[FFTR]

I am seriously looking at a Frontier as my next truck. My wife and I are about to once again move back to a small town (15,000 pop.). The town has a Chevy/Dodge/Jeep dealer and a Ford Dealer. The closest Nissan dealer is basically 90 miles away.

For those who do not live close to a Nissan dealer, how do you get your Frontier serviced?

While the vehicle is under warranty I have no issues with driving the 90 miles to a Nissan dealer. I doubt if Nissan would authorize an independent garage mechanic to do a warranty repair.

The Nissan warranty states that Nissan would pay to tow the vehicle to the nearest dealer for a warranted repair if the vehicle is not drivable. Have any of you had experience with dealing with Nissan for a tow?

 

[yesterdaysradios]

I'm sure if the vehicle needs to be towed for some type of warranty work you'd likely encounter no problem with that. As for general service, most general stuff like oil changes and whatnot you should be able to do in your driveway. For everything else, find a worthy shop that services imports and has a good rep. Nissan nor any vehicle is so magical that it MUST be serviced at the dealer, for anything except a warranty repair. For anything else, even if the vehicle is still under warranty, you can do with it as you please, despite what the dealership would have believe. Just keep good documentation.

 

[invasion08]

I would definitely find a trusted local shop to service your frontier. I would only go to the dealership for recall and warranty work.

 

[FFTR]

I would definitely find a trusted local shop to service your frontier. I would only go to the dealership for recall and warranty work.

That is the problem in Payson, AZ. Not many independent shops. So choices are very limited.

Fletcher's has a pretty good reputation.
Coyote Auto not so good.

I have had good luck at the Dodge dealer working on the Ram. Guess I will go ask them if they would consider working on imports.

Next step is to go visit a couple of the independent garages. One that was good , the dad retired. The son took over, don't know if the service has gone down or not.

 

[R.T.]

I know many, if not all, of the dealerships near me advertise that they service all makes and models. Obviously I wouldn't want them to do anything complex as they probably wouldn't have the best suited diagnostic equipment/software/lnowledge. However, oil, filters, tires brakes, etc., if you trust the dealership they will probably handle it for you.

 

[JoeFrontier68]

I used to have the same dilemma when I owned a Subaru. That's why I bought a vehicle that had a local dealer.
You should be fine as long as the shop (mechanic) is ASE certified.

 

[jbbikerider]

They can't void a warranty when you have all receipts of work performed. You can do your own oil changes as long as you keep receipts of the oil and filter purchased. If you need warranty work, you need to take it to the dealer.

 

[Skibane]

I have had good luck at the Dodge dealer working on the Ram. Guess I will go ask them if they would consider working on imports.

On average, dealerships charge a LOT more than independent shops for the same service - And a Dodge dealership isn't going to know any more about servicing your Nissan than the average independent shop will.

If anything, they'll know LESS, since they don't service nearly as many Nissans as an independent shop would.

So - Why would you pay more to get poorer service?

 

[Cusser]

I'm in Arizona also; if you have AAA, AAA Plus tows free up to 100 miles.

I've never had a new vehicle but am quite versed in mechanic stuff, and I say go to a decent independent shop in Payson for typical stuff not under warranty. Some people think dealers are all-knowing and that's just not the case.

Nissan dealerships don't always get steller ratings for customer service anyway from what I've read, but I don't use the dealer myself, and just know not many parts for my 1998 and 2004 Frontiers are stocked anywhere in Phoenix either (their computers tell them if a different dealership has such part in stock).

These trucks are born in USA anyway, so not really "imports" anymore.

 

[The_Pope]

That is the problem in Payson, AZ. Not many independent shops. So choices are very limited.

Fletcher's has a pretty good reputation.
Coyote Auto not so good.

I have had good luck at the Dodge dealer working on the Ram. Guess I will go ask them if they would consider working on imports.

Next step is to go visit a couple of the independent garages. One that was good , the dad retired. The son took over, don't know if the service has gone down or not.

Payson?
I'm trying to get there and my Frontier is part of the plan.