Heated Seats & Steering Wheel

[2fas4ya]

I have the 3.5 SL made 9/16 in Tenn. My seats are exactly like yours.

[rob175]

Just call Nissan Consumer Affairs (1-800-647-7261) and report it. They'll give you a "Case Number" and report it (along with others) to the Technical Department who will (hopefully) come up with a fix and send out a Recall Notice to you.

The problem seems to be on ALL 2013 Altimas w/heated seats.....file a report and let them know.

[rob175]

I'll be taking my car into the dealer tomorrow so the mechanic can take a look. I don't expect them to fix it but I want them to create a record of the problem....since once recorded its noting will be good beyond the standard warrantee. Although I hope to have it resolved before the standard warrantee runs out.

[rob175]

Well....the dealer's service department agreed with me that the seat heaters seem to operate "strangely". However, since they weren't sure how they SHOULD work, or how they were designed to work and they have no "factory guidence" as to how to correct the issue, there's nothing that they can do.

So.......that's it for now. I'll wait to see if Nissan actually comes up with a "fix"...I've been told that they are aware of the issue.

I guess I've reached the "end of the road".......

R

[rob175]

?????....anyone out there? or, am I writing to myself??

[blueis300]

I hear you but dont have a resolution except what you are doing by having it documented. I dont have heated seats in mine and the ones in my Rogue work fine.

[rob175]

Its just frustrating when the only one that returned a call was from Customer Affairs and he was located in the Philippines!! and reading a reply from the Tech Dept...when I asked him for more info or another conatct number for the Tech Dept....he had none. My calls and e-mails to Customer Affairs, supervisors, managers, and specialists have gone unanswered.

I've been polite (as far) but the lack of response does not bode well....this is my first NISSAN and if this is the way they respond to customers concerns it may be my last NISSAN.

[blueis300]

Sorry haven't read the whole thread. Other than maybe contact another dealer that might be more help full in contacting someone else to Consumer Affairs. Certain dealers go above and beyond what others may do, such as actually have a different number from previous issues.

[rob175]

OK.....I just got a call from NISSAN-USA Corporate Office. The gentleman told me that NISSAN is aware of the problem and he anticipates a "Technical Bulletin" will be issued to the dealers within 30 days.

He did say that although this affect all of the 2013 Altima's with heated seats they have not recieved as many complaints as one would expect. I suggested that perhaps the weather was too warm for many owners to use them, until now.

In any case, I'm more optimistic now.

[Conkris]

I called Nissan last week, registered the problem, got a number, and was told I would receive a phone call within 48 hours....I did, young lady, hard to understand with her accent, but finally I got the message "take it to your dealer". I was going to wait, but my spoiler came in, so I mentioned it when I dropped the car off today....they had no knowledge of the seat issue....they verified what I said was happening, then checked 2 new cars from inventory, of course they were the same...said they forwarded info to Nissan.... They have no idea if it is by design or a wiring problem, but until they hear from Nissan, there's nothing they can do, although they agree it doesn't seem right.

FWIW, I mentioned it to a friend of mine the other day. He said his son's Acura ( I think 2003 TL) does exactly the same thing. Kinda makes me wonder if this is by design.....I have no clue as to why anyone would think this makes sense.

If you haven't contacted Nissan, I suggest you do.....After reading the above post, I'm concerned they won't do anything unless there's enough "noise" or certainly not right away, based on "they have not recieved as many complaints as one would expect"...hopefully the colder weather will bring more complaints....

[rob175]

As I wrote, NISSAN has acknowledged that there is a "problem".....so it is NOT BY DESIGN.

As I wrote, a Service Bulletin will be coming out soon. They siad probably within the next 30 days or so. Best to take it to the dealer so they can record your issue and contact you when the bulletin comes out. You can also do a Google search on "Nissan Service Bulletins" and get the list for the 2013 Altimas.

[bulsan]

I am having a similar problem. When I turn my seat heater on low, it only heats the back cushion. When I turn it on high, it only heats the bottom cushion. I am bringing to my dealer this week to have it checked. I have never owned a car with heated seats, but have rented a few with them and the low and high always heated the back and bottom cushions at the same time with low being a lower heat setting and higher being warmer.

[rob175]

Your dealer won't know anything about it...or how to fix it. I've been told that we'll all have to wait for Nissan to issue a "Technical Bulletin" on the issue before the dealers can fix it. You can keep checking back with your dealer or you can keep checking the NISSAN techincal bulletin web site:

Nissan Publications

[claydough]

I have been following this thread since mine exhibits the same seat heating issue. I took my car in for its first oil change this morning and had them look at it. They told me no one has reported this. The service manager told the rep that this is how they are supposed to work. That is by design. Unfortunately he couldn't explain how that makes any sense, but apparently it does to someone.

I am really interested to see if this service bulletin really comes out because having to toggle between hi and low really sucks.

[rob175]

Clay....
Rather than just following the thread, I suggest that you add your "voice" to the Nissan Consumer Affairs Dept at: 1-800- 647-7261 ...or call/email:

Anna Naraeva
Escalation Team Supervisor, Consumer Affairs
anna.naraeva@nissan-usa.com
615-725-7376

or

Mary Baumgartner
Senior Mgr.
mary.baumgartner@nissan-usa.com
615-725-7255

or

Melody Benedict
Consumer Affairs
melody.benedict@nissan-usa.com
615-725-7514

or

Kisha Benedict
Consumer Affairs
kisha.benedict@nissan-usa.com
615-725-7668

"the squeeky wheel gets the oil!"