Nissan Navara Problems

We have a few reports of this vibration from readers, so we've asked Nissan for an update on what they're doing to fix it.

What you should take away from this experience is that not all dealers are the same. You should have gone looking for another dealer to do your work a long time ago, one that is closer to your home than the one in Warrnambool. In terms of the servicing of your vehicle, you can get it done at any competent mechanic, providing it is done according to Nissan's schedule. Repairs, however, would need to be done by a Nissan dealership if you wanted them covered by Nissan. If you want to pursue Nissan for lost earnings, then take legal action.

Yes, your issue does sound like it was caused by the torque converter locking up too early. The converter is locked to eliminate the slippage that you normally get when the convertor is not locked, which uses up fuel. Locking the convertor is done to reduce fuel consumption, but doing it too early, as it appears Nissan has done, makes the engine labour and vibrate.

It is an often reported problem with the Navara. It's too late to fix your car, but it's important that the sump plug gasket is replaced every time the oil is changed, and that the plug is not cross-threaded when installed, which could have happened at a previous service on your car causing it to jam in the thread, and that it is not over-tightened.

That's bloody ridiculous. Nissan has a responsibility to fix your car, and while they do appear to be trying, they have failed abysmally. You have given them enough time, it would seem that you have been very patient, so I would recommend that you step up the pressure on the dealer and Nissan itself. Demand a timetable for the repairs, ask them why they haven't called in specialist help, even from Japan, and consider demanding a replacement car. I am usually loath to recommend asking for a replacement car, but I think in this case you would be justified in demanding a new car. If, as I expect, they refuse, press for a temporary replacement car while they find out what's wrong with yours.

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.

The vibration you refer to is caused by the torque converter locking up at too low a speed. It's done for fuel economy, but I reckon Nissan has got it wrong in this occasion. They might say they have had few complaints about it, but I bet there are lots of owners out there putting up with it because their dealers have told them it's "normal".

Carmakers have been using waterborne paint for a number of years now, but the technology isn't settled and paint issues crop up regularly as a result. One thought is that delamination of the sort you report is that too much time elapsed between the baser coat being applied and the clear going on over it. It's generally thought that around 30-35 minutes is the limit between the two coats being applied, if it goes longer you can have problems. That's one possible explanation.

That's a tricky one. Nissan's warranty doesn't cover the battery because it's regarded as a consumable, but the battery itself is covered by a warranty issued by its manufacturer. So, who's responsible when the battery is faulty? I would suggest it's Nissan in the first instance because they sold you the vehicle, the battery maker next as they produced it. Nissan should have replaced the battery and got their money back from the battery maker instead of putting the responsibility back on you as the customer.

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.