The Frontier I bought last week has to have the heater controls replaced. I just noticed today that the defrost does not work. No matter how I set the controls, no air comes through the windshield vents. I took it in and they said they have to replace the controls in the dash. This does not make me happy.
Maybe luck of the draw in getting a faulty part. Too bad to hear that on one you just drove off the lot - at least it is covered, but I'd be a little bummed out too.
This has a fairly complex climate control system - something I am not accustomed to - so when I bought this I did not go over all the options, and on that day, I did not need to defog. Today I did and to my surprise I could not get air to the windshield! I have no doubt they will do what they say, but I hope this is not a bad omen for surprises in the future.
Yep the 13's and newer have the dual climate controls, which I have on my Honda. It is a nice feature to keep a little cooler and the wifey warm. I looked into swapping my climate system out for the newer ones but found I'd need additional sensors, adapters and wiring so I passed on it. Any rate - good luck and congrats on your new truck.
I left a message to the salesman and he called back and a rather cavalier attitude as if this was no big deal. He said it happens but I said it isn't supposed to happen. I told him I was a bit unhappy and he said not to worry, it was under the warrantee. I reminded him that this was a brand new truck. I don't think he gets it, but he will when he reads the owner/buyer survey that they sent me. When he sold the truck a week ago he insisted that I give him all "10s". I didn't tell him then that I never give a car salesman a "10."
I understand you just bought it but better it happens now than later on after the warranty is up.
In the scheme of things it is not a big deal, if you had a rod knock or a trans seal blow out then you'd be more upset. Remember it is a machine that is mass produced and unfortunately some times it happens.
I had a bad rear in a Frontier in 2002, they replaced it and all was well in an afternoon like it never happened.
Enjoy the new truck.
Ask them to take a look and see if your truck came with air cabin filters :laugh:
I wouldn't get too worried about this issue - vehicles are complicated and small things can go wrong. It's best you find out sooner than later - like when it's out of warranty.
Thanks guys,
After we have owned Toyotas and Hondas which had zero problems, this worries me. On this vehicle, we rolled over the extended warranty so we are good for a long time.
A bit aggravating but it happens. I had something similar with climate control on my 2013 when new. I got a notice there was bulletin on a problem in the unit; I think with the Recycle Air selector. I thought I had checked everything but missed that. When I did try it, sure enough, it didn't work.
I count my blessing though - it was an easy fix and not really fundamental, as compared to the problem reported here where a fellow's 4x4 was binding because of a small lift (according to Nissan). This forum is great for helping keep things in perspective.
I appreciate all the responses. It is just that I have better things to do than get a brand new truck repaired. At least where I am in Oregon we are less likely to scrape ice than many of you here. Then again, I'm chasing 70 next June and a bit cranky anyway.
John
Back in the day, I bought a brand new '79 Ford F100. I drove it for awhile before I discovered the right front shock wasn't attached to the suspension.
Your Frontier might have been a Friday afternoon build.
I did get some good news, though. I bought a Kiwi MPG gauge and plugged it in last night and today on the way to Salem I set the cruise on 65 and I was getting about 24 mpg on the highway.
Yeah, I get that it's annoying to have to take your vehicle in for a repair, especially when it's so new, but this definitely isn't something that would cause me to start questioning Nissan. It wasn't a design flaw in any way, it was just an electrical component that didn't work properly. It happens with every brand of every product that has electrical components, including Toyota and Honda as well as HP, Dell, Samsung, and LG. As long as they fix it, I wouldn't get too worried or upset about it. Also, I'm not understanding how this is the salesman's fault at all? His job was to educate you on the vehicle you're buying and to help walk you through the car buying process, not to test every function to make sure there are no problems with the one you're buying. Before filling out those surveys, I always try to think about how the person did in comparison to other people with the same job. I guess what I'm trying to say is, he may not deserve 10s, but noticing a problem with your heater shouldn't impact the score that he gets because that isn't a part of his job.
I hope your truck gets back to you quickly so you can get back to enjoying your new truck. :thumbup:
I am not blaming him for the defect. I just don't care to hear a car salesman run down the competition like Toyota while trying to sell me on the Nissan. I don't believe I would ever give a 10 to car salesman. That would indicate to me that there was no room for improvement.
Edited : I spoke with a long time friend who has worked on a lot of auto electrical and electronic issues with cars and said this could be as simple as a vacuum line problem - without looking at it, of course. Does this sound possible?
Gosh, sorry to hear about your issue JohnHO. My first thought is that my '00 Frontier has been the 2nd most reliable thing ever...trailing my gal who is incredible to say the least.
Betting you'll be back on the road with total control of your vents in short order making you Master of YOUR Domain once again!
After a couple of conversations, the shop manager called yesterday and said they found the part on the east coast and it would be shipped by air so I am supposed to get this by this Friday for an install tomorrow. He knew we have plans to leave for Las Vegas on Wednesday and the normal arrival would be Tuesday, so I am getting it tomorrow. If I agreed to next week, I am not sure it would have been done in time. I am looking at shoulder surgery in January, hopefully early in the month, so I wanted this done before then. Just happens that way sometimes. If this gets done, we are both happy. Overall, the truck is really quite nice - except for the turning radius, but that's not his fault, obviously. As for other folks' complaints I guess they are all valid but to me, a truck is a truck. If it goes for 7 years like my Tacoma, that's all I can expect. I will be 77 then and possibly out of my mind, anyway ;=)
If this truck doesnt last for 7 years ill be amazed. Aside from the few lemons these days all cars will run for a long time given proper maintenance. My gf has a pontiac vibe from 2006. Has lived its whole life in upstate ny and has zero rust on it. Sure it has gone through a clutch at 100K (new drivers learning) but its wear and tear.
I had a crankshaft position sensor go out under warranty when the truck was still very new, less than 1K miles. Luckily i made it home, had it towed to the dealer and fixed, all under warranty and didnt cost me. Any time its fixed for free you have to be a little happy.
Zedbra, you weren't supposed to say that. You were supposed to say I would be perfectly fine until I was 90. ;=)
Kgordon, I will be most happy when they resolve this. With my body becoming a train wreck recently, I had hoped that Nissan did a better job. :=)
Edited : The new part came in and I brought in the Frontier and as it turned out, there was an adjacent piece that was bad and rather than ask me to come back, they "borrowed" the part from a new truck on the lot and now my truck is just fine. I suspect that the major part was alright all the time, but I could be wrong. I got it fixed and all are happy now. My wife and I are heading to Las Vegas next Wednesday and it's good to get this past us.
Thank you both. I was really impressed with the shop foreman to get this done. There was a birthday there and they let me share his cake. Life is good again.