Kizashi Club

Took my 2011 SLS Auto 2WD in for the spider-in-the-fuel-vent recall. When I originally scheduled it, the shift lock parts were not yet available . I was not planning on having the shift lock recall done because I didn't want anybody be me messing with the interior trim and console. If it was going to get marred and damaged, I wanted to do it. However, when I got there, they had the parts for both recalls and I couldn't really say no to a safety recall when they had the parts there. I really wanted to say no to it as I didn't want them to mess with the console parts for fear of damage. So here's what happened when I got the car back after waiting a couple hours:

1. The car was backed against a hill so when I pulled away, grass dirt and gravel got shoved into the bumper cover.
2. The two console pieces that mate up just before the shifter were uneven. The reason for this was that it was not reassembled correctly so they overlapped and could not be screwed together. So they left out the screws and for some reason removed the clips that the screws attached to. I found one clip on the floor mat and one screw down inside the console. On clip and screw are AWOL.
3. There were gouge marks on the console where they used some tool to pry them apart. Minor, but nonetheless visible. I can't even see why they needed to remove two of the trim pieces that were gouged anyway.
4. There was a screw missing from the rear of the console where it is attached. I found it between the passenger seat and the track. Scratches near the rear of the console where the screw cover plate is located.
5. They broke my forward cup holder flap.

What I really don't understand is why they took it as far apart as they did. As far as I can tell, they only needed to remove the trim piece around the shifter to do any parts replacement.

WARNING: Think twice, three times, about letting any dealership butchers do any work that may require the removal of interior trim pieces and the center console unless absolutely necessary.

And our fears were confirmed

Wish I could say I'm shocked, but no, I'm not. It's such a shame how bad the auto service industry has become (For people that can afford regular cars). I know my friend with the BMW doesn't get any of that crap. He gets a cappuccino and a loaner. We get a damaged car. Sad part is the BMW tech and any other tech make about the same, but BMW won't allow the customer to be treated with disrespect. Most other dealers will allow it and I believe encourage it.

I can go on and on with this topic... I've been there, trusting them, but never again. Unless the recall says your car will explode the next time you get in, I will not have them touch it.

Shifter is not a problem for me. If someone wants to move it out of Park, then go for it LOL. No one else drives my car, so I ain't worried.

Spider could have been a problem, but no longer that I placed mesh screen over the vapor vent hose. 15min of work that will prove to do the same as there lengthy work instruction, minus the damage.

I'm 14K away from ending the warranty so this car will likely never see the dealer again.

No excuse for breaking the cup holder and then not saying anything. Like I wouldn't notice it. I can understand some minor scratches and marks on the console and trim pieces because they are difficult to disassemble. But they have the manuals and should have the correct tools. However, incorrect re-assembly is inexcusable. I didn't have the benefit of seeing how it came apart and I got it back to together correctly even recognizing that there were clips and screws missing even before I found them.

I've sent them a detailed email with pictures. Now I'll wait to see what happens. When I talked to the service writer initially she was going to check into getting a replacement flap. If they have that part, it's the whole back part of the console. I'm sure I'll have to fight tooth and nail to get that out of them.

Most of the damage you see a tech doing is from just not caring. Using bare metal screw drivers on plastic parts. Prying like a guerilla. Just bad practices in general. Most customers probably don't even notice have the damage that is really happening.

When I got my Head Unit installed I sat in the car with the tech during the whole process.

The Kizzy is designed so well that although it all looks like it is permanent and will never move, it all comes apart very easily. It's actually deceiving when you first try to attack a certain area. You keep looking for screws and fasteners and then you figure out where to apply the right amount of pressure and your done.

nytq wrote: Spider could have been a problem, but no longer that I placed mesh screen over the vapor vent hose. 15min of work that will prove to do the same as there lengthy work instruction, minus the damage.

Sorry to go off topic but do you have any pictures or details on how to do this?

Sorry but I did not take pictures. I did include pictures from the original work instruction. Really simply though.

1) Remove the wheel well liner. Half a dozen plastic clips, some screw plastic nuts.

2) Pull the vent hose out of the clip that holds it in place. This is located to the right of the shock mount at the top of the wheel well.

3) Cover the end with something like a piece of window screen material. I tie wrapped it in 2 places and then just put the hose right back in the clip.

4) Replace wheel well liner. Done!

Thanks for the info NYTQ. Seems easier than driving 100+ miles round trip to the dealer. Probably get it done in less time than it would take to drive there. The saved wait time at the dealer and drive home time are the payment for DIY.

Just one question which rear wheel? Drivers side I would guess.

It shouldn't take more than an hour total. Less if your used to removing a tire. Yes this is the driver side under the gas cap.

Was the tech guy that worked on your Kizashi a Japanese guy or "american"?