AZHitman, I need your help! Nissan is trying to screw me!

[seyath]

Ok so here's the deal. My '04 Maxima started making a funny noise, very similar to my old 240SX when the timing chain was eating the hell out of the guides.Well, I took her in and I was told first and foremost that I was irresponsible for letting the car go 4600mi since its last oil change. "I thought the book said to do oil changes anywhere from 3k to 5k miles...". I was told that all oil changes should be done at 3k on clock. Holy ****, I guess I'm an idiot then...Well, I was told by the tech they were going to do a motor flush ($150) and see if that would solve the problem, otherwise they might have to drop the chain tensioner and see what's going on. "Big money..." he tells me. I reminded him that I paid for the Maxima to be completely covered up to 100k mi... He didn't seem too impressed.Well, fast forward 24hrs, and I just off the phone with the head tech. Tells me my engine is shot. "What's wrong with it?""Seems like the top end is gone, but you might need a whole new block too. We are gonna do the flush and see if that helps, but it really looks like you need a new motor""So... if you already know I need a new engine, why are still going to charge me for a motor flush that is not going to do anything?"He didn't answer the question and went on."So, you say that the car is covered up to 100k mi?""Yes, it is.""And you bought the car used with 30kmi?""Once again, yes.""Well, the car has 65k mi now. I'm gonna need receipts for every oil change since you bought the car.""What? I don't have them. Who in the hell keeps all receipts for every oil change?""Well, you should.""So let me get this straight. If I had purchased the car brand new, and at about sayyy... 89k mi my engine seized, I should show up with a book worth of receipts over 4 years old?""Well, you wouldn't have that problem if you trusted Nissan technicians with your oil changes. We would have that information on record.""Too bad you guys charge an arm and a leg for an oil change and usually make me wait over 2hrs to get my car serviced when I can do the same routine on my 240SX with just hand tools in under 15 mins.""Well, I'll see what I can do. But I can tell you from now, you are probably in for a hefty bill 'cause we are not going to cover the new engine without all those receipts."

Greg, what the hell do I do now? Who do I call? I don't have any of those receipts. Between work, school and moving, I've done oil changes at a few different places and honestly I feel like I'm fuked. I need some help man. Anyone else feel free to chime in. I need as much advice as possible. Thanks guys. I don't know who else to turn to.

[HashiriyaS14]

Get a copy of your warranty contract and look for any information about reciepts. They might just be blowing smoke up your arse.

I've never heard of anything like that when it comes to warranty replacements. There's no obligation to get your oil changes done by the dealer or even done by anyone other than yourself on a normal factory warranty IIRC, and I don't see why that kind of extended warranty would be any different.

[AZhitman]

Get away from that dealership STAT. The tech or service advisor is full of crap and he knows it.

A motor flush for a mechanical sound? He should be fired.

He didn't ask for the oil change receipts from BEFORE you owned the car, did he? Busted.

Go get your car, thank them for their time, and leave immediately. Don't talk to anyone.

Find another dealership, and take it in for the same issue. Don't mention the other dealer or any of their nonsense.

In the meantime, review your warranty contract. In fact, post up who the underwriter is so we can look into that as well.

Hash is 100% correct, and if this douche thinks the "dealer techs" are any better at oil changes than you, or Jiffy Lube, I can show his moronic arse a laundry list of blown engines, overfilled crankcases, left-off oil caps, unchanged filters and even a car that left the dealership with no oil.

Hell, I left the dealership in my Q45 once with the oil light on. Why? Because they put in 4.25 quarts instead of 5.5. Big difference there, guys.

Anyway, once we're done, let's have you document the discussion with this "head tech" so we can pass it up the line to his Service Manager and Nissan North America.

[seyath]

So I should go and pick up my vehicle right now then. What if they are already doing the whole "engine flush". I'm gonna have to pay for that one right? And then just take it to another Nissan dealership?

[Swedish Mike]

That´s really weird. Our old Nissan´s like S13, Primera and Sunny got 9375 miles between oil changes and the newer ones (from 05) got 18750 miles between changes. Need to add that we only use synthetic oil here.

They use crappy oil or **** between their ears if they want you to pay because of the 4600 mile "crime".

89000 miles is nothing.

[seyath]

Oh, I don't have 89k mi. I have 65k, and I baby my damn cars. They are saying that the engine seized cause I didn't keep up with maintenance and stuff. He told me that Nissan engines are very reliable when maintained properly. I said I know they are... what about the QR25 then?

[dickie]

what a pissant. file a claim with the bbb about that specific dealership, then go in and ask to speak to whoever is in charge (of the whole operation, even if it is the owner).

make him aware of the situation and how you feel you were treated poorly, show him your warranty info (which im betting isn't conditional depending on oil change records) and in the manual where it says 3-5k between changes, then calmly demand your $150 back. if he refuses, let him know how unfortunate it is, and that you will be letting your lawyer, your local media and 80,000 of your closest buddies on the largest Nissan/Infiniti forum in the world know about your experience with his dealership.

simple as that.

[sbird1]

When it turns out that this guy is a jackass, sue him for whatever dumb services that you had to pay for. People like that shouldn't be allowed to live.

[Woogie]

Nissan's not trying to screw you, the dealer is. Is your warranty through Nissan? If so, I'd call them and complain as well.

[AZhitman]

what a pissant. file a claim with the bbb about that specific dealership, then go in and ask to speak to whoever is in charge (of the whole operation, even if it is the owner).

make him aware of the situation and how you feel you were treated poorly, show him your warranty info (which im betting isn't conditional depending on oil change records) and in the manual where it says 3-5k between changes, then calmly demand your $150 back. if he refuses, let him know how unfortunate it is, and that you will be letting your lawyer, your local media and 80,000 of your closest buddies on the largest Nissan/Infiniti forum in the world know about your experience with his dealership.

simple as that.

PRECISELY.

Well-said.

Let's get that noise resolved first though!

[seyath]

Ok, I just got back from the dealer. My car was on the lift unfortunately, as I had also agreed to had them take care of a recall and change out the rear crossmember. So by the time I got there there was a mechanic messing around with the rear suspension and another draining fluids from the engine. Crap.I walked in, and he told me that he'd have to see how the car sounds after the service, and he'd call me as soon as that was completed. I also stopped back at the Nissan dealership where I originally purchased the car from, as I have made friendship with a couple of salesmen and the guy in charge of the warranties. Greg, he told me the same thing you did. Get your car the hell out of there ASAP. He told me that in a close case, where there is evident abuse of the vehicle, the dealer may request all service records, even those done outside of the dealership. I told him that I also enjoy doing my own oil changes, and I sure as hell don't keep the receipts for every oil filter I buy. So he told me to get the car out of there primarily, then bring it over to them, and they would take a look, to see exactly what is going on. I'm going to call Nissan HQ to request a full copy of my warranty as I have both policy numbers now, since when I moved from NY to NJ I misplaced the damn thing, and now I can't find it.

[AZhitman]

Good deal - We're off to a good start.

[NSR_s30]

What a nightmare.. I'm glad I know a lot of the guys at the dealership here... Hopefully you'll be able to get everything resolved without having to pay anything to serious.

[JustinStrife]

I hate Stealerships. At least in San Diego, you'd be hard pressed to find a good one, for any of the car companies.

[Jesda]

I despise Nissan (as a corporation). They've lost their grip on quality control and customer satisfaction and allow North American dealers to treat loyal customers like dirt.

I hope Carlos Ghosn gets HIV and dies.

Best of luck to you. Lots of good advice in this thread.

[IanS]

I think the getting the car to the dealership where you bought it is a good thing, it sounds like they will take care of you. I think the reason you had such a problem with the other dealership is a bunch of techs from a GM dealership ended up working at Nissan, I would find out who hired those guys and pee in his coffee, just kidding, good luck with your car, I hope you get everything resolved.

[Redevil]

Just recently a mechanic (if I dare say) at a Toyota dealership forgot to tighten the oil drain plug on a brand NEW avalon. Ended up costing the dealership a new motor for $5k. Surprisingly the guy is still employed. lol

[Florida240sx]

Because it's a tax writeoff. Also there was no lawsuits from it. As in if the brakes weren't bled.....

[Oatmealman]

. I said I know they are... what about the QR25 then?

hahahahah QR'S reliable,you gotta be kidding me,their about as reliable as a german car's electricals.

[Florida240sx]

I plan to become a tech veyr soon. Go back to school Monday....Probably be one of my last nights on nico at late.

[audtatious]

BTW, you realize we get pretty good coverage on the iternetz. A nice article concerning how certain dealerships try and screw customers would be pretty interesting. We could actually start with your experience at their dealership and mention their name. I'd tell them to expect it being seen by a few million viewers on the NICO homepage

[dickie]

This sort of thing happens so often I dont believe you would have a hard time at all getting some info or input from others who have been shafted.

Examples:

- NSX totaled when dealer tech takes for joyride. dealer refuses to replace the car initially but caves under pressure from the owner's lawyer and the NSX community.

- At least ONE 'Vette owner has been shafted by their dealer for the same type of thing.

- Pretty much anyone who buys a QR-equipped vehicle from Nissan. I have only ever heard stories about those members' dealers turning them away for repairs related to recalls from the poor design and engineering of that engine.

[ddgsxr504]

The tech who works at said crappy dealership is full of $hit.

The maintenace schedule for an oil and filter change is 3,750 miles on all 2004 and newer Nissan vehicles, not 3K straight up.

I hope you fry their sorry @sses. I put a hurt locker on the local BMW dealership back when I had the 01 325i. lol

[seyath]

OK, Update!I just picked up my car from the dealer. Following the instructions from Greg and the dealer I originally purchased the car from, I got the Maxima the hell out of there in a big big hurry.So I asked him what's the deal. Conversation went as follows."Your engine is shot""So I heard. What died? Rod gave out? Pistons are gone? What's the deal?""No, it's your top end.""Ok, what's wrong with it?""Can't say for sure. Lifters are tapping like crazy and your chain doesn't sound good either.""Ok, and how you think this situation started?""Oil pressure""So my oil pressure drop that much that it would damage internals?""Yeah. Either the oil wasn't changed for a long time or you've been using crappy oil.""Oh I see.""Yeah, and you need to get me all those receipts otherwise there's no chance in hell I can fight with Nissan for a new engine for you.""Ok, can the car be driven?""Yeah, pretty much the same as when you brought it in"And I left. So I was charged and I paid $131.66 for an oil change and engine oil flush (At the labor rate of $92/hr ****ing thieves).

Now I am left with three questions.1. If the oil pressure dropped that significantly, that damage was ensued to my valves and lifters, why the hell my check engine oil light never come on?2. If he knew that the engine was shot, why the hell would he go ahead and perform $132 worth of labor, knowing that it wasn't going to solve anything?3. Whilst there, the dealer also took care of the recall with the rear crossmember. The whole thing was replaced. I get out of the dealer and my car feels very steady, but in order to go straight I need to have the wheel turned 35-40 degrees to the left. So I guess they didn't even bother aligning the freaking wheels after they replaced the crossmember.

All in all I am extremely dissatisfied with the customer service level.Just for the record, the dealer in question is:O'Brien Imports. Nissan Sales & Services.801 Lafayette AvenueHawthorne, NJ 07506

Next step is to take the car in to the dealer in Ramsey, NJ. This is where I originally purchased the car and we'll see if they take care of me or if I need to involve Nissan HQ. Thanks again for all the support guys, and thanks to Greg for all the help. We'll see what happens next.

[chicos240]

There are so many crooks out there. Chalk this one up to an ignorant tech and maybe a sleazy one also. I hope you get things resolved. Im glad you removed your car from that shop and saved yourself more headaches.Even though it would have been fun to have 80k of your closest friends call the dealership all day everyday until they wised up

[seyath]

Ok, Update #2.I have just called Nissan Customer Service.Haven't commented on the awful customer service from O'Brien Nissan yet, but I requested a copy of my policy to be sent to my house again.

Ref. # 5827531 Sandra Hamilton x51925

(I'm gonna use the forum as an ultimate mean to keep track of all of this. Hope you guys don't mind...

[S13FX]

There are so many crooks out there. Chalk this one up to an ignorant tech and maybe a sleazy one also. I hope you get things resolved. Im glad you removed your car from that shop and saved yourself more headaches.Even though it would have been fun to have 80k of your closest friends call the dealership all day everyday until they wised up

Hey I say we still do it.

Make out a plan of attack and execute it something for instance along these lines.

Call them up and say, Hi this is So and So you can even make up a name. Then tell them you Belong to one of the biggest Nissan Infinity club on the Internet, and ask to talk to a rep.

Then proceed to tell him that you just wanted to let him know that you have called Nissan Corp, and let them know what poor customer service one of our members got, and how they tried to cheat him, and how everyone on the forums already knows about their bad REP.

You should also direct him to this web page if they don't believe you.

Now when only one person calls they will more then likely say what ever. But I bet once we start getting into triple digits they will be freaking out.

Let me know if anyone is willing to get on this. And Il even make the phone call right now.

[dickie]

me too.

[notslow]

Let me know if anyone is willing to get on this. And Il even make the phone call right now.

YA!!! International hate calls. COUNT ME IN!!!!

This is outrageous. Nissan needs stricter policies and procedures to ensure that their dealers are meeting their standards. Furthermore, they need more efforts to actually ensure that those dealers are meeting their customer service targets.

G'luck getting everything straightened out with the other dealer.

[WI_S14_Goldie]

Wow...that's ****ed up! Tried taking my 95 240 in for a recall on the knock sensor and they said their was nothing they could do, since it's been over 10+ years...can they do that? This was also at a nissan dealership...