months old, I have 3,700 miles on the odometer, drive 90% city roads (less than 45 MPH) and have 2 dozen or more paint chips. Most are "dents" in the paint. In other words, they have not broken through the paint, just left a nasty looking dent. I have about 3 actual paint chips (actually see black). Regardless, for a vehicle driven primarily in the city, this is not normal and I'm really upset about it. Furthermore, my wife's 2002 Jeep Wrangler has 14,000 miles and has maybe 2 or 3 paint chips, no paint "dents" and the vehicle has been off road several times! I had a 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada before this that I drove on the same roads. After 8K miles, I had one paint chip (rock flew up from another vehicle, bounce off the road and landed on my hood) and no paint "dents".

Under the circumstances (city driving), I could understand if my 2003 Maxima had 30K miles and 2 or 3 paint chips, but it only has 3,700 miles. There is defiantly something wrong with the paint.

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Does any one else know the status of this law suit? I'll post an update on this situation upon hearing back from Thanasides, Zalkin & Acero.

 

I guess the law suit is still on. I contacted Thanasides, Zalkin & Acero to find out if I could still join the law suit and here is what they had to say.

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Not too late at all. Feel free to sign the attached documents and fax them
back to me...

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I plan to call them tomorrow to get more information and find out what my responsibilities are. I'll keep everyone posted.

 

Someone care to fill me in on what this is about? I have a 2k GLE, is it applicable to me? I'm pretty hacked off at Nissan over the ignition coils and other TSB things that they wouldnt fix. I bought my car used, 1k miles out of warranty. Thanks for the info!

 

I sent an email to Nissan customer service requesting information about the paint problem. Here is a copy of the email I sent them.

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Is the paint on my new Nissan Maxima covered by warranty? I have about 2 dozen paint dents and chips along the front clip. The car has 3,700 miles, I drive 90% in the city (less than 45 MPH) and do not tail gate. Because of all the paint dents and chips, the front end is beginning to look old (and the car is only 7 months old). Is the paint covered under warranty? If so, does Nissan use stronger paint or will the same paint be used? If it's the same paint, will my car be covered with some sort of clear film protection? According to Maxima.org, this paint issue is a known problem (I wish I knew this before I bought the car) and there's some civil suit being filed or is filed against Nissan. Can you comment on this?
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After not hearing from them in 2 days, I sent them another email. BTW, its unusual for Nissan customer service to be so slow in responding. Here is a copy of the second email.

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On Oct. 26th, I used this online utility to ask Nissan a question regarding my warranty and paint. How long does it usually take to get a response? In the past, it has taken only a few hours. Unfortunately, I do not have a copy of the original email, but it was in regards to whether paint on my 2003 Nissan Maxima is under warranty. I've owned this vehicle for 7 months and have 3,700 miles on the odometer. I drive primarily (90%) city streets and now have about two dozen paint dents and chips. There is obvious a problem with the paint on my vehicle. I've owned five other new vehicles in the last 8 years and none of them had this problem with the paint (and driven on the same streets). Furthermore, according to other resources on the web, this problem is wide spread on all 5th generation Maxima's. Has Nissan addressed this problem and issued a TSB? If so, what's the TSB number and what is being done? I would hate to find out my car requires a paint job.
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Today I received a response for both emails. Here a copy of the response to the second email (I received at 11:58 AM).

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Thank you for contacting Nissan North America, Inc. and allowing us the opportunity to be of assistance.

Thank you for your e-mail. The paint is covered by the basic warranty 36 months or 36,000 miles. Please contact your local Nissan dealership's service department for inspection of the vehicle's paint.

If you have any further questions or comments, please feel free to call us at 800.NISSAN 1 and refer to file # 4316268.

Sincerely,
Joseph S.
National Consumer Affairs
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Here is a copy of the response to the first email (received at 1:13 PM)

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Dear Mr. Lucyk:

Thank you for contacting Nissan North America, Inc. and allowing us the opportunity to be of assistance. I do apologize for delay response.

We recommend that you contact or visit your local Nissan dealer to make an appointment to have your vehicle inspected.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our Consumer Affairs department at 1-800-647-7261 x 3783 and reference file 4316443.
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Bottom line, I guess if the law suit does not work out, we need to visit our dealership and demand the car be fixed. Besides, its covered by our basic 3 year, 36 K mile warranty!

 

can u send me copies of the forms? I just waxed my car today and noticed a bunch of little pits in it. Also, the paint felt like crap, even after a nice waxing. So yea, I would like to get in on this law suit also.

 

I turned in the form a looong time ago. Haven't heard nothing since. I'm pretty sure nothing is going to come of it. I have hundreds on little rock chips on my front end and on the sides of my car near the bottom of the rear end doors. I'm suprised they said it's covered under regular warranty. When I talked to one of the reps they told me it's "tear and wear"....same thing the dealership said. Try going to your dealer and see what they say.

 

What does your paint feel like. Mine has a funny feel also... like there is a thin film of dust. It is rough to the feel, it looks fine but feels funny. I've had a couple of major chips on my hood and am very curious about this litigation. Anyone have the forms?????

 

Forms anyone?

 

Go to the law firms website (http://www.tzalaw.com) and click on the litigation link on the left. Choose Nissan Paint Litigation and fill out the contact form. The law firm should be in touch.

 

To all of you trying to get Niaan to repaint your car, Good F'in luck! I called Nissan Consumer Affairs and told them of my dilemma, received a case #, made several appointments to see the regional paint guy only to have him say "sorry it looks like you drove behind a truck that was tossin' up some rock chips. Nissan can't possibly repaint this." I then showed him the Max.org thread to inform this brainless s***bag that I don't drive behind trucks tossin' rocks. No Go. He told me to go and join the class action suit. They don't care. Nissan is not the only car maker out there.