ajwestfall
08-17-2007, 04:42 PM
I bought a not even one year old 2005 se 4x4 xterra in May this year with 12000 miles on it. I had researched other suv's and the xterra fit my life style to a tee. (size, cargo space, camping ability, 4 wheel drive ability {so I thought}, power and yes looks). Well, to make a very long story less long, this is a letter I sent to Nissan Consumer affairs today.
I took my Xterra to Colorado about a week ago. I was going up a somewhat steep hill with a lot of loose rock a some imbedded rock. I deemed the road was steep enough for 4lo so I stopped and went through te proper procedure to engage 4lo. The road was steep but by no means was it extreme or was it unreasonable to expect the xterra to make it up the hill. There was a Suburban in front of me loaded with six people and others behing me that had absolutely no trouble making it up the hill. My xterra was the exception. I got halfway up and the gears started grinding and the wheels would not spin. I backed down to make room for the others and checked to make sure I did everything right. Everything was perfect so i tried again. Same thing. I shut it down and looked under to check the clearance and there was a good 5 inches, so it was not a clearance problem. I then got myself turned around and called it an early day and figured I'd get what ever the problem was fixed under my warranty when I got home. Out of 4wheel drive the truck ran perfectly. I made a appointment at Nissan Tempe AZ. I got there early and the service guy came up to check me in. I told him my problem and he began telling me that the problem was caused because I was only supposed to engage the 4wheeldrive on muddy surfaces. I couldn't believe my ears!!!! Another service man, named 'Tom', came up to see the problem and he said I should only be using 4lo in emergency situations. If the 4lo does not work in regular steep dirt road situations.....HOW IS IT GOING TO WORK IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION??????!!!! I asked for the manager........he said according to Nissan I should only be using 4hi......SAY WHAT?? So then I ask for specific information on the proper way to "Nissan fourwheel" They gave me about 4 papers of instructions that basically told me to do EXACTLY what I told them I did! They would not do anything to rectify the problem and now I Have zero confidence in taking my xterra off-road again as it can sometimes be very dangerous when you have to back down a narrow road and find a place to go back and forth until you finally get turned. Shame on these guys for falsely trying to make me think I was the guilty one. And shame on you Nissan if something is not done about this situation. Please help!
Sorry about the negative introduction.....BUT I'M PISSED!!!!
Oh yeah.....Hello everyone.
I took my Xterra to Colorado about a week ago. I was going up a somewhat steep hill with a lot of loose rock a some imbedded rock. I deemed the road was steep enough for 4lo so I stopped and went through te proper procedure to engage 4lo. The road was steep but by no means was it extreme or was it unreasonable to expect the xterra to make it up the hill. There was a Suburban in front of me loaded with six people and others behing me that had absolutely no trouble making it up the hill. My xterra was the exception. I got halfway up and the gears started grinding and the wheels would not spin. I backed down to make room for the others and checked to make sure I did everything right. Everything was perfect so i tried again. Same thing. I shut it down and looked under to check the clearance and there was a good 5 inches, so it was not a clearance problem. I then got myself turned around and called it an early day and figured I'd get what ever the problem was fixed under my warranty when I got home. Out of 4wheel drive the truck ran perfectly. I made a appointment at Nissan Tempe AZ. I got there early and the service guy came up to check me in. I told him my problem and he began telling me that the problem was caused because I was only supposed to engage the 4wheeldrive on muddy surfaces. I couldn't believe my ears!!!! Another service man, named 'Tom', came up to see the problem and he said I should only be using 4lo in emergency situations. If the 4lo does not work in regular steep dirt road situations.....HOW IS IT GOING TO WORK IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION??????!!!! I asked for the manager........he said according to Nissan I should only be using 4hi......SAY WHAT?? So then I ask for specific information on the proper way to "Nissan fourwheel" They gave me about 4 papers of instructions that basically told me to do EXACTLY what I told them I did! They would not do anything to rectify the problem and now I Have zero confidence in taking my xterra off-road again as it can sometimes be very dangerous when you have to back down a narrow road and find a place to go back and forth until you finally get turned. Shame on these guys for falsely trying to make me think I was the guilty one. And shame on you Nissan if something is not done about this situation. Please help!
Sorry about the negative introduction.....BUT I'M PISSED!!!!
Oh yeah.....Hello everyone.