I'm going to see if I can get some additional attention on this issue... hold tight.

BTW, if any of you are on Twitter, feel free to RT my last tweet (regarding this matter).

Hi guys,

Wrote the following e-mail to The FL Attorney General's Office:

Safety hazard presented by the melting dashboards in Nissan's Altima 2008 & 2009 models being experienced by owners all over the State of Florida, including myself. Nissan seems to have put out defective dashboards which melt and create an extremely reflective surface that prevents the drivers from being able to see the road, while driving in luminous conditions. This is NOT a maintenance issue on the part of the owners and there's no way to fix it with any product out in the market, the only option seems to be a dashboard replacement. There are at least 70 documented cases just in the state of FL. It seems that FL has been the most affected; in fact, it became somewhat funny at one point in the forums, until people realized it wasn't just two or three people who had used the wrong product on their dashboard. A few other owners from CA, TX & AZ have reported the issue, including people in other states that bought their car in FL. New cases being added constantly to forums like NICOclub.com, FB, and the Safrecar.org complaint website. I am contacting you in hopes that you will intervene, because Nissan is refusing to acknowledge the safety hazard these melting dashboards represent. Our hope as consumers and Floridians is that Nissan will take responsibility for their defective and hazardous product and that they will fix the issue by paying for the costs of replacing the dashboards in the vehicles affected, including mine. We would like to have a resolution, without having to take individual or a class action suit, all we want is to drive our vehicles safely. However, we are compiling a list of owners and vehicles affected by this problem. Please take a look at this issue and help us get Nissan's attention before someone is hurt or loses their life.

Here are the sites where you can read about the issue and what others have already done in terms of trying to resolve this with Nissan directly.

my-dashboard-is-melting-t569582.html

http://www.carcomplaints.com/Nissan/Alt ... ting.shtml

Twitter: @NICOclub

https://www.facebook.com/nissanusa/post ... 8385130375

Here are just a few of the complaint IDs filed through safecar.org:
10563726,10561529,10563116,10560736,10547222

I and others have filed complaints with safecar.org, nissanusa without a resolution, so now we are making your office aware of the issue and appealing to you for assistance in getting a fair and responsible resolution from Nissan USA.

Regards,
Ruby Gutierrez
Nissan Altima Coupe 2009 Owner

I also wrote to NissanUSA via their website, similar e-mail:

Safety hazard presented by the melting dashboards in your Altima 2008 & 2009 models being experienced by owners all over the State of Florida, including myself. You put out defective dashboards which melt and create an extremely reflective surface that prevents the drivers from being able to see the road, while driving in luminous conditions. This is NOT a maintenance issue on the part of the owners. There are at least 70 documented cases just in the state of FL and new cases being added constantly to forums, FB, and the Safrecar.org complaint website. I am contacting you in hopes that you will finally acknowledge the safety hazard these melting dashboards represent and that you will fix the issue by paying for the costs of replacing these dashboards in the vehicles affected, including mine. We would like to have a resolution without having to take legal or PR action. However, we are compiling a list of owners and vehicles affected by this factory defect, which we will be forwarding to The Florida State Attorney's Office for review. Please take responsibility of this matter before someone is hurt or loses their life.

Nice work, Ruby.

Let's keep reaching out to folks... some people may not be aware that others are having the same issue.

I'm wondering what it is about FL that's skewing the numbers of occurrences... and why nothing has been done in OVER a year.

C'mon Nissan - get your act together.

RubyGtz wrote:
Hello Neonkiss,

Would you mind forwarding me the data you've complied? My e-mail is [email protected]

Cheers,
Ruby

Ruby,
Please check your posted email address. I sent the data but is was returned as undeliverable

It may be too large for some email servers... If you guys would like, I'm happy to host it here as a file that can be accessed by other Alty owners, and continually updated.

Same problem here in AL. The melting started about a year ago. When it gets really hot, the dash will come off on my fingers if I touch it. Car was new when I got it.

A Nissan rep looked at it today and claimed that I must have put something on my dash that reacted with components of the dash when exposed to extreme heat. I haven't put anything on it. He said Nissan would not replace it.

Just filed a complaint on https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/

AZhitman wrote:It may be too large for some email servers... If you guys would like, I'm happy to host it here as a file that can be accessed by other Alty owners, and continually updated.

Post a link or email address and I'll send it.

kelauho wrote:A Nissan rep looked at it today and claimed that I must have put something on my dash that reacted with components of the dash when exposed to extreme heat. I haven't put anything on it. He said Nissan would not replace it.

Did you get the employee's name?

I'd be curious to know if they were TOLD to say that by Nissan, or if he's playing "Junior Petrochemicals and Plastics Engineer." Either way, I'd love to call him out on it.

Clicking the link below will download a copy of all complaints filed for the 2008 Altima.

Special thanks to member Neonkiss for procuring this and highlighting the complaints pertaining to the melting dash.

Nissan Altima Dashboard Issues Database

Does anyone know or have connections to find out who manufactured the dash on this vehicle? I'm almost positive that Nissan dose not have their own injection molding equipment and subs this stuff out. I would like to here from the manufacturer.

Trying to track that info... Feel free to RT latest tweet on this matter: https://twitter.com/NICOclub

Just got an email with a survey about my experience with Nissan's Consumer Affairs.

So I told them...
I contacted Nissan about an issue with a melting dash on my 2008 Altima. Within 3 days I was contacted back by consumer affairs and was told they were not able to help with this issue. The NHTSA has logged over 100 complaints about the melting dash on your vehicles and all service managers have seen this occur. Webpages on Facebook, Twitter and NICO club have lengthy discussions about this topic also. You guys are really taking a beating on this one over social media and yet Nissan turns a blind eye. Shame on you! I even purchased the Nissan Security + Plus Preferred warranty that was suppose to cover everything that the original warranty covered. But yup, you guessed it, that was also a crock of sh*t as you denied the coverage under warranty. The funny thing is, they told me that if it was less that 3 years old it would have been covered under the original warranty. Lies, cheat and deception appears to be your business model.

Here I am thinking my car is the only one doing that! lol But yup, 2008 2.5 coupe live in Miami as well and its a problem. . . Embarrassing how every time i go to the car wash and the guys keep trying to clean it lol

Driving the car this morning was like playing that game "Find Waldo" while looking for stray pedestrians on the sidewalk or cyclist in the roadway.

How does Nissan say this is not a Safety issue?
This is the view when driving the vehicle.



Here is where it gets tricky at intersections. Do you see Waldo?

Same picture only enlarged
There he is...

Decided to tackle the replacement of my altima dash on my 2008 coupe last weekend and I gotta say it came out great. I'm one of many who were affected here is south Florida (I'm in Miami) who's dashboard suffered from the melting problem. Picked up a replacement dash at the dealership for around $1200. Its a shame that Nissan is not going to do anything about this manufacturing defect, so I just ended up taking care of it myself. Took me about 2-3 hours to do the whole thing. Ive attached a few pics of the before and after to check out!

New Dashboard




Removing Trim under Steering Column


Melting Damage on Previous Dashboard


















Removal of Radio and Glove Compartment


Old Dashboard Removed






New Dashboard Installed






thats my baby

Well done.

Very uncool that Nissan is actively choosing to dismiss this issue.

I've spoken with one of my contacts at the Smyrna plant, and they're aware of it - but they're also telling me that management is ignoring it.

It would appear that 100 or so complaints, out of the likely millions of Altimas sold in the US, is no more than noise in the field return analysis. Its probably such a small percentage of complainers that they can ignore it and move on. It would appear that they have already fixed the issue in future versions of the same part.

Its extremely annoying, and its only a matter of time before someone gets hurt (or worse). The pictures posted by Neonkiss are extremely telling and accurate. But Nissan likely feels that it is a cosmetic issue, and every dealer service rep uses the same "you must have used some chemicals on it" line of crap. I doubt that's coincidence...

I can only recommend - just keep pestering them about it. Make your voice heard. They have to address it sooner or later. Keep escalating the issue. Its not a coincidence that ALL the 2008 cars in the south are exhibiting the same issue. They just weren't ready for it, and its going to cost them a ton of money to make it right.

joeyarcay wrote:Decided to tackle the replacement of my altima dash on my 2008 coupe last weekend and I gotta say it came out great. I'm one of many who were affected here is south Florida (I'm in Miami) who's dashboard suffered from the melting problem. Picked up a replacement dash at the dealership for around $1200. Its a shame that Nissan is not going to do anything about this manufacturing defect, so I just ended up taking care of it myself. Took me about 2-3 hours to do the whole thing. Ive attached a few pics of the before and after to check out!

Do you have a DIY on replacing it?

2007 Nissan Altima with melting dashboard in Florida as well.

Looks like this might not JUST be a Nissan issue: http://www.wptv.com/money/consumer/driv ... a-vehicles

I'm from south florida as well... Please everyone go on the the national highway traffic safety administration website and place a claim. Once we have a lot of complaints they have to do something for us. I also have a 2008 Nissan Altima coupe with a melting dashboard that Nissan will not do anything about. If they get many complaints they will have to recall the product. It is a safety hazard that needs to be address immediately before someone gets hurt!

Pamc920 wrote:I'm from south florida as well... Please everyone go on the the national highway traffic safety administration website and place a claim. Once we have a lot of complaints they have to do something for us. I also have a 2008 Nissan Altima coupe with a melting dashboard that Nissan will not do anything about. If they get many complaints they will have to recall the product. It is a safety hazard that needs to be address immediately before someone gets hurt!

Welcome to NICO!

This is a good point - a few people on a forum might not be able to generate a lot of steam on this issue, but enough of you going to NHTSA could get them to fight this battle for you.

It will take time, but it needs to happen.

I too live in Florida - Sarasota - and have a 2008 coupe with a melting dashboard. $1200 to replace at the dealership. Are you kidding me?!!

If you like your car and plan on keeping it. Just buy a new or used dashboard. The reality of the matter is, you're going to take a hit for the dash if you attempt to sell your car privately or if you trade the vehicle in. You can expect a buyer or dealership to reduce a purchase/trade price by the cost it would take to replace the dashboard. A class action lawsuit will probably be the most effective method for getting Nissan to replace the dash at this point. Consider organizing a campaign with other Altima owners in Florida that have the same problem. The excessive heat and humidity must exceed the dashboard's tolerances. We have the opposite problem here up north, with dashboards cracking prematurely due to the deep cold winters we get.

Same problem here, melting dashboard 2008 Nissan Altima! I live in Central Florida. Anybody get anywhere with Nissan on this?

Ok I searched this problem over and over, there are hundreds of complaints on this melting, cracking dash thing around the net. Mostly on the 08s and 09s, seems like most are in Florida, maybe because it can get hot and humid. There are quite a few complaints on this site, http://www.safercar.gov/ . At this link, fill in the car info. http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchSafetyIssues . I checked with the dealers in Pinellas county and $2500.00 is the price I was quoted to replace it, don't think so. The alternative it to get the dash recovered. If anyone knows someone who recovers dashes in Pinellas county, please let me know.
Thanks, Dave

You should be able to purchase an new OEM dash for around $1,200. Have you searched the likes of Ebay for a used dash?

I spoke with the reporter, Jenn Strathman with WPTV 5
Have heard from a lot here about trying to get attention in the media and now we have it. Please go the link posted above for her facebook page. Read it and reply to her. THIS IS NOT A DEAD STORY. She is still currently working this issue for a follow-up. Also I have up dated my spreadsheet and have found many more complains filed. Keep up the good work and lets really get something done about this as I believe Jenn is the watchdog we have all been looking for.

seldomseen, I think what I'm going to do is take the dash out like what joeyarcay did except instead of buying an OEM dash, I will have it custom covered instead it has to be cheaper than 1200.00 and it will be unique, don't know yet. Or just wait to see if all these complaints get something done. BTW I did put in my complaint at http://www.safercar.gov/.