Nissan Canada will not warranty the ESCL part that was only installed in May 2017 at one of their dealerships. They tell me to go to dealer for diagnostic service. That is what happened last time and cost $250 to find out what I already knew. Then part was $647 plus labour. Total cost $1,100. This part was warrantied by Nissan in the United States for 2009 Cube. Without this part the car will not start. There is no after market part. Basically screwed.
Nissan had a Service Campaign Aug 2011 for this exact problem. My car's VIN number is not applicable according to Nissan Canada. The Head Office tells me to talk to the dealer. The dealer tells me to talk to the Head Office. Bottom line, I had to fix the problem because the car won't start without the ESCL working. It cost me $1,116.69 Cdn. More money than I make in 2 weeks. I will never buy another Nissan product and I will never own a push-start car again. I will also tell everyone I know that Nissan will not stand behind their defective parts.
This will make the 3rd ESCL installed in my car since I bought it new in July 2009. The 2nd ESCL was replaced under warranty on November 2011 at 22912 miles. The 3rd one cost me $892.09 plus $140 to tow it to the dealership. It took Nissan warranty 2 weeks to tell me that they would reimburse me for the cost of the part only. Dealing with the warranty people was more frustrating than going to the DMV. I would rather have a root canal without novacaine than deal with them again. Talk about making you want to just walk away and not buy another Nissan. I love my car but Nissan's customer service for faulty parts sucks. The ESCL has issues that still aren't resolved. Nissan said it was normal wear and tear. That is bull- normal wear and tear is replacing brakes, tires and exhaust. I just replaced my tires last year and my brakes and muffler are still in good shape and original from when I bought the car. They should leave the ESCL off going forward. It does nothing for you if it leaves you stranded.
I have not yet had this fixed but quoted cost is $935+. That doesn't include the cost of the tow. I've contacted NissanAssist to see if they will cover the cost. This seems to be a very common problem with other 2009 Nissan models (Nissan has extended the warranty for 2009 Altimas and Maximas for this issue).
The Electronic Steering Column Lock (ESCL) has been replaced twice in my 2009 car, once in September of 2011, and most recently this week (April 2014). The first replacement was due to a Nissan recall, in which Nissan admitted to a "manufacturing irregularity" that caused faulty parts. Nissan Consumer Affairs has refused to assist in the cost of this most recent repair/replacement, stating that the part must have "failed due to normal wear and tear." I'm left with a bill for $900 for the repair on a part that is only two years old and has been admitted to be a problem in the past in Cube, Altima, and Maxima. Altima and Maxima owners now have an extended warranty on this specific part due to the faulty construction, yet Cube owners are left to deal with this on their own. Whether the part is faulty or has failed due to normal wear and tear, there's an issue with quality on Nissan's side. Two years is an unacceptable lifespan for an electronic part (with a $900 price tag plus a tow, no less).
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Nissan Canada will not warranty the ESCL part that was only installed in May 2017 at one of their dealerships. They tell me to go to dealer for diagnostic service. That is what happened last time and cost $250 to find out what I already knew. Then part was $647 plus labour. Total cost $1,100. This part was warrantied by Nissan in the United States for 2009 Cube. Without this part the car will not start. There is no after market part. Basically screwed.
- Kathy K., Winnipeg, MB, Canada