[Michael Mullock]

This is why I have a 93 Mazda 4x4 for skiing. 30 years no salt issue and they use magnesium chloride here. I park the Murano in the Winter and just use it in emergencies. After going to a conference in Illinois several years ago, it seemed like no cars were over 7 years old. That is a huge amount of rust and it's amazing no one caught it or if they even cared.

The agency mechanic admitted that when they inspect the rear suspension area, they cannot see ithe details of the parts involved in the corrosion. They are not using the proper procedure or the proper inspection equipment. Either way they are compromising the customer by not divulging the consequences of their improper inspection. They worsen it by giving the customer an inspection form with a clean bill of health. Nissan Motors has to have some liability in the training and procedures of their agencies. The agency and Nissan now know about the problem. I would like to hear from others that were damaged by Nissan's lack of oversight. I have no doubt that others have been injured and killed.

 

[Pilgrim]

You may be on a personal campaign, and I understand that. However, it would be helpful to the rest of us to hear that you are taking action on the aspect of this that you CAN do something about.

There has been a separate request for owners to join an action against Nissan for their neglect of the Crosscabriolet for some time. To my knowledge, no real progress has ben made. I think you have even less chance of galvanizing others to action. What you have is a rusted out part because you live in a high rust area, and the people who maintain your car screwed up and didn't catch it before a dangerous failure happened. Whether Nissan is legally responsible for that is an open question, and I doubt you want to spend a few hundred thousand dollars on a lawsuit to find out.

We understand your passion, but please spend some time focusing on the actions that you can take on a practical basis.

 

[Michael Mullock]

You may be on a personal campaign, and I understand that. However, it would be helpful to the rest of us to hear that you are taking action on the aspect of this that you CAN do something about.

There has been a separate request for owners to join an action against Nissan for their neglect of the Crosscabriolet for some time. To my knowledge, no real progress has ben made. I think you have even less chance of galvanizing others to action. What you have is a rusted out part because you live in a high rust area, and the people who maintain your car screwed up and didn't catch it before a dangerous failure happened. Whether Nissan is legally responsible for that is an open question, and I doubt you want to spend a few hundred thousand dollars on a lawsuit to find out.

We understand your passion, but please spend some time focusing on the actions that you can take on a practical basis.

Well said Pilgrim. I will know more when the shop has everything dismantled. My passion is the "what if?" of the failure. I am convinced others have been far more damaged than me and others will be in the future if this goes unanswered.
From the comments including yours about catastrophic rusting and corrosion , this is a known phenomena to many drivers. However the vast majority of drivers are unaware. Nissan is aware.

Aircraft crashes are far more dramatic because of the numbers hurt and killed in a single failure. Aircraft maintenance inspections are mandated and done based on hours of flight. Auto inspections should be done on mileage and age of the vehicle. My experience with Nissan is that an inspection was made and nothing was noted. This needs to be fixed. Money talks and BS walks.

 

[Michael Mullock]

Well said Pilgrim. I will know more when the shop has everything dismantled. My passion is the "what if?" of the failure. I am convinced others have been far more damaged than me and others will be in the future if this goes unanswered.
From the comments including yours about catastrophic rusting and corrosion , this is a known phenomena to many drivers. However the vast majority of drivers are unaware. Nissan is aware.

Aircraft crashes are far more dramatic because of the numbers hurt and killed in a single failure. Aircraft maintenance inspections are mandated and done based on hours of flight. Auto inspections should be done on mileage and age of the vehicle. My experience with Nissan is that an inspection was made and nothing was noted. This needs to be fixed. Money talks and BS walks.

NHTSA projects that an estimated 42,915 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes last year, a 10.5% increase from the 38,824 fatalities in 2020. There were 376 killed in US aircraft in 2021.

 

[Pilgrim]

My experience with Nissan is that an inspection was made and nothing was noted. This needs to be fixed. Money talks and BS walks.

A correction: Your experience with THE DEALER is that an inspection was made and nothing was noted.

Nissan as a corporation did not conduct the inspection; a retail outlet did. To me, that's a reflection only on the dealer/retail outlet. If money talks, once again, aim at the DEALER. You have an opinion, but no leverage against Nissan.

Determining Nissan's responsibility is another thing entirely. The rust may be evidence, but one instance doesn't prove anything.

I'll let the thread continue, but if it becomes an ongoing condemnation of Nissan without a way to pursue group action, I will close it.

 

[Michael Mullock]

A correction: Your experience with THE DEALER is that an inspection was made and nothing was noted.

Nissan as a corporation did not conduct the inspection; a retail outlet did. To me, that's a reflection only on the dealer/retail outlet. If money talks, once again, aim at the DEALER. You have an opinion, but no leverage against Nissan.

Determining Nissan's responsibility is another thing entirely. The rust may be evidence, but one instance doesn't prove anything.

I'll let the thread continue, but if it becomes an ongoing condemnation of Nissan without a way to pursue group action, I will close it.

Point taken. I appreciate the advice and will provide relevant updates without further comments.

 

[chidog]

I do not want forced inspections. I do not want to spend the time or the money on something I am perfectly qualified to do my self. I do not want some punk monkey prying on, poking or hammering on or even touching my car.

 

[MKUltra]

Should have been spotted long ago during normal car maintenance.

Go after the people who worked on the car and didn't bother to tell you that there was a very obvious rust issue developing with the suspension. A mechanic has a duty to report developing issues like this. If the owner choses to ignore the issue, than this is what happens.

This is a common failure of all autos driven where salt is used on the roads and regular undercarriage inspections aren't performed. I've seen plenty of this in all makes and models.

Have a good day.

I agree 100% and the reason there are safety inspections.

 

[MKUltra]

I get the frustration. I really do. I had an older Maxima some years back and the floor panels are/were soft, and hot to the point I had to replace them. It never made it to a recall, but a very prevalent TSB was issued to Nissan Techs or any tech using software that picks up or allows access to TSBs.

Cars rust. If rust isn't tended to early enough on, it literally turns into what you're dealing with. Premature rot and rust can be considered catastrophic [just ask Toyota who had to buy back millions and/or replace frames]. With that said there really aren't any recalls for the Nissan rust issue, mainly---because, in your case, it was neglected, for what I would say, would be years. I am in total agreement with others that already mentioned the service tech you deal with, absolutley dropped the ball if you truly didn't know anything about it.

I used to be service tech in my younger days, Bd it's a case of CYA when something rolls in the shop with next level corrosion, especially in subframes, brake lines, gas tanks, floor pans etc.

To me, in my own experience, this car should have NOT passed state safety inspections the last 5 or 6 years or at least early on in that time frame I'm using, and tech shouldve notified owner notification of excessive rust/corrosion---in writing if they were willing to put a sticker on it. Normal routine maintenance, other than inspection, should have picked up on this as well [oil changes, brakes, tires] and had this in writing also if noticed, as again most places instill CYA in all their technicians.

Nissan America will give you a case number with any driveability/safety issue, as they are required by law to do just that. You can also report it on the NTSA website, but nothing will happen---unless there IS a recall.

I didn't read every line of every post, but was this a used or new purchase [i.e original owner] as I've seen vehicles roll through the shop, used purchases, that were pushed into auction lots after flood area claims. Does it have a salvage tag on it?

Any who...you're right about one thing, if you were on the highway when that let go, you wouldn't be posting about it, so you're lucky. Think it's time for reassessment, think logically, go through your maintenance records and see if anyone ever took note of the front end/undercarriage. Then maybe speak with someone at the state DMV/safety officer who can file a report against the shop, and sometimes---if this was blatantly missed, suspend the safety inspector. If it's gets there, than you may have something to go on, if negligence is found from the state safety officer, who can then advise you.



Good luck.

 

[I need coffee]

OP is in PA and here is what the state safety inspection regulations say about the inspection procedures for the suspension and frame in Publication 45, Subchapter E, Section 175.80: Pub 45-Vehicle Equipment and Inspection Regulations

Nowhere in the regulations is the word "corrosion", but the section on frame inspections does have relevant language regarding rotten components, but sadly, the section on suspension inspections does not have equivalent language and seems to be focused on missing/broken parts and unsafe modifications. It looks like it was a control arm that rotted through and failed so I suppose a lawyer could probably argue that the inspection tech met the regulatory requirements, but if the company that was hired to do an independent analysis finds that there is substantial frame corrosion that should have failed inspection then the regulations would back you up.

The OP can file a complaint against the dealership by contacting the PennDOT tip line at (717) 705-9913 or [email protected]. I would suggest sending them a copy of the last safety inspection report conducted by the dealership along with a copy of the police report, pictures of the broken suspension parts, and the independent company's report (if available). They will likely conduct their own investigation of the matter so perhaps that may bear some fruit and if they end up sanctioning the dealership that would provide you tangible supporting evidence should you choose to file suit.

 

[chidog]

I hope the OP keeps us in the loop of what the inspection says.

 

[Michael Mullock]

I get the frustration. I really do. I had an older Maxima some years back and the floor panels are/were soft, and hot to the point I had to replace them. It never made it to a recall, but a very prevalent TSB was issued to Nissan Techs or any tech using software that picks up or allows access to TSBs.

Cars rust. If rust isn't tended to early enough on, it literally turns into what you're dealing with. Premature rot and rust can be considered catastrophic [just ask Toyota who had to buy back millions and/or replace frames]. With that said there really aren't any recalls for the Nissan rust issue, mainly---because, in your case, it was neglected, for what I would say, would be years. I am in total agreement with others that already mentioned the service tech you deal with, absolutley dropped the ball if you truly didn't know anything about it.

I used to be service tech in my younger days, Bd it's a case of CYA when something rolls in the shop with next level corrosion, especially in subframes, brake lines, gas tanks, floor pans etc.

To me, in my own experience, this car should have NOT passed state safety inspections the last 5 or 6 years or at least early on in that time frame I'm using, and tech shouldve notified owner notification of excessive rust/corrosion---in writing if they were willing to put a sticker on it. Normal routine maintenance, other than inspection, should have picked up on this as well [oil changes, brakes, tires] and had this in writing also if noticed, as again most places instill CYA in all their technicians.

Nissan America will give you a case number with any driveability/safety issue, as they are required by law to do just that. You can also report it on the NTSA website, but nothing will happen---unless there IS a recall.

I didn't read every line of every post, but was this a used or new purchase [i.e original owner] as I've seen vehicles roll through the shop, used purchases, that were pushed into auction lots after flood area claims. Does it have a salvage tag on it?

Any who...you're right about one thing, if you were on the highway when that let go, you wouldn't be posting about it, so you're lucky. Think it's time for reassessment, think logically, go through your maintenance records and see if anyone ever took note of the front end/undercarriage. Then maybe speak with someone at the state DMV/safety officer who can file a report against the shop, and sometimes---if this was blatantly missed, suspend the safety inspector. If it's gets there, than you may have something to go on, if negligence is found from the state safety officer, who can then advise you.



Good luck.

 

[Michael Mullock]

The car was purchased new and I would like to add that I am extremely grateful for all the comments on the original post . I am told that the failed parts will be available for inspection next week. I was amused by the PA standards discussing “rotted” parts. I did own a 1946 MG TC that had frame parts made of oak. Wood rots, iron rusts , maybe I’m grandfathered in😉

 

[Pilgrim]

The car was purchased new and I would like to add that I am extremely grateful for all the comments on the original post . I am told that the failed parts will be available for inspection next week. I was amused by the PA standards discussing “rotted” parts. I did own a 1946 MG TC that had frame parts made of oak. Wood rots, iron rusts , maybe I’m grandfathered in😉

You're not alone! The term does seem off, but it's pretty descriptive.

 

[salimedwardo]

Your mechanic and/or tire installer should've caught it long time ago. Even I myself check the under carriage of my Murano atleast a couple of times a year because I know it's an older car that sees it's fair share of snow/salt and extreme weather.

Showbox jiofi.local.html tplinklogin​

 

[Pilgrim]

Your mechanic and/or tire installer should've caught it long time ago. Even I myself check the under carriage of my Murano atleast a couple of times a year because I know it's an older car that sees it's fair share of snow/salt and extreme weather.
Showbox jiofi.local.html tplinklogin

This is a good point. The "inspection" was not the only time this problem could have been spotted. Anyone who had a view of the rear suspension while doing tire work might have seen it.

 

[chidog]

The car was purchased new and I would like to add that I am extremely grateful for all the comments on the original post . I am told that the failed parts will be available for inspection next week. I was amused by the PA standards discussing “rotted” parts. I did own a 1946 MG TC that had frame parts made of oak. Wood rots, iron rusts , maybe I’m grandfathered in😉

Is this next week yet?