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"NISSAN NAVARA 2005: FAILED 3L ENGINE - WARRANTY DISPUTE - Hi Everyone!
Firstly, thank you for the information I was able to access regarding the Nissan 3L engine and Nissan's refusal to honour its warranty. I want to add our story to the growing number of people with one of these lemons of an engine.
We bought our Nissan Navara in November 2005 and up to 20,000 kms, was serviced at the appropriate Nissan dealer. My husband is a vehicle mechanic, a qualified Marine Engine Driver Grade 11 and a Master Class V. He has worked on ocean going machinery up to and including twin Caterpillar installation of 1150hp each and has instructed on the above. We live 700 kms west of Adelaide and there are no shops, buses, trains, taxis in our little town and because of the dusty environment, our vehicle has to be kept in A1 working order at all times. After the 20,000 kms service, my husband did the servicing on our vehicle. The Nissan manual states that if there is no easily accessible Nissan Dealership nearby, then a copy of their service manual can be obtained by contacting Nissan. This implies that because of where we live, we are able to service our own vehicle.
On 15 July 2008, our engine blew after having only done 62,000 kms and boy! were we left high and dry by Nissan. When Nissan could not fault my husband's qualifications (and he is more highly qualified than any service technician or apprentice who would have serviced our vehicle at a dealership) they changed tack to say that it was the type of oil being used. He had used only premium grade oils on the vehicle but Nissan says that only Nissan specialist oils can be used. What a load of old bull. When we took the car for the new engine's 1,000 service, the dealer (a Nissan Dealership) used Castrol oil - not Nissan branded oil.
My husband pulled the engine down (which Nissan did not do - we do not believe our complaint got any further than the customer service desk) and his conclusion to his report to the Office of Fair Trade says, "In conclusion, I submit that the cause of the failure of this engine was in fact, not anything to do with the type of oil used, who did the oil change or the distance travelled between the oil changes. From my inspection of the engine, I believe that the malfunction of this engine was caused by its inability to remove heat build-up from the crown of the piston while being operated under load, causing the degradation of the piston material at or near the top piston ring. This resulted in these deposits being sprayed on to the cylinder walls."
As soon as we are able, we will be getting rid of this lemon of a vehicle. On the day we collected it from City Motors, Port Lincoln (who by the way stood by Nissan and not by us, even though we purchased the vehicle from them) another Nissan Navara came in with a broken piston and we have another friend whose Nissan Navara did its gearbox and clutch.
If a class action against Nissan is commenced, we would appreciate being told. I too shall send our story to Today Tonight and intend shortly putting an ad in The Advertiser asking for anyone with a similar problem and treatment by Nissan to contact me in order that we gather as much information as possible.
$12,188.00 out of pocket and represents one year's allocated pension from our super. We are not happy."
POSTED BY: CHRISTINE RADFORD - UNGARRA, SA - AUS 21 SEP 2008
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Hi Christine,
I used to work at a Nissan Dealership in 2004 when many 3L Patrols were destroying engines. At that time Nissan Japan thought the problem was lack of oil and brought out a modified sump that held more oil and a longer dipstick.
Only a few weeks ago I was back at the Nissan Dealership buying some parts and asked about the ongoing problems with these engines and problems with Navaras in general. You can find out more information sometimes from spare parts departments than service departments. The spare parts salesman told me that the problems with the D40 Navara are from the poor quality build in Spain. The problem with the 3L engines in Patrols and Navaras has been solved by Nissan using a different type of piston ring. So your husband’s diagnosis from your engine that he pulled down is pretty close to the mark.
For you and any other readers, Nissan now sell a complete new 3L engine for approx $7,000. Freight and other costs may vary slightly but if you are in need of one of these, shop around Nissan Dealers. City dealers will ship to country areas.
Good Luck, Mark.
POSTED BY: MARK KURAN - MELBOURNE, VIC - AUS 22 SEP 2008
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Hi Christine,
My 06 Navara has had 3 Bullbars (4th cracked too), seat (sagged), plus many more items fixed under warranty. The chassis is cracked in 7 places and cracked at around 50,000 kms. Nissan will not fix the cracked chassis under warranty. They were quoted over $7000 to fix.
I too am a motor mechanic by trade and the work I have seen by these dealers is unbelievable. I have had to tidy up there repairs.
The ute now has 125000kms on it and I picked it up today after one of the bearings on the gearbox's Layshaft blew out. $2300 it cost me to repair (also replaced the clutch even though it was still like new. I kept the old one for a spare).
I too am not happy with it but I still owe too much on it to sell it just yet. I have vowed to talk 1000 people out of buying a Nissan by telling them the facts about my ute. So far in a year I am up to 35 and counting.
Good luck with it.
Peter
POSTED BY: PETER - WAHROONGA, NSW - AUS 24 SEP 2008
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Dear Peter
Thank you so much for your email. Some of the stories I have been reading make me so angry at Nissan's behaviour and at their being allowed to continue to behave in this way. We have prepared a very large report for the office of fair trade in Victoria with explicit pictures of the engine as it was pulled down. We are waiting for contact from them but we too are telling everyone who will listen about what has happened to us. Over here, the bush telegraph works fast and what has happened to us is already being talked about by farmers in the area. It does not take long for this message to spread. As well, everyone we have email contact with will in the next couple of days receive details of what has happened to us as well.
We are off to Adelaide on Friday to look for a replacement vehicle. We lose money whichever way we go but living here, and with Ian a Crohn's patient, we need a vehicle we can rely on. It certainly is not a Nissan.
Take care Peter. I am sorry this has happened to you as well. And again, thank you for getting in touch. It does help.
Chris
POSTED BY: CHRIS RADFORD - UNGARRA, SA - AUS 25 SEP 2008
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Hi Christine,
Great result, well done. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you too.
Mark.
POSTED BY: MARK KURAN - MELBOURNE, VIC - AUS 6 DEC 2008
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Hi guys.
I read all these stories & I can agree with you all as far as Nissan Australia's attitude towards their customers. I worked for Nissan as a service advisor & had to leave due to Nissan's attitude toward customers. They left us poor service guys high & dry at the front counter, having to tell people that something would not be covered by warranty when we believed ourselves that it should be. It does not make for a pleasant working environment.
People don’t realise that the manufacturer calls all the shots when it comes to Warranties, not the dealer. They are just the go between that has to tow the company line, like it or lump it!
They need to really get their act together with their customer service & come out of the dark ages.
POSTED BY: JAY - PENRITH, NSW - AUS 8 DEC 2008 |
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