Front Differential Problem w/ NO help from NISSAN

[AlaskanTitan]

I have to give a little background info first. I live in Alaska. Right now the roads are icy and it snows a lot, so I need a RELIABLE 4WD truck. I have had my 2005 XE KC 4WD w/ OR for about 6 months and have 8000 miles on it. The ONLY mods I have are Donahoes in the front (at the factory settings) and Bilsteins in the rear. The front diff keeps failing. I called PRG (Greg) and chatted with him about this problem a couple times and have talked with the service guy at the dealership. They seem to be saying the same thing. I should NOT be having this problem unless it was a defect from the FACTORY or a design flaw. I will start from the beginning below.

28 NOVEMBER 2005
While pulling out of a parking spot at a local store, I hear a pop and the 4wd quits working. I get home (about a half mile) and the front dif is leaking fluid all over my driveway.

29 NOVEMBER 2005
I call the dealership and have them tow my Titan in. Later that day they call me and explain my driveshafts JUST popped out of the dif. They put them back in, but informed me that IF it happened again they can't work on my truck due to my Donahoes in the front and the Bilsteins in the rear. They said I will have to change the shocks back over to original if I want them to work on it again.

04 DECEMBER 2005
Driving around, running errands NOT in 4WD at the time. When I do need my 4WD I tried to put it in and nothing happens. I pulled over and looked underneath, and what do you know...leaking fluid.

06 DECEMBER 2005
I dropped the truck off at the dealership. They imformed me that since my problem 3 other Titans and 1 Armada came in with the same exact problem, BUT all them had original shocks. After a brief discussion with the service guy there, he and I came to an agreement that obviously it's NOT my Donahoes that is causing the problem. He informed me that I could not have the trucks front dif replaced unless Nissan gave them permission to do the warranty work. I immediately call 1-800-NISSAN1. They tell me I'll recieve a call back in 2 business days

09 DECEMBER 2005
Dealership informs me parts won't be here for 3 + weeks and they still can't work on it unless Nissan gives them the OK. They pop the driveshafts back in and I drive home.

12 DECEMBER 2005
Nissan FINALLY calls me back to inform me they will not do the warranty work since I voided the warranty with the addition of the shocks. First of all when this guy called me, he didn't introduce himself or even let me know he was from Nissan until I asked him a couple minutes into the conversation. I told him what the dealership told me about the other Titans and Armadas with the same exact problem. He tells me "I have exhausted all my resources" and cannot help me. When I tried to voice more concerns he HUNG UP ON ME!

Conclusions:
I bought a truck from a manufacturer that does not listen to the concerns of their consumers. Their reps are not timely, helpful, or courteous on the phone. I was under the impression that the 1-800-NISSAN1 line was for concerns that couldn't be worked out at the dealership. I guess not.

If I was to keep the truck for an extended period of time and the shocks wore out, I could not replace them or my front dif would break. Sounds like a load of BS to me for lack of a better expression.

ANY help from anyone on here would be greatly appreciated.

[bestatchess]

I recall seeing this a few times previously. Here is one:

Front Differential *Update*

[bestatchess]

Regarding the warranty not covering the front diff due to the 2" lift from the DRs, some dealers are selling this:

http://www.4wheelpartsadventures.com...ue/No-Fear.pdf

[AlaskanTitan]

Yeah I brought that up, too. But after talking with PRG and the Service Rep I am left with a big WTF.

[bestatchess]

Under Magnusson Moss Warranty Act, they have to prove that the DRs caused the problem in order to deny warranty coverage on that basis. Since the retainer clip has apparently been failing in the past, causing the front axles to fall out of 4x4s with OEM shocks, this would probably be difficult for them to do.

http://www.sema.org/main/semaorghome.aspx?ID=50096

or perhaps a local lemon law attorney might be helpful

In practice, this might involve getting a local lemon law lawyer to drive the point home.

[Deepwater]

Originally Posted by AlaskanTitan

I have to give a little background info first. I live in Alaska. Right now the roads are icy and it snows a lot, so I need a RELIABLE 4WD truck. I have had my 2005 XE KC 4WD w/ OR for about 6 months and have 8000 miles on it. The ONLY mods I have are Donahoes in the front (at the factory settings) and Bilsteins in the rear. The front diff keeps failing. I called PRG (Greg) and chatted with him about this problem a couple times and have talked with the service guy at the dealership. They seem to be saying the same thing. I should NOT be having this problem unless it was a defect from the FACTORY or a design flaw. I will start from the beginning below.

28 NOVEMBER 2005
While pulling out of a parking spot at a local store, I hear a pop and the 4wd quits working. I get home (about a half mile) and the front dif is leaking fluid all over my driveway.

29 NOVEMBER 2005
I call the dealership and have them tow my Titan in. Later that day they call me and explain my driveshafts JUST popped out of the dif. They put them back in, but informed me that IF it happened again they can't work on my truck due to my Donahoes in the front and the Bilsteins in the rear. They said I will have to change the shocks back over to original if I want them to work on it again.

04 DECEMBER 2005
Driving around, running errands NOT in 4WD at the time. When I do need my 4WD I tried to put it in and nothing happens. I pulled over and looked underneath, and what do you know...leaking fluid.

06 DECEMBER 2005
I dropped the truck off at the dealership. They imformed me that since my problem 3 other Titans and 1 Armada came in with the same exact problem, BUT all them had original shocks. After a brief discussion with the service guy there, he and I came to an agreement that obviously it's NOT my Donahoes that is causing the problem. He informed me that I could not have the trucks front dif replaced unless Nissan gave them permission to do the warranty work. I immediately call 1-800-NISSAN1. They tell me I'll recieve a call back in 2 business days

09 DECEMBER 2005
Dealership informs me parts won't be here for 3 + weeks and they still can't work on it unless Nissan gives them the OK. They pop the driveshafts back in and I drive home.

12 DECEMBER 2005
Nissan FINALLY calls me back to inform me they will not do the warranty work since I voided the warranty with the addition of the shocks. First of all when this guy called me, he didn't introduce himself or even let me know he was from Nissan until I asked him a couple minutes into the conversation. I told him what the dealership told me about the other Titans and Armadas with the same exact problem. He tells me "I have exhausted all my resources" and cannot help me. When I tried to voice more concerns he HUNG UP ON ME!

Conclusions:
I bought a truck from a manufacturer that does not listen to the concerns of their consumers. Their reps are not timely, helpful, or courteous on the phone. I was under the impression that the 1-800-NISSAN1 line was for concerns that couldn't be worked out at the dealership. I guess not.

If I was to keep the truck for an extended period of time and the shocks wore out, I could not replace them or my front dif would break. Sounds like a load of BS to me for lack of a better expression.

ANY help from anyone on here would be greatly appreciated.

This guy at 1 800 nissan was is name DAVE LAMONE ?
If it is he has done the same to me.

He has hung up on me to so dont feel bad.
He is the big dog with them and he sucks big time!

[AlaskanTitan]

I don't know what his name was. He didn't offer it and I failed to get it by the time the conversation ended.

[madgard9]

This is my first time on here and i made myself sick looking at all the problems this truck has had. I thought it was just mine . 33 visits to dealership. They alway fixed it ,but its a dam inconvienence. Same Ft.Diff Problem, and i have 6 inch Pro Comp lift, they replaced 3 days later no questions or issues concerning my lift. I thought for sure they were not going to warr. it.

[Deepwater]

Originally Posted by AlaskanTitan

I don't know what his name was. He didn't offer it and I failed to get it by the time the conversation ended.

It sure sounds like him, it is his pattern to hang up on people.
He's done it to me a few times already!

Just tell the dealer to fix it under waranty.

Or else

Deep.

[Armada]

Two suggestions:

1. Get a tape recorder that can tape record the conversation. Spend a few nickels to set up a conference call with your dealer's service department and the Nissan rep. Let them know you are taping the conversation and get it all down on tape. I'll bet the guy refuses to talk if you are saying you intend to tape it, or if he does talk, you have his position locked in. Either way you have what you need for recommendation #2.

2. I'll bet that Alaska has a consumer protection division in its Attorney General's office or with some state agency. Report the abusive behavior to them and make a formal complaint regarding the issue. They will work it up for you and in many instances a call from a staff attorney in a state Attorney General's office gets action.

If these don't work, then get the dealer to do the repair anyway and insist that you be allowed to be present and photograph the disassembly and inspection process. Make sure they know that you intend to seek redress and will be turning the information over to your representatives - either the public agency or your personal attorney.

[TitanTech659]

As a Nissan Technician, I see this is going to be an issue like the rear diffs. I have replaced 2 rear diffs and 2 front diffs. The 2 rear diff replacements were right after they came out. The 2 front diff replacements happened this week. I had problems getting the rear diffs due to the vehicle had just came out and replacement parts were not available yet. The front diffs took less than 1 week to get. If this does become an issue, I hope they get the diffs out to the dealerships as fast as they sent mine.

[TitanTech659]

Oh, and the reason for the front diffs going bad was the axles popping out due to suspension travel. Couldn't see what was different between the new front diff and the old front diff so I can't really give any more info.

[TitanTech659]

Almost forgot. Both Titans that needed front diffs had stock Rancho shocks. No aftermarket parts what so ever.

[Herbpov]

Oh great, Here we go again!!! Just about had it with this truck. I wonder what is next.

[Deepwater]

just wondering how things are going ?

Do you have an update on your problem, I hope they fix it for ya!

Deep.