NHTSA Complaint #721072 — 1996 NISSAN MAXIMA

WITHIN 4 WEEKS OF PURCHASE, THE PAINT BEGAN TO WEAR THIN ON THE SIDE MOULDINGS ON THE DOORS. MY CAR IS BURGUNDY AND I NOTICED THAT QUITE A FEW OTHER CARS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I CALLED NISSAN'S CONSUMER HOTLINE AFTER GETTING NO ASSISTANCE FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND FOUND OUT TWO INTERESTING THINGS. 1) WHEN THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY EXPIRES, ANY REPAIRS THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN DONE UNDER THAT WARRANTY ARE NOW DONE ONLY AT THE DEALERSHIP'S DISCRETION, NOT BY NISSAN. 2) WHEN YOU REPORT UNSATISFACTORY CUSTOMER SERVICE AT A DEALERSHIP, THEY GET "IN TROUBLE" AND ARE MORE WILLING TO WORK WITH YOU AT THAT POINT. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE DEALERSHIP TO PAY HALF FOR PAINTING AND REPLACING THE MOULDING, BUT IT TOOK A LITTLE WORK. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED IN SUMMARY. *AK