I don't have the policy in front of me... Is there a clause in there with regard to coverage of emission related components?

Perhaps we need to start a thread about what claims elite care did pay for?

 

Update: BBB won't help me because it's not related to new car issues. The rep for Nissan/Infiniti arbitration continues to repeat that the exhaust system is not covered. They simply stopped talking to me entirely.

Federal Emissions goes until 80000 miles and it's covered under the new car warranty. There is no specific clause about emission components in the contract and they keep standing by the exhaust clause. My issue is the question I keep asking that no one at Infiniti/Nissan will answer:

If you do not cover the full exhaust system, how can your warranty coordinator and all representatives all up to the national level say that the catalytic converter is covered if it is attached to the exhaust manifold???

The Massachusetts Attorney General's office referred me to my local consumer council so I need to tell them the full story when I get the chance...

@Jsolo I think I attached the contract a few posts above, but it seems like it's worthless

 

In summary so far we are trying to address 3 questions:

1) How can the catalytic converter be considered an exhaust system part if it is considered an emissions part per the Federal Emissions Warranty?
2) How can the catalytic converter can be covered if it is part of the exhaust manifold but not by itself? Is the exhaust manifold not an exhaust system part?
3) What can the consumer refer to for coverage if the brochure is not considered a binding document and the contract interpretation is skewed by the underwriter?

It's easy to legally go after people when you have the funds, but I'm simply a recent college grad in my mid 20s trying to be a good engineer; I simply don't have the finances and time to sustain that and legal pursuits

 

We all know Infiniti Consumer Affairs is THE most USELESS entity on the planet when it comes to customer assistance (look at the timing gasket and the sticky dashboards that they refuse to acknowledge are a problem). See what the consumer council advises, but here is what I would do:

1) get 2-3 independent estimates to repair the car;
2) file a small claims case with your local court naming Nissan North America d/b/a "Infiniti" AND whomever is underwriting the service contract as defendants;
3) gather and document everything.

In Mass. the cost to file ranges from $45-$150 depending on the tier/value of your claim. The maximum amount of recovery is $7K. Let the judge decide what category the catalytic converters fall in.

More than likely the issue will be resolved shortly after the Court serves them with the summons. However, only you, OP, can decide how much time and effort you want to invest in this matter and determine what direction you want to take.

 

Re Post #18.

Those are very clearly defined answers which depending who you speak with will get a different answer. Item #2 is a contradiction of sorts. If they didn't specify that item then perhaps the converter could be considered part of the exhaust, thus not covered for repairs. I think even a not sure sharp judge would find in your favor.

I think ILM-NC's suggest is probably the best. Unless I missed it, I didn't see an arbitration clause.

 

Another question is why are these damn things failing SO soon? I have never replaced a cat in cars with well over 100k...Is this common with nissan?

 

Update Oct 25th, 2019

So the case has been pushed through the Massachusetts Attorney's General Office and its been assigned to a rep in my local area. They tried to reach out to Infiniti by letter on September 23rd, but have not received an answer back, and calls so far have been unproductive. We are going to talk again on Monday to see what our next steps are, but it looks like this goes on.

At least my test pipes are working out well.

 

Nov 12, 2019

Nissan is continuing to be firm that the component is not covered and the Consumer Office I'm working with through the attorney general's office "cannot compel a business to resolve a dispute satisfactorily for the consumer." So basically when my legal services benefit kicks in at my work, I hope I can lawyer up.

 

Just read through this, curious to hear, did anything else come of this? I'm not very good with legal stuff but I would be interested to hear of some sort of result.

 

Not at the moment - it's pretty low on my priority list. My warranty has already paid for itself in the form of a new steering rack, new throttle body, a rear alignment issue, and new cruise control switches.

I do have the option of taking advantage of my newly subscribed, unlimited legal services through my employment, but it's basically a small claims issue. I spent only $250 on buying test pipes and labor after selling my old cats to a scrap yard. In comparison, installing one driver's side cat w/ labor is $1500-1700 at the stealership.

If I do choose to chase it legally, it would probably be more out of pettiness than out of actual financial benefit. I have talked to another person whom has experienced it as well, but they all took it as a sign to not buy an Infiniti again (if the sales lately aren't a sign of that).

What it really comes down to:

- No definite way for a consumer to confirm warranty coverage (unless they pay a diagnosis fee at a dealer every time)
- Consumer documents that somehow don't represent the coverage accurately
- Poor underwriting backed by an unaccountable company that is simultaneously decaying away

I have no desire to install OEM cats (or anything OEM that could be replaced with a performance, aftermarket alternative) given the age of my car and my annual mileage.

From a financial standpoint, it isn't worth my time unless somehow a lawyer can say I am entitled to the cost of my warranty.

And I know for sure I won't ever buy an Infiniti again, because even if they do manage to make a decent car again, the ownership experience is not worth the hassle.