Nissan

Pathfinder R51 inspection checklist

2005-2013 · 9 things to check before you buy, taken from this car's known problems.

All engines

highAuto transmission / radiator coolant cross-contamination

Look for: The auto's fluid is cooled in the radiator; an internal failure lets coolant and ATF mix ('strawberry milkshake'), wrecking the gearbox. A long-standing R51/Navara complaint.

If you find it: Fit an external transmission cooler and isolate the radiator cooler; check fluid condition pre-purchase; rebuild/replace transmission if contaminated.

Any (cooler in radiator) · ~$3000-7000

mediumFront suspension / lower-arm bushes and ball joints

Look for: The independent front end wears lower control-arm bushes, ball joints and links, giving clunks, uneven tyre wear and wander.

If you find it: Replace worn bushes/ball joints; do a full front-end refresh and wheel alignment.

From 120k+ km · ~$400-1500

2.5L YD25DDTi turbo diesel

highSimplex fuel-pump timing chain stretch / failure

Look for: The camshaft chain is duplex (double-row, rated ~300,000km), but the separate single-row simplex chain driving the high-pressure fuel/vacuum pump stretches, and its tensioner and guides wear and break, letting the chain slap. It can fail unpredictably early with a rattle on start-up/idle and, if it lets go, do major valve and piston damage.

If you find it: Inspect chain and tensioner from ~80,000km and every 20k-40k thereafter; replace with an upgraded chain/tensioner kit (some fit a duplex conversion). Treat a cold-start rattle as urgent.

Reported from 70k km (sometimes 150k+) · ~$2500-6000

highDual-mass flywheel rattle / collapse

Look for: High torque under towing and heavy acceleration collapses the dual-mass flywheel damper springs, producing a characteristic 'click-clack' rattle when lightly accelerating then backing off. Manuals also go through clutches.

If you find it: Replace the dual-mass flywheel and clutch; many owners fit a solid-mass flywheel + clutch upgrade for towing duty.

From 100k-150k km (sooner if towing) · ~$2500-4500

highEGR cooler crack / coolant leak (mistaken for cracked head)

Look for: The EGR cooler can corrode or split internally, leaking coolant that evaporates in the exhaust heat - giving mystery coolant loss, white smoke and combustion gases in the coolant that mimic a cracked head/blown head gasket.

If you find it: Pressure-test the EGR cooler before condemning the head; replace the EGR cooler (and EGR valve) and clean the intake.

From 120k+ km · ~$800-2500

mediumInjector and EGR/intake soot at higher km

Look for: Common-rail injectors wear and the EGR/intake carbons up, causing rough running, smoke and lost power.

If you find it: Injector test/replacement by a diesel specialist; intake and EGR clean; catch-can helps.

From 150k+ km · ~$1500-3500

4.0L VQ40DE V6 petrol

mediumTiming chain / VVT rattle at high km

Look for: The VQ40 is durable but its chains, tensioners and VVT solenoids can rattle and wear at very high km if oil changes were neglected.

If you find it: Strict oil-change discipline; replace chains/tensioners/solenoids if rattling.

From 200k+ km · ~$1500-3000

3.0L V9X V6 turbo diesel

mediumInjector and turbo wear (high repair cost)

Look for: The V9X common-rail injectors and turbo are durable but expensive; faults cause rough running, smoke, hard starting or boost issues, and parts/labour are dearer than the four-cylinder.

If you find it: Diesel-specialist injector test/replacement and turbo service; use quality fuel and filtration.

From 150k+ km · ~$2000-5000

mediumEGR / intake soot and emissions faults

Look for: EGR and intake carbon build-up cause rough running and limp mode; emissions sensors/valves are a common fault source on this engine.

If you find it: EGR/intake clean, replace faulty sensors/valves; regular highway running.

From 120k+ km · ~$600-2000

5 minor things (low severity)

lowCracked dashboard / interior trim (heat/UV)

Look for: R51 dash tops are well known for cracking and warping under sustained Australian sun, plus general trim and switch wear.

If you find it: Dash cap or replacement; not structural - factor it into the price.

Any · ~$300-1200

lowElectrical gremlins (sensors, alternator, battery)

Look for: Owners report alternator, battery and assorted sensor failures, plus occasional dash/electrical niggles with age.

If you find it: Standard age-related electrical maintenance; diagnose with a scan tool.

From 100k+ km · ~$200-900

lowBrake wear (heavy 7-seat 4WD)

Look for: A heavy seven-seat 4WD chews pads and rotors, especially when towing or loaded.

If you find it: Quality pads/rotors; towing-spec pads if used for towing.

From 60k+ km · ~$400-900

lowCoastal / underbody rust

Look for: Beach and coastal examples can develop underbody, chassis and tailgate rust.

If you find it: Underbody inspection pre-purchase; wash down after beach use; favour dry-climate cars.

Any · Varies

lowFuel thirst

Look for: Real-world 13-16 L/100km (worse towing). Not a fault but the main reason these are cheap.

If you find it: Accept the fuel bill, fit LPG, or buy the diesel if economy matters.

Any · Running cost

From FlamingCars' Nissan Pathfinder guide. It's a checklist of known problems, not a replacement for a professional pre-purchase inspection. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.