I have a Patrol 2001 model. Has had 2 engines and 3 turbos and has 197000km. It is a 30di motor, will never buy one again.

Nissan South Africa managers won't even take customer calls.

I've had the same result from my 2006 Mazda 6 Classic, 13,000 km and still great nick. A pleasure after some of the regular diff and brake rotor problems with my previous BA XR6T (Great to drive though).

I'll wait and see but I'm starting to believe the good build quality reputation Mazda have.

Hi Danny, still having trouble with my dashboard.

My symptoms are after gas conversion dash began playing up speedo tacho stopping, my clock trip meter and gear display don't work, fuel gauges reading empty then full (really weird) temp gauge always reading high, cruise control not functioning, central locking not working, tiptronic gears not working. Sometimes when I press the cruise control on off button the engine management light comes on. If I unplug the dash the plug on the Rhys with the dash facing you and then plug it back in, it resets my dash and sometimes works ok for a short period of time. When it resets all functions appear to be working normally with the exception of temp gauge. If I try and start it the next morning if the temperature has been cold the dash fails.

So far I have disconnected my petrol tank plug (electrics) and ran my car on gas only ... dashboard still failed.

My next thoughts are to change the gas computers, tacho pulse and put it onto the crank angle sensor (currently connected to the Nissan ecu tacho pulse.) Then remove the gas computers oxy sensor line (also connected to the Nissan ecu)

If this still fails, the next thing I will try is running a separate positive supply to my gas injection rails (at the moment they are running off the petrol injector rail supply). If that fails I have been to Nissan Ferntree Gully to talk about the problem and they assure me that they can fix the problem.

I will let you know if I have any success with these methods. Likewise if you find out what is causing it ... please let me know.

I also bought a Kia Carnival last year in Jan with 75000 on the clock. Less than 15 months later it is back at Paul Wakeling motors in Campbelltown where it has been now for 4 months. This is after a replacement radiator, fuel system, electrical system all of which were blamed for the overheating and surging.

They want 5500 min plus labour to replace the motor. The diagnosis - the wet sleeves not sealing allowing water into the crank case.

I rang Kia to get some action and found out something interesting - the engine had already been replaced with a 'reconditioned' engine at 55000. There had been no disclosure by Paul Wakeling that the engine was a replacement or we would not have bought the car.

Kia don't want to know anything about this and are blaming it in a leaking head gasket due to inferior coolant. It is not the head gasket and we have had it checked. They also claim as it is not the same problem as the renowned oil that it is not their problem. However they replaced the supposed bad engine with a good one whose sleeves are not sealed properly.

Paul Wakeling are screaming as they want the room and I have 5 children walking to and from school in the freezing wet and rain as we have no car now. By the way did I mention we still owe 14000 on a pile of junk!

If Paul Wilcox would like to get in touch with me I am interested in anything he is doing. Mobile is 0438710536

I bought the car second hand last year it's got 118749 km on the clock now, and on Thursday, I had the same problem with my Kia. Oil in the cooling System.

After ringing a few Kia mobs in Perth, I was told that that was a problem with Kia's built between 1999 and 2002. Kia never issued a press release or recalls for the cars since they didn't class the failure of a head gasket as important or how they put it critical enough to warrant a recall.

I am trying to get something done by writing letters to the car dealer, MTWA, and Kia.

I bought a Kia Sephia and little did I know the troubles I would have:

- new transmission after 1 year, 2 computers, new heating system, and no trade in value.

Kia gave me back some of my down payment and a warranty, but it has run out. It is as if they knew just how long to keep it under warranty. When I tried to trade it in Kia would not even take it.

I gave up!

Our 2000 model Vectra, has just developed a problem with the radio. If you have the radio at normal listening volume and turn the car off. When you start the car the next morning, the radio comes on at full volume and blows your ear drums out! This happens most days, but not all the time.

Does anyone have any clues as to what this might be?

We have a 2002 Holden Barina with similar probs. The car was stalling and also at times lurching. We took it to the service centre and they said it was probably EGR valve but couldn't be sure because no diagnostic code coming up. We had it fixed at cost of $800.

We got it back and car was OK for about 1 week then serious problem, car had low power and again was lurching forward. It was towed to service centre then we got call with bad news that the catalytic converter needs to be replaced at cost of $4,000 as well as valves cleaned out and serviced at cost of about $1,200. We are amazed that a 5 year old car with average mileage should require such extensive work. The car would cost more to fix than it is worth, and if we get the work done and there are still problems, what then?

This has only just happened; we are still waiting to hear back from the service centre manager. I was told by service centre guy that it's a problem that usually happens to little old ladies who just drive the car down the road so the engine doesn't heat up enough to burn off the emissions. Don't know how many "little old ladies" it's happened to and how they could afford to spend such a huge amount to fix up car ...

I've owned my BA for about two years and am rapped. Have had no problems and still feels tight as a drum. The bonnet release issue is a concern as is the service length. I've been doing mine every 15K but I'm told by on old Ford buddy that it should be 5K (small print in the manual classifies city driving as heavy duty = 5K). Check you manual.

Otherwise I'm rapped. Steve

Has anyone advice for the following intermittent problem that happens about every third or fourth time of switching off the engine? The ignition key can't be removed. Various actions have (sometimes) worked while turning the key: pushing the automatic gear level hard into Park, re-starting engine. I've sprayed WD40 into the barrel and that seemed to rectify the problem for a couple of days. A mechanic thinks it is because we are turning the key too far back into the "accessories" but we've carefully tested that theory (incorrect).

Thought it was time for a trip, got the HR Premier outa the shed. Only been sitting 5 years, checked oil, brakes etc, flushed engine and radiator. Gold coast to Hervy bay and back. Nno problem, about 27 mpg, at speed limits. I don't think I need a new Kia.

As soon as I connect the trailer lights to the car via the adaptor (a device not used on any of my previous cars!) a light signifying there is a bulb fault comes on. There isn't, they all work as they should, and have done so for some time on my previous car.

I emailed Austral Volkswagen and when the bloke rang me the next day, he mentioned they have had issues with non-genuine tow bars. I said mine is genuine, it came with the car, having ordered it as part of the deal through the Union Shopper. Basically, he didn't want to know about it, take it back to the dealer through which it was delivered (Gold Coast Volkswagen). Kept referring to the tow bar maybe not being genuine.

Left me scratching my head, as when I submitted my request on the net, I put the rego number in one of the panels. This should have prompted a search on their part, which by rights should have revealed everything about my car, including the fact I have a genuine tow bar and wiring. Anyway, the visit to Gold Coast Volkswagen was basically a waste of time. Their take was to make sure all the bulbs and connections are soldered properly - absolute rubbish, if they had bothered to open their eyes they would see this would not be possible, nor necessary. Said would be in touch with head office, and get back to me with a possible solution and/or further advice.

In the meantime, some research on the net tends to indicate this is due to some sort of design fault because of Euro style electrical systems. I suppose I shouldn't jump to conclusions just yet, but I am beginning to think I am simply being brushed off by the dealers. The service advisor when I left Gold Coast Volkswagen reckons I could still use the trailer, just that I'd have this damn light shining. Dad reckons no way (well, I dare not reprint what he really said!), there's no way of knowing whether I'd cause a major computer drama down the track and stuff my warranty.

Has anyone heard of this problem or experienced it themselves? I am basically gathering as much info as I can, before deciding whether the dealer and head office need to get the appropriate letters ...

My Kia built June 2002 has done 104000 km and blew up with the same problem. It took the Kia dealer in Kalgoorlie 2 and a half weeks to diagnose the problem. It stinks. It is a known flaw.

I asked Kia to give me an engine at trade discount but they keep on saying that I should take it to a Kia dealer and then they will look at service record and all to decide if they find it in there heart to contribute.

It is most important that the oil put into your car is 5W30 grade. Or (0w-30 for cold areas). If it is any thicker the car will be hard to start. As a general rule most service centers will put in a 20w-50 into your car. Ask the service people what grade oil they used.

Your motor is a lot more technical than most. It uses 300 psi oil pressure to fire the electronic injectors, if the oil is too thick it can not build up the pressure fast enough to start cold. It runs 2 complete oil systems, one for the normal engine lubrication and one for the injector rail. I spent most of last week rebuilding the top end of one, so I am now pretty familiar with the workings of them.

If they did put the wrong oil in (like most service centers do) it can take up to 4 or 5 flush outs with the correct oil to come back to normal. Let me know how you go. Also the map sensor port on the intake manifold does get blocked, worth a look at.

Regards William

We also have a Holden Zafira and the timing chain has broken. It broke 2 years ago at about 45,000 km.

Last weekend it started making a noise and the dealer now says that the timing chain needs replacing Again! At least this time it hasn't broken and damaged the valves like last time. It was noisy though.

The car has now done 73,000 kms and is 5 years old. Hopefully Holden will fix it as I paid extra and got an extra 3 years on the warranty (6 years total).

From reading on the Net, there is obviously an oil feed problem to the chain. It seems that the same cars have been recalled by Vauxhall in the UK. I believe they need to put an additional oil feed to the chain tensioner. I firmly believe that this is a manufacturing fault and should be fixed by Holden at No Charge.

Interested to hear your comments.

Honda Accord V6L 2005 – Update.

I first reported the disappointment of my vehicle in this forum in February 2006. The vehicle was purchased new in April 2005 from Southside Honda of Woolloongabba. Many of the faults reported then have only recently been rectified. One is still outstanding two and a half years after purchase.

After requesting Southside Honda to rectify the faults with my vehicle for eighteen months I finally had enough. The staff at Southside Honda at the time had the attitude they were underwriting the warranty. The straw that broke the camels back was on the third service when I was informed that the faults with my vehicle were ‘acceptable’. As such, the attitude was: we will not fix them, end of story - go away. Fortunately for me they actually stated such on the invoice. I have not been back and will never take my vehicle back to Southside Honda for service.

I decided to write to Honda Australia to voice my total disappointment with the car and the manner in which I had been treated by Southside Honda. I wrote directly to the CEO of Honda Australia and included all correspondence, photographs of every fault and modifications carried to my vehicle to make parts fit. The response from Honda Australia was rapid. A representative informed me to take my vehicle to Highway Honda in Springwood. I asked the representative why Honda had only responded after my letter and not after the two scathing surveys I submitted relating to the vehicle and Southside Honda in every category. Honda take note - outsourcing quality control does not work.

Honda had my vehicle for seven working days. Honda Australia respectively provided me with a new Civic for the duration.

Faults reported:

- Misaligned and difficult to close LHF door – Fixed.
- Bonnet protector damaged grill due to insufficient space between them. Honda fixed the problem by replacing the grill with one from the 06 Accord. The 06 grill is one centimetre lower – I wonder why? Honda could not adjust the bonnet protector to prevent it from damaging the original grill.
- Closing the boot damaged the paint on the rear bumper – fixed - adjusted rear bumper and repainted damaged area.
- The glove box is sagging in a clockwise direction – still working on it.
- Body colour was visible through a gap in rear seat – fixed. Adjusted the seat and glued a piece of leather onto the body.
- Trim located in the passenger transmission tunnel came off – fixed. Replaced modified parts and misaligned new parts to make panel fit. Note: factory settings would not work.

The service provided by Highway Honda on that occasion and subsequent service has been excellent. The approachable staff at Highway Honda particularly the head mechanic talks to you as a valued customer. They even fixed a dint in the car at no cost.

The most disappointing event occurred within an hour of handing the Civic back. A panel on the dash fell off. Reiterating my belief that Honda is living off its heritage.

Since new, my vehicle has only travelling 24,000 Ks. Yet I had to have all four rotors machined due to brake shudder recently. Initially Honda would not cover the machining under warranty but relinquished after I informed them that I now no longer wanted the vehicle back. Furthermore, they replaced the front brake pads which I found to be extremely unusual considering the number of Ks travelled.

A Honda representative slipped up by telling me the pads were replaced with 06 model speck pads. Why? You guessed it ... the 05 pads warp the rotors. So they know about it but want you to pay for the repair. If you own a 05 Accord and been through the same process ask the dealer which pads they put in and why.

When it came to downsize my wife’s car the Jazz was not even considered. I purchased her a Made in Japan Mazda2. Faults to date – zero.

Where does this leave me? Well I am waiting for the release of the next Mazda6 when Honda and I will part company for good.

I wish I had found this page before buying my 2003 KIA Carnival. I thought I had done my research about the KIA and was told by Every dealer that the problems that had been with the head gaskets blowing had well and truly been fixed and that no problems had occured since 2002. So on that I bought a 2003 model second hand (private sale) in October 2006, had it looked over thouroughly top to bottom was assured there was absolutely no evidence of any troubles with the head gasket. I serviced it reguarly and nothing was picked up.

Coming home from Cooma the long weekend in June the car suddenly overheated, lost power and made an awful noise in the engine and died ... NRMA came and you guessed it the engine is ****** because of a blown head gasket. As I am not the original owner KIA don't even want to know me let alone fix it.

How can this keep happening and KIA are not made responsible for their shoddy cars. I'm a single parent that now has a bill between $9,000 & $12,000 that I can not afford but at the same time I can't afford to write off a car that I paid $20,000 for less than 12 months ago ... HELP

cam tensioner failed

I bought the KIA Rio in March 2004, my warranty ran out on 26 March 2007. On 2 July 2007 after only 71,000km the timing belt failed and bent two valves thus requiring an engine rebuild.

Today 16 July 2007 I am told by the dealer that KIA will under their Goodwill Warranty offer pay for the parts $1100 associated with fixing the engine and replacing the timing belt. However the labour costs of at minimum $1245.00 will have to be covered by me.

After ringing KIA to query this decision I am told that the timing belt is considered a consumable of the vehicle and that they only ever do a 50% deal on Goodwill Warranty fixes. I was told "The bottom line is that the car is out of warranty and they are doing me a favour agreeing to paying for the parts". When I said yet your service manual does not have the timing belt looked at until after 90,000km so there obviously was something wrong with the belt and it was faulty. I was told "yes that maybe but the timing belt is a consumable under the warranty so it is only covered for the replacement of the belt not the engine rebuild." I said "even though the engine damage is directly related to the timing belt failing when it should not have." The answer was "Yes".

I am a single Mum who really needs her car to get to and from work and to get things done. I am now in a bind. I can not afford $1245 I can no afford to have my car off the road. The dealer National Capital Motors Tuggeranong told me on 2 July that it could take over two months to have back on the road due to the number of vehicles they have waiting for engine rebuilds (does this say something about KIA?). Now they say it can be done in about a week after they get the go ahead. No courtesy car - that apparently is my problem not theirs. I feel I am being intimidated into agreeing to the deal just so I can get my car back on the road.

KIA's comment when asked who can I appeal to - no one here, write to Customer Service Management and see what happens. Again more delays in any action, they just want me to go away.

Can I ask if any one out there has had the same problem can you contact me so we can approach KIA on mass and if that doesn't work we can take a class action out against them. I know the KIA Carnival's have a long history of engine problems and KIA was forced in many cases to replace the engine and cover the cost. The same should apply to this situation.

So anyone with a problem with KIA timing belts failing before 90,000km can you please contact Julia.

Thanks, Julia

I am about to replace my VL Commodore and my choices are 2004 RS Impreza with 32,000 klm on clock (from a dealer with a good reputation), or a brand new Mazda 3 Neo. 3 yr used car warranty on Subaru vs. 4 year unlimited on Mazda.

Which will give me best reliability and resale after 7 years? Any feedback on quality of Subaru air-conditioning?

All comments greatly appreciated.

Recently purchased Ford Focus and just had 1st service. I contacted Ford customer service via internet survey for new car purchasers and mentioned my concerns. Clunking sound from gearbox when changing gears and car steering to the left. After the service my cars steering seemed to be fixed. Ford had changed the 2 front tyres from left to right and balanced them. However, I was told by someone at the Ford service centre that the clunking sound from the gearbox was a "normal Ford sound and nothing to worry about".

My front carpet is coming away from the centre console and also on the drivers side the carpet has not been finished. The carpet seems to have not been fitted properly as it has a tear in a section of it. As I was so excited when I took possession of my new Ford, unfortunately, I didn't check this section of the car.

After washing my Ford recently and not having lifted the bonnet since the 3000km service, I noticed some very minor dents in the bonnet where the heal of ones hand is placed on closing the bonnet. These were not there prior to my first service.

I have had my 1998 Jackaroo for 6 months (bought off a Dealer) everything was going fine up until 3 weeks ago after a 6 months service the vehicle will not start. I had the NRMA out to try and start it but they couldn't. The Jackaroo will turn over but will not fire. I took it back to the service dept and after 1 week they could not find (or fix) the problem. The computer was tested and came up fine and they had put the right oil in (as this is all they did for the service?). I now have a Holden Jackaroo sitting on my front lawn unable to start.

Glow plugs are o.k., 2006
Injectors had been replaced, (as of recall '06')
The correct oil has been added, '07'
Oil pick up rings replaced '06'

I am upset as I had paid a substantial amount of money for the vehicle as it is in very good condition and ran fine when test driving, however six months down the track it no longer goes, nobody seems to know why? And I am left paying off a vehicle I can't drive.

If anybody has had a problem like this or knows what the problem may be to get fixed I would be very grateful.

Thanks Phil

Hi, I own a 2004 Nissan Patrol 3ltr turbo diesel. To my bad luck at 29000 kilometers the injector pump gear gave way causing serious damage to the engine. When I rang the dealer & told him my Patrol is coming on the back of a tow truck they were shocked. I said something gave way either a cam or something. I had no compression I rebuild engines myself. I'm 50, I do it old school style.

I said for a change I'll get a new car - got sick of the old Holdens which didn't let me down. I thought I'd buy a new car for once in my life. I got told that a big problem with the 3 ltr is bad fuel. I have done since then 62000 kilometers & so far it's going alright. I have done the extended warranty on the Patrol just in case it fails again. I was given a 4.8 Patrol to drive around till mine was fixed but the 4.8 loves the juice. I pray it won't happen again specially when I'm on a track. These motors are not cheap maybe it will be time for a Chevy diesel V8 next time.

What can I say at the moment she's running fine - about to change tyres now going for Coopers. I know I'm not the only one with 3ltr problems but they said 2003 & 2004 problems fixed. Next project is the rear lights. $50,000 & only little bumper bar lights what a joke. In Europe the Patrols rear lights working & they have HID head lights. We have the Kmart special here. Also I love the dash - sometimes I can't see the speedo & the lights on the dash board are very faint dull. Might need LEDS to give it more light.

I hope I don't sound too bad but the truth hurts.

In 2005, I needed a family/work horse all in one, as I had just become a single parent. I am a mechanic and have operated my mechanical and servicing workshop for the last 15 years, successfully. I looked around at the 4 b's dual cabs and really felt it would not be effective to have a 4b around town so at the time I became aware of the Holden Crewman. I spoke to many people in the trade and not one could indicate to me any inherent problems that may have existed. So, being a Holden man all my driving life, I eventually bought a 05 VZ crewman Storm (came with the new alloytec V-6, 3.6 litre).

To be honest, the car has performed well to date. There have been minor cosmetic issues but no more than any other manufacturers, and I could tell you some stories that would make you cry concerning every make and model, right down to Mercedes Benz that officially have over 140 issues with their 4x4 range.

My crewman has performed well to date (clocked up 35,000kms in under 2 years mostly around town). Having a workshop and the skills, I have serviced and maintained the vehicle myself (as I also am very wary of dealership service centers doing their job correctly). The main crucial thing about any vehicle up keep are the lubricants used when talking about engines and drive trains. I am solely a Penrite oil workshop and this is the trick, regular oil changes using high grade oils such as Penrite keep the problems away. Remember that most dealerships use the major oil company stuff, but they are not premium lubricants.

Next time your vehicle is serviced, check the quality and price of the lubricant used. I have been quite happy with my Crewman that I have just traded and upgraded to a 07 Crewman SS with the 6 litre Gen 3. I hope it will be as reliable as my Storm and will post comments after I clock up at least 10 k.

Our Nissan X-trail 2004 ST was bought new and came with a Nissan tow bar rated at 2000 kgs and 150 kgs tow ball weight. We tow a pop top van, gtm of 1480 kgs & tow ball weight of 150 kgs - as confirmed by a Hayman Reese installer when installing our 250 kgs weight distribution hitch. This combination improved the handling and braking by evening out the load on the wheels of the towing vehicle as it is supposed to do.

We have completed 18 months of travel, approx 35,000 kms mostly towing the van without any problems in regards to handling. We have recently discovered cracks in the chassis of our car. We would really like hear from anyone else who has this combination and has a problem. If you are not sure, we urge you to look underneath your car.