Information from Nissan

[bjornchurchill]

Welcome to the official Nissan contribution

Hello and welcome to an area of the website where Nissan can provide you with detailed information and responses to the concerns you've raised. We take your feedback very seriously and hope, by way of this forum, we may help to address concerns early and quickly.

If the information raises any queries please contact us at a specific e-mail [e-mail] where a dedicated team is available to provide information and feedback.

My name is Bjorn Churchill and I head up the Customer Service Team. It’s my job to address your concerns, whether you have specific problems with your vehicle or opinions on how we can do better, which I can then feedback to other parts of Nissan. You can contact me through the team at [e-mail] and I'll also be posting, when appropriate, on this forum to keep you updated on general feedback and pass on any additional information from Nissan. I’m sure you understand that I will not be able to comment on your website with regards to individual cases, due to multiple issues with data protection and personal disclosure.

Regards

Bjorn

[bjornchurchill]

Answers to your Questions

Below are a number of answers to questions that have been raised over the past months on your site. Some of the information is quite detailed and factual. I would appreciate your feedback as to whether there is too much "technical jargon" or whether it's OK.

Part 1 - General answers to questions posed by members:-

Q1: Which NAVARA do I own?
A: NAVARA is a grade name used in two models (D22 Pick Up and D40 NAVARA). The photos on the links below help you differentiate between the two models and the new NP300:-

D22 Pick Up (2001 - 2007)

www.nissanusedlcvs.co.uk/control.cfm?MREQ=app_viewVehicleDetails&StockListID=689324

D40 (2005 - current)

www.nissan.co.uk/home/vehicles/4x4/D40/index.html?ln=/en_GB#

New NP300 (almost identical to the D22 Pick Up in shape) (2008 ¡V current)

www.nissan.co.uk/home/vehicles/lcv/D22/index.html?ln=/en_GB

Q2 - What's the difference in engines between D22, D40 and NP300 pick ups?

A: The YD25 engine was first introduced to Europe in the D22 Pick Up.

Continuous development and advancement in technology has allowed for modifications to be made to the YD25 before it was fitted to NP300. In addition, to technology advancements, the engine is now Euro IV compliant and common rail.

Whilst the D40 Navara uses a version of the same engine it differs considerably from the one fitted to D22 from 2001 until 2006. The power and torque output are significantly higher on the D40 version and there are many differences in detail and parts between the two engines to achieve this. We aim to continue to improve performance in new models by using experience from previous ones.

Q3 - I have a concern with my D40, what do I do?
A: Please contact your local Nissan dealer who will be able to book a time to investigate. If you require support from Nissan, we would appreciate you contacting us via [e-mail] or Tel: [phone]

Specific D22 answers to questions posed by members:-

Q4 - Is the engine used in D22 (YD25) is made by Renault?
A: No. The YD25 engine is manufactured by Nissan at the Yokohama plant in Japan. The D40 engine is also made by Nissan but produced in Barcelona, Spain.

Q5 - Is there an issue with D22 engines?
A: Nissan has sold over 19,500 D22 pick-ups in the UK, the vast majority of which have proved excellent workhorses with no problems. However, we have openly stated that a small number of D22 pick-up vehicles have not performed to our exacting quality standards. We issued notification to the Nissan dealer network in May 2008 of an extension to our D22 Warranty for a specific engine concern to 5 years or 93,000miles which ever comes first. This has recently been reiterated to the network.

Q6 - What exactly is the technical problem identified - what happens to affected engines?
A: In a very small number of cases, the original con rod bearing material has proved not to be as durable as expected by Nissan, when operating under severe conditions. This problem only applies to YD25 engines developed between 2001 and August 2006. The first symptom of an issue will be loud knocking noise from the engine. The noise is caused by excessive clearance between the con rod bearings and the crankshaft. This increased clearance arises from break-up of the con rod bearing material.
If you hear this noise (or any other loud noise from an engine) you must contact your local Nissan dealer for immediate investigation. If the engine continues to be run then eventually a con rod may break. I would point out again that the incident rate for this concern is below 3% and the overwhelming majority of D22 drivers have enjoyed reliable service from their pick up.

Q7 - When was a problem first recognised?
A: During the first half of 2006 a small number of cases had been identified and were analysed by Nissan engineers to understand the root cause. Once the issue was determined and a root cause identified, a fix was implemented on the engine assembly line in August 2006.
Since the adoption of the fix in August 2006, no reported instances of the con rod bearing issue have been received. The fix has successfully rectified the defect.
All engines produced after August 2006 (from engine code YD25DDTI 219661) have the fix in place. Whilst it is possible that some replacement engines manufactured prior to this date may develop the con rod bearing issue more than 97% of customers have unaffected.
Your engine code can be located on the right hand side of the engine block (a drawing is available when I learn how to include it in the text).

Q8 - How do I know if I have the con rod concern?
A: As mentioned the vast majority (more than 97%) of engines have not developed any issues. However, the symptoms are:-

• Initially a loud knocking noise from the engine, and a loss of power - at this point your local Nissan dealer should be contacted and the vehicle booked in for an investigation
  
  
• If you continue to drive the vehicle, there is a possibility that the con rod will break, causing loss of power and failure of the engine
  

In the unlikely event that this happens, please contact you local Nissan dealer for investigation as soon as the knocking sound is noticed. Please also contact the Nissan Customer Service team on [e-mail] or Tel: [phone] allowing us to understand and investigate the claim on your behalf

Q9 - Are there any steps that owners can take to ensure that they avoid these problems with their D22's engine?
A: We recommend that your vehicle is serviced and maintained as per the recommended schedules (every 6,000 miles), and that you use your vehicle as per the guidance given in the Owner's Manual and Warranty Booklet.
It is important that the servicing schedule is adhered to as over time oil degenerates, the protective properties degrade and its lubrication properties reduce.

Q10 - Is the YD25 engine suitable for the D22 Pick Up?
A: Yes. Since going on sale in 2001, over 19,500 D22 vehicles have been sold in the UK and over 250,000 in Europe. The overwhelming majority have met the expectations of both Nissan and our customers, proving to be sound, reliable workhorses. As soon as we became aware of durability issues on a very small number of vehicles, an investigation took place which resulted in the cause being identified and a fix being put into the assembly line. To date the incidence rate is under 3%.

Q11 - What do I do if:
- my engine failed within the extended warranty period 93,000 miles or 5 yrs (from registration) but I paid for the repairs?
- my engine failed, and I am not covered by the extended warranty (i.e. not a full service history or over 5 years old or over 93,000 miles) but I paid for the repairs?
A: Please write in to the Nissan Customer Services and provide:-

• Your contact details
  
• Any previous/current Nissan Customer Service case reference number
  
• Registration number
  
• Date of failure
  
• Engine number of the failed engine (if available)
  
• Copy of the vehicle service history
  
• Receipts and invoices for all monies being claimed
  
• Details of the repairing garage and replacement engine
  

All cases will be investigated on a case by case basis and Customer Services will contact you with the results as soon as possible. When contacting Customer Services we would welcome any additional information which could aid your claim.

Q12 - Has Nissan ever given instructions to its network to de-tune D22 engines?
A: Detuning refers to the reduction of torque and power either via the mapping of the engine control module (ECM) or some other modification. We categorically have not ever given any such instruction to the network on D22 and it is also not possible to re-program the ECM unit installed in D22 using Nissan tools.

In Summary

Finally, may we (Nissan) apologise to any member of this forum who feels that they have not been treated fairly, or believes that we have not been as proactive as they would have expected. Please be assured that we always evolve and amended our policies as and when more information is available. We continuously strive to provide customer satisfaction with the technical information available at that time and with your help we'll get better.

If anyone can help me place photo's on the forum, I'd be grateful.

Kind regards

Bjorn

[dodgeram]

WOW MORE B*LLOCKS FROM NISSAN HOW MUCH DO THEY PAY YOU TO LIE

[pauldawson]

Does this so called extended warranty really exist?
I'm beginning to wonder, my local dealership denies any knowledge of it's existance!

[peted]

Bjorn, if only 3% of engines are affected what percentage of these are likely to fail?

If its only 3% why the heck doesn't Nissan go on Watchdog next week and smugly state that they are going to replace the conrod bearings for all affected vehicles... I know its a time consuming job (therefore expensive) but could all be done in house through your dealers and at least look like your trying not to lose all your customers to Toyota.

You have just stated "A: In a very small number of cases, the original con rod bearing material has proved not to be as durable as expected by Nissan"common sense would follow that up with "therefore we are going to rectify this fault with a recall on the small amount of affected vehicles and apologies to customers for any inconvenience caused" Give it a try on Watchdog next week and stop the rot on your reputation.

Its a nervous ride now with the radio down low listening for the first signs of knocking in my, up to now, brilliant little truck that has given me no problems at all so far.

[Niall Scott]

I agree with Peted I,m into my second engine ,the one you wont give a years warranty on and all enjoyment of this car has gone .Dealers wont touch them and private sales are fraught with difficulty because of this cars reputation.You just have to look through the posts to see the dreadful inconvenience and worry this breakdown has caused to families with busnesses being reliant on this vehicle.I,m expecting mine to blow up ,every time I take it out .We have all lost re-sale value on our pickups now ,because of reputation and Nissan have treated us with absolute CONTEMPT.A box of chocolates for my wife will not change the bitter taste in my mouth and my car and my wifes diesel micra will Not be replaced by anything of nissans.Mr Churchill,you may very well experience anger and frustration from members here,and for which I do not apologise You deserve it ,thank you however for coming in . Niall Scott

[Niall Scott]

I,m getting a copy of the document Julia Bradbury held up in front of the camera on the watchdog prog Monday last from nissan to dealer network If you watched the programme ! it mentions customer contact I will post and you can see the exact wording and then there is no mistake.I,d like to take this opportunity to thank the individual concerned,for supplying a copy of that memo to Watchdog .If there is any way ,we as members of knackerednavara are in a position to be of help to you,if you have problems because of your involvement ,we will back you till your nose bleeds Thanks again Regards Niall

[boris]

thanks a lot Niall for well done job you do here. really.
as you know, in France too we are watching knackernavara very very accuratly.
kind regards