Nissan Navara 2012 Problems

We were asked if it was necessary to change the timing chain on a D40 Navara and we correctly advised the reader that it wasn't. There is no requirement to change the chain regularly as there is on engines with timing belts, but chains do wear and sometimes they loosen or even break as we reported in our used review of the D40 a few weeks ago. Of course, when that happens you must replace the chain. It's pretty easy to hear a chain when it's loose, there's usually a loud rattling noise from the front of the engine. If you hear such a noise best get it checked out before you do some serious damage to the engine internals.

It could be a fuel problem, but it could easily be something electrical, or perhaps something from left-field such as a blocked exhaust system. Perhaps a sensor somewhere in the driveline is functioning properly until it gets hot and then shutting down, causing the engine to stall. Perhaps you have a bad earth point or loose electrical contact. Maybe the fuel pump is on its last legs and unable to supply enough fuel to keep the engine running.

It’s all a bit of a guessing game, but fortunately, modern cars have on-board computers which detect problems and log them until the car can be scanned. At that point, the glitches and problems should be revealed and you can start to plan how to solve the problem.

It's unusual to have a major failure of the front diff, unless it has been left in low range four-wheel drive on the highway. If that hasn't happened I would request a full explanation of the reason the diff has failed.

We have had another report of this on another new 7-speed Navara. The dealer told that owner that it was because the transmission has to trawl down through seven gears as it slows, which takes time, but that doesn't ring true. More likely it's a software issue that needs to be addressed by Nissan.

I would expect that they are responsible for any damage that occurs while they have it in their care, whether it's in the workshop or the car park. As long as it happened after you handed the keys over to them and before you took the keys back. Ask to talk to the dealer principal, and if you can't get anywhere with him, seek legal   advice and perhaps send them a solicitor's letter requesting they repay the cost of repairs. It's always a good idea to inspect the car with the service manager before you hand the keys over and check it again before you leave the dealership. That way you've got clear proof when something untoward happens.

The very fact that you’re looking at two vehicles that fit into your budget but have travelled such vastly different distances should tell you all you need to know about the Nissan. Frankly, the Navara D22 and D40 don’t age well. In fact, many owners have found out the hard way that a Navara just can’t match the Toyota HiLux of this vintage for longevity and the ability to cop punishment over time.

I’m certainly not saying that the HiLux was perfect, but compared with the Navara’s litany of faults and problems that covered everything from rattling timing chains to coolant leaks and odd design elements such as the bottom of the radiator being lower than the lowest part of the chassis cross-member (not good for off-road work) the Toyota was much better. Granted the Navara you’re considering has very low mileage, so it should be okay for a while…just about till you hand it over to your son to break.

I wouldn't have thought that the independent suspension would be the cause, but whatever the cause is I wouldn't expect the radiator to crack to early. I would be pressing Nissan for a replacement.

Like every car company it would seem Nissan is doing everything in its power to reduce fuel consumption and holding on to higher gears for longer is a way to help do that. Go back to your dealer and ask if they can "retune" to get rid of the shudder.

We have been told the same thing, that it's the way it is set-up and that's it really. I don't believe it would be too big an ask for Nissan to have a service fix available for those people who, like you, find it annoying.