Approximately two years ago, I learned that the radiator support beam for my 1995 Nissan Altima was rusted. Rusted to the point where there are one inch diameter rust through holes that could be poked out. I was not told by Wright Nissan in Wexford, PA that this was covered by warranty and only learned of the coverage from Nissan America through a telephone call directly to them.
Upon returning to Wright Automotive, I found out that it was about a $900+ warranty repair. They indicated that the way to repair this problem was to cut out the radiator support beam and weld plates over the rust spots.
This would then be re-welded into place. Due the difficulty of this repair (removal of radiator and other parts), the cost would be $900+. This would be covered by warranty 100%.
I decided to let Wright Automotive do the repair. Upon picking up the "repaired" automobile, I did a cursory exam and everything looked okay. After returning home, I got down on my hands and knees and did a thorough exam. I learned that the car had been repaired only in the front that was immediately visible to a cursory exam. In fact, the welding had never been done.
The majority of the rust had never been touched. In short, they sprayed undercoat over the front part of the beam. This was a $50 repair at best. I called Wright and told them that the repair was a scam. I also contaced Nissan America repeatedly and was told different things at different times.
They indicated that an inspector would come to look at the car and later recanted to say I would have to return to Wright. Wright scammed me once and I will never again trust my automobile to the Wright scam artists. Obviously, only a fool would place an auto in the hands of a dishonest dealership.
I learned from Nissan America that Wright Automotive had been paid the full amount of the warranty repair-$900 for $50 worth of work.
I indicated to Nissan America repeatedly that this was a scam. Wright apparently lied to Nissan America by telling them that the repair had been properly performed.
So, I went to Spitzer Nissan in Monroeville, PA to obtain an estimate for a second repair on the automobile. They indicated that the repair would be $900+. In other words, the value of the Wright repair is 0. They also informed me that the proper way to do this repair was to use a replacement part. Welding a rusty radiator beam is a farce. The old beam needed to be cut out and replaced with a new part.
All of this was pointed out to Nissan America and they refused to believe me-what dumb logic. I have complete paperwork from Wright and Spitzer that proves beyond any shadow of a doubt that the repair was not properly performed. Nissan America is obviously a gutless sham of an organization. What really needs to be done is to bring a class action suit against Nissan America. I would surmise that this is a common problem with Nissan Altimas and a common coverup by Nissan America.
I would also believe that this has the potential for being a safety hazard. In Pennsylvania, rust through of body frame parts is a safety violation. (Wright Automotive indicated this to me early on in the process.)
So here I am, the rust is now poking its way through the undercoat spray. The only way to repair this is to spend $900 of my own money?
Robert
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania