probmxstyle

My mother is the owner of a 2004 Nissan Altima 2.5 SL. She purchased the car brand new. Last week it started to experience a rough idle and loss of power. She got a CEL for a cylinder 1 misfire. I did some research and found a recall for the power valves in the 2.5 motor. Apparently the screws that hold them come loose and get into the cylinder which will cause a misfire. Her car is within the vin range on the recall. I called the dealer and they told her that there is no open recalls for her car and that they have no history of that recall being done.

I then called Nissans recall line and spoke to a rep. She also showed no open recalls, so I gave her the recall ID. She was surprised to see that her car was within the VIN range and that it was now showing up. She forwarded our claim to a manager, who called us back the next day. She told us to take out car to a dealer for diagnosis and then to call her back. We took it to the dealer and waited for them to call back. When they did, they told us that we are not covered because of the area we are in and that we will have to pay for a diagnosis. BS, it doesn't say anywhere on the recall that you have to be in a region.

I am upset that I was told by Nissan corp to drive the car to a dealer just to be told they wont cover it when they already had all my info.

Here is a link to the recall with the exact symptoms I am having:

http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/ba...NTB05-058b.pdf

TheMirror

Well, it isn't a recall actually. It is what's loosely known as a technical service bulletin, or in Nissan-speak a "Service Campaign Bulletin". Recalls are more serious and reserved for items that affect the potential safety of the car and its occupants.

Nevertheless, I have no idea why the dealer would refuse the inspection due to the "the area you are in", that doesn't make any sense.

This just doesn't add up. Call that dealer's service manager and have him explain exactly why they won't do the inspection for free.

probmxstyle

The service manager is the person I talked to. He told me it only effects cars in certain regions, which it does not state on the bulletin. I am waiting to hear back from Nissan Corp again.

dallison

^what he said, or try another dealer, there are a bunch down there.

i don't understand the reasoning of cars in certain states???? dopes

TheMirror

Maybe if the affected cars have PZEV emissions or something, meaning the affected part(s) are different from non-PZEV vehicles.

Regardless, any Nissan dealer should handle it.

probmxstyle

They left a message, the dealer wants us to pay for a 1 hour diagnosis.

majin ssj eric

If its a TSB it won't be covered out of warranty. If its an actual recall (and your VIN is included in the recall range), it should be fixed regardless of how old the car is or what area its in....

probmxstyle

I don't know why I thought it was a recall. I think i saw someone refer to it as such. I have not seen a manufacturer with as many TSB's as Nissan does.

fsttyms1

I dont know what regions should have to do with it if there is a TSB on it and your car is effected. I think i would be making a few more calls, First one being back to Nissan.

probmxstyle

They will be talked to first thing tomorrow morning, trust me

mclarenf3387

Good luck, but I have a feeling Nissan won't cover it.

Service bulletins are just there to let techs know about common issues in a certain model. They are not like recalls in which they must be taken care of for free no matter the age or mileage.

probmxstyle

Its a bunch of BS. You would think a manufacturer would cover an issue where something in the motor comes loose and fails from normal driving. Maybe they will be more inclined to help since my mother is the original owner and purchased it new from the dealer.