Radio fiasco 2019 Leaf SL Plus

[Flyct]

My 2019 SL plus has been at dealers for 7 days so far. It went in for erratic radio volume control.

The dealer replaced the radio and now can’t get it to function correctly. It now has Bluetooth and Uncontrollable volume issues. I was told it’s been escalated to Nissan Japan so they can write a software patch. It seems the radio part number was superseded with the same radio as in the 2020 model and the configuration won’t work.

I hope this doesn’t become a Lemon Law issue.

[DougWantsALeaf]

My SV+ had the same problem. They fixed by resetting the car (battery disconnect and reconnect)

[Flyct]

Update: The dealership has had the car for 15 days so far. After talking to the dealership two days ago and finding out Nissan Japan has not provided a solution, I opened a case with Nissan Customer service to document it with them. They assigned the case to a regional rep who called me and said I would get an update call by tommorowv or sooner after touching bases with their resources.

I hope this doesn’t become a Lemon Law issue. I filed Lemon Law on my 2019 Ford F-350 last month and Ford has agreed to buy it back or replace it. I elected replacement so the dealer special ordered a new F-350 equipped like mine for me that should be here mid October.

[Flyct]

Update; day 17 at dealership. I got a call back from Nissan Corp rep today. She said consensus from additional resources is that the replacement radio may be defective. They ordered another radio and they expect it to arrive some time next week. When they get it they will install it and reconfigure it. She will call me no later than next Thursday with an update. That will be 24 days without the car while it’s at the dealership.

Everyone has been polite as have I. Fortunately we have 3 additional vehicles to drive but I really miss the Leaf.

[LeftieBiker]

Is the car leased or financed, or bought outright?

[Flyct]

Is the car leased or financed, or bought outright?

Bought outright, Paid cash, no lien, clear title.

Update: day 24, my Leaf is still at the dealership. Got call from Nissan Corp rep today. The 2nd radio is back ordered. Corp rep will try to shortcut arrival of the part by bypassing middleman and getting it sent directly to the dealership. She said she would call next a Tuesday or sooner if part arrives and is installed by the dealer.

I asked if there is confidence that the 1st replacement radio is actually defective or is there another configuration issue that may need a software patch. She said the consensus of her resources is that The replace truck radio has a factory defect.

I am going through a Florida Lemon Law case on my Special ordered $77,000 MSRP 2019 Ford F-350 right now. Ford has agreed to buy it back or replace it. It was in service 4 times for same issue and over 40 days out of service. I use it to tow my 5th wheel RV. I elected a replacement. With limited inventory Ford has agreed that dealer order a replacement equipped exactly like mine. The order was placed on 7/24 but with a COVID there are massive delays. It looks like the replacement won’t arrive until early a November. Fortunately we have 2 additional cars as you can see in my signature line.

[Flyct]

Update: 5 weeks at the dealership as of today. No eta on parts.

We stopped by the dealer today to remove personal items from our car. The car would not open with the key fob remote. Needed to use the hard key to unlock it. I can’t believe the 1 year old key fob battery is dead. Does the car go to sleep after a while? I tried to use EV connect and the car didn’t respond yet I was able to connect on 8/24 the first week it was in the shop. Also It was parked outside even though I was told it was being kept inside and it was filthy.

So today I filed with BBB Autoline for a buyback mediation.

The Nissan Corp rep was supposed to call me back today with a 3 day follow up call. I never got the call. I called Customer Service and left a message with rep to have my agent call me. I’m looking for the address to send them the Florida Notice of Defect Lemon Law notice.

Hopefully I’ll get a call from Nissan Corp rep tomorrow. I’ll request they process a buyback. If not I’ll let the system LL do it’s thing. So now I’ve lost patience after 5 weeks without the car.

[GerryAZ]

If the dome lights did not turn on when you got the door open, then the 12V battery was dead or disconnected. Fob batteries are not long life with Leafs, but definitely longer than a year. Good luck with buyback process.

[Flyct]

Update:

Yesterday, Monday, I got a call from Nissan corporate rep that handles Lemon Law issues. That’s after over a week of silence and my multiple calls not returned.

The rep said She had expedited the part and it was being installed as we spoke. When I asked about requesting a buyback she said it didn’t meet the LL buyback requirements since this they were entitled to a final repair attempt after filing LL. When I questioned that only applies to 3 previous repeat attempts or 15 days out of service and But there. Is no requirement for a final repair attempt if vehicle was out of service over 30 days. She disagreed but said after I pick up the car she would call me in 3 days and offer a monetary compensation to make up for the time out of service. She would not commit to any amount at this time.

Well I picked up the car this afternoon. Reading the RO is states the wrong part number was initially sent and installed. The radio that was sent was for a 2020, not a 2019. Then Japan tried to write a software patch to enable the radio to function in my 2019. That patch was not successful. .

Then they sent the proper radio, different part number, and it now works properly. It was a pleasure to get the Leaf back. I saw the internal invoice to Nissan and it was $6,900 for the repair. Nissan agreed to pay for 1 radio, 2 installations and all troubleshooting labor,

I’ll update after the rep calls me later this week. If the monetary offer is insulting I will pursue arbitration for a buyback as a next step. I didn’t elect to take a rental car while my Leaf was in service. A rental would have cost $35/day for 42 days or about $1,500.

[Flyct]

It appears that the car is functioning as designed. It was good to get it back.

I already put a about 350 miles on it this week.

Nissan Arbitration rep called me and made an reasonable settlement offer which we may accept. The settlement agreement requires we keep the terms of the settlement confidential so I’m not at liberty to discuss it.

We are satisfied with how this was finally resolved.