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Nissan Altima - Paint Problems

Nissan Altima • Stalling • Engine problems • Gas tank • Steering • Paint --- • Other Nissan Models

Lee of Thousand Oaks CA (11/20/03):
I purchased a brand new 2003 Nissan Altima, and noticed a paint defect at 7500 miles. This was in July. It was a nightmare to get an appointment with a factory representative, and after my claim was approved as warranty, the dealership was incompetant. I tried to have my car serviced at another Nissan dealer, due to lack of confidence, but was informed that I would have to start the process over again.

September 16th was the day they finally accepted my car to perform the work. In between late July, and September 16th, I had made repeated phone calls to the dealership, and to corporate with no correspondence. Once my vehicle was painted, I noticed similar, and new paint problems. Unfortunately now, I was stuck with this dealership and their paint shop to try and fix the paint. It was not until Nov 1 that the dealer took my car again for paint. The second repaint looked worse than the first. There were "pock" marks in the paint, and scratches all over the car. I attempted to have the service rep look at it, and he assessed that he believed the paint job to be up to Nissan standards, and that it was never going to get better than it was. After I told him that was unacceptable, he stormed away, and actually refused to speak with me.

This is where I realized how little this dealership cares about customer service. I am standing in their service drive, next to my car that they ruined, and they won't talk to me. I contacted Nissan corporate at that time, and I believe they immediately contacted the dealer, because I had to meet with the service manager. This guy actually started to yell at me in his office, and told me that I was not to interrupt him. Bye bye. I will not be talked to that way. He told me that he believed that the paint was up to Nissan standards. I requested that he give me that statement in writing and he said absolutely, so I waited. He never did.

David of Austin TX (11/4/03):
I own a 2001 Nissan Altima and I’m writing to tell you how disappointing this car is. The car only has a little over 38k miles and I have several issues that Nissan doesn’t seem to care about. Yes I know that it’s over the 36k basic warranty, and I should have known better and purchased an extended warranty. But hey, it’s a Nissan, it’s supposed to last, and be a well built car. What a laugh that is.

I called Consumer Affairs last week and talked to Angela. This reference number has to do with the fact that my upholstery in the back seat is coming undone. Per Angela, I contacted a local dealer here in Austin Texas, but they informed me that Nissan wouldn’t warranty the defect in the material. Thanks for nothing on this issues.

2nd issue, I went to the local car wash the night before I took my car over to the Nissan Dealer (Maxwell) to wash it and clean it up, while washing the front end to remove bugs, a large spot of paint just flew off the front bumper, I couldn’t believe it. Nissan has informed me that they may or may not warrant this issue.

Heidi of Irvine CA writes (7/6/01):
I purchased a 2001 Nissan Altima Middle to End of March 01. I had to take it back within a couple of days after purchase because they had sold me the vehicle with two scratches on the bumper. Once I received the car back I noticed the paint had visible bubbles, yet I took it back in and they replaced the bumper.

Then I drove my car to Big Bear Lake for Memorial Day weekend upon arrival the rear end of the car started making a terrible noise, it was the rear suspension bar or something like that. Again I took my car back and received my 3rd rental car from them, that time they had my car for approximately 11 days. Now my hazard lights are switching off and on without touching the hazard light switch so I will be taking my car back for my fourth rental car this Monday 7/9/01.

I have taking time off of work to take my car to Nissan and pick it up. This has caused much stress. Driving home from Big Bear with my car sounding like rocks were in the tires was quite stressful, now I can't drive anywhere without my hazard lights turning off and on by themselves. Economically I am struggeling with a new car payment and I feel as if I purchased a lemon.

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