3 On Your Side: Nissan Murano Visor Problem
By Jim Donovan
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- When it comes to auto repairs, the sky is the limit when it comes to some costs. Engine issues, electrical problems, they can be big ticket items. But 3 On Your Side Consumer reporter Jim Donovan introduces us to a man who faced a high price tag for something you might not expect. That was until we got the problem solved.
When the lease on Lance Besaw's 2006 Nissan Murano was up, his family liked the SUV so much that they bought it. He says, "It runs like a champ we love the car."
But around the 45-thousand mile mark they started noticing a problem. According to Besaw, "The sun visors just constantly fall down. As you're driving arbitrarily, they'll just drop and obstruct your vision. I've been driving on Route 42, changing lanes, and at the most inappropriate time you're doing 55 miles an hour, it falls down in front of you which is a little alarming to say the least."
Besaw had an extended warranty purchased directly from Nissan that he thought would cover the repairs but he says,
"They said it's a wear issue which is not covered." Leaving him to foot a nearly $900 repair bill. Besaw says, "The manager printed out an estimate, the service manager, and even he was shocked at how much it was." Each visor cost $404 a piece, and then there was the additional labor, around $74 more. Besaw says, "It's a recurring thing that happens to a lot of people. It's not an isolated incident."
In fact The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has received hundreds of complaints from Nissan Murano owners who report having similar problems with falling visors. NHTSA has logged 105 complaints with the 2004 model, 103 complaints involving the 2005, and 120 complaints involving the 2006.
After 3 On Your Side contacted Nissan, Besaw soon got the phone call that he'd be hoping for. He says, "Since I had the extended warranty and had never used it, as a one time courtesy, they were going to replace it for me."
And indeed Nissan did, providing him with two new visors that haven't fallen down since. Making it another 3 On Your Side problem solved.
By the way, Nissan never did tell us why Besaw's warranty didn't initially cover the repair and the auto manufacturer wasn't able to explain why the visor problem seems to pop up only on certain model years of the Murano.
