[Chitmo]

So I took my car in for an MVI yesterday. I brought it to my mechanic, he's close by and not a slimey grease ball like a lot of them. He got most of the required work done but for held up when it came to replacing coil springs that had broken because he couldn't get the parts. Nissan refused to sell them to him, saying that there was a recall on the part and they were legally obligated to fix it based on transport Canada laws. I thought it sounded off so I and my wife (who is a lawyer by the way) both read the motor vehicle safety act and found nothing. Then I called transport Canada to verify what I knew. No such rule/law exists. So WTF right? So I called the dealership and spoke to the manager asking why he wouldn't sell my mechanic the parts, again he told me that he couldn't legally sell them to me, so I called him out for lying to me. Instead of just saying its company policy or I'm sorry I was wrong he dug his heels in got defensive and very rude. By the end of the conversation he was refusing to sell me the parts or do the work on the car. He said and I quote "we don't need to deal with you kind here!" WTF does that even mean? Anyone else ever had an issue like this getting a part for a car?

 

[Guest]

Sue the bastards.

 

[Guest]

Call another dealership after contacting Nissan HQ suggesting that you'll call a TV station/newspaper?

 

[GWN!]

Why would you not take it to Nissan to have the springs replaced for free under the recall? They pay parts and labour to replace them.

 

[Chitmo]

Why would you not take it to Nissan to have the springs replaced for free under the recall? They pay parts and labour to replace them.

Because it would have meant 3 days without my car instead of 1. An extra day at Nissan because they couldn't/wouldn't do it yesterday and another day back to my mechanic to verify the work and complete the MVI I paid for. There are some situations where saving time is more important than saving money.

Call another dealership after contacting Nissan HQ suggesting that you'll call a TV station/newspaper?

I contacted Nissan Corporate office and they gave me the same speech. In the end I talked to the dealership owner who is supposedly taking action.

 

[greco]

.....In the end I talked to the dealership owner who is supposedly taking action.

Interesting (for us) and extremely frustrating (for you) thread.

Do you know what action the dealership intends to try and take?

 

[Budda]

What vehicle is it? My wife has a fairly new Nissan so I'm curious about this thread's outcome.

 

[Chitmo]

What vehicle is it? My wife has a fairly new Nissan so I'm curious about this thread's outcome.

It's a 2011 versa.

Interesting (for us) and extremely frustrating (for you) thread.

Do you know what action the dealership intends to try and take?

It was an interesting conversation, he offered free services such as an oil change or to detail the car, but was very confused when I declined and told him I just wanted his employees to stop lying to customers. To be honest I'm not sure if anything will happen based on his reaction, there is supposed to be a follow up this week and I'll update.

 

[GWN!]

Hope it all works out for you. I broke the right spring on my 2007 Versa a year ago. At that time the recall was not in place. When the spring broke it damaged the right strut mount and gouged the sidewall of the tire. I had to replace the springs, struts and both front tires. I used my local mechanic to get the work done.

A few months ago I went to Nissan to get a quote on a muffler change. The dealership advised me of the recall. I told them that I had already replaced the springs a year ago. They reinstalled new springs and refunded me the full cost of the work that I had done by my mechanic including the cost of the new tires.

 

[Steadfastly]

It is likely not Nissan but the company that supplied the parts. That's the way most cars are built these days.

 

[cheezyridr]

sounds like you're wasting time screwing around. just take it to nissan, because you're just delaying the inevitable.

 

[Scotty]

I understand the frustration, but if it is replaced under recall at no expense to you, then why not make due with the car being gone for another day or two? Sometimes it is time to fight, sometimes it is not time to fight. Me, I love a good showdown, but only on things that are warranted.

And all auto dealers are dicks. ALL of them.

 

[Lincoln]

I agree that all dealerships are dicks, but I cannot think of a single case where recall work wasn't done at a dealership by the dealers techs. I don't think you can win this battle.

 

[Kerry Brown]

Any autoparts dealer should be able to source some aftermarket springs. Napa, Lordco, Canadian Tire. You have lots of choices besides Nissan. Some battles are just not worth the time.

 

[Chitmo]

I understand the frustration, but if it is replaced under recall at no expense to you, then why not make due with the car being gone for another day or two? Sometimes it is time to fight, sometimes it is not time to fight. Me, I love a good showdown, but only on things that are warranted.

And all auto dealers are dicks. ALL of them.

I can't get the time off and my wife is self employed, lost wages carting my ass to work and picking up/dropping off the vehicle are double the repair cost. Free isn't free for everyone.

 

[Chitmo]

Any autoparts dealer should be able to source some aftermarket springs. Napa, Lord, Canadian Tire. You have lots of choices besides Nissan. Some battles are just not worth the time.

Tried, no after market parts available due to the recall.

 

[Chitmo]

sounds like you're wasting time screwing around. just take it to nissan, because you're just delaying the inevitable.

In case you missed it, they refused to do the work because I called them out for lying.

 

[colchar]

So I took my car in for an MVI yesterday. I brought it to my mechanic, he's close by and not a slimey grease ball like a lot of them. He got most of the required work done but for held up when it came to replacing coil springs that had broken because he couldn't get the parts. Nissan refused to sell them to him, saying that there was a recall on the part and they were legally obligated to fix it based on transport Canada laws. I thought it sounded off so I and my wife (who is a lawyer by the way) both read the motor vehicle safety act and found nothing. Then I called transport Canada to verify what I knew. No such rule/law exists. So WTF right? So I called the dealership and spoke to the manager asking why he wouldn't sell my mechanic the parts, again he told me that he couldn't legally sell them to me, so I called him out for lying to me. Instead of just saying its company policy or I'm sorry I was wrong he dug his heels in got defensive and very rude. By the end of the conversation he was refusing to sell me the parts or do the work on the car. He said and I quote "we don't need to deal with you kind here!" WTF does that even mean? Anyone else ever had an issue like this getting a part for a car?

Since your wife is a lawyer you should threaten to sue them, or file the paperwork to do so, and I'll bet you will get your parts quickly.

Or for less hassle just use aftermarket parts. I notice you said there are none but there have to be.

ETA: I just checked with a quick Google search and there are replacements available.

Nissan Versa Coil Spring - Best Front/Rear Lowering Springs & Coil Springs for Nissan Versa - 2006 - 2016

 

[Chitmo]

Since your wife is a lawyer you should threaten to sue them, or file the paperwork to do so, and I'll bet you will get your parts quickly.

Or for less hassle just use aftermarket parts. I notice you said there are none but there have to be.

ETA: I just checked with a quick Google search and there are replacements available.

Nissan Versa Coil Spring - Best Front/Rear Lowering Springs & Coil Springs for Nissan Versa - 2006 - 2016

I thought about that too, but there's really nothing we can sue for....and even if their was the lost wages comes in to play. It's not really worth it.....The whole purpose of the thread was more to vent and inform people about shitty business practices, not so much to look for suggestions on how fix the problem. I appreciate all the help, but I have that part covered.

 

[Adcandour]

Wish I had something helpful to say...

I suppose I could mention that my dealership offers massages on Tuesdays and manicures on Thursdays all while you can munch on fresh baked cookies and complimentary sandwiches.

Let me know if I can do anything else to help