Some time ago the passenger door panel on our 2009 Infiniti FX50 began to peel. So we took the FX50 to Cerritos Infiniti for repair. At that time our advisor informed us the peeling trim was a known issue. She ordered the replacement door panel and sent us on our way.
"I'll call you when the parts arrive. But they are on back-order and we probably won't see them for two weeks." That's what she said.
Two weeks passed and our phone was silent. We called the dealer to follow up and learned that the part number for our door panel had been changed internally. Some kind of inventory glitch. What that meant to us was a cancelled order. And to re-order the same part with the correct number would take another two weeks. Looks like we're going to need more super glue to get us through to next year.
Mike Schmidt, Vehicle Testing Manager @ 28,000 miles
hybris says:
07:03 AM, 12/28/09
This is concerning given the fact this thing only about a year old.
I'd recommend duct tape.
1487 says:
07:17 AM, 12/28/09
parts come off in all kinds of vehicles, even pricey crossovers built in Japan. Fortunately for the FX this issue seems to be raising few questions about the build quality of the vehicle in general and there seems to be no desire to keep bringing up this problem.
wobbly_ears says:
07:33 AM, 12/28/09
Couldn't you just Gorilla Glue it atleast till the parts arrive? Those sharp edges are a surefire way to some cuts.
billt9 says:
07:59 AM, 12/28/09
Ya try Shoe Goo too maybe that'll work great!
Japanese is all about build it yourself and modify it yourself model kits. Even in giant Infiniti FX form!
You should also go more Japanese and modify the entire front end of the FX to make it look better. It's easy!
bankerdanny says:
08:27 AM, 12/28/09
+1 for the Gorilla Glue. It's perfect for an application like this.
chavis10 says:
08:45 AM, 12/28/09
Wow, glad this didn't happen on a BMW. Opps, yes it did. This should illustrate that most cars are on the same level in terms of build quality. It's time to move past this whole "quality is exclusive to brand x,y,z" stigma.
dubaizen says:
10:25 AM, 12/28/09
Come on, its the first year of a new model. Of course it will have a few things that will go wrong, that will be sorted out.
I love my fx50s even after one year of ownership and I would buy it all over again if I could
1487 says:
11:10 AM, 12/28/09
werent people criticizing other brands for using velcro and adhesives to hold components in place? All cars use these things, even the FX.
Not sure what first year would have to do with the failure of an adhesive holding wood trim. I mean, that's just cheap glue.
yellowmiata says:
01:44 PM, 12/28/09
"chavis10 says: Wow, glad this didn't happen on a BMW. Opps, yes it did. This should illustrate that most cars are on the same level in terms of build quality. It's time to move past this whole "quality is exclusive to brand x,y,z" stigma."
+1 Each brand is going to have a niggle or 2. The real goal of a vehicle includes the overall package. Every Infiniti I've driven is tight and pulls strongly for the engine size. The FX50s is on my short list. Thanks for the posts IL, keep 'em comin'!
Kevin
cr_driver says:
04:26 PM, 12/28/09
As more money goes out of your wallet to buy stuff, u just expect more quality.
No excuse here, this is bad.
majin_ssj_eric says:
06:34 PM, 12/28/09
Not a fan of this stick-on wood trim personally. I prefer the real aluminum in my G37...
jayrandall says:
08:07 PM, 12/28/09
This is old news ... I have had my 2009 FX35 (w/ the Deluxe Touring package) for 9 months and my wood is fine. I love my FX, the interior is amazing and true to Infiniti's objective, the wood, the colors of the dials at night, the ergo design, all make for a visually stimulating experience.
irvg37 says:
10:34 PM, 12/28/09
just a small glitch. the car overall is AWESOME.
billt9 says:
12:00 AM, 12/29/09
majin_ssj_eric, the real aluminum in your car is 2 mm thick, and stuck on with glue... so are all other decorative trim pieces...
That's real 2 mm thick wood in the FX, stuck on with glue.
mrryte says:
07:14 AM, 12/29/09
irvg37 says:
just a small glitch. the car overall is AWESOME.
+1. 28000 miles and how many times has it had any MAJOR issues? The vast majority of FX50 IL posts are ramblings about its styling (which has no bearing on its reliability). If I were looking for a vehicle in this price range, a little wood peeling wouldn't be a major issue for me (so long as it's under warranty).
1487 says:
08:39 AM, 12/29/09
mrrte:
In case you havent noticed real mechanical failures are rare on cars with less than 40k miles or however long vehicles are here. Most issues that have to be addressed by the dealer are minor. The FX isnt being picked on because its trim is coming apart- this is just a sign of the problems experienced in today's new vehicles which are largely reliable. Several of the cars here have had few, if any problems- the Challenger comes to mind.
saxdogg says:
06:26 PM, 12/29/09
Actually, I'd be pissed if they had to replace the ENTIRE door panel for something so trivial....I'd gorilla glue it too....MYSELF.
JP
stingray454 says:
11:58 AM, 01/ 4/10
It is a minor flaw, but it is a very embarrassing, and visible one.