My Versa is my LAST NISSAN.........Nissan is too stupid to fix it.

[Knightro2]

It's no different than how I feel towards GM and Ford. Sure, they might make very decent vehicles, but because of my past experiences with them both, I'll never buy another. I'm not going to piss all over someone else's car because it's of one of those brands, however. To each their own.

I completely agree with your entire statement. My first truck was a 1990 Ford Bronco II....nothing but problems...had to even replace my driveshaft. How the hell does a drive shaft go defective?!? Had a 1998 Chevy S-10. Nothing but problems from day 1 and I bought it new. I will never buy from either of them again. But I am on a business trip right now as I'm typing this and I'm kinda diggin' my Ford Edge rental. But anyhow, I never told someone NOT to buy a GM or Ford. I just told them my past experiences and let them make their own choice. My coworker bought a GMC Sierra last year and loves it. To each his own.

The Versa is my second Nissan (I used to have a Xterra until the Oilman in the whitehouse made me trade it in) and I've never had any major issues. Each dealership is different. It's like calling customer service for anything...one person you get is a moron...you call back and get someone completely helpful and solves your problems.

[Versa Blues]

And now for the latest. The Nissan "girls" at corporate did their homework and confided in me that they are "powerless" over dealerships! Is it because they don't have adequate knowledge to contradict their swaggering, idiot technicians or that they just "don't have the balls". I'm sorry but the way it used to be, a corporate rep could step in and "tell the dealership what to do" in a dispute. Or they jeopardize losing the franchise. NISSAN obviously puts the dollar ahead of the customer. It WILL catch up to them.

Pardon my "sexism" here. But these dealerships need a corporate overseer capable of lecturing like a "dutch uncle" and able to call them out on their BS. The women I had to deal with at corporate don't know a wrench from a screwdriver. How can they question a "know it all" service manager. He's had a couple courses in business management (maybe a college degree). So of course he knows everything about cars. This is the 'sad reality' of it all. (And truth be said, I've known a few women who really knew how to turn a wrench. But not the "fascilitators" I spoke with at NISSAN.

NISSAN warranties are USELESS to me. This WILL undoubtedly be my last NISSAN! I WILL FIX the stinkin' thing myself. That way the "butchers" can't start the dominoes game with me. (You know...fix one problem, create three more). Don't think it doesn't happen!!!

The $95 for the part will be cheap insurance to keep their stinkin' hands OFF the car. I can replace the part in the time it will take me to drive to and from the dealership.

I will KEEP my Versa. I believe it will be the "Japanese (Mexican) Edsel" of our era. Just like the Edsel, it appeals to a limited market who think it is so ugly it's cute. It is also riddled with more than its share of mechanical problems (like the Edsel). But Edsels are worth a lot of money today...because there were so few of them. (Didn't NISSAN idle the Versa plant in Mexico already? I thought I read something to that effect somewhere?)

Well, I'm going on line to buy my strut bearing, open up my tool box, and get my life back......signing off and good luck to all of you at the mercy of your local "butcher shops".

[DejaWiz]

Sounds like you have a really bad local Nissan service department.

Sorry for your troubles, but you have some options:

1. Take it to a different dealer for service.

2. If they haven't already, make them put it in writing that they can not find a problem and the symptoms you are reporting are normal.... then tell them to prove to you that this is a normal occurrence by providing no less than three similar vehicles off their own lot with the exact same problem. Call corporate back and tell them that you will be filing for compensation of the repairs since the dealership is blatantly not honoring the warranty. You have automotive service credentials that can be of benefit when contesting non-compliance of a contractual obligation; use them.

Good luck and hang in there.

[brainguyus]

Sorry to hear about your issues. Every manufacturer makes a certain amount of lemons. The issue is how many?

Below is a list of Nissans I've owned to date. Each was purchased new and not ONE has ever been back for a non-maintenance repair or has ever presented so much as a rattle or squeak.

’90 Nissan Stanza (drove straight from the Buick service department and traded for this one )’92 Nissan 240sx’94 Nissan Sentra’96 Mercury Villager (re-badged Nissan Quest)’98 Nissan Altima’00 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab’04 Nissan Sentra 2.5l (unbelievably fast)’09 Nissan Murano’08 Nissan Versa

IMHO it's one of the most reliable and 'fun to drive' autos on the road.

If you want to hear about real nightmares, ask me about the 2 GM cars I've owned.

*Edit* ooops! There was one problem....after 3 1/2 years the cd player on the '04 Sentra crapped out. Nissan performed a 'good will' repair since it was out of warranty.

Modified by brainguyus at 2:55 PM 6/4/2008
Modified by brainguyus at 2:56 PM 6/4/2008

[srellim234]

How many is right. That's why we try to depend on places J.D. Powers, Consumer Reports, etc. to give us some overall reliability figures. Our family made the mistake of buying the Versa in the first model year without any longer term data or long term reviews from owners.

[frankoV]

Ya, but even JD Powers and Consumer Reports and Lemon Aid can get it wrong.

The told me to stay away from a K-Car, but since my father-in-law was a salesperson (only one I've ever trusted), took an three-year-old Reliant in on trade and sold it to me at cost (and took in the piece of you-know-what Olds that I was driving [I said I'd trust him, not that other people should]) I gave it a shot.

Drove it for half a dozen years (and across Canada a couple of times) and gave it to a friend who was newly married and didn't have a cent to his name or a vehicle. He drove it another half-dozen years and it was still running when he graduated to a car he could buy on his own (body falling apart by then, I think).

Depends on the car and on the luck of the draw.

[jacksan1]

Ya, but even JD Powers and Consumer Reports and Lemon Aid can get it wrong.

The told me to stay away from a K-Car, but since my father-in-law was a salesperson (only one I've ever trusted), took an three-year-old Reliant in on trade and sold it to me at cost (and took in the piece of you-know-what Olds that I was driving [I said I'd trust him, not that other people should]) I gave it a shot.

Drove it for half a dozen years (and across Canada a couple of times) and gave it to a friend who was newly married and didn't have a cent to his name or a vehicle. He drove it another half-dozen years and it was still running when he graduated to a car he could buy on his own (body falling apart by then, I think).

Depends on the car and on the luck of the draw.

Your experience does not make J.D. Power's, CR, and so on right or wrong. They are what they are, and you just have to make an informed decision. What these surveys do is to provide a certain amount of statistical information. That's it.

By the way, I am going to quote myself: You cannot rebut a claim of problems with cars by saying that yours is fine. That's like saying no one dies because I am alive.

[srellim234]

Absolutely correct, jacksan. We had one of those Aries-K cars they were warning everyone about. Our piece of garbage K-car offsets frankohabs good one.

An individual car or experience can sweeten or sour that individual to a particular brand. It's only when you put all of those individual experiences together that you get a general picture about the brand and/or model. Plus, no matter how much research you do, a small amount of luck with getting a "non-lemon" is still required when you pick that car up at the dealer.

[KimberKenobi]

Hey sorry for the thread jack but Kimber, when you get your alignment done, did they give you an exact number for your Camel toe? lol sorry, there was no other way to inject that into conversation. I'm a bastard. resume Versabashing/defending.

between 20 and 23 ;oD

[DejaWiz]

between 20 and 23 ;oD

[frankoV]

Your experience does not make J.D. Power's, CR, and so on right or wrong. They are what they are,

An individual car or experience can sweeten or sour that individual to a particular brand.

That's all I was trying to say.

To quote myself, Depends on the car and on the luck of the draw.

[Knightro2]

(Didn't NISSAN idle the Versa plant in Mexico already? I thought I read something to that effect somewhere?)

They idled the Mexico plant that produces Sentras and Versas for 7 days in March because of low US demand. That's not saying anything. There is low demand for every car in the US right now. Other manufacturers are idling plants as well. Atleast they aren't closing plants like GM or Ford.

[Versa Blues]

Look for a worn companion on the drive shaft and probably the bushing in the tailstock that carries that companion is worn out as well.

The companion is the part on the drive shaft forward of the u-joint that slides into the tailstock on the transmission. The running surface should be perfectly smooth. If it is not, it needs to be replaced. Same thing with the bushing. If a good companion slides into it and you wobble the companion side-to-side and there is still looseness, the bushing in the tailstock is also shot. To replace that bushing you'll probably have to remove the tailstock from the transmission.

You have to use judgement, because the output shaft also partially carries the companion. But if there's side to side movement, it will 'sort-of' feel like the output shaft is bending. If you find an old B-W or Rambler manual, they might even give run-out measurements to be measured with indicators. If your seals are failing so often you won't need the indicator's to ID the bushing. Oh, one more thing, if there IS wear on the companion, odds are 90% the bushing is beyond allowable wear also.

If I'm right, you owe me a coffee.

[Versa Blues]

Your fuel pump discharge check valve is bad. They'll have to change the whole pump though. Bring it in with the tank near empty if you want to do them a favor. Second choice...fuel pressure regulator. I'll bet on the pump.

[Versa Blues]

I stand a bit humbled here. DW is absolutely correct. In one of my earlier responses I did state the car is not all that bad. But the dealers I've had to tolerate have discredited Nissan. I can only base my opinions on my experiences. If I could road test a Nissan (assuming I had interest) like a used car and BUY it for several thousand less by waiving the warrantee, I would consider it. I just get so apprehensive and stressed when I have to deal with BS'ers who know less than me. Convince me I'm wrong and I'll be the first to bow down.

[Ever Victorious]

Look for a worn companion on the drive shaft and probably the bushing in the tailstock that carries that companion is worn out as well.

That sounds reasonable. the repair shop's explanation was that it was possibly building up too much internal pressure and causing the leak.

Quote »If I'm right, you owe me a coffee.[/quote]Ah, but we will never know. Like I said, it was just for bonus points. I have a 304 V8 (well, actually, bored out to 310) and a TC A998 transmission that will be going in when the time comes.

[Versa Blues]

Well, I'm back. And I don't drink coffee anyway. On your Rambler, if the companion and/or bushing is worn, the shaft wobbles as it turns and makes like a "scroll-type" pump (do a search for "Moyno Pump" and you will probably find an illustration that will make this clear). And it 'pumps' the oil toward the seal! If the drain port can't drain it back to the transmission fast enough, you know the rest.

So with regard to my problem (strut bearing), I did what several advised and took my Versa to another dealer for another opinion. Lo and behold, their technician acknowledged the problem, ordered a strut mount (I told him it was the bearing, not the mount), and this past Saturday I waited five hours while he replaced the mount (and for reasons originally unknown, packed the thickest, stickiest grease I ever saw into the strut bearing).

Well, the steering is smoother, the rumbling while going over minor washboard roads is diminished, but it still knocks profoundly dropping off speed-bumps at moderate speed. So the grease is temporary camoflage until it extrudes out. And then I'm right back where I was last week!

The mechanic DID say the bearing "was not available" ???? WHAT ????So he ordered the part he COULD get. I can buy the bearing on Line for $95. It is made by a company named SNR. And if I can find all this out, why can't Nissan?????

The answer is SIMPLE !!! NISSAN is DYSFUNCTIONAL. I sincerely regret EVER setting foot on their premises and should have stuck by my original 25 year boycott. I am 57 years old and probably won't be driving 25 years from now, so I'm sure Nissan doesn't give a damn about me anyway.

I wish they had gone in the 'dumper' back in 1999.

[Slither]

Imagine if you were Bentley/Aston Martin or lambo blues..?

I'm sure there's Range Rover blues...

I've had my V about 2 years. Okay I'm a car dunce but it's a dunces delight cause it's me third Nissy with no problems.

Its all a matter of luck like that 1 in 85 chance of being killed in an auto accident...

[Versa Blues]

And now for my latest round: I called the dealer who replaced the mount, explaining the problem was still there and the strut bearing for sure since the grease helped temporarily. The service manager called me back, ordered the strut bearing AND a new strut. It goes in Monday and I DO BELIEVE the repair will be proper.

Everything said by people here is very good info. Yes, I am condemning Nissan based on MY two experiences. We ALL live in an ego-centric world. I will still NEVER buy another Nissan.

The fact is: Select your dealer based on the performance of their SERVICE DEPT. Any idiot can SELL a car. It takes a professional to service it.

Bottom line: On Atlanta's East Side, Conyers Nissan SUCKS. Stone Mountain Nissan SHINES. But again, that's only MY experience and opinion. I'm sure Conyers HAS managed to fix a car...maybe two.

I'm not blowing my own horn here. But just to put things in perspective. I am overly particular. I am also a mechanical engineer who has restored English cars for a hobby in the past. I did it ALL, from engine overhaul to painting to upholstery. I did NOT farm out the "specialty" work like some restorers do.

It is tough for me to accept that, these days, technicians have to rely on whatever "the computer" tells them. Yes, you need a computer for control system diagnostics, etc. But the techician that can't diagnose a suspension "clunk" really needs to get some dirt under his fingernails Or find another profession.

I'll follow up next week with the final chapter when the "rolling junkyard" is finally quiet, I hope.

[brainguyus]

Since I started frequenting this board I've been really surprised at the amount of issues many people have with the car and their dealers. I was always under the impression that Nissan monitored their dealers closely due to the fact that every time I purchased a Nissan (nine since 1990) or had one in for service I was ALWAYS asked by the salesman or service manager about the experience before I left. They would tell me that I would be getting a survey from Nissan about my recent visit and that if I could not rate them as 'excellent' in every area to let them know before I left so they could make it right. This occurred consistently with three different dealers in Pittsburgh, Bill Gray (no longer selling Nissans), West Hills Nissan and Wright Nissan.

Maybe it's because out of those nine Nissans not one has ever given me a problem except for a CD player in my 04 Sentra (which Nissan replaced even though it was six months out of warranty!). If I had purchased a lemon maybe it would have been a different experience but somehow I can't believe that.

I'm not doubting those that are having problems. I wish you luck and I understand your frustration (believe me...I went through a much worse experience with GM....I won't drive a GM product even if I won it in a raffle!).

My advise is don't put up with BS from a bad dealer. If you can't get satisfaction after two visits don't wait to start escalating the process to the district manager or corporate. Believe it or not they are there to help you.

[VIsa Versa]

My Dh brought the V in to the service department for the auto up window on the drivers side. It stopped working. DH was a mechanic, and a 20 year veteran in the USAF. The Nissan service tech told DH that we didn't have that option! DH had to argue with the tech that we did indeed have that option, and the tech said well I went and checked a new V that we have on the lot and it didn't have that option So DH went and got out our window sticker that we kept in the glove box, and had to prove to him that we had a auto up window! The tech said I guess I was wrong. He never did apoligize to DH. They reprogramed the window, and it works fine now.

[kc5f]

The window reset happens when you disconnect the battery, I believe. Just open it and then close it again, but hold the button for 6-10 seconds after it reaches the top. You've just "reprogrammed" it!

[keanucosmo]

Thanks for the Info.

I bought both my 07 & 08 Versa's from Athens Nissan. I bought my 07 Versa from them because they had the only 6mt S model with ABS. It was a great experience. After my 07 was totaled, I requested quotes from 4 dealers. Again they were the most straightforward and least expensive.

My only service experience with a dealer was when the wheel cover tabs broke off on the 07. Since I work in Gainesville, I took it to Carriage Nissan. They replaced it under warranty in about 20 minutes.

If I need warranty service, I will consider Stone Mountain Nissan based on your comments