Nissan Problems

We phoned around and the price you were quoted was very close to the prices we were quoted, it was actually lower than one. Few of us look beyond the purchase price when we buy a new car, but it’s a good idea to check the ongoing costs we will face after we’ve bought it. You experience is a good example; by buying the Navara you face higher servicing costs.

The 3.0-litre turbo diesel Patrol is renowned for blowing pistons, but you’re talking about a car that is up to 10 years old. The best you could expect is for Nissan to cover part of the cost of rebuilding the engine, something they have done with some other owners.

Yes, get it fixed. You are driving around in a car with dodgy airbags, ones that probably wouldn't deploy if you have a crash. It's unsafe. It's only three years old so it is possibly still under warranty, if not it is only just out of warranty, so I would think you shouldn't have to pay anything to have Nissan fix it.

Like you, I reckon the Nissan diffs aren't up to the job; we have had a number of readers contact us after having problems. The diff failure is one thing, but it's sometimes compounded by the dealer simply seeking to replace the failed diff with another factory one, instead of having it rebuilt as your dealer did. Replacement diffs obviously take time to procure, which leaves the owner out of wheels while waiting for it to arrive and be fitted.

Given the history of your car I would hope that Nissan would come to the party with assistance in rebuilding your engine. If there is no offer forthcoming the only course left open to you is legal action and I would consult the fair trading people in your area.

I’ve been told the problems don’t affect the later models, but I can’t categorically say they don’t because I haven’t been able to confirm it with any confidence.

I would expect a carmaker to have a new diff on hand to replace a broken one in a matter of a day or two at most; to have to wait more than a month is unacceptable and I can understand your frustration. I suspect that Nissan has cut back on parts inventory because of the global financial meltdown, but that doesn't in any way excuse them for what is clearly the shabby treatment you received.

I wouldn’t recommend doing it, as I doubt it would function the way it should. Airbags are configured for each vehicle and work in tandem with the body structure, so moving an airbag from one type of car to another quite different car with a different body structure wouldn’t be successful.

I would be tempted in your case because you do a lot of kays, and because of the issues with the D40 diffs. I probably would take it up.

They can give trouble as you have been told, but it’s not possible to say if yours is likely to blow up. Have a mechanic with knowledge of Patrols check it over before you go, you should have it serviced in any case before a long trip as you plan and a check on the engine would be worthwhile.