Problems with Nissan service and my cars appearance

[Chala]

I just went for an oil change today. My last oil change that I got from the Nissan dealer which is literally an 8th of a mile from my house, after getting my car back I notice two small nicks at the nose of the hood. I complained to the service manager who didn't seem to give a hoot.

I then went home, still being bothered by this I went back to the dealer to speak to the service manager he told me this should not have happened but unfortunately on some occasions do. He ran out to my car with touch up paint and did everything he could to make me happy. I ended up being ok with it.

This is only an oil change, what is the mechanic opening my hood with his teeth, or with some sort of tool in his hand as though to scratch my hood??


Ok fast forward to today, I promised myself back then I would never return to that dealership by my house ever again. So the next closest one is 7 miles down the road, so I go there for another oil change. When I arrived I told them the story about the previous experience and showed the guy that pre-inspects your car the two nick marks. So I think I am good alerting them to the fact I am conscious of these minor mishaps.

So I do brakes this time along with the oil change when I got my car back I didn't check for damage, cause I was so positive that they would be careful with my car. When I got home I saw two NEW tiny nicks on the edge of my hood this time on the left side.

I am so fed up and frustrated with this, so every time I go to the dealer my car gets damaged?? I am embarrassed to say I don't know how to do my own oil changes if I did I certainly don't have the time. So does anyone have any suggestions how I should handle this and more importantly how do I get my car worked on without incurring damage in the future please???

I know this post was quite long but thanks to all who reads it and responds!

 

[Goin Rogue]

You tube to learn oil changes, hint they are SUPER easy to do. And buy a pair of ramps.

If they keep chipping the edge of the hood you could cover it with painters tape when you take it in for service.

 

[Chala]

I love the painters tape idea, thanks

 

[Dmb5450]

I second the learn to do your own oil changes, my current car is the only one I will not do for two reasons: I get oil changes free for 6 years. I also need to extract the oil, there is no oil pan to drain from.I would need to buy some sort of extractor plus the oil apparently can oil be bought through the dealership? Idk in that case it's a hassle.A typical Nissan should be a breeze. With a little practice, maybe a friend can help you, you can get the change done quickly. My last oil change on my wife's car took be 20 minutes, that was set up and clean up. I am by no means mechanically inclined, oil changes are very easy. Watch a YouTube video as mentioned, but search for your specific car's oil change. This will show exactly what to do.

In my book a little fear and frustration about your first oil change is nothing compared to the rage you experienced on two separate occasions for utter incompetence. Have you filed a complaint with Nissan's corporate? The squeaky wheel gets the oil.


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[Chala]

I second the learn to do your own oil changes, my current car is the only one I will not do for two reasons: I get oil changes free for 6 years. I also need to extract the oil, there is no oil pan to drain from.I would need to buy some sort of extractor plus the oil apparently can oil be bought through the dealership? Idk in that case it's a hassle.A typical Nissan should be a breeze. With a little practice, maybe a friend can help you, you can get the change done quickly. My last oil change on my wife's car took be 20 minutes, that was set up and clean up. I am by no means mechanically inclined, oil changes are very easy. Watch a YouTube video as mentioned, but search for your specific car's oil change. This will show exactly what to do.

In my book a little fear and frustration about your first oil change is nothing compared to the rage you experienced on two separate occasions for utter incompetence. Have you filed a complaint with Nissan's corporate? The squeaky wheel gets the oil.


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Thanks for responding, my oil changes are free for three years myself. I have not yet complained to corporate i figure if i complain every time i go to a dealer for service i will eventually run out of dealers to go to so idk.

 

[Dmb5450]

Thanks for responding, my oil changes are free for three years myself. I have not yet complained to corporate i figure if i complain every time i go to a dealer for service i will eventually run out of dealers to go to so idk.

Don't be afraid, go to the same dealer that you complained about, it is a place that must rely on customers to thrive. If they are doing it to your car they are doing it to others. Don't let them make this the gold standard in oil changes.

When I got a Mazda a few years back, I loved the dealership, they were great. I often got those survey cards and gave great feedback. One occasion after an inspection the tech left my car in drive in the service pick up bay. I was paying my bill and heard yelling, the tech, a few feet from the car at this point noticed the car rolling away. He luckily got back in and put it into park. Obviously I was upset, long story short, I got a survey card and mentioned that experience.

The owner of the dealer called me and apologized and asked how to make it up to me. Those surveys make or break the dealers, they need you to be happy. I told him I gave them great reviews in the past but this time was different. Our deal was I would only get the most experienced tech with the least complaints working on my car. I continued to go to that dealer until I sold my car. Yes, they know me as the guy who hangs signs all over his car to not have it washed then has someone sign that they agree. If wanting my property that I work my butt off for respected, then yes I am annoying. In the end I expect a service and my car returned to me in the condition it was given to them in. In the end if they know you will hold them accountable, they will treat you right. They developed a culture that allows them to mistreat customer cars because no on has stopped them yet.


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[Chala]

Thats a great story Dmb5450 yes i work hard for my vehicle's payments, and i also take pride in my cars appearance. The last thing i expect is for a dealership to damage my vehicle. I have not got these survey cards/emails but i sure look forward to getting one. Thanks!

 

[dcjredline]

IMO, and since I am almost as picky as you are. I dont let anyone touch my cars, and if I have to let them then I either have to be a royal pain in everyones ass and piss off everyone or I have to let it go unless it is really bad. It is just a car in the end. Sounds like a daily car and things are going to happen to them just a fact of life.

 

[Hammer77]

Dmb5450 has given some great advice. I too had a bad experience after buying my car in Aug.2015 with the service dept. at the dealership I bought from. Long story not getting into it now, they damaged my wheel. They denied it, I went on a ass chewing spree, got the service manager, office manager. Did talk to the owner in person, and called Chrysler Customer Service. And stepped away. It got taken care of. That dealership was I say 2 miles from my home, and 1/4 mile from my work.

Now I drive 15 miles one way to another. get great service. I built a relationship with the new dealership, last year car had a problem they couldn't solve, they had to work with engineers to fix it. At the time my car was the only one that has ever had whatever issue. They already knew I was picky from oil changes. So I dropped it off, laid down some rules. I just polished and coated it a little over a month before. It was in for 5 weeks, had daily phone conversations with the service manager, and a Chrysler case worker. I went there once a week and the manager would escort me in the back to inspect it, even took my swirl finder light once.

When I got the call to come pick it up I was nervous, it had dust all over it, that's it! In conversation with the manager, he told me that they worked on it in one bay, only left the building for test drives when it was dry, never in the rain, never sat outside waiting to be worked on, it stayed in the building. I was floored. Got home washed it, looked just like the day I took it in. Sorry for getting off track, just felt like sharing.

Anytime I go to the service dept. for an oil change, or anything, I always get a email survey from Chrysler, and usually a phone call from the dealership asking about my experience. I always do them. Hope you get this sorted out!

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

You tube to learn oil changes, hint they are SUPER easy to do.

And buy a pair of ramps.

I do all my own oil changes.... or I have the Boy Scouts do it for me....



Boy Scouts Troop 840 at Autogeek to earn their Automotive Maintenance Merit Badge - 2017

I know for some people changing your own oil is not an easy option. But if you are even a little mechanically inclined.... it's not that hard. It helps to have a truck with a 12" lift kit sitting on 40" tires.


If you don't have a monster truck and need ramps - well Autogeek can help you with that....


Race Ramps Vehicle Ramps


Or you can use a floor jack and some safety jacks...

The above floor jack pictures taken from this article, it's not on changing oil but you get the idea...

How to clean fender wells the lazy way!

 

[DetailKitty]

All great advice here.
I would stick to your guns and let the dealership know you are picky and demand your vehicle to be properly taken care of.

LONG story short:

10+ years ago I worked for a dealership chain (won't mention who). I worked in their in house advertising agency. I bought vehicles from them and had them serviced with them.
On one occasion an inspection went bad. I was very upset and in the end the dealership basically told me not to come back. Fine with me!

When the "report card" came to me (the survey), I ripped them a new one...

Several weeks later I was in my boss's office and saw MY SURVEY on his desk. It had red pen notes written on it from the vice president of the dealership group calling me a B word and demanding that he fire me. Yup, that seriously happened.
I took pictures of the survey and notes and went about my business.

I was never fired. My boss liked me and I was good at my job. I guess he convinced them it wasn't good grounds for firing me. No one ever knew I had the pictures of the survey and that I would have brought a lawsuit like they'd never seen.

Moral of the story??? Stick to your guns and don't be afraid to speak up.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

I am so fed up and frustrated with this, so every time I go to the dealer my car gets damaged??

I am embarrassed to say I don't know how to do my own oil changes if I did I certainly don't have the time. So does anyone have any suggestions how I should handle this and more importantly how do I get my car worked on without incurring damage in the future please???

I know this post was quite long but thanks to all who reads it and responds!

Don't feel embarrassed because you don't know how to do your own oil changes. It's easy to learn but to your point, you should be able to take your car to a dealership and have the confidence and faith that their staff will take care of your car while it's there without damaging it.

Sad to say... your experience is likely more the norm for work done at dealerships.

Here's a suggestion and it's not always easy to do, try to find an independent shop with great owners and staff. I'm very lucky in that right down the road from Autogeek is Sports Cars of Stuart, the owner and now friend of mine his name is Ron and not only is he a GREAT mechanic but he's also completely in-tune (no pun intended), without how owners feel about the appearance of their cars and takes every precaution to both protect your car and keep it clean while it's in his shop.

I never worry about damage to our vehicles when their in Ron's hands...

Your job is to find an independent shop like Sports Cars of Stuart.


The way you do this is start asking your friends that have NICE cars and take care of both the outside and the mechanicals....

 

[392hemi]

I am the same way and completely understand your frustration. Unfortunately these free oil changes lead to high volume of vehicles being worked on, with majority employees caring about one thing. Getting the car out of the bay and they are reckless.

I had the same concern and the free oil changes (car uses synthetic and 7 quarts). I would always detail my car before i went in so they knew i was anal and let my service advisor know. I woild do a full walk around before accepting my vehicle.

I had a previous situation where they damaged the sideskirts and I didn't notice until it was too late

 

[PA DETAILER]

Never had issues with the local Nissan dealer here. Oil changes and tire rotations, the local Monroe gets my business. Again, they treat it with respect. Never had a issue with them either.

 

[custmsprty]

I took one of our vehicles years ago to a Nissan dealership 30 minutes from our house. Got an oil change, woke up in the morning with a puddle of oil in my driveway. They didn't reinstall the oil drain plug properly. I made them come to my house, clean my driveway, pick up my vehicle and do it right and return the vehicle. I was nice about my request, but firm. We have bought at least 5-6 vehicles over the years from them. Not anymore though.

To damage your vehicle is totally unacceptable.

As others have said here you can learn to change your own oil, youtube. Airfilter, wipers etc, super easy to do.

Most important thing is to be safe, never skip any steps. Chalk the rear wheels etc.

I change my own oil but my wife prefers to take hers to the dealership LOL.

 

[WillSports3]

I find it depends on your service manager. The mazda dealership I take my car has an excellent one, and he knows me well enough when I call in, he just says oh blue 2016 mazda 3, the early oil change one. I changed the factory fill 1000 kilometers after I got the car, it was free anyway. But he knows the rules, back my car in, don't wash it and if it's raining they'll park it in their detail bay for me so I don't have to walk in the rain. The mechanics enjoy working on my car because it's kept clean inside and out so they're much more careful with my car. If they have a bad service manager, well then it's a different story. I remember taking my dad's rav4 for an oil change and the service advisor insisted the vehicle needed new brakes for some reason. I asked for my keys back then ripped into the service manager because at the time, the car only had 35 thousand kilometers on it. I told them that if the brakes were so poorly manufactured that they already need brakes, then they're going to warranty the brakes and if I see a bill I'll be having someone serve them papers. They ended up backing off after I told them I have no problem going to court over a pair of brake pads. I also told them I'm not paying for an oil change, and they apologized and gave me a free one. Now my dad goes to the place close to his work for oil changes and what not while the first place that is 1 minute away doesn't get the time of day from me.

It's always a weird hit and miss with dealerships. A friend of mine went to a dealership and basically got told by one of the mechanics that his car was "eh" when he asked him how his car was. It was just a simple tune up, so my friend got pissed off. It always depends on the service managers. There are also good in pendant shops that I use for certain things. I think in this case it's better to take a picture of before and after, and then take it to Nissan corporate.

 

[Chala]

It is just a car in the end. Sounds like a daily car and things are going to happen to them just a fact of life.

Dcjredline I don't know that sounds like a cop out, yes it is a daily, but something flying off a rear tire from the car in front of you is one thing, ineptness in a dealership is another.

Now I drive 15 miles one way to another. get great service. I built a relationship with the new dealership, last year car had a problem they couldn't solve, they had to work with engineers to fix it.

Anytime I go to the service dept. for an oil change, or anything, I always get a email survey from Chrysler, and usually a phone call from the dealership asking about my experience. I always do them. Hope you get this sorted out!

How did you know in driving those 15 miles you would find a great dealership, trial and error? I am not getting these phone calls or surveys maybe i need to start complaining about them, thanks!

All great advice here.
I would stick to your guns and let the dealership know you are picky and demand your vehicle to be properly taken care of.

Yeah but this is twice in a row now, i am a little gun shy at this point.

Sad to say... your experience is likely more the norm for work done at dealerships.

Here's a suggestion and it's not always easy to do, try to find an independent shop with great owners and staff.

Yeah but how does it affect the warranty having my work done at independents

I took one of our vehicles years ago to a Nissan dealership 30 minutes from our house. Got an oil change, woke up in the morning with a puddle of oil in my driveway. They didn't reinstall the oil drain plug properly. I made them come to my house, clean my driveway, pick up my vehicle and do it right and return the vehicle. I was nice about my request, but firm. We have bought at least 5-6 vehicles over the years from them. Not anymore though.

To damage your vehicle is totally unacceptable.

As others have said here you can learn to change your own oil, youtube. Airfilter, wipers etc, super easy to do.

Most important thing is to be safe, never skip any steps. Chalk the rear wheels etc.

I change my own oil but my wife prefers to take hers to the dealership LOL.

Sorry to hear that story, but one thing a lot of you folks are missing, yeah i can learn how to do my own oil changes, but how bout other repairs and maintenance that will need to be performed on the car? Oil changes are not the only reason people go to car dealer service centers.

I find it depends on your service manager. The mazda dealership I take my car has an excellent one, and he knows me well enough when I call in, he just says oh blue 2016 mazda 3, the early oil change one. I changed the factory fill 1000 kilometers after I got the car, it was free anyway. But he knows the rules, back my car in, don't wash it and if it's raining they'll park it in their detail bay for me so I don't have to walk in the rain. The mechanics enjoy working on my car because it's kept clean inside and out so they're much more careful with my car. If they have a bad service manager, well then it's a different story. I remember taking my dad's rav4 for an oil change and the service advisor insisted the vehicle needed new brakes for some reason. I asked for my keys back then ripped into the service manager because at the time, the car only had 35 thousand kilometers on it. I told them that if the brakes were so poorly manufactured that they already need brakes, then they're going to warranty the brakes and if I see a bill I'll be having someone serve them papers. They ended up backing off after I told them I have no problem going to court over a pair of brake pads. I also told them I'm not paying for an oil change, and they apologized and gave me a free one. Now my dad goes to the place close to his work for oil changes and what not while the first place that is 1 minute away doesn't get the time of day from me.

It's always a weird hit and miss with dealerships. A friend of mine went to a dealership and basically got told by one of the mechanics that his car was "eh" when he asked him how his car was. It was just a simple tune up, so my friend got pissed off. It always depends on the service managers. There are also good in pendant shops that I use for certain things. I think in this case it's better to take a picture of before and after, and then take it to Nissan corporate.

Thanks for responding, but the service manager does not perform the work on the car, i would think i need to be more proactive.

 

[swanicyouth]

I get free oil changes - still do my own. Cuz I don't wanna end up like this guy

 

[PaulMys]

It sucks the OP has to go though this kind of crap. He stated he wasn't mechanically inclined. And as such, I'm sure he isn't comfortable learning how to not only change his oil, but also learning how to use the jack and position the stands properly.

There isn't a thing in the world wrong with this, either. Since he not comfortable doing it, he should be able to bring it to a dealer and have the damn oil changed without having his car damaged. Period.

I've been a mechanic my whole life. Cars, and for the last 20+ years boats. I have to tell you, it's NOT that hard to take a few extra minutes to safeguard your surrounding work area (On a car, this would mean padding the fenders/front cowling, and YES, even taping the edge of a hood.

Also, the SM at the dealer should check the job AND the appearance of the vehicle before and AFTER each job. Period.

This is my job as yard manager at the marina I work at. Some of the boats we work on cost over a million dollars. Think I'm not going down to check on the condition of that boat after my guys are done working on it?? Never.

The dealer in the OP's original post is a joke.

 

[Chala]

I have to tell you, it's NOT that hard to take a few extra minutes to safeguard your surrounding work area (On a car, this would mean padding the fenders/front cowling, and YES, even taping the edge of a hood.

The dealer in the OP's original post is a joke.

Front cowling? This leads me to ask, is there a section on this site dedicated to products in protecting my car from mechanical work/damage?