My Instrument Panel/Console Died this Weekend :(

[Lapin]

I turned on my car on Sunday, prepared to turn up the heat and nothing. No Nav controls, no Stereo Controls no Climate Controls; only the screen and analog clock were functional.

Took it into Infiniti Gallery (NorthWest Auto Mall in Calgary...fantastic dealership and great staff) on Monday. Turns out there were multiple diagnostic errors and the circuit panel is dead. They have to order a brand new console from the other side of the continent and install it. Time frame: 7-10 days. Cost: $1200 plus installation.

The good news: I have one month left on my warranty...and it's covered. Also they repaired a seeping seal on my rear transfer case.

The bad news: They gave me a 2016 QX50 in White as my warranty loaner. DAMN YOU INFINITI! Why do you want me to spend my hard-earned money??!!

For reference, I have a 2012 EX AWD with 97,150 kms. I am curious to know if this has happened with any other EX owners. My search on this forum revealed this was an issue with the G's in 03-04.

My next question may best be posted in the Warranty forum. In light of what has happened, should I consider purchasing the Infiniiti Protection Plan (Full Bumper-to-Bumper, $0 deductible)? The thought has crossed my mind that I may have a "lemon" or at least at "lemon-scented" vehicle and this would help with some of the impeding repairs and maintenance that comes with a vehicle with over 100,000 kms. I do not know the price if the IPP. Or, do I put $2500 aside in a high-interest slush fund and hope nothing ever goes wrong or if it does, it's less than $2500.

Thank for any advice/feedback, especially from anyone who has an 11 or 12 with higher mileage.

[jakenbake]

I have a 2009 with 70,000 miles and I bought the extended warranty. Used it to have the front struts replaced and used it again to have the steering column replaced when one of the motors in the column went bad. Warranty has already paid for itself.

[CustomLowz]

I would definately recommend the extended warranty. Parts and labor are expensive, and if you need to use it, it will easily pay for itself.


As far as the "Lemon" part goes, i would NOT think the panel going out make the vehicle be classified as a lemon. Its a part failure, and it happens to everybody.

[NJGuy]

For this car, I'd probably start shopping for an extended warranty. While I don't like buying them, this is the first car I've purchased in which an extended warranty would have paid for itself.

My EX did have a couple of issues that I've had to cover on my own dime. The first few were tolerable money wise; however, I had a whopper of a repair bill at around 94K miles. In addition, there was another part failure while the car was in possession of the service department in which I was lucky that the dealer decided to repair for free. Had I purchased an extended warranty that lasted up to 100K, I actually would have been ahead financially.

I don't believe that these cars are inherently unreliable. To me it looks like a lot of the issues and problems that come up with this car tend to be more random and not a common recurring thing. However, like CustomLowz said the parts for this car and dealership labor are pretty pricey. It looks like if you have two semi-major issues that need fixing, the combined cost will likely either come close to or exceed the cost of the extended warranty.