June 30, 2005
Dear Mr. Ghosn: [CEO of Nissan]
I am writing to you regarding two Nissan Armarda’s. I previously owned a 2004 Armarda and currently own a 2005 Armarda.
We had a serious brake problem with our 2004 Armada. In experiencing all these problems, my husband and I were very concerned for our safety in this vehicle, where the brakes have been a problem since the time of purchase. I must point out that Kelly Nissan has been wonderful and that they were not the problem. The problem we had is that we bought your top of the line vehicle in cash, so we wouldn’t have any problems and yet we have had more problems with the 2004 Armada vehicle than any other vehicle we have ever owned.
After filing a complain with Nissan 1, we requested that Nissan compensate us by getting us out of this vehicle in exchange for the newer 2005 model, where we felt that the brake problem was rectified in the newer model. My husband and I liked the vehicle, but felt that this brake problem was a safety issue and just wanted to be made whole considering we paid cash for it and should not be held liable for a factory defect on Nissan’s part. This was a brand new vehicle worth over 40,000 and should not have been serviced so many times as it had been serviced.
Nissan 1 finally got back to me after several weeks telling me that they would not do anything to compensate us and that all they would offer was an engineer to go on site to where I had my Nissan serviced to fix the problem. Again, as I have stated...........I do not feel I should have to keep bringing in a brand new vehicle for service, where they couldn’t fix the problem the last three times! That being said, my husband and I were extremely concerned for our safety and our children’s safety and because Nissan would not directly admit there was in fact a brake problem as they are admitting now, my husband and I took more of a loss by buying another Armada only a year and a few months later.
We purchased a 2005 Armada for $10,000 plus our trade- in [2004 Armada] from Ira Nissan in Woburn. We tried to purchase another Nissan through Kelly Nissan of Lynnfield but the manager named Norman refused to return our phone calls. Prior to Norman ignoring us, he stated that Nissan had a program called taking it to the streets and that he would see on what he could do about getting us out of the 2004 problem into the newer model. When we physically went to see Norman he told us that the program taking it to the streets would not consider helping us and that it would be about $10,000 + to get us out of the 2004 Armada. When we agreed and told him we wanted a different color, he then bumped up the price of the vehicle stating that the reason for the increase was because it was a sought out color [GIVE ME A BREAK!] Again, being taken for more of a ride, we agreed and then never heard from Norman again.
We purchased the 2005 Armada in February of 2005. It is now June and my vehicle was brought in for service WITH THE SAME ****** PROBLEM..................THE BRAKE SYSTEM!!!!!!! Irate, I brought it to the shop in Woburn on Monday the 27th of June. I was told be Stephanie in Service that because Nissan has recognized the brake problem, not only with the Armada’s but with the Titan’s too, that she could not get me into service until Wednesday. I told her that I have a full warranty and that I really didn’t want to drive the vehicle and requested a rental. I was denied and told that she would not be able to get me into service where they were fixing two to three Nissan Armada’s and Titans per day to rectify the brake problem. I asked her what they were doing to rectify the situation and was told that Nissan has new kits for the brakes. After finally having my brakes fixed along with a back order for my drivers side window parts, I looked at my invoice only to realize that Nissan screwed me AGAIN, by only resurfacing the brakes............THE SAME THING THEY DID IN MY 2004 ARMADA! The worst thing is that I was lied to and misled into believing that they were fixing the problem that they are definitely aware of. Extremely angry, I called Stephanie and asked her why my brakes were not fixed and just resurfaced. Her response was that Nissan is making the dealerships follow a procedure before they fully repair the problem using the kit that Nissan states will fix the problem indefinitely. I told her that was unacceptable, where I had already been down this road with my 2004 and her response was that this is what Nissan wants and that she is only complying with procedure. When I asked her to put this in writing she stated she could not do that, which tells me that Nissan is trying to avoid the problem hoping it will go away by trying to get off cheap!
Bottom line, I know there was a brake problem with the 2004 Armarda; I paid over $10,000 to get away from that problem only to have the same problem in the 2005 Armada. I have kept my records of my last complaint to Nissan 1 in October of 2004 and have all my service slips to prove it! I have now filed another complaint to Nissan 1 about my 2005 Armada seeking a buyback and have not heard back from the manager as I was told I would [four days later]. I called back and was put through to Wanda, the manager and left a message, again, I am still waiting for a call back. I finally got my call back on June 30th at 5pm stating that she was extremely busy. I am assuming she is busy with this brake issue.
As of this moment I have spoken to other Nissan owners who are experiencing the same difficulties with their brakes. The only difference is that I paid $10,000 extra to get rid of my 1st brake problem thinking it was a factory defect because Nissan would not openly admit to fault, however I was told by employees of Nissan that they did in fact know of the brake problem. Now Nissan dealerships are acknowledging this brake problem and have stated clearly that Nissan is aware of it. That being said, I do not want this vehicle and want to be paid in full! If I do not receive some form of compensation I will seek out every avenue possible to be heard and compensated. As a consumer, I will also seek every avenue to educate the public of the brake problem that Nissan has been hiding for over two years! Being a first year law student, I do have the drive to do whatever it takes to expose Nissan. The first step I plan on taking is contacting the Massachusetts Lemon Law and better business bureau, followed by news stations and newspapers. I will also establish a web site to seek out other consumers who have been taken for a ride by Nissan and ignored hoping the consumer will just go away. However, if Nissan chooses to rectify the problem, there will be no need to continue on with this crusade and hopefully Nissan will take this seriously and take the appropriate steps it should have taken when I owned the 2004 brake problem.
After owning 4 Nissan vehicles I can honestly say; I will never purchase a Nissan again and neither will my children!
What disturbs me even more is that Wanda @ Nissan1 extension 8445 openly admitted that Nissan itself and the dealerships were aware of the brake problem with the 2005 Armada’s and yet Nissan didn’t go out of its way to inform the public and Ira Nissan didn’t disclose this information to me at time of purchase and sale, thereby selling me the vehicle by misleading me into thinking the problem was corrected, where they knew the problems I had with the 2004 Armada. Wanda also stated that the brake problem was only with the earlier 2005 models. This conversation was on June 30, 2005 @ 5:30pm. She has refused to reimburse me for the money I lost buying another Armada because Nissan wouldn’t openly admit to the brake problem in the 2004 and has offered me the repair kit, even though Stephanie Swain at Ira Nissan in Woburn stated that she was not allowed to use the kit until they tried other remedies such as resurfacing the rotors as they have done to my Armada on June 29, 2005 even though they told me they were repairing my brakes with the kit. I am assuming they thought I wouldn’t read my invoice. Wanda at Nissan one first stated that the kits were not readily available, however when I mentioned that Stephanie Swain in service stated that they were repairing two to three Nissan Armada’s and Titan’s per day with the kit, she stated they were available but needed to be ordered. I told her that on June 27, 2005 I was told I would have the kit for June 29, 2005 service only to have my brakes resurface and again being told that the dealerships are not authorized to put the kits in at first repair for service. Someone is lying and misleading me...the consumer. I think Nissan should be held accountable and inform the public of this growing problem. There is clearly a brake problem and resurfacing them is not alleviating the problem, so my question is why is Nissan mandating this procedure and not recalling the vehicles so they can install the brake repair kit?
Dear Mr. Ghosn: [CEO of Nissan]
I am writing to you regarding two Nissan Armarda’s. I previously owned a 2004 Armarda and currently own a 2005 Armarda.
We had a serious brake problem with our 2004 Armada. In experiencing all these problems, my husband and I were very concerned for our safety in this vehicle, where the brakes have been a problem since the time of purchase. I must point out that Kelly Nissan has been wonderful and that they were not the problem. The problem we had is that we bought your top of the line vehicle in cash, so we wouldn’t have any problems and yet we have had more problems with the 2004 Armada vehicle than any other vehicle we have ever owned.
After filing a complain with Nissan 1, we requested that Nissan compensate us by getting us out of this vehicle in exchange for the newer 2005 model, where we felt that the brake problem was rectified in the newer model. My husband and I liked the vehicle, but felt that this brake problem was a safety issue and just wanted to be made whole considering we paid cash for it and should not be held liable for a factory defect on Nissan’s part. This was a brand new vehicle worth over 40,000 and should not have been serviced so many times as it had been serviced.
Nissan 1 finally got back to me after several weeks telling me that they would not do anything to compensate us and that all they would offer was an engineer to go on site to where I had my Nissan serviced to fix the problem. Again, as I have stated...........I do not feel I should have to keep bringing in a brand new vehicle for service, where they couldn’t fix the problem the last three times! That being said, my husband and I were extremely concerned for our safety and our children’s safety and because Nissan would not directly admit there was in fact a brake problem as they are admitting now, my husband and I took more of a loss by buying another Armada only a year and a few months later.
We purchased a 2005 Armada for $10,000 plus our trade- in [2004 Armada] from Ira Nissan in Woburn. We tried to purchase another Nissan through Kelly Nissan of Lynnfield but the manager named Norman refused to return our phone calls. Prior to Norman ignoring us, he stated that Nissan had a program called taking it to the streets and that he would see on what he could do about getting us out of the 2004 problem into the newer model. When we physically went to see Norman he told us that the program taking it to the streets would not consider helping us and that it would be about $10,000 + to get us out of the 2004 Armada. When we agreed and told him we wanted a different color, he then bumped up the price of the vehicle stating that the reason for the increase was because it was a sought out color [GIVE ME A BREAK!] Again, being taken for more of a ride, we agreed and then never heard from Norman again.
We purchased the 2005 Armada in February of 2005. It is now June and my vehicle was brought in for service WITH THE SAME ****** PROBLEM..................THE BRAKE SYSTEM!!!!!!! Irate, I brought it to the shop in Woburn on Monday the 27th of June. I was told be Stephanie in Service that because Nissan has recognized the brake problem, not only with the Armada’s but with the Titan’s too, that she could not get me into service until Wednesday. I told her that I have a full warranty and that I really didn’t want to drive the vehicle and requested a rental. I was denied and told that she would not be able to get me into service where they were fixing two to three Nissan Armada’s and Titans per day to rectify the brake problem. I asked her what they were doing to rectify the situation and was told that Nissan has new kits for the brakes. After finally having my brakes fixed along with a back order for my drivers side window parts, I looked at my invoice only to realize that Nissan screwed me AGAIN, by only resurfacing the brakes............THE SAME THING THEY DID IN MY 2004 ARMADA! The worst thing is that I was lied to and misled into believing that they were fixing the problem that they are definitely aware of. Extremely angry, I called Stephanie and asked her why my brakes were not fixed and just resurfaced. Her response was that Nissan is making the dealerships follow a procedure before they fully repair the problem using the kit that Nissan states will fix the problem indefinitely. I told her that was unacceptable, where I had already been down this road with my 2004 and her response was that this is what Nissan wants and that she is only complying with procedure. When I asked her to put this in writing she stated she could not do that, which tells me that Nissan is trying to avoid the problem hoping it will go away by trying to get off cheap!
Bottom line, I know there was a brake problem with the 2004 Armarda; I paid over $10,000 to get away from that problem only to have the same problem in the 2005 Armada. I have kept my records of my last complaint to Nissan 1 in October of 2004 and have all my service slips to prove it! I have now filed another complaint to Nissan 1 about my 2005 Armada seeking a buyback and have not heard back from the manager as I was told I would [four days later]. I called back and was put through to Wanda, the manager and left a message, again, I am still waiting for a call back. I finally got my call back on June 30th at 5pm stating that she was extremely busy. I am assuming she is busy with this brake issue.
As of this moment I have spoken to other Nissan owners who are experiencing the same difficulties with their brakes. The only difference is that I paid $10,000 extra to get rid of my 1st brake problem thinking it was a factory defect because Nissan would not openly admit to fault, however I was told by employees of Nissan that they did in fact know of the brake problem. Now Nissan dealerships are acknowledging this brake problem and have stated clearly that Nissan is aware of it. That being said, I do not want this vehicle and want to be paid in full! If I do not receive some form of compensation I will seek out every avenue possible to be heard and compensated. As a consumer, I will also seek every avenue to educate the public of the brake problem that Nissan has been hiding for over two years! Being a first year law student, I do have the drive to do whatever it takes to expose Nissan. The first step I plan on taking is contacting the Massachusetts Lemon Law and better business bureau, followed by news stations and newspapers. I will also establish a web site to seek out other consumers who have been taken for a ride by Nissan and ignored hoping the consumer will just go away. However, if Nissan chooses to rectify the problem, there will be no need to continue on with this crusade and hopefully Nissan will take this seriously and take the appropriate steps it should have taken when I owned the 2004 brake problem.
After owning 4 Nissan vehicles I can honestly say; I will never purchase a Nissan again and neither will my children!
What disturbs me even more is that Wanda @ Nissan1 extension 8445 openly admitted that Nissan itself and the dealerships were aware of the brake problem with the 2005 Armada’s and yet Nissan didn’t go out of its way to inform the public and Ira Nissan didn’t disclose this information to me at time of purchase and sale, thereby selling me the vehicle by misleading me into thinking the problem was corrected, where they knew the problems I had with the 2004 Armada. Wanda also stated that the brake problem was only with the earlier 2005 models. This conversation was on June 30, 2005 @ 5:30pm. She has refused to reimburse me for the money I lost buying another Armada because Nissan wouldn’t openly admit to the brake problem in the 2004 and has offered me the repair kit, even though Stephanie Swain at Ira Nissan in Woburn stated that she was not allowed to use the kit until they tried other remedies such as resurfacing the rotors as they have done to my Armada on June 29, 2005 even though they told me they were repairing my brakes with the kit. I am assuming they thought I wouldn’t read my invoice. Wanda at Nissan one first stated that the kits were not readily available, however when I mentioned that Stephanie Swain in service stated that they were repairing two to three Nissan Armada’s and Titan’s per day with the kit, she stated they were available but needed to be ordered. I told her that on June 27, 2005 I was told I would have the kit for June 29, 2005 service only to have my brakes resurface and again being told that the dealerships are not authorized to put the kits in at first repair for service. Someone is lying and misleading me...the consumer. I think Nissan should be held accountable and inform the public of this growing problem. There is clearly a brake problem and resurfacing them is not alleviating the problem, so my question is why is Nissan mandating this procedure and not recalling the vehicles so they can install the brake repair kit?