NHTSA Complaint #10779799 — 2008 NISSAN MAXIMA

AFTER SEEING A TODAY SHOW REPORT EARLIER IN 2015 ABOUT UNDER CARRIAGE RUST IN NISSAN ALTIMA'S, I DECIDED I SHOULD TAKE A LOOK UNDERNEATH MY 2008 MAXIMA. SURE ENOUGH, THERE ARE TWO LARGE HOLES RUSTED ALL THE WAY THROUGH ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE IN THE SAME SPOT. I WAS A LITTLE INFURIATED THAT THE TODAY SHOW REPORT STATED THIS IS ONLY AN ISSUE WITH NISSAN ALTIMA'S MADE BETWEEN SPECIFIC YEARS.... THAT'S NOT THE CASE! THIS SIMPLY CAN'T BE A COINCIDENCE. THIS IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT ON THE PART OF NISSAN, AND IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AS A SAFETY RECALL. AS SOMEONE WHO LIVES IN THE UPPER MID-WEST, I HAVE TO DEAL WITH ROAD SALT AND SNOW FOR MOST OF THE YEAR. IF THESE HOLES ARE COMPLETELY EXPOSING THE INSIDE OF MY CAR, HOW CAN THAT BE CONSIDERED SAFE? I'VE BEEN QUOTED FOR $600 FROM A NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO FIX THIS ISSUE. THAT'S SIMPLY NOT GOING TO HAPPEN... NISSAN NEEDS TO OWN UP TO THE FACT THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESS ON THEIR EXPENSE. BY NOT ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE, I'M FORCED TO CONSIDER SELLING A CAR THAT OTHERWISE IS IN NEAR PERFECT CONDITION. ON TOP OF IT ALL, IT MAKES ME NEVER WANT TO BUY A NISSAN AGAIN, AND I WILL LOBBY AGAINST ANY FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER PURCHASING A NISSAN. THIS IS SIMPLY A POOR BUSINESS PRACTICE.