Murano differentials/drive shaft/powertrain problems!!

[ewhalen]

My Murano is 3.5 years old with 75k miles. I am faithful with maintenance but not at the dealership. I have a mechanic that takes care my vehicle. He has informed me that according to Nissan's own scheduled maintenance the differentials are not even supposed to be checked until 150k. Last Saturday, while on the highway, it started making a thumping sound. At first I though something was caught underneath. Lucky for me, I pulled into a parking lot. I turned the wheel and had someone look under and whap, something snapped. I had it towed via a flatbed to the local, independently owned Nissan dealer.

Monday morning I called and what a surprise. I expect things like breaks and other things to go bad but the drive shaft to break. They said it is because I did not take care of the differencials which caused an internal bearing to break the drive shaft which is part of the powertrain. Nissan only warrents their powertrain for 60k unlike most other car makers which are 75k, 100k and lifetime. The minimal cost would be $3,700 and only if they didn't find more wrong with it. My extended warrenty expired at 48k.

I called the Consumer Affairs department a week a go Monday and today (seven days later and 20 calls with unanswered messages) received my answer that they will not help me. I have been declined for goodwill by both the dealership and Nissan.

I've had three recalls on this car and the fact that Nissan will not stand by their product, is just too much. I need to know if there are other Nissan owners with similar problems and what, if any options I have.

I am scheduled to meet with the dealership manager tonight but I suspect he is going to try to get me to buy another car especially since I only have 4 lease payments left.

Thank you all for your time and assistance, they are greatly appreciated.

[elwesso]

So you broke a driveshaft or an axle???

I dont understand how that could happen. So you actually snapped the driveshaft that goes to the rear wheels (I assume you have an AWD model)?