(media) Nissan: The Squeaks Get Louder

[stevemis]

Finding a slew of negative press all of a sudden..


http://www.businessweek.com/magazine...0/b3883053.htm

Nissan: The Squeaks Get Louder
A slew of defects is dragging down the cars' J.D. Power ratings

...


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.


...

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

[SupraTitan]

Originally Posted by stevemis

Finding a slew of negative press all of a sudden..


...

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

Key word here, "consultant to study it for a rival" basically meaning there paid by another auto mfg., what do you expect them to say, that the titan uses the best components in the biz. There are no specifics mentioned here as to the cheap components, so if thats the best they can come up with let em run with it.

[redrock4x4]

The interior does seem pretty cheap in comparison to Dodge, Ford, Toyota, etc and I do have more interior rattles and way more minor nuisances than I expected from a Nissan. I still really like the look of the interior, but the other companies use way better interior components in my opinion. I'm sure many other people feel the same way and that is what the press is finding out. I have more complaints about my Titan in the 1st month than we've had with our 01 Pathfinder over the past 3 years.

With that said the drive train combo is second to none hopefully the minor issues we have will get worked out soon. The problems I'm referring to are rattles in the doors, rattles in the dash, a loud creak from the back seat area, drivers side window won't roll up some times, and the radio just plain sucks.

[stevemis]

Originally Posted by SupraTitan

Key word here, "consultant to study it for a rival" basically meaning there paid by another auto mfg., what do you expect them to say, that the titan uses the best components in the biz. There are no specifics mentioned here as to the cheap components, so if thats the best they can come up with let em run with it.

"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."

11th place. There are 10 other manufacturers that did better than Nissan. I didn't even know there were 11 manufacturers of automobiles out there... I do know Hyundai is tied for position number 2 or 3... What does that say?!

That is INITIAL QUALITY - the first 90 days. New cars shouldn't be back at the dealer getting fixed in the first weeks, should they?

Any idea where my week old truck is today? It's at the stealer getting rattles, squeaks, and a loose heat shield looked at and having the front bumper adjusted so it's freakin' level.

I'd say I have to agree with the overall gist of the article, which is basically things got rushed out the door by people who still need to learn how to build cars. JD Power's numbers seem to agree too.

It's still an awesome truck, don't get me wrong.

-Steve

[greg w]

I have to agree with the survey. Mine is full of squeeks & rattles, front bumper not aligned, passenger side air bag doesn't come on if person sits at back of seat, headlight switch turns off when using signals, thin hood dented being closed when serviced< (not at dealer), nothing on dash to tell if fog lights are on, drips in paint clearcoat along bottom, radio,etc.

Not impressive for over $37,000., but at least it's not blowing blue smoke out the back like the 2002 GMC Sierra started at 4000 miles and the service dept at Nissan is addressing the concerns unlike GMC. I was hoping for more out of Nissan quality.

[ski_freak]

So far my Titan seems pretty solid.

Everyone that bought a first year Titan took a bit of a gamble on an unknown, but I have to say that I have had at least 3 04 F-150 owners approach me at the gas stations and other places stating that they are very unhappy with their new F-150 and were considering a Titan. I guess you will always find discontentment no matter the brand, but you will also find contentment as well.

Until mine starts showing problems I will be content.

[stevemis]

Originally Posted by greg w

I have to agree with the survey. Mine is full of squeeks & rattles, front bumper not aligned, passenger side air bag doesn't come on if person sits at back of seat, headlight switch turns off when using signals, thin hood dented being closed when serviced< (not at dealer), nothing on dash to tell if fog lights are on, drips in paint clearcoat along bottom, radio,etc.

Not impressive for over $37,000., but at least it's not blowing blue smoke out the back like the 2002 GMC Sierra started at 4000 miles and the service dept at Nissan is addressing the concerns unlike GMC. I was hoping for more out of Nissan quality.

I hear you. I changed my oil yesterday and found a piece of balled-up grey foam wedged in the corner of the skidplate covering the oil filter.. I can only assume it made noise and someone lowered it and shoved the foam in.

It wasn't even glued on.

-Steve

[stevemis]

Originally Posted by redrock4x4

The interior does seem pretty cheap in comparison to Dodge, Ford, Toyota, etc and I do have more interior rattles and way more minor nuisances than I expected from a Nissan. I still really like the look of the interior, but the other companies use way better interior components in my opinion.

I don't know if I can agree on the Dodge interior.. We test drove the Hemi Ram and Hemi Durango and I noticed every piece of interior plastic had a visible seam, along with a fuzzy trail of thin plastic. Someone could have at least trimmed the fuzzies off with a razor blade.. or, better yet, put the seam in a less obvious place.

I did like the Hemi Ram quite a bit, but I know Dodge has had a LOT of bad press -- not that they haven't asked for it. It seems there are much larger problems with the Dodge products that get swept under the carpet (just like the Nissan radio issues) .. except these involve transmissions, ball joints and bad lifter springs.

-Steve

[hp&trq]

Give Titan a couple years and these problems will be ironed out and Nissan will be laughing all the way to the bank. They did do a lot of things well first time making a full size truck.

[SarkaZm]

Originally Posted by hp&trq

Give Titan a couple years and these problems will be ironed out and Nissan will be laughing all the way to the bank. They did do a lot of things well first time making a full size truck.

They are already laughing all the way to the bank!

Originally Posted by redrock4x4

The interior does seem pretty cheap in comparison to Dodge, Ford, Toyota, etc

Ford & Toyota maybe...But not dodge!

I was fully aware of the initial problems, however, in my mind, all of them seemed fairly minor (tolerable). What I was NOT prepared for was a blown transmission line with 70 miles on the truck. That is unaccepable from any manufacturer. Obviously Nissan is trying to do too much, and not properly training there assembly line workers, and we are suffering for it! Needless to say, my J.D. Powers survey will reflect that as well. However, after all this, I still like the truck

Also, It would be interesting to know from those on the board that work in the plant, if they felt they were properly trained by Nissan? But for fear of loosing your jobs, please don't answer!

[Slick50]

Originally Posted by SarkaZm

They are already laughing all the way to the bank!




Ford & Toyota maybe...But not dodge!

I was fully aware of the initial problems, however, in my mind, all of them seemed fairly minor (tolerable). What I was NOT prepared for was a blown transmission line with 70 miles on the truck. That is unaccepable from any manufacturer. Obviously Nissan is trying to do too much, and not properly training there assembly line workers, and we are suffering for it! Needless to say, my J.D. Powers survey will reflect that as well. However, after all this, I still like the truck

Also, It would be interesting to know from those on the board that work in the plant, if they felt they were properly trained by Nissan? But for fear of loosing your jobs, please don't answer!

All of us here who have bought the Titan, whether we like it or not, are part of Nissan's trial and error learning curve. Let us not kid ourselves--we all knew that and took a chance. Collectively, we have millions of dollars of Titans in our collective driveways. Each of us weighed the pluses and minus and to some extent we rolled the dice.

But, what I have been reading here is basically that we still love the truck--even after experiencing our respective problems. That tells me that Nissan has only to learn how to better assemble the trucks (and they will), use some upgraded sheet metal at the hood and some upgrade of the interior, fix or replace the audio system, apply a better paint finish--and it has a cash cow on its hands.

Now, the question is, will they? Of course, I think they will because their corporate future depends upon the Titan, Armada and Quest achieving the sales goals Nissan needs to succeed. However, for us first year buyers--we must just cross our fingers and hope for the best--hope that Nissan really does care to address the problems we have. I think they have no choice but to care. Just my two cents.
slick50

[SarkaZm]

Originally Posted by Slick50

All of us here who have bought the Titan, whether we like it or not, are part of Nissan's trial and error learning curve. Let us not kid ourselves--we all knew that and took a chance. Collectively, we have millions of dollars of Titans in our collective driveways. Each of us weighed the pluses and minus and to some extent we rolled the dice.

But, what I have been reading here is basically that we still love the truck--even after experiencing our respective problems. That tells me that Nissan has only to learn how to better assemble the trucks (and they will), use some upgraded sheet metal at the hood and some upgrade of the interior, fix or replace the audio system, apply a better paint finish--and it has a cash cow on its hands.

Now, the question is, will they? Of course, I think they will because their corporate future depends upon the Titan, Armada and Quest achieving the sales goals Nissan needs to succeed. However, for us first year buyers--we must just cross our fingers and hope for the best--hope that Nissan really does care to address the problems we have. I think they have no choice but to care. Just my two cents.
slick50

Slick, I couldn't agree more. However, “It’s the first model year” should never be the excuse quality issues.

[TNTITAN]

Hello all. Just a thought but I wonder if the trucks built in say March or April are going to be better sorted out than the ones built in November or December? Mine was built in April and so far I cant complain about any issues.

[Slick50]

Originally Posted by TNTITAN

Hello all. Just a thought but I wonder if the trucks built in say March or April are going to be better sorted out than the ones built in November or December? Mine was built in April and so far I cant complain about any issues.

Ditto. Mine was also built early April, but I do have some of the same issues. The RF audio problem I do not have. I do have squeaks and rattles, and I think the rotors have warped some. The paint job seems as if they forgot to apply the clear coat--it scratches much to easily.
slick50