I've been lurking on this site for a couple of weeks,as I became the owner of a 02 SE,6 speed.I loved the car at first sight,and more so after driving it.What a blast!
The car only has 30K miles and is fully loaded,to include the leather,Bose,Meridian packages.To my surprise,after a couple of hundred miles,the infamous SES came on! and because I had planned to install new tires(Toyo TPT's) that day,I asked the mechanic to troubleshoot the problem.The scanning of the ECU came up with a P0131,High heat rear oxygen sensors.In addition,they told me that each sensor would cost me around $130.Well,that got me thinking! why should I pay for this repair if I just purchased the car? called the Mercedes dealer in Lancaster,Pa where I had purchased the car and made them aware of the problem.Their reply was,bring the car to the Nissan dealer closest to you(Allentown)have them provide us with the repair estimate and we'll reimburse you!I should also tell you that the 3 year/36000 miles warranty run-out last month,and I didn't think of purchasing an extended warranty,until now.
Made an appointment for this morning and picked up the car a few hours ago.$550 dollars later,with two new oxygen sensors and an ECU re-programming,the light is gone!
This experience made me think that an extended warranty may not be a bad idea after all.
My question to you is: what are the most common failures on this particular year/model car? I'm talking expensive repairs,not the wear and tear usual suspects.I guess I've been spoiled,as I just sold a 99 Altima se(purchased new),with over 200K and the only repair required was an alternator,fully functional,but with a noisy bearing.
Please be kind! tell me that this car is trouble free,likes lots and lots of miles and doesn't talk back to you.
Thanks.

 

I would suggest you call up Nissan Consumer affairs. the ECU re-programn and 02 sensors are supposed to be covered by Federal Emmissions warranty which is 8yr/80k miles. Nissan will reimburse you for the money you spent. Make sure you tell the consumer affairs person to contact the warranty department so that they can confirm all this. they will at first tell you that its not covered, but it really is.
Does the car drive better after the ECU programming?

 

Is ECU reprogramming really necessary after replacing O2 sensors? I don't know enough about that...

Also, I feel like $550 is a lot for all that... considering the O2 sensors are $150 each... $250 in labor doesn't sound quite right... but then again, what do I know?

 

remember the dealer is going to inflate the cost to make more and more money.... cause no warranty, more $$$$ and more things to screw the customer........and the 02 sensors and the cat are covered by Federal Emmissions warranty which is 8yr/80k miles not the ECU reprogramming

 

Yeah, I was trying to give em some benefit of the doubt before engaging in the whole ALL DEALERS SUCK thing... haha... I think that slightly overpricing is okay, but that's a heckuva lot more and esp since its covered by the warranty...

 

bastages at the dealership told me that part of the labor charge is that hte car must sit for an hour or so after re-programing the ECU

 

Ah... that'd do it... bastages indeed...

 

Even with the SES light on,the car run very well.After the reprogram I don't feel any difference.As far as the 3 hour labor I was charged for the two sensors and the ECU programing,I intend to write Nissan and give them a hard time,but I'm not holding my breath...after having purchased 5 Nissans in a row,I should have the right to be heard!I'll report back!

 

My 2000 maxima is at Nissan now...code P0420.

I was told I need a new cat converter, and O2 sensors. Nissan is paying for the cat under 80K mile warranty...but they are charging me $400 for O2 sensors....It says in the warranty book that O2 sensors are not covered under 80K emissions warranty.

Will the car run better after all this work is done? Or should I tell them to replace the MAF too?

 

I had O2 sensors changed and ECU reprogramming done but that didn't improve anything.

 

i just replaced the rear o2 sensors and did a reprogram on a 2000 maxima with 74,000 miles on it under warranty.... nissan paid the whole bill.

you guys are getting screwed.

and letting the car sit for an hour after a reprogram? i can't even begin to imagine.


Caanan

 

Damn....I knew the dealer was screwing me on those O2 sensors....but what can I do? I have no proof its convered under warranty....I'm only at 45,000 miles too. I don't even understand how my CAT went bad already.