Strong engines have lots of low-down power and are very smooth in operation. They come with slick manual or automatic gearboxes and both motors are refined at speed.
The Nissan Navara rides and handles the UK’s scarred roads with comfortable ease, belying the age of the basic design.
Nissan has come up with a pick-up that manages to have one axle in the road car camp and the other in the commercial vehicle world but without compromising. Instead, the Navara seems to pick the best from both sectors.
Not restricted to 50mph on two lane roads and 60mph on dual carriageways (can do 60mph on two lane roads and 70mph on dual carriageways).
Recall 30-06-2005: Bonnet may not be secure when closed due to a welding problem with the lock support.
Recall 02-12-2005: Propshaft may detach due to incorrectly torqued bolts.
Recall 23-02-2006: Steering shaft lower joint may detach.
Recall 24-04-2006: Rear wheel bearing may fail.
Recall 08-06-2010: Clevis pin in brake servo may not have been fitted at factory.
Recall 13-06-2011: Wheels may crack and detach.
Recall 02-04-2012: Driver’s seat electric adjustment may fail.
Prone to timing chain problems.
Halfshafts suffer from high wear.
Nissan gets the basics of the dash and seating right, but a reach adjustable steering wheel would be welcome, as would larger buttons for the minor controls.
Underslung spares prone to theft. K-Lok spare wheel lock £37.50 with DIY fitting instructions direct from (requires a 20mm diameter hole).
Poor performance in 2008 NCAP test. Only one star for adult protection. Airbag mods by Nissan followed. 3 star for child protection and 2 star for pedestrian protection.
Have been problems with rear axle wheel bearings (some owners have had axles replaced). One report of failure of driveshaft to diff universal joint and 3 week wait for replacement. Also problems with Bluetooth, CD radio, satnav and aircon.
Problems reported with electronic selectors for 4WD and low range failing to de-select unless the vehicle is reversed. This has then led to transmission noise on the motorway. Or for the transmission to fail to engage 4WD. The reason seems to be a cable inside the wiring loom of insufficient capacity. The answer is to jump a heavier cable across outside the wiring loom to carry the switching current more reliably.
Unconfirmed reports of DMF problems.
Prone to stone chipping and rust spots along top screen rail.
On automatics the transmission heat exchanger inside the radiator can fracture leading to contamination of the automatic transmission fluid and failure of the transmission.
EGR can block, signified by engine management light and engine cutting out.
Upper and lower front suspension ball joints can wear, leading to wandering and knocking. £60 a side to fix. (Wandering on the road can also be due to the fitting of dedicated off road tyres.)
Vibrations from underneath probably due to wear in propshaft joints.
Poor lubrication of timing chain tensioner due to neglected oil changes can lead to them stretching and
breaking. The Simplax chain and sprockets can be changed for a Duplex chain, but it's quite an expensive job.
Feel the oil on the dipstick for metal particles. This could signify all kinds of problems including failing injection pump, failing injectors, failing turbo.
Look for weeping halfshaft seals and listen for noisy front wheel bearing hubs.
Fuel rail pressure valve can fail costing up to £1,000 to replace.
Have been problems with rear axle wheel bearings (some owners have had axles replaced). One report of failure of driveshaft to diff universal joint and 3 week wait for replacement. Also problems with Bluetooth, CD radio, satnav and aircon.
Problems reported with electronic selectors for 4WD and low range failing to de-select unless the vehicle is reversed. This has then led to transmission noise on the motorway. Or for the transmission to fail to engage 4WD. The reason seems to be a cable inside the wiring loom of insufficient capacity. The answer is to jump a heavier cable across outside the wiring loom to carry the switching current more reliably.
On a 2005/55 Navara D40 Outlaw, the roof has started to corrode and blister around the mounting points for the roof rails, indicating that the mounting holes must simply have been drilled and left with bare metal edges.
On 36k mile 2012/62 Navara the following failures occurred: The transfer box stuck in 4WD. The engine went into 'safe' mode. The Bluetooth failed (Bluetooth frequently fails, depending on cell coverage). The passenger window failed. Subsequently the switch unit or the windows ECU failed because the passenger window failed and that should not have happened. The fuse should have broken and protected it.
Seems to be a problem with trip computers of 2013/2014 MY Navara. Production of new model NP300 Navara has led to parts and software shortage to repair the old model.
Clutch and DMF failure of December 2014 Navara at just 5,500 miles. Not warranted. Lessee forced to pay £2,000 to replace.
Engine management light intermittent on 27k mile 2012 Navara auto. Dealer told owner "it is a known fault" and prescribed a new torque converter at £2,300 and if this does not work a new "central unit" at £2,000. No financial help or goodwill offered.
Report of chassis of 2006 Navara rotted through and dangerous at 10 years old, 2 years inside rust perforation warranty. Some doubt as to whether warranty terms were complied with.
Another report of chassis of 2006 Navara failing MoT for corrosion. Owner took this up with Nissan who sent an RAC inspector to check the chassis in the owner's driveway and the inspector declared it "safe". No information supplied about maintenance of the truck.
16-11-2016: The chassis cracking/corrosion issue on Nissan Navara D40s seems to have resulted in a widspread recall by Nissan which is offereing generous part exchange allowances to trade in for its latest NP300 Navara truck.
7-2-2017: Report in Daily Telegraph that Nissan Navara D40s "could snap in two". "More than 15,000 people have joined a Facebook group for motorists concerned about models from 2005 to 2011.
10-2-2017: Comprehensive report in The Sun about Nissan Navara chassis rust. Mainly affects 2005 - 2008 Navara D40s assembled in Spain.
31-7-2017: Another complaint about cracks on the chassis. This time a 2006 model, with rot appearing between the spring hangers near to the centre of the tyres and again further forward near the front leaf spring anchor points.
27-10-2017: Further report of a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder R51 failing its MoT for the same central chassis corrosion as suffered by 2005-2007 D40 Navaras. Owner reported that once 12 year perforation warranty is up, Nissan will offer no compensation, nor any kind of goodwill gesture. So it is up to owners of these vehicles to report the problem as a safety issue to the DVSA in the hope DVSA will issue a Safety Recall.
12-11-2017: Report of 2005 Nissan Navara D40 failing MoT due to penetrative corrosion just seven weeks outside Nissan 12 year anti penetrative corrosion warranty. However, as with all anti corrosion warranties, these warranties are subject to annual inspections by Nissan dealers and if these have not been carried out, the warranty can be voided.
12-1-2018: Information received that 2010 Nissan Pathfinder 190 (based on navara D40) had excessive backlash in its differential. While in a Nissan dealer for another job, the dealer retained the car to replace worn parts in the differential under warranty. Apparently some parts were made with inferior metal which wore down quite quickly. They said they had a "shot" test to ascertain the softness of the metal.
13-3-2018: Complaint of wiper blades shredding every 6 months on a Nissan Navara D40. Owner replaced it with Navara NP300 and the same thing is happening.
23-5-2018: Report of failure of chassis October 2017 Nissan Navara at 82,212. Nissan said it would take 6 weeks for them to assess, but as the vehicle is an essential part of the owners business he had it welded at a cost of £800.
23-5-2018: Report of chassis corrosion in a Nissan D40 Navara (no age given). Nissan offered £4500 to buy it back or a 20% discount on a new Navara NP300.
24-7-2019: Strange account of Nissan taking a reader's Navara D40 to Spain to be "rust-proofed". The process took 5 months and the reader's cherished pride and joy was returned damaged with grafitti, scratches and dents so he refused to accept it.
28-1-2020: Report of poor quality chassis corrosion prevention treatment. Nissan dealer sub-contracted the work, which rejected due to being not to specification. Wiring looms were not reconnected to the chassis and central locking wiring were also cut. After many complaints by the owner, the D40 was eventually sent to an approved Nissan dealer for repairs and correct chassis corrosion prevention treatment.
24-2-2021: Report of chassis corrosion on 2013 Navara. Vehicle has failed the MoT and only done 31k miles.
January 2005
Nissan Navara D40 Launched
New Navara on same ladderframe chassis as Pathfinder with same 2.5 litre chain cam 174PS diesel engine. Single cab , King Cab and double cab versions.
Length: (King Cab) 5,220 mm (17’ 2")
Width (exc. mirrors): 1,850 mm (6’ 1")
Height (King Cab): 1,764mm (5’ 10")
Optional Birdeview DVD satnav and Bluetooth phone compatability. Comfortable rear seat of double cab has 60/40 split squab, both sections of which lift up for carrying tools. luggage or cargo in the cab. On sale in UK from August 2005. Prices from £14,695 + VAT for double door King Cab and £15,745 for Double Cab, rising to £21,970 for top spec Aventura Double Cab automatic.
July 2007
Improvements to the Navara specification
Significant changes were made to the Navara. Bluetooth phone integration is now available on all grades plus it was been uprated to improve convenience and minimise driver distraction. It’s integrated into the audio unit, so for incoming calls the volume is automatically lowered, while the display has Caller ID. The system has a phonebook with storage for 100 names and numbers, and improved digital processing for clear sound quality.
Two new colours were added - a distinctive red called Emotion Red and Flint Grey. Further enhancements to the exterior came from a new design of six-spoke 17-inch alloy wheel, while door mirrors are now colour coded on Sport with chrome on Aventura and Navara Outlaw grades. As well as being available either in colour coded or chrome finish, the door mirrors now have integrated turn indicators and a so-called ‘puddle-lamp’ which lights the ground around the door.
July 2007
Nissan Navara Die Hard 4.0 Edition launched
To celebrate the launch of the new Bruce Willis film, Nissan launched a limited edition Navara called DIE HARD 4.0. Appropriately 444 were produced all individually numbered. This special Navara is priced at £18,995 + VAT for the manual. Also, all owners were placed in a special free draw to decide which five trucks out of the 444 run would be fitted with additional special equipment at no extra cost.
December 2007
Nissan Navara 'Long Way Down' Edition launched
At £17,995 the Navara ‘Long Way Down’ has been loaded with £2,500 worth of equipment as standard, including black leather upholstery with electric and heated front seats, roof rails, chrome door mirrors, electric sunroof, CD autochanger, plus side and curtain airbags. Integrated DVD satellite navigation and premium audio gets added to the ‘Long Way Down Expedition’ priced at £19,995 (OTR + VAT). Automatic transmission can also be added for a further £1100 (+VAT).
February 2008
Nissan responds to Euro NCAP results. The company says the score for the model year 08 Nissan Navara was compromised by the delayed deployment of the airbags. Nissan said it also disappointed that Euro NCAP did not published the results of the re-test of Navara, equipped with upgraded airbag control unit software.
It emphasises that the airbag issue applies to a limited number of Model Year 08 Navaras that were produced between May and December 2007. There is no issue with the airbag control unit on Navaras produced from launch in 2005 until May 2007 aparrently.
March 2008
Euro NCAP released results for its assessment of the modified Nissan Navara. The upgraded car has achieved three stars for adult occupant protection. After Euro NCAP’s earlier tests highlighted serious safety concerns, Nissan promptly modified all new production vehicles and initiated a Service Campaign to upgrade the airbag software of all Navaras produced since 2005.
July 2008
Navara Aventura X-Back launched
The new X-Back is a new top of the range double cab model with an exclusive new hard top design and in addition to the Aventura spec it gets a hard top, reversing sensors, loadbed and tailgate liner. The side windows have a simulated shoulder line to emulate those of the cabin while the styling lines of the cabin roof integrate with those moulded into the hard top.
February 2010
Nissan Navara revised
Among the changes weas the arrival of a new and technically advanced 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine, improvements to the popular 2.5-litre dCi diesel, greater levels of passive safety, new equipment including the availability of a state-of-the-art Nissan Connect Premium touch-screen satellite navigation system, a premium Bose sound system and a rear view camera, enhanced interior quality and a number of styling changes to keep Navara looking sharp.
Active safety was improved with the availability of Nissan’s Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) on Navara (already available on Pathfinder) which uses sensors to monitor the engine’s ECU, wheel speed, steering angle, plus longitudinal and lateral G and yaw rates to anticipate and control wheel slippage.
December 2012
Navara Visia launched
Nissan introduced a new, entry-level version of its popular Navara double cab pick-up starting at £17,995 CVOTR.
The Navara Visia has been developed to offer operators a practical, robust and capable pick-up at a price that's in tune with the times. The new model introduces a new version of the respected 2.5-litre dCi common-rail diesel four-cylinder engine, producing 144PS and 350Nm of torque and is capable of up to 39.8mpg on the extra urban cycle.
To reduce the price, the interior door handles are finished in black rather than chrome. Similarly the front bumper is specified in body colour rather than having a two-tone element, while the grille struts are painted rather than chromed and conventional wiper blades are used in place of the flat blades found on higher specification versions.
February 2015
Run-out Nissan Navara Salomon 'limited edition' launched
Based on the Tekna trim with bespoke interior and exterior styling enhancements, available from £27,845 OTR including free £250 Salomon voucher
Styling enhancements include chrome front bar and door handles plus chrome foglight surrounds, complemented by unique Salomon branding on the front, side and rear of the vehicle, which is available in Metallic Black, Twilight Grey, Starburst Silver or Alabaster White.
Inside are Salomon entry guards, a metal plaque and Salomon floor mats. A retail price for all of this additional equipment would total over £1,300, however the Navara Salomon costs £750 more than the equivalent Tekna model giving a theoretical customer saving in the region of £550. Prices start from £27,845 OTR and each Navara Salomon retail customer will get a £250 voucher to spend on Salomon gear.