2010 Consumer Reports Owner Survey says Z is 45% below average in reliability

SeattleLion · 10-31-2010, 03:36 PM

Consumer Reports has published the results of its 2010 owner survey. The 370 has lost reliability points. It is now shown as solid black (much worse than average). The survey shows results for the 2009 Z. The 2010 hasn't been around long enough for them to rate it.

Engine Minor and Engine Cooling rated worse than average
Paint/trim, squeats and rattles, and body hardware all were rated (by owners) much worse than average.

Everything else, except for audio were rated much better than average.

None of this is a surprise to readers here. The ratings pretty well mirror how people here have discussed their cars. What is concerning to me is the worse than average rating on engine cooling. According to Nissan and backed up by forum members is that for normal driving the oil temps stay below excessive heating. The readers of Consumers Reports are not likely to be tracking their cars. That means a significant number of poeple who use their Z's on public roads are experiencing oil temperature problems. I am assuming it is oil temp, since I haven't seen any reports of water temp getting too high.

They rated the 370 as expected to be 45% below average reliability. The Infiniti G coupe, on the other hand, had much better than average reliability for engine cooling. With an overall reliability rating of average.
The overall rating suggests that G owners will have cars that are 42% above average in reliability. I don't understand how the same engine-transmission combination (7 speet AT) gets such vastly different owner ratings.

m4a1mustang · 10-31-2010, 03:40 PM

Perhaps the Z drivers go a little harder on their cars than the average G owner?

Aside from transmission problems with the 6MT, I think the Z is very mechanically sound. But I agree that the paint was terrible. It's the worst I've had on any car. I know some people had some chipping issues on the front and rear bumpers (I didn't) but my Z was riddled with squeaks, rattles, and of course, ECU whine (2009).

But as far as I'm concerned my issues were all quality issues, NOT reliability.

TypeOne · 10-31-2010, 03:47 PM

Probably because the average G owner doesn't push the car to the point of high oil temps. As a new Z owner, ( haven't even taken delivery on my used 09) the fact that these issues are surfacing are a bit concerning to me. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't thinking twice about my purchase.

I did notice that the auto consumer guide rating was rather low. Thankfully my car still has the factory warranty, but still I'd hate have to be in and out of service as soon as I start driving it.

I guess only time will tell.

m4a1mustang · 10-31-2010, 03:49 PM

Well, if you find that you run into cooling issues with your driving style it's very easy to put together an oil cooler to fix your problem.

With regard to paint... I think everyone just kind of learns to live with it. You have to be extra anal about keeping the paint and clear in good condition. Keep it protected and stay out of automatic car washes (unless they're brushless!).

Endgame · 10-31-2010, 03:50 PM

My only complaints are oil cooling (we really should have oil coolers), and paint.

We really should have factory oil coolers, or at least not be 'penalized' for having them installed. And the paint is lame.

m4a1mustang · 10-31-2010, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Endgame

My only complaints are oil cooling (we really should have oil coolers), and paint.

We really should have factory oil coolers, or at least not be 'penalized' for having them installed. And the paint is lame.

I agree. I'd say if you have a cooler installed by a Nissan dealer and documented, it should have NO implications on your warranty at all.

dad · 10-31-2010, 03:51 PM

"Owner Survey", sounds like a lot of unhappy owners.

TypeOne · 10-31-2010, 03:52 PM

Is the issue with the paint just from chips? What about fading or peeling clear coats?

The paint on my STi was really thin and over the years the silver started to fade pretty bad.

m4a1mustang · 10-31-2010, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TypeOne

Is the issue with the paint just from chips? What about fading or peeling clear coats?

The paint on my STi was really thin and over the years the silver started to fade pretty bad.

The paint and clear quality that Nissan uses on the Z's is very poor. The clear is ridiculously soft so it will chip and etch very, very easily.

Xan · 10-31-2010, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

I agree. I'd say if you have a cooler installed by a Nissan dealer and documented, it should have NO implications on your warranty at all.

theDreamer · 10-31-2010, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

I agree. I'd say if you have a cooler installed by a Nissan dealer and documented, it should have NO implications on your warranty at all.

Does that count for me?

m4a1mustang · 10-31-2010, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theDreamer

Does that count for me?

Well apparently a supercharger had no implication on your transmission warranty status.

shadoquad · 10-31-2010, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theDreamer

Does that count for me?

You can't put a warranty on Awesome.

Educ8r · 10-31-2010, 04:51 PM

After seeing the title of this thread and being bashed by people here because of my Z complaints, sorta does the following to me...

Jordo! · 10-31-2010, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeattleLion

Consumer Reports has published the results of its 2010 owner survey. The 370 has lost reliability points. It is now shown as solid black (much worse than average). The survey shows results for the 2009 Z. The 2010 hasn't been around long enough for them to rate it.

Engine Minor and Engine Cooling rated worse than average
Paint/trim, squeats and rattles, and body hardware all were rated (by owners) much worse than average.

Everything else, except for audio were rated much better than average.

None of this is a surprise to readers here. The ratings pretty well mirror how people here have discussed their cars. What is concerning to me is the worse than average rating on engine cooling. According to Nissan and backed up by forum members is that for normal driving the oil temps stay below excessive heating. The readers of Consumers Reports are not likely to be tracking their cars. That means a significant number of poeple who use their Z's on public roads are experiencing eil temperature problems. I am assuming it is oil temp, since I haven't seen any reports of water temp getting too high.

They rated the 370 as expected to be 45% below average reliability. The Infiniti G coupe, on the other hand, had much better than average reliability for engine cooling. With an overall reliability rating of average.
The overall rating suggests that G owners will have cars that are 42% above average in reliability. I don't understand how the same engine-transmission combination (7 speet AT) gets such vastly different owner ratings.

Probably the G gets better ratings in the "squeaks and rattles" dept. Also, I agree that G owners probably aren't beating up on the car quite as much, and thus not as likley to deal with oil temp issues.

I'm just disappointed that my fuel sender is bad -- it's a minor problem, but on a brand new car? Nissan should really find a better unit and issue a recall.

They should also extend the oil consumption TSB to the Z.

10-31-2010, 03:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
SeattleLion Base Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Seattle WA Posts: 226 Drives: '13 Mustang GT Prem. Rep Power: 234	2010 Consumer Reports Owner Survey says Z is 45% below average in reliability Consumer Reports has published the results of its 2010 owner survey. The 370 has lost reliability points. It is now shown as solid black (much worse than average). The survey shows results for the 2009 Z. The 2010 hasn't been around long enough for them to rate it. Engine Minor and Engine Cooling rated worse than average Paint/trim, squeats and rattles, and body hardware all were rated (by owners) much worse than average. Everything else, except for audio were rated much better than average. None of this is a surprise to readers here. The ratings pretty well mirror how people here have discussed their cars. What is concerning to me is the worse than average rating on engine cooling. According to Nissan and backed up by forum members is that for normal driving the oil temps stay below excessive heating. The readers of Consumers Reports are not likely to be tracking their cars. That means a significant number of poeple who use their Z's on public roads are experiencing oil temperature problems. I am assuming it is oil temp, since I haven't seen any reports of water temp getting too high. They rated the 370 as expected to be 45% below average reliability. The Infiniti G coupe, on the other hand, had much better than average reliability for engine cooling. With an overall reliability rating of average. The overall rating suggests that G owners will have cars that are 42% above average in reliability. I don't understand how the same engine-transmission combination (7 speet AT) gets such vastly different owner ratings. Last edited by SeattleLion; 11-01-2010 at 11:48 AM.

10-31-2010, 03:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	Perhaps the Z drivers go a little harder on their cars than the average G owner? Aside from transmission problems with the 6MT, I think the Z is very mechanically sound. But I agree that the paint was terrible. It's the worst I've had on any car. I know some people had some chipping issues on the front and rear bumpers (I didn't) but my Z was riddled with squeaks, rattles, and of course, ECU whine (2009). But as far as I'm concerned my issues were all quality issues, NOT reliability. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

10-31-2010, 03:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	Well, if you find that you run into cooling issues with your driving style it's very easy to put together an oil cooler to fix your problem. With regard to paint... I think everyone just kind of learns to live with it. You have to be extra anal about keeping the paint and clear in good condition. Keep it protected and stay out of automatic car washes (unless they're brushless!). __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

10-31-2010, 03:51 PM	#7 (permalink)
dad Grand Prix of Endurance Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 3,476 Drives: Mulsanne Straight Rep Power: 26	"Owner Survey", sounds like a lot of unhappy owners. __________________ We can do without any article of luxury we have never had; but once obtained, it is not in human nature to surrender it voluntary.

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10-31-2010, 03:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
TypeOne A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 2,682 Drives: BSM 370 Rep Power: 1851	Probably because the average G owner doesn't push the car to the point of high oil temps. As a new Z owner, ( haven't even taken delivery on my used 09) the fact that these issues are surfacing are a bit concerning to me. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't thinking twice about my purchase. I did notice that the auto consumer guide rating was rather low. Thankfully my car still has the factory warranty, but still I'd hate have to be in and out of service as soon as I start driving it. I guess only time will tell.

10-31-2010, 03:50 PM	#5 (permalink)
Endgame A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,613 Drives: Nothing Now! Rep Power: 224	My only complaints are oil cooling (we really should have oil coolers), and paint. We really should have factory oil coolers, or at least not be 'penalized' for having them installed. And the paint is lame.

10-31-2010, 03:52 PM	#8 (permalink)
TypeOne A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 2,682 Drives: BSM 370 Rep Power: 1851	Is the issue with the paint just from chips? What about fading or peeling clear coats? The paint on my STi was really thin and over the years the silver started to fade pretty bad.

10-31-2010, 04:51 PM	#14 (permalink)
Educ8r Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Houston Posts: 397 Drives: a car Rep Power: 17	After seeing the title of this thread and being bashed by people here because of my Z complaints, sorta does the following to me...