Approximately 2/3 of the perforated holes in the air intake cowl were not properly perforated open. As a result, the air conditioner must be operated to keep the vehicle cool during all but very cold outside conditions. This is costly at the least, but potentially dangerous if hazardous fumes ever got into the passenger cab. My first trip to the dealer got the response that "all Frontiers are that way". a call to Nissan no. America, referring to your complaint ODI id: 897023 advised that all the perforations are not pierced as a design feature that varies between models". even if all the perforations were pierced, the total free area would only be 1.5 square inches which is not enough in my opinion O support adequate fresh air intake. Even if all the perforations were elininated and just the small grids were left, the free area would be $12.98 square inches which is probably "just right" for the fan. All the Frontiers and xterra have this type of cowl grill. It is a great money saving idea since an open mesh screen is used in some of Nissan's models and that has the cost of the screen and the labor to place as an added cost. With a second trip to the dealer, a scratch awl was inserted in each grid at my insistance to at least open up the grids, but the plastic still covers the open areas. Can Nissan advise if their drain is capable of accepting small debris that could get through an open grid?

- Glen Ellyn, IL, USA

When on the vent setting hot air flows continuously into the truck even though the temperature is set on the coldest setting. Temperature has been measured at 118F when the outside temperature was 70 F. after trips to two dealers and the replacement of the intake air vents the problem is still present. Efforts to request that Nissan North America correct this problem have met with statements of this is normal operation. This continuos introduction of heat into the interior seriously impacts passenger comfort and the operation of the ventilation system.

- Knoxville, TN, USA