2010 Pathfinder problems

[brookes2622]

So I mentioned in another thread that we have had problems dealing with Nissan and I didn't want to hijack the other thread. So here goes:

1. Sidesteps: This is the most annoying. The rubber covers keep falling off and so far Nissan have refused to replace / repair then. Even going so far as suggesting we visit a smash repair to get them fixed at our cost.
2. Air Cond: There is an annoying ticking coming from the dash whenever the air circulation alters. It is the ticking plastic makes when being dragged across plastic. Nissan reckon they have fixed it but we'll see.
3. Turbo manifold: A large black sooty mark appeared on the inside of the bonnet. Nissan have done nothing but clean it off so far.

The dealers we have been dealing with have been very unhelpful, rude and all the usual bad things. We are creating a file so we can escalate direct to Nissan.

 

[straydingo]

Can't help with those sorry - never experience those problems.

Did you get the recall notice about the the front seats?

 

[brookes2622]

No. What's wrong with them and how is it repaired? Do they put a sticker or something on the car that indicates it's been done?

Perhaps I need to follow the same upgrade path you have straydingo but the issue is the $$$

 

[Moto Moto]

Its a real pity Nissan let themselves down with their aftersales help (or lack there of). They were in denial about the early ZD30's for a long time.

I have driven Nissans for most of my driving life, and without issue, so i never experienced there 'zero care factor' myself. But I hear about it all the time. Two of my mates have been stuffed around no end with their brand new Navara's. Different dealers, same 'zero care factor'.

This was one of the reasons i decided to go across to the dark side and give Mazda a try when it was time to update. Whether they are any better or not i cannot say.

 

[achjimmy]

Me too, never had a days drama with the one Nissan I bought but you do here so many first hand stories about there lack of support. I see after ignoring owners of Navara's who have had clutch problems for years they now announce an uprated clutch on MY12!! But there was nothing wrong with the earlier models it was driver abuse, just ask Nissan.

Good luck brooksy keep at them.

 

[coled1970]

Hi Guys,

Never owned a nissan but dad did. After a bad experience with servicing and a chat with me i told him to ring Nissan. The reply at the end of the line was welcome to Nissan Australia, whats your gripe. After a 1/2 hr conversation the bloke told dad to ring the servicing dealer to fix problem as he also would be. The dealer was rung by dad and the guy wasn't happy but had no choice but to fix it. I myself have had issues with Mitsubishi and the i don't care factor too including dealerships. Since found one that is very keen to help with any issues. I think most dont like that i service it myself and it remains under warranty.

Cheers.

 

[mfexpanda]

We havent had a problem with our pathfinder either .

 

[brookes2622]

We havent had a problem with our pathfinder either .

I think it's the 2010 model as the other one I saw with the rubber on the top of the sidesteps coming off was a 2010. Dunno but so far Nissan has lost out in my book. I was looking to buy a Navara v550, which in all honesty is serious coin ($65k plus), and ended up getting a VW. I will never buy another Nissan and am think to get rid of the Pathfinder for a Prado. We sold a 90 series Prado with 520 000k's on it for the Pathfinder but am thinking to go back. It may only be the Missuses car but we need reliable / trustworthy.

 

[stuartcarr2002]

I think it's the 2010 model as the other one I saw with the rubber on the top of the sidesteps coming off was a 2010. Dunno but so far Nissan has lost out in my book. I was looking to buy a Navara v550, which in all honesty is serious coin ($65k plus), and ended up getting a VW. I will never buy another Nissan and am think to get rid of the Pathfinder for a Prado. We sold a 90 series Prado with 520 000k's on it for the Pathfinder but am thinking to go back. It may only be the Missuses car but we need reliable / trustworthy.

Have not had any of those issues with our 2010 ST pathy. Love it.

Remember all cars have issues. You mention Prado. D4D is starting to become a problem child motor now it is starting to get older...

Do a google on VW. They would have to have one of the worst customer service in the industry. and not one of the most reliable vehicles on the market. But as long as you are happy with your purchase...

We are all on this forum because we own Jayco. If you listened to the horror stories from my mates uncles brothers drinking buddy, you wouldn't by a Jayco. Same goes for cars. Every make has issues, but 95% of people wont have issues with there purchase. It is only the ones you hear about...

 

[achjimmy]

Stuart I thought the same of VW but talking to my dealers service manager the other day I was pretty gobsmacked. They are a multi car dealership including VW & Nissian and we were discussing fuel pumps on diesels and Nissan came up. The fuel pumps on 3 litre patrols have been a huge problem and again it's always dirty fuel not a shitty pump, I mentioned my concerns for vechiles like the Amarok going bush and he said on the first failed fuel pump, VW would not warrant it till the fuel had been analysed but would pay for it, once analysed and proven fuel was okay they warranted the pump and have everyone since. So it seems that the VW do have an issue but VW arn't shirking it.

Yes all models have problems but that seems to be the standard throw away line used to defend any make that have more problems than most, like LR and Jeep owners.

 

[straydingo]

Most of the time Nissan was ok for us. We had issues at selected times, but overall were satisfied.
In one particular case Dandenong Nissan told me I needed new brake pads and rotors. I said I'd get them elsewhere cos I didn't think Nissan ones were good enough, and too expensive. They agreed and said they refused to use them, so gave me a better price on non genuine. A plus.
One another, 300km from nearest town, Frankston Nissan refused to help me with a problem after being on the phone for 30 minutes, because although I bought the car from them, I didn't get my pre-trip service there.....Dandenong answered the query in 30 seconds. A minus.

Go figure.

After posting earlier, I realised the problem with the seats is one the electric memory seats, so might not be applicable to you. We found getting in and out of the car and dragging my fat bum across the seat could somehow short the controls and the seat back would either lie back or go forward as far as possible. A problem for the kids in the back, or if I was sitting, I could get the steering wheel in my chin. Also did it while driving a few times.
The seat was replaced a year back, after I questioned it a few times at consecutive services. They finally admitted it was becoming a known problem. Now it is a formal recall.

 

[Brad]

Our pathie also had the sooty mark. But back then we opted for the extended warranty and Nissan was forced to fix. It was a while ago and from memory one of the seals had to be replaced.

 

[brookes2622]

Our pathie also had the sooty mark. But back then we opted for the extended warranty and Nissan was forced to fix. It was a while ago and from memory one of the seals had to be replaced.

Brad, Bloody good idea, the extended warranty, so I'll look into that today. We do a lot of k's so will only give us to 150000k which may be an additional year or so but may well be worth it given the trouble we are having. Nissan are refusing to supply detail worksheets showing what they have attempted to fix and how.

 

[Brad]

Hey I am interested in if you have heard of a crawl mode that the Pathie will put itself into if an issue is detected in the engine.
We have had this a couple of times where the car simply will not do any more than something like 1000 revs. But then when you pull over, turn the engine off and start again it goes away. You can imagine the frustration in trying to get this one resolved when you cannot reproduce the problem.
Anyone ever experienced this?

 

[chartrock]

Tha automatic Navaras have a diesel particle filter in the exhaust system that gradually builds up back pressure which will eventually put the engine into 'limp mode'. It is designed to clear the soot out of the filter when the vehicle is run at about 80km/h for a short time by putting more diesel into the system to burn it out. If the car is only run around town and never gets to 80k then problem occurs and it is a dealer job to fix as when it gets to 'limp mode' you can never get the car to 80 to burn it out. I don't know why it is only on autos but from the Navara forum discussions manuals are not equipped with the DPF.

I am not sure about the Pathie but they come from the same stable so it may be worth checking. Here is a link to the Navara forum where they start talking about it. It is a long thread and omly one of many. http://www.navara.asia/showthread.php?t=964&highlight=diesel+particle+filter

 

[macca]

My mate had a diesel auto Navara that used to go into limp mode sometimes, so probably similar engine combos. Sometimes it was for silly things.

 

[stuartcarr2002]

Tha automatic Navaras have a diesel particle filter in the exhaust system that gradually builds up back pressure which will eventually put the engine into 'limp mode'. It is designed to clear the soot out of the filter when the vehicle is run at about 80km/h for a short time by putting more diesel into the system to burn it out. If the car is only run around town and never gets to 80k then problem occurs and it is a dealer job to fix as when it gets to 'limp mode' you can never get the car to 80 to burn it out. I don't know why it is only on autos but from the Navara forum discussions manuals are not equipped with the DPF.

I am not sure about the Pathie but they come from the same stable so it may be worth checking. Here is a link to the Navara forum where they start talking about it. It is a long thread and only one of many. http://www.navara.asia/showthread.php?t=964&highlight=diesel+particle+filter

The particulate filters are not on all Pathys and Nav's It was only the series 2 that had them, maybe series 3. But series 1 and 4 dont have them. Similar to the Nav. The latest ones with the 140kw motor dont, but the V6 550 does. The limp mode you talk about is not usually caused by the DPF. It is an issue that Nissan are having with some 2.5s DPF or not. Nissan are not sure what the issue is. Our Pathy has done it twice before 10000ks but has not done it since and we are at 25oooks. We ont have a DPF and we have the 140kw motor...

DPF's are the biggest PITA that where put on any diesels. Not just Nissan, but most brands have issues with them due to the short trips a lot of people do and old school thinkers thinking they wont let there diesel rev over 2000rpm. This is ok for old clunker diesels, but modern diesels are designed to rev... Give a squirt every now and then is the best thinking for a DPF and a diesel...

 

[Brad]

So based on what you are saying would there be a potential that me chipping the car may be beneficial to this?
Theory being that the car is receiving more fuel more often thus making it much more responsive.

 

[stuartcarr2002]

So based on what you are saying would there be a potential that me chipping the car may be beneficial to this?
Theory being that the car is receiving more fuel more often thus making it much more responsive.

Doesn't work like that unfortunately.

The best thing to do with a DPF is bin it and put in a straight through pipe. (It is not legal however). But it is only an issue if you are caught...

 

[achjimmy]

DPF's are the biggest PITA that where put on any diesels. Not just Nissan, but most brands have issuesA with them due to the short trips a lot of people do and old school thinkers thinking they wont let there diesel rev over 2000rpm. This is ok for old clunker diesels, but modern diesels are designed to rev... Give a squirt every now and then is the best thinking for a DPF and a diesel...

+1 give it a good rev occasionally. Fortunately MM droped the DPF from the MY 10 Pajero, before that you had to run special oil. But I find they like being revved.