A slew of defects is dragging down the cars' J.D. Power ratings

Scott Mount's Nissan Armada gives him a headache -- literally. Soon after buying the SUV in December, the Orange County (Calif.) restaurant manager began experiencing skull-jarring vibrations from the roof. What's worse, the brakes squealed, and clicks emanated from the rear. Mount says the dealer replaced the brakes, checked the rear, and tried to quell the roof noise, but he remains unsatisfied. This is Mount's fifth Nissan, and it may be his last. "I won't buy another vehicle from them if they don't do something about this Armada," he swears.

Five years after CEO Carlos Ghosn kicked off an astounding comeback that has unleashed a half-dozen hot-selling vehicles on the U.S. market and generated solid profits after years of losses, Nissan Motor Co. (NSANY ) is having serious growing pains. Quality problems with the Armada, the Quest minivan, and the Titan full-size pickup dragged down Nissan's ranking in J.D. Power & Associates' annual initial quality survey, which reflects flaws found by owners in the first 90 days. In the survey, which was released on Apr. 28, Nissan finished 11th, way down from last year's 6th place. And the 147 problems spotted per 100 vehicles trail the industry average of 119.

That could spell big trouble for the Japanese auto maker. These problem-plagued vehicles represent a new thrust into key market segments -- minivans, big pickups, and SUVs -- already well served by Honda Motor (HMC ), Toyota Motor (TM ), and the Big Three. And all three are made at a year-old plant in Canton, Miss., built to boost Nissan's U.S. market share. Says Wesley R. Brown, an analyst at Los Angeles auto consulting firm Iceology: "If there isn't a quick fix, this could derail their momentum."

It isn't the first time Nissan has had quality woes. The Altima sedan, built at the company's 21-year-old plant in Smyrna, Tenn., has also had bumps. But they weren't as serious as those from the Mississippi factory, where poor craftsmanship was the chief complaint from consumers, says J.D. Power. And while squeaks, rattles, and vibrations account for many of the complaints, more serious issues have prompted two recalls of the Quest minivan -- including one for a sliding door that opened when drivers accelerated rapidly.

That, as it turns out, may be an apt image for what ails Nissan, which has been pedal to the metal since 1999. In that time the company has launched 13 new vehicles in the U.S. -- most engineered when Nissan was emerging from a near-death experience. The carmaker knew it was being aggressive, but since its quality was pretty decent, execs thought they could pull off the crowded launch schedule. Analysts, however, say Nissan lacked the engineering resources to check thoroughly for defects before cranking up the assembly lines.

CHEAP MATERIALS. What's more, Ghosn was seeking to roll out the new models while demanding price concessions from suppliers. As a result, Nissan often used cheaper materials at the expense of manufacturing precision. One consultant, who took apart a Titan to study it for a rival, says that certain internal parts aren't made to fit together as precisely as at Toyota and others. That forced assembly line workers at Canton to find ways of fitting the pieces snugly together -- hardly ideal since many of them had never worked at a car plant before.

Putting an end to the problems will be crucial, since initial quality problems often affect long-term reliability. "These things tend to persist," says Joe Ivers, executive director for quality and customer satisfaction at J.D. Power. "If things are this extreme, it will probably wind up costing them in warranty costs." The auto maker says it's investigating the problem vehicles and the Canton plant. At the same time, Nissan is beefing up its engineering talent and spending more on parts and materials to ensure that future models have better quality. It is also replacing the Quest dashboard responsible for some squeaks. "We're going to address all of the issues," says a company spokesman.

Nissan has won thousands of new customers during the past three years with its powerful and stylish vehicles. But all that hard work could be for naught if Ghosn & Co. can't improve quality.

http://yahoo.businessweek.com/magaz...20/b3883053.htm

 

how about the infiniti line?

you know all of the infiniti cars are made in japan, except for the new QX 56 SUV.

i always see infiniti finishing 2nd behind lexus in terms of great reliability

 

No surprise... in a hurried rush to climb up the sales charts and production numbers, Nissan obviously cut corners left and right.
Ghosn might have another trick up his sleeves though...

Junkster, who thinks Infiniti is a bit more stable

 

Here is my complain from another issue about TSX Rattles

Hello guys.
I just would like to thanks to all of you for the information about rattles.
My friend and me were really impressed with the new Acura TSX and we left deposits, as dealer did not have cars with navigation in stock.
The last week he has received both cars and we've tested them. The cars all just great, but!!!
Both cars have rattles on the rough pavement somewhere under the dash. I've learned about these rattles on this board and viola - here it is.
I believe that the problem is that Acura, famous for their attention to details has traded these principals if they missed this defect.
From 15,000 cars manufactured per year, so many have this rattles!!! And how many people do not complained because does not know about this board or just have give up.
So, I've tested a brand new TL and - it is not so loud, but the same nasty like a static clicks on every bumps.
What I can see is that Acura has switched to hard plastic - bad, bad Idea.
Nissan had to released all new interior for their 2005 Altima were they has rid off this nonsense because of the bad reputation for the rattles.
If Acura will not release some kind of fix for your rattles as soon as possible, most peoples will switch to other cars like G35 for example.
At least this is my and my friend decision, as we did cancel our deals with Acura.
We both lost $200 deposit - so what?
Don't give up; complain to Acura as mach as possible, they will eventually release some bulletin to fix this problem, but for now Acura has lost 2 customers.
May be they will replace some elements under the dashboard, but again, complain about your problem, otherwise consumer report will mention this problem in their release and car will loose it's resale value in the future.

FYI: I’ve bought a brand new G35 for a week right now, the navigation is not so great as Acura has - but - not a single rattle so far, at all on all kind of roards.
Yep, it is almost $70 more per month in finance.

Good luck to all of you, and thanks again.

Alex.

 

Just like people say don't buy a first year car there should be a warning to not buy from a first year plant. They might have had some training but most of those assembly line workers might have been cotton pickers before - and of course shoddy design and materials doesn't help the situation.
Thankfully the Infiniti line is not affected by this mess - although it might get dragged down with the Nissan name.

 

This months Motor Trend has alot of complaints regarding rattles in the new Q 56 SUV. The rattles were so bad in fact they placed the 56 4th out of 4 in the comparo. Well rattles and the fact that the interior was mostly made out of cheap looking plastics.

 

A buddy of mine has a G20 and that has got some rattles/squeaks. When I ride with him I have to sit so that my knee is propped up against the dash to stop the noises or it makes me crazy!

I had a Nissan Pickup for years and had a lot of problems with the interior plastics (a lot of cracking) and a couple of problems w/paint, but the engine was a champ, no probs whatsoever.

 

but the G20 is atleast a 10yr old car though is it not?

 

yea, gilbo... I don't know what that guy's jiving about.

My pathie behaves pretty good for a 8 year old which has seen it's share of roadtrips.
The Pathie is also considered a great used SUV buy.
I've never had any probs with any of my Nissans, that's why they stay on my shopping list most of the time, until the new look kinda turned me away.

Junkster, whose glad to see Gilbo again

 

Umm, no! Unless you mean that it's been around for that long, meaning its inception, that I don't know. His car is a '99 and it's been making that noise for about 3 years now. . .

In case you're not convinced that the G20 was in production in 1999 check HERE. I believe they stopped making the car in 2003, as it was based on the Altima platform and that's when they went to the new style altima.

 

Actually it was based on the sentra platform...
You're right, though, I didn't even know that the G20 existed past the 99 model year. I've also checked some of the quality sites on G20, and it seems like the only highlighted problems by owners was a trannie problem. Maybe he just ended up with a bad pick of the litter? That horrid resale value just highlights the fact that this car didn't stand the test of time well though.
I've pretty much had two problem free Nissans, both being pretty high on my satisfaction list. The Maxima was a gem and the Pathie still performs well (exept the gas guzzlin' part).

Junkster, who wonders how many people bought G20's without knowing it was a tarted up econobox

edit: man, will Gilbo have a fieldday with that last statement

 

Actually it says it's based on the Nissan Primera (only sold in Japan and Europe), but has the same engine as Sentra. . . maybe the Primera is real similar to the Sentra too.

It's very possible that he got a bad pick, plus in a way the '99 was a first model year too, they stopped making them for a couple years and then started again. I was just sharing my experiences w/Nissan plastics, not saying everyone would experience the same.

 

yea, the primera's a souped up Sentra with luxury interior...
Infiniti was really lazy in getting this product out... there is no change between the Sentra and the G20 in suspension, chassis or steering... basically a tarted up econobox.

What year was your pick-up? The interior in my Pathie is still going strong, and it wasn't garaged for all it's life.

Junkster, who thinks it might have been some bad luck

 

My pickup was a '91. My problems were mainly around the vents, they basically sagged/melted at about 4 years and then cracked and fell off at about 5 years. I got my paint covered under warranty. I've got two friends w/Pathfinders (early to mid 90's) that still seem to be working fine (including plastic-wise). But, I lived in Hawaii for 9 of the 10 years I had the truck so the environment may have taken it's toll, you know salt-air and semi-high heat. Also it was only parked under any kind of cover for about 2 months in the 10 years I had it, the last two months at that. Niether of my parent's cars (Camry & Accord) experienced the same problems with the same environmental factors.

I have two other friends who own a 2003 Altima, and he's always talking about how cheap the plastic looks and feels, that and he complains about his rear seat. He's a bit anal about those kinds of things though. I told him, 'so what, your front seats are comfy, when are you ever going to sit in the back?'

Does the Sentra have that same lame/wierd lateral bar type suspension that the G20 (at least '99) had in the rear? The only other place I've seem that suspsension was on the backs of some mini vans. I heard it was a price concession, but if that means the Sentra had a better suspension then no wonder the G20 didn't do so well.

 

Check out the my350z.com forums.

Many have had Nissan buy the thing back through lemon law suits. Eats tires like crazy and some are on their third tranny replacement.

 

whoa! i guess there aren't any quality build now on these Japanese made 350z's anymore?
i always thought made in japan meant bulletproof reliability?

 

As the saying goes, I wouldn't buy a first year car whether it was a Lexus or a Kia.

 

So do you own a TSX?

 

Junkster, who, if he continues to do this, is going to piss me off.

 

????

Junkster, who thinks "this" is pissin' someone off

 

Junkster, whose ass is going to get kicked.

 

and internet ass kicking??? WOW i gotta see this...lol. Sorry homie there is no reason to talk trash like this especially to someone who has been doing the 3rd person thing since he has been here. Get over it or go to another board...none of the rest of us get "violent" because the way someone talks on here. Shoot some people cant type or can barely even type in english.
:sqntfawk:
Stokeless...who thinks startle needs to get laid.

 

Stokeless, who doesn't even know how to lay a shit.

 

hahaha now your just getting ridiculous and childish. Grow up if not roll out. There is a lil button at the top right corner of your screen with an "X" on it. Single click and you wont have to deal with any of us here at all therefore bring your stress level down and you won't be in such a pissy mood anymore. I'm sorry if i hurt your feelings with saying you need to get laid. But Junkster is my A-TSX buddy =). And you threatening him has no cause here. Your the newbie earn some respect before you start talkin :shit: .

oh and Startle...If i were you I'd hate me too, its ok though. Jealousy causes envy and envy causes hatred. So im with ya buddy. Oh and by the way if your going to use 3rd person. Your supposed to put your name there not mine. So it would be
"Startle, who thinks Stokeless doesn't even know how to lay shit." that would be the proper way to do it...just FYI.

Stokeless, who thinks this thread will get locked in the am, and eventually "someone" will be gettin a warning or get banded for threatening someone. so quit acting :ghey: go :wackit: cuz from here i am you. and i don't argue with so until you have earned some respect :noob:

 

Now boys, if you can't get along take it outside.

 

lol biker thats what the whole thing is about he is sittin here talkin about kickin someones ass for how they (junkster) refers to himself in 3rd person...i think that is a lil over board and someone needs a chill pill =)

 

Apparently you haven't read any of my posts. I am superior to you in every way. Trust me, read the posts. Even my girlfriend is better looking than yours.

You need to be quiet or I'm going to take your funny hat off, remove the jock strap on your head, then dump both in the trash where they belong.

 

your hilarious....first off i havent read any of your posts ill admit that...secondly you only have 125 of them and about 4 of them are on this thread. On top of that leave my girl out of this what you are doing is childish. Grow up. We don't need negativity here. How is my hat funny? its a SD hat...regular fitted baseball hat. :noob: get a life. Threatening people of the internet means your a kid and a coward. Ill bet your 17 in america suburbia with a white picket fence and a puppy too huh. Get over it already is there a way to ignore idiots????

 

Literally threatening, huh? Use what's left of your education to review the context, background, and emotional prosody from the posts above. He knows there is humor involved but you don't. This is YOUR responsibility. You either figure it out or eat shit.

 

Man you are a lil upset with the world arent you...first you talk about kickin someones ass, then your talk about my girlfriend and how your gonna take my hat and rag and throw them in the trash. now im supposed to eat shiet? By the way i read some of your post and you sound to me like a person that has a lot of anger and fustration in thier life...by far not superior to anyone except in your own mind. im done reading this thread i have got other people to worry about like terrorists trying to shoot me in a few hours. So have your fun and reply to this like i know you will and i will just go clean a gun or something =)

 

Wow, you sure have a lot to say about nothing, which is a sign that you are harboring a lot of emotion. Have you seen a therapist? I will charge you, oh, about $300 an hour.

 

So... we have another troll, who's going to adopt this one?

Junkster, who thinks this one will need alot of TLC

 

Junkster, who is the troll who is getting payback.

 

mmm... payback... that movie sucked.

Junkster, whose pretty random today

 

Junkster, yes we have ANOTHER, i tried to be civil wont be long until he is banned. im not wasting my time on him. Pumps himself up thinkin he is "superior" when in fact all he is doing is tryin to hide is lack of self confidence.
Stoke, who thinks its time for a smoke before the day of fighting terrorism begins

 

Stoke, whose "TSX" is actually an Altima with billet grille.

 

hahaha he has never seen my car and obviously doesnt know i have the highest recorded dyno on the site....oh yea and the tv's ps2....hmmm yea its a TSX go to the gallery buddy...only dyno that i have seen higher than mine is the dazz motorsports tsx...and its turbo'ed with over 20'gs in mods...so i think im doing ok...haha an altima

 

Seriously, who is this clown?

Junkster, who tends to clown once in a while

 

a nobody with bad rep and no posts....lurker who has been here for almost a year...i bet this guy has posted more tonight than he ever has in a whole week. just tryin to get on my nerves...lol where is dan, domn ,and ricecake when u need them lol

 

haha, how did a nissan squeaks thread get turned into this?

dabuda, who thinks startle's got a big stick stuck-up his arse