to be fair, I would give them a few days to fix the car. With that being said, I would want a new car if they can't fix the issue. You paid for a brand new car in brand new condition, not a car with mix matched parts and that has already needed MAJOR work.

 

You have every right to be concerned. The symptoms you listed sounded pretty bad and I wouldn't feel good about an engine swap either at any mileage because there are always little things that tend to get missed or poorly reinstalled (cable routing, hoses, grounding, etc.).

Best case it's an engine computer issue, possibly a connector or ground that came loose, that didn't affect the engine but the noises you heard would still worry me. Regardless of what steps they take, they need to provide a detailed explanation of what the problem is, what impact it had to the drivetrain, and what the solution is. Considering they have a lot of inventory a new car should be an option considering the situation. Hope things work out.

 

if u get the option, get a new car, things just arent the same with a 'fixed' car, even if it's just for ur own feeling.

 

at least you got to 921 miles, my buddies 335 had 120 miles on it and the car wouldnt start, it sat at Bmw for 10 days before he got it back along with a free spoiler that costed $550.

 

I think you are taking the right approach. Give them a shot at fixing it. If it is something simple, cool, take the car back. If they can't figure it out, it re-occurs, or a major component has to been replaced, ask for a new car.

Just curious, who was your salesman and who is you service advisor at Sewell?

 

Certainly if the problem recurs -- this definitely falls in the LEMON law category as it jeopardiezes your safety directly and if after three attempts to repair the problem it continues to recur -- lemon that up.

 

TX -- i had a horrible experience with three failed transmission on my 2k2 Acura TL-S and I lemoned that up .. it was a difficult process and the problem occurred over 30k miles... I ended up in a 2k4 vehicle that gave me no troubles for 100k miles.

Let me know what you end up doing if they decide not to give you a new vehicle and the problems continues -- I can help guide you (as many on here can) with the lemon process. I did it in illinois.

 

Hey everyone. Thanks to everyone for their replies and concerns. I visited the dealer today (mainly to get my iPod, radar detector and umbrella out of my car), but the car was sitting in the back lot, not even being worked on.

Needless to say, I wasn't too happy. I spoke with the service manager and the salesman face to face. I came home and called Infiniti Consumer Relations and filed a complaint with them. The woman on the phone (who, by the way was really nice and totally understood my concern) took my issue and information and said she would have to forward it on to a "regional manager". I was told that I should expect a call back on Tuesday next week since Monday is a US federal holiday.

The salesman once again mentioned that if they had to replace the engine that it would be a new engine an that it wouldn't affect my resale value in the future. I agree that I should get a new car. I paid for a new car and I should get a new car; not a car that has had major parts swapped out.

So, I'm waiting to hear back from the dealership on Monday and Infiniti on Tuesday. I've already looked at the lemon laws in Texas. I don't think I fall under the Lemon Law for the State of Texas...yet. According to the TXDOT website, I have to have had the vehicle out of service for more than 30 days within the first 24 months or 24,000 miles of ownership and have given the dealership TWO attempts to fix the problem within the first 12 months of ownership, or 12,000 miles. But, this only applies if they have NOT given me a loaner vehicle (which they did....)

I'll keep you all updated.....

Chris.

P.S.: My illuminated kickplates and wheel locks came in yesterday. Too bad I don't have a car to install them on.......

 

Afternoon everyone. Well, I finally heard back from the dealer this afternoon. They said that Infiniti USA has told them to put a new engine in it and send the bad engine back to the engineers in Japan for diagnosis to find out exactly that happened. I told the dealer that I wanted a new vehicle. They told me that it was not their call if I got a new vehicle or not. That was a decision that Infiniti USA had to make. I am due a call from them tomorrow.

I purchased the vehicle on May 8, 2009. It died on May 19, 2009. I haven't even been the owner of the vehicle for three weeks. I paid for a NEW vehicle less than three weeks ago and I EXPECT a NEW vehicle. The dealer keeps saying that if they put a new engine in it, it will be like new. That's the problem, in my opinion. It would be LIKE new, but not NEW. What do you all think?

I'm scared that I'm going to have to fight with Infiniti for a new car, but I'm hoping not. Any advice you can give me would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Chris

 

Wow Chris...

that's a tough situation, i'm so sorry you're having to deal with this. I personally would feel the same way -- putting a new engine into your vehicle just wouldn't "feel" the same... even though theoretically if it ran the same, there would be no technically reason not to call the vehicle "new"

I would have a good conversation with Infiniti USA tomorrow, and let them know you are seeking legal counsel and are very ready and willing to escalate this to the next step. That you're also seeking representation from the BBB Autoline and you feel that this is not how Infiniti should represent themselves and their good gesture to be to give you a new vehicle and take the hit on THIS defective vehicle on their own...

 

Thanks for your reply. Texas has a Texas Deceptive Trade Practices - Consumer Protection Act and there is a section talking about representing goods as original or new if they are deteriorated, reconditioned, reclaimed, used, or second-hand. If they put a new engine in the vehicle they can't claim that it is a NEW car since it has had parts reclaimed by the manufacturer.

I'm not an attorney, but I think this situation would fall under this protection act. Everyone at the dealership has told me that if they put a new engine in it, the engine would be new so it would be like I was getting a new car...

 

Chris, I've been reading your story since your first post and this is just such BS. You shouldn't have to deal with a new engine in the first year let alone the first month. I think as Peter said, do everything you can to get them to make this right. I would be willing to bet, any one at that dealership, if they had this problem would want a new car as well.

Though, if they refuse to budge on the new car, see if maybe they will throw in an extended warranty since you now have what is in effect a remanufactured product. Keep us updated, you have the support of the board for whatever that's worth

Mike

 

Chris - I agree with you. Keep pushing HQ to replace the car. They can't reasonably consider this failure so early as reasonable. Also, ask the dealer how many engine replacements their mechanics have done. How can they guarantee that every harness, bolt, ground, vacuum line, etc. will be reinstalled as per factory conditions. How will they protect the car during this work since they'll be crawling all over the engine compartment. They can't just say if you have any problems they'll address it - that's the whole point of having a new car. You shouldn't have to deal with these types of problems. Since they're putting a new engine in it, let them sell it as a "like new" or demo car. Although it may cost you some money, an attorney should be able to give you some advice on how to handle this. Good luck.

 

Chris, I am in same standing as with PeterUbers & SlipperyPete. There's nothing to lose with seeking action all the way. At least, whatever the outcome would be, you know you have tried all avenues. It may not turn out to be too harrowing I hope. Although I feel that effort & time would be expended on your part. In my opinion, aside from a new vehicle, that new vehicle should have perks & extra warranty just for you. Why not? In any sustainable market, you would not want a reasonable client to be disgruntled beyond reconciliation. It's just not good business practice. In the end, it boils down to bargaining. I feel you should not get the short end of the stick on this.

My feeling is that Infiniti should actually owe you for being the "lucky one" for them to have this problem. A problem that would help them identify potential defects down their assembly line in the future. No manufacturing process is 100% perfect, so as a manufacturer it is to their interest to find such rare but significant defects. You sir, have just found the needle in the haystack. Any future recalls related to this is because you have had it.

Infiniti USA may have a more different bargaining tactic since there might be a pressure in the compnay for cost-containment. But I have been in the Far East a lot & know the culture quite well, I think if word gets to Infiniti Tokyo headquarters, our honorable Japanese company administrators may just sign you a better deal. Despite the prevalent company culture, in Asia & Japan, a far degree of "shame & lose-face" still exist in the workplace fabric. Here you may have to utilize the tactic of the social culture of being litigious in order to bring any arbitration to your satisfaction.

Good luck & keep us updated.

 

I spoke with Infiniti USA this morning. The woman I spoke to said that she couldn't guarantee that the vehicle would be bought back or replaced. She still had to speak with the dealership about this issue and she would be in contact with me on Friday.

The dealer called me this afternoon and said that they couldn't guarantee what Infiniti would do, but they had another car on the lot that was equipped almost like the one I have (everything plus a rear-wing spoiler) and they could trade everything out for $1500 (I would have to pay this), but I would get a new car.

I told the dealer that I wanted to wait and hear what Infiniti would say on Friday. I think I'm goign to call them back and tell them that I'm prepared to involve my attorney if they don't replace the vehicle with a new one. What do you think?

Chris