Complaint Review: Maguires Nissan Of Lebanon

I recently purchased not only one but two Nissan Versas within the last 2 years at Maguires Ford Nissan in Lebanon. The first crash was due to overnight driving on very little sleep without a rest stop. I thought for certain that accident when the vehicle was totaled was indeed my fault.

However, there was a different situation entirely when I purchased the second Versa. I discovered some strange behaviors on this car that I had never seen before in my life. During the delivery of the vehicle I was sold the salesperson, Mr. Mark McGrunick (?) informed me that the vehicle was just a "new car with 8100 miles. This vehicle is like a demo..." Upon the purchase of the 'new' vehicle I had assigned Gap Insurance and a few other add-ons including the repair plan Gold.

I first discovered that the vehicle's RPM levels would spike unnaturally especially when turning sharp or accelerating (or attempting to) onto the highway. I found it very difficult to keep control of the vehicle when reaching speeds of 55 and 65 even. When coming onto a highway the Versa would frequently stall at a speed of 45 or so mph; making it very difficult to enter the normal and even flow of traffic along the busy intersection. This could have gotten me into several accidents over the course of ownership. Of course, I have to give myself credit for being a much better driver than that.

Time went on and I persued a career in Auto Sales myself. I tried to get hired at the vehicle distribution center than I bought my versa. My paperwork mysteriously vanished. I tried to file another form, but then the HR department informed me that they had contacted Jeremy (Sales Mgr for Nissan) who had agreed to my coming on board. Jeremy decided to tell her that he was not hiring even after allowing me to use him and Kelly (the woman in financial affairs) for a referral.

I began working for Hoffman Ford, still of course having difficulties with my Versa. A lot of my friends happen to be mechanics and I had taken the car to them as well as my home dealership for inspection.

There was an issue later on with the fuel injector leaking. I went to fill up while on completely empty (gas light was on) and almost instantaneously as I went to put gas in the vehicle, the gas chamber made the thumping sound it does when it is completely full. I took the Versa immediately over to Maguires Nissan's service department and the woman there gave me a loaner car to take to work for the day.

I get a call around 3 pm telling me that it was "all in my head" and that "There was never anything wrong with your car...come pick it up"

I was pretty annoyed. I know what I saw. They charged me 20.00 for gasoline and didn't say much to me otherwise. I had her also look at the RPM spiking problem and she couldn't find that either...Visit #1...

It was time for my inspection and I was pretty upset with my dealerships lack of findings so I decided to take it to Falkner Nissan in Harrisburg. BIG MISTAKE. They overcharged for services that never really made any sense and gave a diagnostic solely on break wear and tires -- none of which pertaining to my case. My state inspection after all the work cost approximately 194.00. At the time my weekly paycheck was 200. So you could see how uncomfortable I was about this...

I took the car back again to my dealership for the next inspection after a job change to the Ladd Hanford Chrysler Dodge Jeep Mazda Suzuki in Lebanon, PA because the commute for 200.00 a week and an empty lot seemed a little unbearable and got to be quite expensive.

Once again I checked in with both the Ford and Nissan side at Maguire's before taking the job and still no return on any of my phone calls.

When I took the car in the next time for possible repairs on the mainframe and change of tires I had the mechanic look at the RPM issue with the stalling. He had me basically drive around aimlessly until he heard the screech on the tires. The funny thing was that he could barely hear the screech and I found out later that the tires (not what he said: of course) were wearing unevenly...

I was pretty convinced at this point that the vehicle was a lemon. I tried replacing it at work and then before I had a chance, I was laid off due to an economic downfall in the turning of profits. The dealership that laid me off is now making 72 car sales a month (if that) and Hoffman Ford is completely out of business...

A few more months passed. The vehicle was broken into. I was just about to replace the right window when shortly thereafter I was in my second auto accident.

I was coming along a curve on 117S in the fog and saw the lines on the road but as I was going around the corner; sure enough, the vehicle stalled. Not only that but shortly thereafter I lost control of my steering after trying to bring the car back to the right from drifting into the left lane. The Versa kept coasting into the left lane and then I hit my brake hard but no response at this point. Then BAAAAMMMM! I hit the tree...

I suffered very little knee trauma and absolutely nothing else but the car was indeed totaled -- the frame bent inward and punctured the radiator.

I called "1-800-mylemon" and they said because the vehicle is no longer in my possesion there is nothing I can do.

Does anyone have any solutions for me?

I am going to attempt to activate Gap insurance today.

Beyond all of this I read up on some recalls for the Versa. The first was in August of 2006 (not included with my total loss paperwork -- of course) for the replacement of the brake fluid cap that happens to be missing on all Versas until installed by the dealer. This can lead to hydraulic failure in the case of losing control of the vehicle according to the recall notice. The other one was just for the safety belts on the passenger's side. Only the safety belt recall was in the paperwork for the Versa's total loss.

The records for the car stated that the Versa is an SL model when I bought the vehicle because of the bluetooth, the 6-change cd player and aluminum alloy wheels -- however...the paperwork that my auto insurance provider (USAA) keeps finding is for the S model...

Thank you for your time and I hope this helps.

Rockyahoo
Royersford, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.