In February 2004 Nissan sent me a notice for this recall http://www.nissanhelp.com/Ownership/.../NTB03-124.htm
The recall is for the camshaft and crankshaft position sensors to be replaced.

I took the car to Herb Gordon Nissan in Silver Spring to get the recall work done as well as an oil change. They did it all in less than 30 minutes. The service guy came out and told me the oil change was done. I thought it was odd he was done so soon and didn't mention anything about the recall. When I asked about the recall he just said it was done as well w/out elaborating. I was very suspicious but took his word for it.

Last month my car began showing the exact symptoms described in the recall. Turns out the camshaft sensor was bad. Since the recall was supposedly already performed, I had to pay for the new camshaft sensor to the tune of $300. I had this done at Tischer Nissan in Laurel, MD. The tech there said it would take longer than 30 minutes to replace the camshaft sensor...not to mention an oil change as well.

I am 99.9% sure Herb Gordon didn't replace any sensors. I have had another bad experience with them where they gave me my car back w/the same problem It had in the first place which they were supposed to fix.

Anyways, I called Nissan and spoke to Glenn Young to see if they could do anything but they say their hands are tied because they have to take the dealer's word against a customers. To cope with the frustration, I am venting on here. If anyone has their 2 cents they wish to add or would like to share a similar situation, please do so. Thanks for taking the time to read...I feel better now.

 

My suggestions:

Get revenge (or at least try). Go to the dealer rater dot com.

Also try contributing to the Rip-Off Report, which can be found on the bad business bureau dot com.

 

I think there's also a "rate a dealer" section on this website. I would paste your post there too.

 

why didnt you take it back to the same dealer and make them fix the problem???

 

Didn't see Herb Gordon already listed on dealerrater.com but I might add them.
I'll look into the BBB. Thanks for the tip.

Haven't been able to find this?

Good point, I didn't want to go back to them cuz they really pissed me off from passed experiences but in retrospect, thats what I should have done. In any event, their work is only guarenteed for 12 months and a certain number of miles...if I'm not mistaken.

 

As a tech, I can say that I side with you on this one....but if you had gone back and talked to the manager (assuming he was honest). They should have done a parts warranty at the very least. Also the dealer you took it to the second time should still have done something for you, recall completed or not. That just doesn't make any sense to me and is bad service by both dealers.

 

i've seen those sensors in the recall blown right after the recall. I think we had 2 or 3.
Parts warranty sounds right. Just explain the manager you did what Nissan asked you to and now you have a problem you never had before. Just don't blame them for not changing them. You will just make them avoid you. Dealers do that as soon as ppl get smart.

 

i had the recall done in july 04....all 3 sensors were replaced (1 crankshaft 2 camshaft pos sensors)...then in september, my car was running in limp mode with a CEL...my code scanner read the camshaft pos sensor front bank...I was wondering why it went out, when I swore that the dealership replaced it when I brought it in...

I made an appointment with the same dealer and when I went in, the service advisor told me they already performed the recall...I said well it went out on me...so your guys apparently didn't change it...the dealership gave me an attitude and told me they weren't going to do anything, until I paid up...the $85 diagnosis fee...

Furious, I called NNA and filed my situation...those guys weren't helpful for CRAP!! the CSR's gave me the biggest run around, transferring phone calls, telling me to leave messages....well after 3 weeks, I still could not get in contact with the person dealing with my complaint...even after numerous vmails...I just went out and bought the part myself for $50 and installed it myself...my car came back to life...after driving 3 weeks in limp mode (severe loss of HP, and slow engine response)...

Then at the end of 4th week, NNA finally calls me back...however I couldn't pick up my cell because I was in class...the supervisor tells me that she just received my situation and is willing to work with me

I've heard many bad stories about NNA...now I believe them...absolutely terrible customer service

 

I can second this word for word.

 

man this blows.. i'm just letting you guys know, i think most nissan dealers are like this.. that's why i'm proud of working at my local honda..
my co-worker just told me yesterday that his boy works at a nissan and they're not as 'legit' as they are supposed to be.. and that if anything happened to him now he could easiliy get a job over there
though if you worked there, they all look out for each other
but that's exactly what he said they do.. especially on warranties; just wait out the time and don't do the job.. and as i've read on the forums, various nissan dealers do this as well.. perhaps its the company as a whole
that's why i'm glad i'm in the auto business as well as my other job
and my next car won't be a spankin new nissan; still looking for my 88 300zx, or if i can't go project, i think i'll sway to acura

 

I have just picked up a 2003 SE Maxima - and I know the previous owner never did any recall work.

Does this recall apply to all 03 Maximas? I did cann Nissan yesterday to find out if my car had any recalls and the CSR said none.

Thanks

 

I try to make a habit of asking for all the old parts they switch out. I guess technically they could give you any part they have lying around, but at least it's proactive on my part and helps protect yourself.

If you're really sore about it, sue the dealership in Small Claims Court. SCC is a useful tool most people dismiss since litigations scares people. Claims in SCC are for less than $10,000 - you'll find that people are often happy to settle out of court since really, it's a pretty small sum of money. It's not like your'e suing for millions and they're going to battle you to the very end.

If nothing else, it's a serious threat and they're not going to just tell you to go away.

 

I'm pretty sure the dealer has to send back the old part to get credit for doing the work. At least that used to be the case.

 

This does not make a lot of sense - I am sure the dealers get paid by Nissan for in-warranty work. It is not like the dealers eat the in-warranty repair cost.

It is possible that the pre-negotaited rates b/w dealers and Nissan may be in favor of Nissan - but it should still make the dealership some money; it will be stupid for them to let the customer go with the hope that once they are out of warranty they will come back for work later down the road and will be charged full money.

 

I made an appointment with the same dealer and when I went in, the service advisor told me they already performed the recall...I said well it went out on me...so your guys apparently didn't change it...the dealership gave me an attitude and told me they weren't going to do anything, until I paid up...the $85 diagnosis fee...


So do you think its beter if i just do it myself...cuz i know going through the stealership is a hassale, and i got mine from carmax and they really suck on customer service

how long did it take you to install it???

 

depends on which one your looking at...the front bank is real easy...it's just right there when you pop open the hood....unclip a connector, and a 10mm bolt....the other one is the rear bank...i forgot if you need to remove the airbox or not...but it shouldn't be that hard either...its also a connector and 10mm bolt...you just have to remove whatever is in your way, this time

 

did this apply to all 2003s or just some VINs?

 

It really depends on the shop you go too. At my shop, I will jump on warranty just the same. In my mind set, its more money in my pocket...sure they don't pay as much as a CP ticket but its also a sure thing. Warranty doesn't really get to decline the work or diag time you spent on the car either. I'm by far the highest warranty tech in our shop doing near 50% of the total warranty in a shop with 10 techs. 81% of my total pay last year was warranty tickets...I know though that I'm not the norm as there are several tech's who will avoid it like the plague. I feel for your guys situations though because if you lived near my I would have gotten it done for you and maybe some other free crap just to make you happy. Its no wonder my Customer service rating has been high 90's for the last 6 years.