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Top issues
7 known problems · 2 high
high
Timing chain rattle & failure
2.5L YD25DDTi (common-rail turbo diesel)
high
Oil-coolant heat exchanger leak
2.5L YD25DDTi (common-rail turbo diesel)
medium
EGR cooler / valve failure
2.5L YD25DDTi (common-rail turbo diesel)
Recalls
2 on recordREC-001092
2010-05-19
Defect: Heavy steel bull bars and accessory devices may cause the bonnet striker loop to separate.
Hazard: The bonnet could open unexpectedly while driving.
Remedy: Contact your nearest Nissan dealer for inspection and repair, free of charge.
Affected: 53,773 units
Official notice: www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au · details checked 2026-09-29
REC-001093
2010-10-28
Defect: An Intelligent Power Distribution Module (IPDM) relay issue where silicon oxide buildup can occur.
Hazard: This can cause the engine to stall and fail to restart.
Remedy: Contact your nearest Nissan dealer for inspection and repair, free of charge.
Affected: 9,699 units
Official notice: www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au · details checked 2026-09-29
Check a specific car by VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
At this odometer
See which of this car's known problems are due at that mileage, which should already have been dealt with, and what's coming up.
Generations
Price (AUD)
$8-22k
Body styles
Single Cab, Extra Cab, Dual Cab
Drivetrain
RWD, 4WD part-time
Origin
Japan
Built in
Spain / Thailand
Overview
Big step up in refinement from the D22 but introduced new headaches. 2005-2010 Spanish-built examples are widely regarded as better-assembled than the 2011-2015 Thai-built ones — check the VIN/build plate to identify origin. The YD25DDTi timing chain rattle and oil-coolant heat exchanger failures are the headline issues; both can be catastrophic if ignored. V9X V6 was the range-topper from 2010 — fast and torquey but rare.
Engines & variants
2.5L YD25DDTi (common-rail turbo diesel)
Engine
Common-rail turbo diesel
Engine code
Config
I4 turbo
Displacement
2.5L
Power
128-140kW
Torque
403-450Nm
Drivetrain
RWD / Part-time 4WD
0–100
~11s
Economy
~9-10 L/100km combined
Tow (braked)
3000kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
6MT, 5AT, 7AT (Jatco)
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven, known weak point — see problems
Pros
- Cheap on the used market
- Decent interior space for the era
- Later coil-rear models comfortable
- Spanish-built examples generally better than Thai
Cons
- Timing chain rattle/failure is THE issue
- Oil-coolant heat exchanger leaks (chocolate-milkshake oil)
- EGR failures common
- Mixed build quality (Spain vs Thailand)
Known problems
high
Timing chain rattle & failure
The headline YD25 issue. Chain stretches, tensioner fails, chain skips or snaps. Catastrophic - bent valves, dead engine. Listen carefully for chain rattle on cold start.
Fix: Full timing chain kit replacement (chain, tensioner, guides, sprockets). Use upgraded aftermarket kits. Some swap to 4M41 or 4JJ1 instead.
high
Oil-coolant heat exchanger leak
Heat exchanger seal fails, allowing coolant into engine oil ("chocolate milkshake oil"). Engine damage if not caught.
Fix: Replace heat exchanger and gaskets. Flush oil system thoroughly. Common preventive job.
medium
EGR cooler / valve failure
EGR valve fails or cooler clogs. Limp mode, rough running.
Fix: EGR clean or delete. Block plate available.
medium
Turbo VGT actuator
Variable vane turbo actuator sticks - limp mode, no boost.
Fix: Actuator replacement or full turbo. Sometimes free up with cleaning.
medium
Spanish vs Thai build quality
2005-2010 Spanish-built D40s generally have better build quality than 2011-2015 Thai-built ones.
Fix: Check build plate / VIN to identify origin. Spanish examples worth a premium.
3.0L V9X (V6 common-rail turbo diesel)
Engine
V6 common-rail turbo diesel (Renault-Nissan)
Engine code
Config
V6 turbo
Displacement
3.0L
Power
170kW (unverified)
Torque
550Nm (unverified)
Drivetrain
RWD / Part-time 4WD
0–100
~9s (unverified)
Economy
~9.5 L/100km combined (unverified)
Tow (braked)
3000kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
7AT (Jatco)
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven, inspect from 150,000km
Pros
- Genuinely fast and torquey — 550Nm
- Refined V6 character
- Rare in the used market = curiosity factor
- Same Renault-Nissan V6 used in Master vans and other Renault diesels
Cons
- Rare — parts and specialists harder to find
- EGR and DPF complexity
- Heat exchanger and timing chain shared with YD25 risks
- Premium pricing for what is a niche variant
Known problems (unverified)
medium
EGR cooler failures
EGR cooler internal failures on the V9X are documented.
Fix: EGR cooler replacement. Delete kits exist but legal status varies.
medium
Specialist scarcity
V9X is shared with Renault Master vans but few Australian specialists work on it regularly.
Fix: Find a Renault-experienced diesel specialist before committing to the V6.