Warranty Issues Update = Can-spec '02 Xterra

Before everyone gets bored and goes on to another thread, I'd like to give a big "Thank You!" to Schludwiller, OffroadX, and ChuckH for their help!

OK...Here's an update on my 2002 Canadian-spec Xterra and its warranty adventures...

Sometime last Summer, I began having intermittant problems with my drivers side seat belt - the retractor would jam, and I could not pull the belt out to buckle it. After a few days, I finally unbolted the rear middle belt (the one with male and female connectors) and bolted it to the drivers belt floor bolt. It works with the drivers female belt socket, which kept me legal, but not very confident.

I finally went to the closest Nissan dealer...I won't name names, but it's the only Nissan dealer in Lockport NY...I explained the situation to the Service Manager, who typed some lines into his computer, and told me that he couldn't do any work on my X because the VIN was not in his database...

So, as Schlud did and explained in his thread, I called Nissan USA and spoke to a Customer Service rep named "Mike". I explained that I had a Canadian Xterra imported into the US and sold as such. "Mike" was very helpful; took all my info, put me on hold a couple minutes, then got back on to ask "Which dealer's database do you want your VIN added to?"...I selected Mike Barney Nissan in Amherst NY, about 45 minutes from here...

Anyway, about two weeks ago, while on a vacation day, I finally got to Mike Barney Nissan. I walked into the Service Dept, asked a service person if my seatbelt was covered by any kind of warranty, and a friendly service writer said he'd need to look at my car. I took him outside and he looked at the belt, and said, Yes, it's covered. He then called the service manager out to look also. That sharp-eyed person said right away "That's a Canadian Xterra". I said yes, he said no problem, it was covered. I went inside and explained how I came to own the car, and my conversation with Mike at Nissan USA. The service writer, Martin, then opened up his computer, checked his database, and sure enough, my VIN was listed. The service manager had been concerned that it would take some time to get my Xterra added to the database, but Martin said "He's [that's me] done all the work already!". So Martin took my name, VIN, etc, and started to order the seatbelt...And stopped and asked, "Have you had any of the recalls done yet???"...I said no, so he looked up what recalls I had outstanding, which was -

1. Replace fuel sender unit, perform pressure leak test, Xterra WD22 "Salt States"

2. ABS Sensor Kit A

3. Install Air Bag Repair Kit

Martin ordered all the stuff necessary to perform these recalls, plus my seatbelt. This was on a Friday.

On Monday Martin called to say everything was in, when could I drop the X off??? I told him that night, if I could have a loaner. Martin hemmed and hawed, finally got back to me to say I could have a loaner if I waited until 8:30pm to drop off/pick it up. I did, and Mike Barneys service dept did the work on Tuesday. All no charge. The loaner was an Altima BTW, very nice car - I was impressed.

So, this is the present extent of my warranty work. I did not have to submit any paperwork to Nissan USA; "Mike" handled everything over the phone. No charge for any recall warranty work; very quick service.

There was one glitch, which is probably due to my being 20 miles from Buffalo NY in Winter [think mucho snow] - the X stumbled a bit when steady-state cruising. I wasn't sure what it could be but finally decided it must be water in the gas (fuel sender out; snow all over; heated garage). So I added a bottle of Dry Gas, and that did the trick - no more stumble. (Strangely, it did *not* set a SES light/code).

I had mentioned the exhaust manifold issue to "Martin", who replied "That's not a recall". I let it drop (I don't think mine is bad yet), since I wanted the X back as soon as possible.

Now my seatbelt works again, my fuel sender has been replaced and sealed with "wax" (so they said), my rear axle ABS sensors & seals are replaced (plus the outer bearings as well), and some sensor behind my steering wheel [air bag] has been replaced. All good stuff!

Hope this little essay is of some help to others. And Thanks! again to all who offered their advice!

Sweet!

Glad it worked out so easily for you. Nice to hear the good stories once and a while. :D