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View Full Version : Am I the crazy one?



JZ67
03-01-2020, 04:50 PM
I'll try to keep the story brief.

My DD is a 2015 Nissan Pathfinder that I bought new in January of 2016.

I did all the research and compared against competing brands and the Pathfinder just checked more boxes for me. I read all about the CVT issues and I am sure I have read posts on here about how you are all hyper fans of the CVT. For the most part, all the information I read pointed to Nissan sorting out the issues with the CVT for the Pathfinder with sharp declines in issues after 2014. Just in case, I insisted on purchasing an extended warranty. The selling dealer sold me a third party extended warranty through Lubrico. I asked for a Nissan warranty and was told that they only sell third party extended.

Very early in the life, under 10K km, I started getting the dreaded CVT shudder. I took it to the dealer and they updated the software. This worked as I had no issues until I reached 164K km. Ran perfect and smooth and really is a joy to drive.

At about 80K km, my fan motor and bearing assembly let go - a common issue with this part. I took it into the selling dealer and this is the first time I learned that they didn't service the Lubrico warranty they sold me. In fact, the service manager had no idea what Lubrico was. This was alarming and the last time I serviced the car at this dealer - just a matter of integrity for me. This particular issue was serviced under good faith and at no charge to me because I had other issues with this service department. It was good of them to react to their previous issues in this way but I just couldn't get past the attitude of the service advisors and starting using another Nissan dealer for service. This service would have cost around $1800.

At 120K km, my alternator failed which cost me $1800.00 to repair.

At 164k km, I had a service engine light and mild CVT shudder. The P170F code was found which is an immediate transmission replacement at a Nissan dealer. This service was diagnosed by the servicing Nissan dealer who also doesn't honour Lubrico warranty. I contacted Lubrico and they sorted me out through a reputable service centre close by. Lubrico was decent and straight forward, as was the service centre. All things aside, the overall experience was good. The service shop tried everything before they simply agreed with the code. They ruled out all other possibilities first. The Nissan dealer didn't advise there were other possibilities at all. Just matter of fact said I needed a new transmission.

Lubrico would only cover the cost of a used transmission found at a scrap yard. If I wanted any assurances that the transmission was in some sort of good order, I had the option to pay the difference and have a Nissan factory rebuilt transmission that came with a 20k km/1 year warranty. Although I am sure this is standard, I think it is a weak warranty. Just my perception. I opted for the latter. Total cost of the repair $6000.00.

I decided to contact Nissan to share my perception about their build quality. The customer service person I was speaking with immediately thought I was trying to get them to cover the cost of the service - I strongly reinforced that I didn't want any financial compensation. I shared with Nissan that I have already had three major and costly issues with my vehicle and I really don't have any faith in their build quality. I am pretty well stuck at this point. My options are to keep it and hope for the best or trade at a huge loss. I asked Nissan to restore my faith and offer a better warranty than the 20k km offered.

They declined that and offered me a $100.00 gas card. They sighted that since I did not service the vehicle through Nissan that they couldn't do anything for me. Let's back the truck up a bit. Nissan dealer sold me a third party warranty that they don't service forcing me to go to an alternate shop. Now they use this as their get out of jail free card.

To be perfectly clear here, my issues is that I now feel that Nissan is of subject quality and of even less integrity.

I offered to go there and shove the gas card up the ass of the Nissan Canada CEO personally, but in a much more diplomatic way.

Am I nuts to expect that a young truck with reasonably low km would have so many major failures? Did I get what I deserve or am I delusional to expect that Nissan restore my faith? Before you simply say too bad, I ask you to put yourself in my position. The truck is young and regardless of warranties or good will situations, the service in the four years I have owned it is just shy of $10k. Do you think that is reasonable? The average cost to service a vehicle is noted at $500 - $700/year. I am 4 - 5 times that not taking into account regular maintenance costs.

BTW, all fluids were changed on time. On a recent service, I asked them to service the transmission and they said it wasn't due for a service yet. That was about 10k km ago.

bbriann
03-01-2020, 05:00 PM
Those repair costs are rediculas...normal 100+ per hour is going rates...that's same rate I paid for the last lawyer I used...I should been a mechanic instead of a nuclear operator....

RedSN
03-01-2020, 05:09 PM
Sorry about your troubles.

My experience with my 2016 Frontier has been the exact opposite. Granted I have less km’s on it than your Pathfinder, but the only issues I’ve had to date have been: one blown rear shock, and a corroded battery terminal. They replaced the shock under warranty and the battery terminal was a minor issue. I’ve tried a few dealerships so far, and have settled on Village Nissan near me. They seem adequate.

I got my Nissan at Midway in Whitby. Sales department was great. Best one of several I tried to buy a truck. Don’t know about the service department.

Armen
03-01-2020, 05:11 PM
I just wouldn’t have bought a CVT to begin with, especially from a manufacturer that has had so many issues with them early on. I say cut your losses.

RedSN
03-01-2020, 05:15 PM
I just wouldn’t have bought a CVT to begin with,
I didn’t want to say this, but CVT just seems like a poor solution to maximizing mileage. Okay for a snowmobile, not okay for a car IMO.

Doesn’t excuse the other issues he’s had.

Laffs
03-01-2020, 05:34 PM
Sorry to hear. Sounds like a nightmare to begin with. 3rd party warranty from a dealer? That's a red flag to me but maybe I'm naive. Pushing you to another shop is also a bit of a mindfuck.

I don't think your expectations are outlandish. We routinely run trucks up to 200,000 kms without much more than fluid changes/brakes/tires.

Sounds to me like mentally youre exhausted with the truck and the brand. I think it's time to move on from at least one if not both.

ZR
03-01-2020, 06:07 PM
Nephews Nissan with CVT was same shiat as yours, after fighting to get replaced under warranty, trans started to let go again just out of warranty with no relief from Nissan, dumped it and took the loss.

JZ67
03-01-2020, 08:08 PM
Sounds to me like mentally youre exhausted with the truck and the brand. I think it's time to move on from at least one if not both.

You in my head? To quote my email correspondence with Nissan. "I am thoroughly at my wits end...I cannot wait for the day that I can separate myself from your brand"


Media and social media shame campaign. Throw as wide a net as you can and try to get as many Nissan exec's on distributions.

In my last note to Nissan, I asked for the $100 gas card and told them I will make a Youtube video about my story and offer the gas card to the person that comments with a story worse than mine. I'm waiting for a reply or the gas card.

Zippy
03-01-2020, 08:11 PM
Those repair costs are rediculas...normal 100+ per hour is going rates...that's same rate I paid for the last lawyer I used...I should been a mechanic instead of a nuclear operator....

LOL!

Gr8Stang
03-01-2020, 09:42 PM
Sorry to hear the BS they are putting you through. My neighbour is on his 3rd CVT in his Altima. Brutal.

92redragtop
03-01-2020, 10:11 PM
A friend of mine had multiple issues with her Rogue - started early (under 100K) and now at 216K they last quoted her $4000 for an ABS module and speed sensor (her accelerator only works sometimes) - they also told her don't buy a used module because they were all bad! I guess they're trying to scare her into buying a new car. She's had MAF and coil issues, CVT issues as well plus a range of other items and the dealership she bought new at wasn't all that helpful (and repair quotes were high).

Harbinger
03-01-2020, 11:02 PM
Nissan lost like 40% sales past year I believe. Figures they are falling apart after the Renault Merger. Two pieces of shit make a larger pile of shit.

Harbinger
03-01-2020, 11:04 PM
Nephews Nissan with CVT was same shiat as yours, after fighting to get replaced under warranty, trans started to let go again just out of warranty with no relief from Nissan, dumped it and took the loss.

A friend of mine has his 2014 Sentra sitting in the garage. Contemplating selling as is ,taking a loss, or fixing it and getting rid of it. Over 4500 to repair / replace the junk CVT in it. Sad thing is, I warned him not to buy a used Nissan, which he did.

ZR
03-01-2020, 11:08 PM
Whats totally ridiculous, we have no lemon law here in Canada.
If it was me, ditch it before you add another 10k onto the cost of owning it, certainly not going to get more reliable with age.

JZ67
03-02-2020, 08:17 AM
I immediately started my search for another vehicle. If I pull the trigger, I take a $10k hit on trade vs outstanding balance on the loan. I cheekily asked Nissan to cover the balance of the loan and put me in a new car - I don't want another Nissan, just being an asshole.

Searching obviously shows some kind of flaw with every vehicle. I am looking for a mid size SUV. Not sure what I want but have searched a bunch of options - Jeep Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, Volkswagon Atlas, Toyota Highlander or Rav4, Mazda CX5 or CX9.

Clearly I haven't decided on the size I want this time. When I bought the Pathfinder, I needed something with a good amount of cargo space. The space requirements aren't the same. I still want 4WD or AWD as I do a lot of travelling and I like being more sure footed than less.

ZR
03-02-2020, 08:19 AM
If I was looking for an SUV, either Santa Fe or Tucson.

fast Ed
03-02-2020, 10:27 AM
Sorry for your bad experience, always tough to hear about people not getting looked after properly in this industry. As someone who has worked in the dealership world for a while, a few comments and questions. Was there a reason why the dealer sold you the Lubrico warranty instead of a Nissan warranty? (I'm assuming Nissan offers extended coverage as other manufacturers do). Typically there is more gross in an aftermarket wty than OEM for the dealer, but were you offered both and the Lubrico was less money, or were you never given an option? In my view most of the blame lies with the selling dealer rather than Nissan Canada for offering you a warranty that they don't honour, and maybe a bit on yourself as well for lack of due diligence and not asking enough questions with regard to details of the warranty being sold to you ... never assume! Regardless it sounds like that particular dealership isn't a great place to do business with if that's how they operate.

RedSN
03-02-2020, 10:46 AM
(I'm assuming Nissan offers extended coverage as other manufacturers do.)
Nissan ASP (Added Security Plan)

Laffs
03-02-2020, 11:05 AM
If I was looking for an SUV, either Santa Fe or Tucson.


Honestly really liking the Kia Telluride these days.

True Blue
03-02-2020, 11:13 AM
If I was looking for an SUV, either Santa Fe or Tucson.

Huge problem on both models with engine failures.

Quicksilver
03-02-2020, 12:59 PM
I had 2 Datsun(north American name of Nissan till around 1980) 510's in 1971 and 73. Great cars, but problematic brakes. Dealer and Nissan would do nothing about the problem because they discovered I raced both cars(rallys etc). This, even though they were advertising the cars nationally as racers and were sponsoring the Trans Am race series. then in the early 80's my mother in law bought a sentra. 3 years later they traded it because it was too much trouble..Fast forward to 2004 and we took the plunge to lease a new Murano. At the time my father in law and his friend both bought Maximas. all 3 were from the sale salesman and the same dealer. Had that car 80,000 km and never really enjoyed it.
The Murano had Rear end problems,. Brake problems. Poor fuel economy. Very uncomfortable lease turn in experience. Both Maximas had similar problems. The friend had to get a new transmission and rear axle.
What was worse: when you called for a service appointment they asked: infiniti or Nissan. If you said Nissan they "would call you back" sometimes 3 days later for an appointment. Just for an oil change. If you said Infiniti the service manager would come on and make you feel like a king.
After I got out of the Murano I swore never another Nissan. Well, never say never. last year my son got a used '16 Rogue. While he was away I took it in for an oil change. Same rigmarole. Took a week to get an appointment for an oil change.
We also had 7 Chrysler minivans. They were never particularly reliable, but we kept buying them becuase the service was always good and the prices were unbeatable. This first one(an 89) broke down on our first road trip to Floeida. Full load, 2500 kms on it(it was a week old) 3 little kids and a blown tranny in Tifton Georgia. The local dealer gave us a rental for a week and had a new transmission hand delivered from Detroit. The 95 needed a transmission as well, but it was already out of warranty, although they paid half of it. All 7 had brake problems. Never got more that 35000 km out of front brakes on any of them. The'11 was the most reliable otherwise.
In the meantime, since 1999 I, or my business, or my father in law have had 7 Mustangs; 1 F350, 3 F-250's, 1 F450, 2 F-550's, 3 Fusions, 1 Fiesta, 1 Ecosport, 4 F-150's and 2 Lincoln MKS's; plus I arranged 6 more F-150's for friends through Heritage Ford. This doesn't count 4 more Foxbodies, which were all bought used, and were highly modified. Total warranty claims amongst those 31 Vehicles: transmission in the Fiesta, and transfer case in the Lincoln.
When you need an oil change, you just drive in and they do it while you wait. no appointment needed. Pretty good record, I'd say. And the service departments were always helpful and friendly.
Warranty claims in all those vehicles: far less than expected. I would never willingly buy a Nissan though.

JZ67
03-02-2020, 01:34 PM
Sorry for your bad experience, always tough to hear about people not getting looked after properly in this industry. As someone who has worked in the dealership world for a while, a few comments and questions. Was there a reason why the dealer sold you the Lubrico warranty instead of a Nissan warranty? (I'm assuming Nissan offers extended coverage as other manufacturers do). Typically there is more gross in an aftermarket wty than OEM for the dealer, but were you offered both and the Lubrico was less money, or were you never given an option? In my view most of the blame lies with the selling dealer rather than Nissan Canada for offering you a warranty that they don't honour, and maybe a bit on yourself as well for lack of due diligence and not asking enough questions with regard to details of the warranty being sold to you ... never assume! Regardless it sounds like that particular dealership isn't a great place to do business with if that's how they operate.

Thanks fast Ed. I agree with you. I did question the aftermarket vs Nissan. The business manager told me that was all they offered. I researched Lubrico and read great things. They were good to me with this experience. And you are right, I assumed that they would service what they sold.

Like Quicksilver pointed out, the selling dealer made it difficult to get scheduled service. Getting an oil change was like making an appointment with the pope. Compound that with integrity issues I started going elsewhere.

saleen27c
03-03-2020, 01:39 PM
I will never buy Nissan ever again. I have a 2013 Nissan Sentra that has been nothing but trouble. the CVT gave out at 150,000 and Nissan refused to do the right thing and help me with it, despite all the coverage on the internet that the Nissan CVT issues have. They played dumb, and said "this is news to us!".....REALLY?? LOL. I ended up getting someone to rebuild in for $2k, as opposed to the $7k that Nissan was going to charge me. I will be starting a smear campaign soon....you wait. :)

hsousa88
03-03-2020, 04:44 PM
Shitty situation.. I say take ur loss and get another ride. Sucks taking the hit.. I did the same with my Jeep. What a pos.

Would love a 240 one day....