Nissan Aust. in breach of VCAT order - '04 Patrol engine failed @ approx 100k km

Submitted: Monday, Aug 22, 2011 at 21:40

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Leroy

Take Nissan to VCAT or fair trading in your state if you're not happy with their service or response to issues regarding your 3.0l Patrol

Yup this is a bit of a long read but I’ve tried to condense it but don't be discouraged if you're considering taking action.

What an on going saga. It was about this time last year when I first approached the dealer about a coolant usage issue with my '04 3.0l Patrol which was just out of the extended warranty. They said to book it in for diagnosis. They confirmed that it's definitely using coolant and that it was highly probable the head was cracked.

As you all know an all too common issue with these engines. I approached Nissan Australia because a diesel engine should last longer than 100,000km's (actually the coolant loss was first noticed at 93,000km's).
They wouldn't do a thing until the head came off, which I was vehemently opposed to, because then I would not be able to drive it and living in a rural location is a PITA without transport.

Well I succumb to their demand and the local Nissan dealer removed the head, last January 5th 2011. Well it was worse than expected. A glow plug tip had also dropped off into the engine and bounced around cylinder 2 necessitating in a bottom end rebuild as well.

Nissan Australia, after directing me to get the head removed before any kind of consideration for assistance, said nope, you're on your own. I directed them to organise for its reassembly since they demanded the head come off and misled me into thinking I was going to get some kind of assistance. They decided to come back with an offer of an engine rebuild kit. I asked if that included a head and they said no! Well I said that’s not good enough because the reason I’m in this position is because the head cracked.

Roll forward to the 27th May 2011 and I attend a VCAT conference hearing and the National Customer Service Manager agrees to supply all parts required to rebuild my engine back to its original operating condition. Also to top it off he also doubled his $500 offer to $1000 for the crack in the back door!

It gets even better, the National Customer Service Manager emails me that he has approved a complete long 3.0l diesel engine for my vehicle. All I had to do was sign a deed of release. It was agreed that I do this at the VCAT conference hearing and I was happy to oblige and it’s in the VCAT order. Nissan Australia Cust. Service said to seek legal advice regarding this and I did.

I’ve since had 2 lawyers look at the paperwork they supplied and they said this is not a deed of release and NOT TO SIGN IT. The first lawyer drafted a deed of release which I submitted to Nissan Aust. but they wouldn’t agree to sign it. We to and froed with different drafts but it got to the stage what they were putting forward for me to sign wasn’t a reflection of the VCAT orders hence I wouldn’t sign. They wanted me to sign my rights away by only accepting what they were putting forward!!!

As a result of not signing their deed of release they wouldn’t release the parts to the dealer where my Patrol has been sitting for almost 8 months now and NO LOAN VEHICLE HAS EVEN BEEN OFFERED. But the signing of the deed of release is not a prerequisite or condition for releasing the parts to the dealer in the VCAT order so Nissan Australia is in BREACH OF THE VCAT ORDER.

To drag this whole saga out even further, Nissan Australia Customer morons want to go back to VCAT for a directions hearing to clarify the VCAT order that was issued. What tha???? It's in english and this is what they put forward at the hearing.

Nissan Australia Customer service work on the principal of wearing the customer down. This was also the case when my 2nd gear failed in my gearbox at 12,000km’s and they took 5 months to finally replace the gearbox. But in the mean time I had to drive it over another 13,000kms and the Nissan dealer had the Patrol off the road for 5 weeks diagnosing and changing a spring then ordering another when it didn’t fix the problem until I jumped up and down.

Same with the rear door crack that so many people have also. Nissan just dismissed this as wear and tear. I had it repaired and it cracked again after a Kimberley trip.

So it’s back to VCAT for a date yet to be determined for a VCAT directions hearing. We’ll see if this can be resolved by Christmas.

Well done Mr Nissan for dragging this out for as long as you can. Moral to the story? Don’t buy a new NISSAN if you expect warranty or any type of customer service.

Leroy

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Reply By: George_M - Monday, Aug 22, 2011 at 21:59

Monday, Aug 22, 2011 at 21:59

You've certainly got further with Nissan on this matter than many other contributors to this forum have, Leroy.

It must be a real PITA having your vehicle off the road for so long, and having to put up with so much legalistic crap in the meantime.

...but you've done well!

George

Come any closer and I'll rip your throat out!

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AnswerID: 463296

Follow Up By: Leroy - Monday, Aug 22, 2011 at 22:35

Monday, Aug 22, 2011 at 22:35

The whole ordeal has been pretty upsetting and more so since Nissan Aust have decided to drag this out even longer by wanting to head back to VCAT for a directions hearing.

People need to know they need to stand up to these bullies.

Leroy

FollowupID: 737100

Reply By: Dust-Devil - Monday, Aug 22, 2011 at 23:35

Monday, Aug 22, 2011 at 23:35

Leroy

I just need to get a bit of clarity re your situation here. The way I read your post, you are saying the following:
(1) Your vehicle is a 04 (6-7years old) 3.0l Nissan Diesel that's is out of OEM and extended warranty and has done 100,000kms plus
(2) In August 2010, you took it to a Nissan dealer post the aforementioned warranty limits and claimed that it was leaking coolant.
(3) Approx. 4mths later (5.1.11) you decide to let Nissan dismantle part of the engine to confirm that a cracked head is the problem, and on doing so they discover a 'damaged head' and a dropped glow plug tip that has caused untold damage to No. 2 cylinder.
(4) Nissan in effect deny any liability for the Head and cylinder damage as the vehicle has done in excess of a 100,000kms and both OEM and Extended warranty has expired.
(5) Approx 5 months later (May 2011) at a VCAT hearing, Nissan offer to fix your problem/s by replacing the original engine with a new 'long motor' and in so doing,' killing two birds with one stone' so to speak, plus give you $1,000 for a/the cracked door that somehow gets included with engine complaint.
(6) You had Nissan's offer scrutinised by two lawyers and a prolonged bout of 'letter writing' by these two lawyers has not progressed your situation with Nissan to a final outcome.
(7) Your matter is now back before VCAT for a hearing, hopefully before Christmas.

Out of all this I have identified the following:
(a) You have a vehicle that had exhausted all warranties prior to your complaint and it is now a year older. (warranties do not last for life and have to end sometime)
(b) You will have been without your vehicle for approx 12months before the next VCAT hearing.
(c) You have no doubt paid the vehicle registration for the 12 months it's been out of service.
(d) You have also no doubt paid some sort of insurance on the said vehicle whilst it has been out of service.
(e) I am guessing that the lawyers are costing a dollar or three for their advice and 'letter writing' etc etc.
(f) You are experiencing stress and strain which you don't need

My question therefore is - in view of the above wouldn't it be much easier, way less time consuming and costly to yourself to just accept Nissan's offer to replace the engine with a new 'long motor', plus the $1,000 for the cracked door and move on and never buy another Nissan.

DD

AnswerID: 463304

Follow Up By: Uncle-Laurie - Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 06:25

Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 06:25

Roll forward to the 27th May 2011 and I attend a VCAT conference hearing and the National Customer Service Manager agrees to supply all parts required to rebuild my engine back to its original operating condition. Also to top it off he also doubled his $500 offer to $1000 for the crack in the back door!

It gets even better, the National Customer Service Manager emails me that he has approved a complete long 3.0l diesel engine for my vehicle. All I had to do was sign a deed of release. It was agreed that I do this at the VCAT conference hearing and I was happy to oblige and it’s in the VCAT order. Nissan Australia Cust. Service said to seek legal advice regarding this and I did.

After reading these two paragraphs, at that point I would have considered myself as having a win and accepted the deal! Then after all that drama
I would replace the vehicle with one fitted with a 4.2 or 6.5 diesel engine.
I know one things for sure your solicitor would be the only one benefitting from this case.

cheers Unc

FollowupID: 737117

Follow Up By: Leroy - Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 07:40

Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 07:40

DD,

There is consumer law regarding products and regardless of warranty they have to be of merchantable quality.

Nissan wouldn't refer to the VCAT order in it's entirety in it's so called deed of release. They listed part numbers and said this is all you need. Now I'm not a diesel mechanic nor a Nissan parts expert so why don't they just refer to the VCAT order in it's entirety which says to supply all parts? This is what the solicitors are wondering????

Is there a chance other parts are damaged like the turbo and/or injector pump hence Nissan are trying to mitigate the damage to themselves and try 'trick' not only me but others in the past, into signing something to protect them?

There has been a minimal legal billl so the solicitors aren't getting rich and most of the process has been taken up by time waiting for VCAT.

.......Leroy

FollowupID: 737121

Follow Up By: Leroy - Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 07:51

Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 07:51

And further more, Nissan Aust. want the deed of release signed as a prerequisite prior to releasing the parts (and the $1000). Now you have to ask yourself, why is that? It isn't in the Order that this is a prerequisite!!!!

Leroy

FollowupID: 737123

Follow Up By: Dust-Devil - Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 11:50

Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 11:50

Leroy

Re your 'extended warranty' - did Nissan actually extend their initial 3yr warranty, or did they make that facility available via a third party warranty carrier.

I have a 2005 JEEP CRD Cherokee that I extended the OEM 3 year warranty on via a 3rd warranty carrier (Insurance Company) for $2,000.00 which was the greatest waste of $2k ever. A couple of turbo intercooler hoses split during the extended warranty and were deemed fair wear and tear and some other items that were all unique to JEEP that were considered likewise by the warranty carrier.

I now have a Toyota 200 TTD with it's 3yr OEM warranty which has been extended by Totota via the dealer for 3 years for FREE - as long as the vehicle is serviced by Toyota at BOOK service intervals at $210 set price per service.

What I am alluding to here, is it possible that Nissan set up your extended warranty along the lines of the aforementioned JEEP, and you are unknowingly dealing with a poxing 3rd party warranty carrier via Nissan.

During my considerable lifetime I have had 5 Nissan's (none 4WD) with 2 being excellent and 3 of them total heaps of bleep in the bad old 12month warranty days. I vowed and declared that No. 5 would be my last ever Nissan and so it has been ever since.

Since the JEEP extended warranty' fiasco, I have never paid to extended an OEM warranty on anything what so ever (usually offered by Electronic items such as TV's) as they cause more grief, stress, time wasting, loss of product usage time for the consumer, than they are worth.

Soooooo! what type of extended warranty was yours.

DD

FollowupID: 737141

Follow Up By: Leroy - Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 12:19

Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 12:19

The extended warranty is Nissan's that you purchase from any nissan dealer. The extened warranty is underwritten by Swan from memory. Cost was approx $1200 and when there was an issue you just take the vehicle to the nearest Nissan stealer. Sadly I actually got my moneys worth from the extended warranty cost.

Leroy

FollowupID: 737143

Follow Up By: Dust-Devil - Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 13:00

Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 13:00

Well! there you go - the JEEP extended warranty I had was underwritten by SWAN also and wasn't worth 1 cent.

I, personally will only be happy as soon as 'all those' involved in providing 3rd party underwritten extended warranties are maggot infested lumps in the ground. That goes equally for all those with any interest whatsoever with BORG-WARNER who I had mega issues with via their components in - wait for it - Yep! Nissan vehicles.

Such is life though and I have moved on, other than reading the death notices daily and avoiding Nissan and Borg-Warner like the plague.

DD

FollowupID: 737147

Reply By: fisho64 - Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 03:00

Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 03:00

So im a little at a loss? What was it they were asking you to sign then? And were they going to put it together? Personally being a marine engineer, i cant see how a cracked head caused a glowplug failure.

I can be a stubborn bastard when it comes to this sort of stuff, but id have thought unless they were asking to borrow your wife or something, youd had a win?

AnswerID: 463307

Follow Up By: Leroy - Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 07:49

Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 07:49

Nissan were asking me to sign a deed of release. What they were putting forward goes way beyond what was required of such a document as there were many clauses that were not relevant. Nissan are only ordered to supply parts and pay the $1000. I think the glowplug failure is coincidental.

I've had a win and will get there eventually and the post is to let people know they have rights as consumers and also to not let Nissan bully them.

Leroy

FollowupID: 737122

Reply By: Robin Miller - Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 11:58

Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 11:58

Most of us would have given up Leroy - thanks for taking the time to post and please keep us informed.

AnswerID: 463331

Follow Up By: Leroy - Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 12:23

Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 12:23

That's the problem, people get put off by the process and Nissan. Nissan work on the premise that people will just throw their arms up and give up for whatever reasons so they count on this.

I was in a fortunate position where I could walk to work and survive with one vehicle. It's still been an inconvenience and more so now that I need a vehicle for work.

Leroy

FollowupID: 737144

Reply By: Member - Captain (WA) - Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 12:02

Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 12:02

Hi Leroy,

Glad to hear you are following thru with your protracted battle with Nissan Australia. I had an issue with the Dual Mass Flywheel on my 2003 GU 3.0TD at 105K and 3.1 years and ended up taking Nissan Australia to Consumer Affairs. I settled with a $1,000 offer on a $2,800 repair bill and by the looks of things, it seems it was a good decision to save myself some grief and not pursue further.

I have now totally fixed the problem by buying a Toyota and could not be happier. Recently when touring thru the centre of Australia, my rear brake pads wore out 7K after the 50K service. I phoned my dealer and he said to take it to their affiliated local dealer, no inspected part should wear out between services without some form of prior notification. Here a courtesy car was awaiting while they inspected my vehicle. It turned out the pads AND discs needed replacing, which was done for FREE, including couriering the parts in.

This level of customer service by Toyota only re-enforces why I will never set foot in a Nissan dealership again, I have already bought 2 new cars since the GU, how many other potential sales have been lost?

Cheers

Captain

PS. I have no affiliation with Toyota, just a happy Scarboro Toyota customer.

AnswerID: 463332

Follow Up By: TerraFirma - Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 12:30

Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 12:30

Concur that Toyota have treated me well over time. I had to buy new injectors for my Hilux and Toyota wouldn't come to the party but in the past they replaced a master brake cylinder on a 100 series that was out of warranty for free. The sort of story you make above is a horror one, many customers cannot justify the extra dollars for a Toyota however I believe you get what you pay for. Let's hope one day Nissan get their customer service together?

FollowupID: 737145

Follow Up By: Dust-Devil - Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 13:12

Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 13:12

Captain

I, second and third you on this re Toyota. I was absolutely gobsmacked when signing up for my 200 and the sales dude starts waffling on about an extended 3 yr warranty and I'm like - yeah! dude I'm hearing you, just like that Ming crud and upholstery scotch guarding at $1,000 a pop - then he absolutely floors me by saying that this 3yr extended warranty is Toyota's, it's free and remains in place as long as you have the vehicle serviced by Toyota on the Service Book schedules.

Then I thought, yeah! they will be $950 a service or close to it. Nup! fixed price at $210.

So! something for virtually nothing and not having to sign my life away for it, will do me any time.

DD

FollowupID: 737149

Follow Up By: Leroy - Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 19:36

Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 19:36

I remember your DMF issue, that's quite a while ago now! It's funny my BIL also had the same issue and just paid for it to be fixed. On top of that his head cracked and the replacement is using coolant ater 18mths. :(

Cheers,
Leroy

FollowupID: 737170

Follow Up By: Member - Bill B1 (NSW) - Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 19:58

Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 19:58

Hi,
You should talk to some early (2003 - 2008) Prado owners about Toyota in regard to their cracking dash.
Some have had them replaced for free and some not all and others it cost $1500.
No consistency and in most cases the owner had to contact Customer Service several times.

I wonder if Consumer Affairs would touch this argument?

Bill

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FollowupID: 737176

Follow Up By: Member - Captain (WA) - Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 21:02

Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 21:02

Hi Bill,

One thing I have found is that if you have all your servicing done from the same dealer you buy the vehicle from, then you tend to get looked after a lot better.

Yes, it can be cheaper to have the vehicle serviced elsewhere, but when you get these grey warranty and service areas, those who have done the dealer servicing tend to get the more favourable results. I wouldn't mind betting that many of those who had them replaced for free out of warranty were the ones who had dealer servicing and were the original owners, or purchased 2nd hand from that dealer.

I know in my case that when I buy my next cruiser, it will more than likely be from Scarboro Toyota. With the fantastic service I have received from them, why would I consider going elsewhere?

Cheers

Captain

FollowupID: 737183

Reply By: Alan S (WA) - Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 13:53

Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 13:53

Leroy

Not being familiar with VCAT but was the VCAT order as it came about out of a conference, actually a ruling, and that was the determination? or was it an outcome agreed to by both parties to close the matter - effectively an out of court settlement that is given the stamp of approval and legiitimacy of a ruling?

If it was an agreement then Nissan probably are within their rights to withhold parts until a deed of release is signed. As all parts of the agreement are as important as the other.

And in this case the question could come down to is the offered Deed of Release unreasonable, it may not be sufficient arguement to say that it is not in the format you require.

If the order was an actual ruling then they probaly have breached an obligation by not supplying the parts. Although if the ruling was that they supply a new long motor, i would have thought that this would have overriden any Deed of release.

Is the deal dependant of the dealer refitting the new engine? If not what i would be doing is;
Get the car back in your possesion - complete with all parts
Tell Nissan you will drop of a signed Deed when you collect the Long Motor.
Use the cash to get the motor fitted elsewhere

Alan

AnswerID: 463341

Follow Up By: Leroy - Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 19:38

Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 19:38

The VCAT Order is legally binding and should be acted upon in a timely manner which VCAT say is 2-3 weeks. Well it's 3 Months now!
The reply below has a little more info about VCAT.

Leroy

FollowupID: 737171

Reply By: Geoff (Newcastle, NSW) - Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 14:17

Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 14:17

Hello Leroy,
I say good for you! It's about time someone bent a car manufacturer over a barrel on warranty both explicit and implied rather than the other way around.

Nissan know the potential problems with this engine and would have a pretty good handle on the known and potential problems with yours.

The bit that will be scaring them is once someone takes them to task in the fullest extent offered by consumer law the precedent has been set. They are then open to others having the same recourse under law with the same potential outcome.

What I've never got my head around fully is how Nissan were able to do a full recall on this engine in Europe but sat on their hands in other parts of the world. Surely this is an admission of problem and liability! (I assume this recall to be true as it has been reported so many times here and in other motoring media)

If you can do it, go for it!

Nissan know the VCAT ruling is legally binding and the only way to get out of it is to grind you into submission. It's easy for me to say but hang in there, you've obviously presented a strong case to VCAT and got the result you wanted.

Forget about the hand wringers who whine about the vehicle being older than a week or two and therefore not a problem. It's called "Fit for Purpose"

Nissan, any of the other manufacturers and their legal advisors know this and will avoid setting a precedent like the plague!

Geoff

Geoff,

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AnswerID: 463344

Follow Up By: disco driver - Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 14:39

Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 14:39

Fit for purpose also requires that the customer does not ignore the request for the vehicle coolant leak to be investigated properly and then, because it is not convenient at the time, to continue driving it with a known problem for a few months until it is convenient for the owner.

It appears unfair to me that the owner knows that there is a problem with his 3L Nissan motor, continues to drive it for a few months and then wonders why his claims are rejected.

I don't own a Nissan or a Toyota so I can claim not to be biased.

Disco.

FollowupID: 737155

Follow Up By: Geoff (Newcastle, NSW) - Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 16:37

Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 16:37

"I don't own a Nissan or a Toyota so I can claim not to be biased."

You're funny, I like humour in a forum post!

As for the rest of it, the thing is broken. They have a history of breaking.

There are people on the Patrol forum involved in class action.

What more does one need to realise they aren't "Fit for Purpose" in their current form?

A very nice vehicle let down by the engine and the local support.

Geoff,

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FollowupID: 737161

Follow Up By: disco driver - Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 19:45

Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 19:45

Geoff,
I'm not denying the thing is broken, we all have read about the reliability or lack thereof in regard to the Nissan 3 Litre motor in the Patrol.

My point is that, after Nissan advised that the cooolant was leaking and the probable cause was a cracked head, why would anyone continue to drive it for a few months more, running the risk of what turned out to be more serious damage.

Once a thing is broken, the usual action is to fix it, not keep on driving.

Disco.

FollowupID: 737172

Follow Up By: Leroy - Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 19:45

Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 19:45

I'm hanging in there Geoff as I've come so far. I'm rather surprised Nissan Aust. have stubbornly gone down this path (they would say I'm the one being stubborn) but they are the ones trying to deviate from the VCAT Order.
The deed of release I put forward was very clear and simple but to appease them I also put in the gag clause they wanted and a few other bits and pieces but they said they couldn't accept a doc that wasn't produced by their own legal team. But the National Customer Service Manager was happy to go back to VCAT and waste more TAX payers money and have them draw one up!

Leroy

FollowupID: 737173

Reply By: Shaker - Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 16:29

Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 16:29

My solicitor once told me that any document that requires you to sign away your rights under common law, cannot be binding.

AnswerID: 463353

Follow Up By: Leroy - Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 19:47

Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 19:47

I'm not a legal eagle so I have to err on the side of caution. :)

Leroy

FollowupID: 737174

Reply By: putrol - Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 18:29

Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 18:29

just stop buying them everyone knows therea ticking time bomb dont buy it & hope it will last 4.2 all the way

AnswerID: 463363

Reply By: Member - Andrew (WA) - Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 21:58

Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011 at 21:58

Great work Leroy...

The bottom line is..."If they arewilling the fix the problem, why do they feel the need to stipulate parts when there may be other issues associated with the failure that you may not be aware of????"

I think Nissan are so aware of the issues with this motor, they can't just fix all the claims because it will cost huge $$$$$$$ hence they fight and many will just go away...not you though!

I too was once a proud series III 3.0tdi owner, and after a serious failure by a Nissan mechanic who did not properly replace my oil filter at 30,000k service (discovered only at the next 40,000k service)...I was offered an extended warranty for free. I accepted the offer and my 100,000k clocked over pretty much on the 5 year warranty expiry mark. Having had issues with vibrations at 100k/ph that could never be resolved ever, thermostat failure on the aircond (on a 42 degree day in the bush) a cracked mount on the air cond compressor, shudder in the clutch and many other things....I opted out of the Nissan and into a 100 series turbo cruiser because I just couldn't trust the Nissan motor. It never blew up on me but I feared time was against me...

The 100 series has some issues but nothing that has ever stopped me from driving to a repair shop. I doubt the motor will let go until around 500,000k. Currently with 200,000 on her and 7 years old, she purrs like a pussy cat at 100k/ph.

I loved the Nissan for many reasons and when it was going well, I recon it was a better 4 x 4 of road that the 100 series but the Nissan ticked some boxes well while the 100 series ticks all boxes well and some very well despite my 'perfectionist' attitude.

Nissan have done themselves out of many customers for many years to come with real grievances...and I'm sure you'll be another...

I wish you well in you fight.

AnswerID: 463384

Follow Up By: Leroy - Wednesday, Aug 24, 2011 at 07:26

Wednesday, Aug 24, 2011 at 07:26

The bottom line is..."If they arewilling the fix the problem, why do they feel the need to stipulate parts when there may be other issues associated with the failure that you may not be aware of????"

This was the concern of the legal eagles I presented the Nissan Deed of Release to and of course it's my concern as well. They're trying to limit their liablily by stipulating parts but why did they agree to the original settlement?

It's great you're enjoying the Cruiser. We got a couple of '06 TD GXL hand me downs at work and tey are very nice to drive. This is what I should of bought or at least a 4.2l Patrol as I bought the 3.0l Patrol new and had the choice!

Leroy

FollowupID: 737201

Reply By: Dust-Devil - Wednesday, Aug 24, 2011 at 11:07

Wednesday, Aug 24, 2011 at 11:07

This has just got to be the all time Forum record for being the most:

(1) Read
(2) Angst ridden
(3) Emotive
(4) Enraging
(5) Frustrating
(6) Venting
(7) Stress mounting
(8) Engaging
(9) Encouraging and
(10) Tenacity oozing

Post/thread that I have ever seen regarding a major component in an OEM vehicle.

As another contributor to this thread pointed out - WHY a recall and component replacement in Europe and not Australia. Possibly because we have no mountainous terrain and cutting a lump/length of the oil dipstick will suffice by blinding the ordinary Aussie with the science of it all.

DD

AnswerID: 463417

Follow Up By: disco driver - Wednesday, Aug 24, 2011 at 15:33

Wednesday, Aug 24, 2011 at 15:33

DD,
I agree with most of what you posted but the fact that Leroy drove his Patrol for a considerable time and distance (August to Jan,and 7000km, according to his post) with a suspect cracked head and leaking coolant must have some bearing on his problems with Nissan.

Perhaps if the work was done as soon as that problem arose, the only issue may have been the cracked head and not all the other things as well.

Disco.

FollowupID: 737228

Follow Up By: Leroy - Wednesday, Aug 24, 2011 at 22:34

Wednesday, Aug 24, 2011 at 22:34

At no time was I told not to drive the vehicle by Nissan customer service and had no bearing on the situation from my point of view. In my research, the diesel mechanics I spoke to said the glow plug tip coming off as well was just coincidental. Better it all happened at once!!

Leroy

FollowupID: 737258

Follow Up By: awill4x4 - Thursday, Aug 25, 2011 at 01:21

Thursday, Aug 25, 2011 at 01:21

There was no European recall for the ZD30's it's an urban myth.
Regards Andrew.

FollowupID: 737260

Follow Up By: Leroy - Thursday, Aug 25, 2011 at 08:36

Thursday, Aug 25, 2011 at 08:36

G'day Andrew, Hope all is well in Melb! Leroy

FollowupID: 737265

Follow Up By: awill4x4 - Thursday, Aug 25, 2011 at 22:00

Thursday, Aug 25, 2011 at 22:00

All is well here in Melbourne Leroy. At the moment it's looking like an early spring but it's just as likely to turn freezing again lol.
We've just done our 1st recore on the CRD (common rail) ZD30 intercoolers. It was beginning to look like the new mounting system had solved the problem but this one had failed just like all the other ZD30's where the tubes entered the header plates.
Whether it's a freak occurence I don't know, I guess we'll find out as people put some kms on them.
Regards Andrew.

FollowupID: 737350

Reply By: Member - Alex B - Thursday, Sep 01, 2011 at 14:10

Thursday, Sep 01, 2011 at 14:10

Hi All,
There sure has been a great deal of discussion regarding this issue, and I just wanted to share my recent experience with Nissan Australia.
I have recently had a serious and very expensive issue with my Patrol. I collected the facts, approached Nissan, discussed the situation and the problem was resolved. I can't speak highly enough of them. I thought I was going to have to go through a long and drawn out situation, but that wasn't the case at all.

Nissan want to retain and grow business, and want to do the right thing by their customers, but at the same time they have to also protect their company.

I am very pleased with their entire approach and excellent level of customer service.

Cheers
Alex B

AnswerID: 463989

Follow Up By: Leroy - Tuesday, Sep 06, 2011 at 10:29

Tuesday, Sep 06, 2011 at 10:29

It's great to hear you have your issue resloved. You are the exception to the rule because there are too many onther horror stories out there.

When my gearbox failed at 12,000km's they stuffed around until I jumped up and down and demaned a new gearbox. This was after i had to drive it as is for another 13,000 km's over 5 months and was off the road for 5 weeks during this period.

Leroy

FollowupID: 738238

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