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Nissan Xterra - Engine Problems

Nissan Xterra • Engine Problems • Brake Problems • Defective Gas Shutter Valve • Wheel Bearings • Overseas Military Warranty • Just Falling Apart --- • Other Nissan Products

Mike of Charleston WV (7/30/03):
I had to return my 2002 Xterra to the dealer approximately 10 times over the course of the first ten months before they realized I had a cracked engine block. Nissan acted as if it was not big deal that I had lost use of my $26,000 vehicle for over two weeks and now the engine shortblock was going to be replaced by a West Virginia dealership. Nissan customer affairs department is a joke and offered no remedy for my situation.

Mark of Rolla MO (9/2/01):
We learned today that my wife's 2000 Nissan Xterra, that had been purchased locally at Al West Nissan, has a blown motor. This should not be a problem, since we have an extended warranty for 100,000 miles (which I paid big money for) and such things like this can happen. However, we are told, the warranty will not cover the cost of the repairs to our vehicle. Their out is, “it appears to be owner maintenance neglect.” They are trying to imply that we did not change our motor oil, or that we could not prove we changed the motor oil regularly.

They asked for receipts for all the oil changes, even though I change the oil and filter myself, they demanded proof. I explained that I did not save my oil and filter receipts, as I purchase these items at local retail stores. I was never told to keep these receipts, or keep a log. I was told the day we purchased the vehicle to keep the oil changed regularly, which we do. My wife was so proud of her truck that when the mileage wasn't due for a change, she would demand that I change it.

After we had our Xterra for a while, one day before leaving town for a trip, we stopped at a local station for gasoline. As usual, I also checked the oil level and discovered the oil cap was missing. In a hurry, I stopped by Al West Nissan and purchased an oil cap, not knowing what had happened to the other, suspecting that maybe I did not get it on good at the time of the last oil change. I put the new cap on and we were on our way. A few weeks later, I again noticed the oil cap was missing. I again went to Al West and told them I was having trouble keeping the oil cap on. With the new cap, I found the threads on the oil fill neck would not hold the cap tight and would come off easily. The service man insisted that here was no problem.

A few weeks or months later, I had the truck into Al West Nissan for some service work, because there was a noise in the motor. Upon checking the technician noticed that again the cap was missing. Ah, there must be a problem because he found the old cap lodged in the fender well. A few days later I received a call from Al West Nissan explaining that they were going to replace my valve cover to keep the cap from coming off again. Now, they pulled the old valve cover off and replaced it. Not seeing a problem at that time, with sludge build up in the motor, or they did not tell us about it. Or was this just an all of the sudden happening? Well, now here we are with a blown motor and the warranty is no good.

I asked if the information was given to the warranty people about the numerous missing oil filler caps. I was told by the service manager of Al West Nissan that was not a contributing factor to the motor. I explained that if the cap was missing for some time, wouldn’t dirt and debris get into the motor? I was told by the service manager of Al West Nissan that there was not anyway dirt and debris could get into the motor through the oil filler spout. No, I am not a rocket scientist, but I know that an opening into an operating motor could and would introduce dirt and debris into the motor.

So, I called another Nissan dealer and spoke to the service technician there. I asked if the cap was missing, could dirt and debris get into the motor. The answer was, that is why they put a cap on there, to keep stuff out. Well, even with this information, I have yet to get resolution.

I contacted Nissan Customer Affairs. I explained the situation, they took a report and said they would look into the matter. I asked how they would look into the matter and they said, they would talk to the dealership. Well, what are they going to say? They failed to warn us that dirt and debris could have got into the motor on the numerous occasions that there was no cap on the oil filler spout! Or that they failed to see the signs of sludge build up in the motor at the time they took the valve cover off! What are they to say, “the customer is ultimately responsible,” for the condition of the internal workings of the complex machine.

Also, when we bought the Xterra at Al West Nissan, it had pretty sport wheels on it. We were told that the wheels were changed out to make the vehicle more attractive. After driving the truck for a while, my wife had a flat tire. So, here I come to the rescue, but was unable to get the lug nuts off the truck. I had to take the truck to Al West Nissan because my lug wrench would not fit the nuts. So, the service technician had trouble getting the nuts off the truck and explained that the nuts were not the right one’s for this vehicle or wheels. So, their answer was to give me a breaker bar and a deep well socket to keep in my vehicle in case I had another flat.

Well, after the truck was hit in an accident, one of the sport wheels were damaged. In the course of trying to replace the wheel, it was discovered it was not available. So, the insurance company paid for four new wheels. Upon removal of these wheels, it was discovered the lug nuts were only on about 1/3 of the threads. I was told that this was a very dangerous condition. But that problem had been resolved with the purchase of the new wheels. However, Al West Nissan was very aware of the non-fitting wheels and lug nuts. But did they say anything? NO.

Stacy of Massapequa Park NY (1/21/00):
Purchased a 2000 Nissan Xterra SE July 8, 1999. That same evening we started having problems. One mile from the dealer the service engine soon light came on. Brought into Amity Nissan service. Was told it was not connected properly at the assembly plant. August 8, 1999, oil leak. Nissan service changed rear engine seal, oil leak still detected, they removed and replaced oil pan and gaskets for transmission. August 28, 1999 radio and lcd display shorted out, Amity service installed brand new radio.

September 15, 1999 two screws fell out of the sunroof while being opened, key would not turn in the ignition. No explaination. November 6, 1999 transfer case pops out of low gear into neutral. Service ordered brand new transfer case, no explaination. Rear windshield wiper falls out of arm while in use. Brand new windshield wiper arm ordered. No explaination for defect.

January 12, 2000 front bumper detatching from truck. Amity service said bumper was not fastened correctly to truck frame after fog lights were installed at factory. I have gone back to Massapequa Nissan after every problem requesting a different Xterra. They said they would give us another vehicle car but was requesting more money because the truck I have is now a used vehicle. Approximately after the 4th or 5th problem Nissan North America offered us $2000. towards the purchase of a new Xterra. I feel that is unacceptable considering the I have had nine (9) different manufactuer defects in 6 months. The truck has been in the service center seven (7) times in 6 months.

This is totally unacceptable for a brand new car and a Nissan no less with a good reputation and a reputation for customer satisfaction. This has become an extreme inconvenience for my husand and myself arranging for a car to use for work every time this is in the shop. I purchased an extended warranty because we put a lot of miles on our cars. Included in the extended warranty is use of a loaner car when in service for more than a day. In the seven time it has been in for service, I have had one loaner under extended warranty.

This cannot continue This truck is falling apart piece by piece. What I am looking for is my $7,000 down payment back and purchase a car that I can actually use and not bring to a service center every few weeks and not have pieces of the truck falling off. If I can not be accommodated with my money back, I want a different Xterra with the same loan value and payment value. I have invested enought time and money into this piece of garbage. Nissan has refused this because their policy is if something goes wrong they will repair it under the warranty. There must be some way to protect the consumer. I have been told I do not fall under the lemon law because I have not had the same problem occur 3 times without being repaired. I feel that having 9 different problems is far worse.

Unfortunately, the Lemon Law applies to situations in which the same problem happens over and over. Stacy might be wise to take the $3,000 and swallow some of the loss.

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