Quality Problems In Canton, Miss. Plant

ZubbyZu · 06-28-2004, 09:42 PM

Nissan hustles engineers to U.S. to aid new-vehicle quality effort

http://autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?p..._code=05601966

**CaliforniaTitan** · 06-28-2004, 09:57 PM

That's exactly what I would do with the QA issues that have been popping up. Nissan knows the importance of Quality being associated with thier nameplate. It can only make things better.

Chris

ZubbyZu · 06-28-2004, 10:40 PM

Kudos to TitanTalk members for helping this effort. I believe Nissan is monitoring TitanTalk mature and honest discussions and taking notes.

SupraTitan · 06-29-2004, 10:13 AM

I'm sure that will most definately help. Before my Titan I had a 4runner, of course I couldn't help compare the build quality of my 15 year old made in Japan supra and my 5 year old usa built 4runner. I was always disappointed in the build quality of the 4 runner, the supra even with the sport roof is such a solid, rattle free smooth operating automobile, it also gives the occupants a sense that you could leterally plow thru anything and be safe. The 4runner rattled over bumps, had considerble chassis flex and just plain felt like the nuts and bolts were not all tight, something my japaneese built supra has never displayed even with considerably more milage and age. My Titan does however feel to be a much tighter vehichle at this point in its life vs. my 4runner, but still does not live up to the tightness and just plain supreme build quality of my supra. I do feel that the titan was put together with a little more TLC than my old 4runner but there is definately room for improvement, and Nissan is definately taking the high road here, honestly the more Japaneese influence at the plant the better.

greg w · 06-29-2004, 10:26 AM

[quote=SupraTitan]I'm sure that will most definately help. Before my Titan I had a 4runner, of course I couldn't help compare the build quality of my 15 year old made in Japan supra and my 5 year old usa built 4runner.

I saw the same with my 86 Mazda pu. Not a single problem , that I didn't create, in years of driving and and abuse pulling and hauling way beyond it's limits. I kept it to haul and do the things I didn't want to do with a new one untill last year and donated it to Volunteers of America.

Steve04SE · 06-29-2004, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZubbyZu

Nissan hustles engineers to U.S. to aid new-vehicle quality effort

http://autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?p..._code=05601966

Flame suit on.
I hate to say it, but I think a lot of the problems are due to a lack of pride or ability by the MS workers. IMHO, either the assembly line workers have no pride are or inadequately trained in their work or the management is failing to instill it in them. Possibly, the line workers have issues that management won't address, either way, a personnel shake-up is needed.

SupraTitan · 06-29-2004, 10:57 AM

Could another issue be the labor laws here in the U.S. Less face it, its nearly impossible to fire someone or let them go these days. All that really expected of the american worker is that they show up on time and can pass a piss test. If they can meet that criteria your stuck with them even if thier actual work performance is less then stellar. The Japneese have a much more competitive work force, you screw up your held accountable and gone.

Drew · 06-29-2004, 12:06 PM

I wouldn't blame U.S. labor laws. There are so many other cars being built in the U.S. that have a reputation for quality, such as the Camry, so car companies have demonstrated the ability to make good vehicles in the U.S. despite any perceived problems with our labor law. I really think Nissan is suffering teething problems with starting a new factory and that the issues will be sorted out.

While I love my Titan, the fit and finish are not as good as the other vehicles I've purchased in the past few years. In my case, the issues aren't substantive, e.g., the door panel gaps are slightly uneven. However, if the quality is suspect on the outside, then it makes you wonder about the quality underneath as well.

bestatchess · 06-29-2004, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZubbyZu

Nissan hustles engineers to U.S. to aid new-vehicle quality effort

http://autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?p..._code=05601966

Wow, that was quick, right after I mailed back my survery form!!

smoke_armada · 06-29-2004, 12:14 PM

Anyone ever see "Gung Ho" with Michael Keaton?

Good flick, don't know if that's the prob in Miss though.

I have the cracked overhead console problem though so im not objective. Whoever torqued those bolts down and broke the plastic knew what they were doing. I'm still waiting on the backordered replacement. Going on 6 weeks now. They must have a lot of replacement orders to fill.

Oh well. Still better than a Sequoia.

zpylot · 06-29-2004, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve04SE

Flame suit on.
I hate to say it, but I think a lot of the problems are due to a lack of pride or ability by the MS workers. IMHO, either the assembly line workers have no pride are or inadequately trained in their work or the management is failing to instill it in them. Possibly, the line workers have issues that management won't address, either way, a personnel shake-up is needed.

I totally agree with you. I bought a new 1996 Honda Accord 2-door coupe right after my roommate boutght a 1996 Honda Accord 4-door. In fact they were the same exterior and interior colors. The 2-door was made in America and the 4-door was still made in Japan. There were many interior finish items on my car that were not installed properly. For example. They used a felt like material that went between the dash and the firewall, I guess for noise or rattling suppression. They trimmed it but did not cut all the way through and left the pieces just hanging there on mine. All they had to do were pull the pieces off, that's what I did. But they did not, lazy. This was not the case on his Japanese made car. There were other issues like. Knowing it was made in America I just figured it was lazy workers that were not taking pride in their work.

It could also be because Unions have such a strangle hold on American businesses that they cannot fire or reprimand employees without consequences.

Case in point. My dad belonged to Operating Engineers Local 3 (California). He was winding down his career and he was an operator of a gravel pit rock crusher. He was a journeyman mechanic working out in the field. He had a co-worker, your basic clueless idiot that screwed up time and time again costing the company thousands of dollars to fix his wrong doings. He was also a mechanic out in the field. So they fired him. He and his union rep went to aribtration with the company and the union made the company put him back on salary and they gave him my fathers daytime shift. Moving my dad back out to the field being a mechanic on nights. Mind you my father earned his position but it was taken away because of threats by the union.

Operating Engineers Local 3 (and 9 in Colorado) really took care of my father and his family, we had great health benefits. But the unions have become way too powerful in America's business landscape.

Of course this is my 2 cents worth. Can I borrow your flamesuit Steve?

Gman · 06-29-2004, 12:53 PM

I have a 02 Altima that has 50k on it and have yet to hear a squeek, rattle, or wheeze - so I wouldn't blame the US factory unless the Canton plan is worse than the one in TN. I'm just hoping that I got a late enough model (June, 04) Titan to avoid some of the issues that have come to light.

love1u0 · 06-29-2004, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoke_armada

Anyone ever see "Gung Ho" with Michael Keaton?

Good flick, don't know if that's the prob in Miss though.

I have the cracked overhead console problem though so im not objective. Whoever torqued those bolts down and broke the plastic knew what they were doing. I'm still waiting on the backordered replacement. Going on 6 weeks now. They must have a lot of replacement orders to fill.

Oh well. Still better than a Sequoia.

I noticed I had the same problem yesterday. And Im sure you are right, whoever torqued it down had to know they cracked it up.

I used to build boats for Bayliner and they didnt give a rats *** what shape the boat left the building. There theory was get the boat out the door as fast as you can, it has a warranty. I hope that is not Nissan's plan.

bestatchess · 06-29-2004, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by love1u0

I used to build boats for Bayliner and they didnt give a rats *** what shape the boat left the building. There theory was get the boat out the door as fast as you can, it has a warranty. I hope that is not Nissan's plan.

Rickover used to take the contractors that built submarines for the Navy out on pretty rigorous shakedown cruises. He thought that would help quality control.

p905 · 06-29-2004, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gman

I have a 02 Altima that has 50k on it and have yet to hear a squeek, rattle, or wheeze - so I wouldn't blame the US factory unless the Canton plan is worse than the one in TN. I'm just hoping that I got a late enough model (June, 04) Titan to avoid some of the issues that have come to light.

I was wondering that too. The Titan I just got last week has a MFR date of 05/04. I was hoping that maybe some of the problems that I've seen posted here were in earlier models and maybe mine will be free of some of these things.