I wrote this late last summer, but never published it. Now I am doing so in order for the next posts to make sense to my readers.
So, the time has come to let people know what a load of crap vehicle, a 2004 Nissan Xterra, I bought 5 years ago. It was new when I bought it and I expected to have a lot of relatively trouble-free years ahead. That has not been the case.
The back windshield wiper arm has been replaced a couple of times – along with washer fluid motor once.
The CD player has never worked correctly. Unfortunately it is an intermittent problem that they say couldn’t be duplicated (or the CD were bad – despite being new, or any other excuse besides the CD player sucked)
The driver’s side window rolls up and down extremely slowly during cold weather (the other windows are fine). In fact, when zero or below, I atually have to pull it up to help the motor out but technically it works, so they won’t cover that (been that way for 4.5 years – since the 1st winter).
The back door had to be totally sanded down and repainted, after only 38,000 miles and 1.5 years (I had to get the area rep to agree to cover the work because it was past the 36k mark). That second paint job, fortunately, was quite good and I have had not problems with it since.
The power steering lines went after 80,000 miles (I top off the reservoir every 4-5 weeks – I’m not spending 700-800 that they want for parts and labor). The lines are considered a wear item, so not covered under any warranty
It had a spell of blowing headlights, until they fixed that (have no idea what was done – they claim nothing was done)
After 3 years, my back bumper was very rust riddled (no, no dents or dings) – it still is, but they won’t fix that. I've never had a new vehicle start rusting away like this.
After 4 years, I had to replace the battery (never have I replaced a battery in that short a time). Technically this is a wear item, but I firgured it should be good for at least 5 years.
After 4 years, the air conditioner had to be repaired (not under warranty) The gas tank, or a sensor in the gas tank, went at 98,000 – fortunately before my extended warrantee ran out. Nissan did replace that.
The airbag sensor went out at 102,000 (4.5 years) – right after the extended warrantee ran out. This is the exact sensor that has been placed on recall for other years, but not mine. The area rep decided that even thought the vehicle was only 4.5 years old (at the time), and the other recalled vehicle years are having their warrantee extended by 10 years, mine is not to be covered.
After 5 years, the air conditioner once again does not work at all (remember that repair I paid for after 4 years?). They wanted to charge me $110 to recharge it and put in some dye, then when it quit working again, bring it in and they would be able to see where it is leaking at – no deal, I don’t need it that bad.
After 5 years, another sensor (check engine light) is indicating that something else has gone out to lunch.
If not for the extended warrantee, I would have put out a several thousand dollars just to repair the stuff they covered (or were bullied into covering) – all while still making payments on it. It would cost a couple more thousand to take care of the bumper and power steering (not to mention the sensors and such) - oh, and the back wiper is junk again (doesn’t touch the glass).
There are only a couple of good things I can say about the vehicle: it has started every time (I had the battery replaced before it completely died); it has gotten me to and from every time; and the brakes lasted a long time (they need replaced now). The brake thing is probably more a testament to the fact that I rarely use them than anything (in the 40 miles to work, I have 6 stops).
I should have bought anything but this Nissan, even when I have bought used vehicles, I haven’t had as much (or as expensive) stuff go wrong. It is pretty sad that a vehicle that was supposed to last for 10 years, will probably have to be replaced before WS’s Toyota – one that is 4 years older than this heap of crap.
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