Nissan Navara Problems: Used Buyer's Guide for D40 and D23 (NP300) Utes

The Navara is two very different utes. The D40 (2005–2015) is cheap for a reason: CarsGuide says its 2.5 diesel's single-row timing chain can stretch before 80,000km, and the trade treats about 160,000km as the limit. The D23/NP300 (2015 on) is much better, with coil rear springs that can sag under constant loads and a 2.3 twin-turbo to listen to carefully. Check the history and recalls, then get it inspected.

Which Nissan Navara generation are you looking at?

D40 (late 2005–2015). Launched in late 2005, the D40 was most popular as a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel dual-cab (128kW/403Nm). CarsGuide lists a 3.0 V6 turbo-diesel (170kW/550Nm) and a 4.0 petrol V6 (198kW/385Nm) as alternatives (Drive, D40 used car review; CarsGuide, Navara overview). CarsGuide lists the D22 that continued alongside it with a 98kW/304Nm 2.5 (CarsGuide).

D23, sold as NP300 (2015 on). An all-new ute with coil springs and a five-link rear axle instead of leaves, a 2.3-litre single-turbo (120kW/403Nm) or twin-turbo (140kW/450Nm) diesel, and a six-speed manual or seven-speed auto (carsales, buying used D23 2015–2018; Drive, 2015 NP300 review). carsales says the coils rode corrugations well but struggled under heavy loads or towing, so Nissan's 2017 Series 2 update brought re-rated coils and dampers. The D23 is rated to tow 3,500kg. Later updates added the Pro-4X and locally developed Warrior grades.

What are the most common Nissan Navara problems?

These are reported by Australian motoring experts and owners. They're not failure rates.

D40 2.5 diesel: timing chain

CarsGuide is blunt. The YD25's single-row primary timing chain was "underdone" and could stretch before 80,000km. If it stretches enough, the camshaft sensor gets confused and triggers limp mode; worse, pistons and valves can collide. The trade recommends changing the chain by about 80,000km and inspecting it every 40,000km after that, ideally with the aftermarket double-row chain. CarsGuide also lists injector problems, EGR coolers that can fail and ruin the engine, auto transmission coolers that can destroy the gearbox, dud exhaust-gas temperature sensors that trigger limp mode, and body cracks. Many in the trade "reckon about 160,000km is the limit for reliable service" (CarsGuide, Navara problems). Drive's research agrees that many develop a timing chain or camshaft rattle around 160,000km (Drive).

CarsGuide's answer to "should I buy a 2015 Navara ST?" is "there are probably better alternatives", because many are "beyond economical repair" (CarsGuide).

D40: radiator, driveshaft, clutch and brakes

Drive says the D40's radiator sits below the chassis rails and its aluminium driveshaft is easily bent off-road, so check both for dents. It also reports clutch trouble from the small clutch and dual-mass flywheel on utes that tow or work hard, early warped brake rotors, and pads lasting as little as 20,000km (Drive). CarsGuide adds roof rust, premature clutch wear, electronics issues, turbo failures and sagging rear springs to the D40's known list (CarsGuide).

D23: turbos, oil leaks, surging

carsales says D23 engine issues "seem confined to oil leaks, especially from the sump gasket, and some surging at constant throttle", but that turbo failure is "an ever-present threat": smoke, whistling on deceleration and reluctance to accelerate are the warning signs (carsales).

D23: sagging coils and bent chassis reports

carsales says the rear coils can develop a permanent droop after persistent towing or heavy loads, so the body hits the bump stops and steering suffers. The fix is uprated springs and shocks, and its advice is to buy anyway but get money off. It also reports some owners with "bent chassis components" after rough conditions, and advises caution towing more than three tonnes off-road (carsales).

Beach use

carsales warns that utes run on the beach get sandblasted and then salted, so be wary of surface rust between the sills (carsales).

What Nissan Navara recalls should I check?

We confirmed these on the federal register at vehiclerecalls.gov.au. Check by VIN with a Nissan dealer or the Nissan Customer Service Centre. D40 Navaras may also be in the Takata airbag recall; see our Takata guide.

What this means for you: on a 2016–2017 D23 with a mechanical key, confirm the ignition switch recall. On a 2020 ute, confirm the knuckle bolt inspection. Nissan fixes recalls free.

What our inspectors check on a Nissan Navara

This is what we look at, and which package includes it. It's a list of checks, not a claim that the ute has these faults. Ute, Van & Light Truck includes everything listed for Comprehensive.

1. 1.OBD-II scan of stored, pending and live codes, including camshaft and crankshaft correlation codes on a D40 and boost or exhaust temperature codes, with a look for recently cleared codes. (All packages)
2. 2.Engine bay and leak check, including the sump gasket area on a D23, plus battery, starter and alternator tests. We note any chain or cam rattle on a D40. (All packages)
3. 3.Brake pads and tyre tread measured, and rotor condition. (All packages)
4. 4.Full mechanical inspection. Engine, cooling (including radiator damage on a D40), turbo noise, gearbox, mounts, exhaust, driveline and steering. (Comprehensive, Ute, Van & Light Truck and Elite)
5. 5.Transmission and clutch checks. Cold gear engagement on manuals, auto shift quality, 4WD engagement. (Comprehensive, Ute, Van & Light Truck and Elite)
6. 6.Suspension bushes and mounts, coil or leaf sag, ride height and bump-stop contact. (Comprehensive, Ute, Van & Light Truck and Elite)
7. 7.Undertray removed where fitted, safe and permitted, with underbody photos of the chassis rails, driveshaft, radiator and sills. (Comprehensive, Ute, Van & Light Truck and Elite)
8. 8.Full electrical test and interior electronics, including the in-dash display functions. (Comprehensive, Ute, Van & Light Truck and Elite)
9. 9.Exterior paint and body repair indicators, roof and sill rust, tray floor, plus an odometer rollback check. (Comprehensive, Ute, Van & Light Truck and Elite.) Elite adds a paint thickness gauge on every panel.
10. 10.PPSR check. (Comprehensive, Ute, Van & Light Truck and Elite. Essential doesn't include one)
11. 11.Cold-start assessment by a senior inspector, when the seller leaves the engine cold. Chain rattle is loudest cold. (Elite only)
12. 12.History deep-dive (odometer, owners, stolen or written-off status and recalls) and a valuation. (Elite only)

Road tests are 3–5km on Essential, 6–10km on Comprehensive and Ute, Van & Light Truck, and 10–12km on Elite.

How should you test-drive a used Navara?

• Ask for the engine cold. On a D40, listen for a rattle from the front of the engine in the first seconds. On any Navara, watch for smoke.
• On a manual, engage first and reverse from a standstill while the gearbox is cold. Drive says they should go in easily and quietly.
• Accelerate hard once and listen for turbo whistle on the overrun afterwards.
• Hold a steady throttle at 80km/h and feel for surging.
• Drive unladen over bumps. On a D23, a crashy ride or a thump from the rear can mean sagged coils.
• Brake firmly from 80km/h. Pulsing through the pedal means warped rotors.
• After the drive, look under the ute for oil at the sump and check the radiator and driveshaft for dents.

What paperwork and PPSR checks do you need?

• A PPSR check. Work utes are often financed. It's in Comprehensive, Ute, Van & Light Truck and Elite. See PPSR check NSW.
• The service book, with invoices. On a D40, the timing chain invoice is the one that matters. No chain record past 80,000km is a problem.
• Recall completion by VIN, using the table above.
• Fleet history. Drive says to find out as much as possible about a ute coming off a working fleet.
• Usage. Towing, beach, mine, farm. Each leaves different marks.
• Modifications. Bull bars and winches on a D40 relate to a recall. Uprated springs on a D23 are a plus if done properly.

How do you negotiate on a used Navara?

• A D40 with no timing chain record is your strongest lever, or your reason to walk away. CarsGuide's advice is to look elsewhere unless it's very cheap.
• Sagged coils on a D23 mean new springs and shocks. carsales says buy, but get money off.
• Turbo warning signs are a walk-away unless the price reflects a new turbo.
• A bent driveshaft or dented radiator on a D40 is money off.
• Open recalls must be done before you pay.

Our Elite inspector can negotiate on the spot, using the findings.

Is a used Nissan Navara a good buy? Our verdict

The D23 can be. The D40 needs a very good reason and a very good price.

• D40 2.5 diesel: only with a documented timing chain change, a healthy cold start and a low price. Budget for the chain to be done again.
• D40 V6 diesel: rarer and stronger, but still a D40 underneath. Check the radiator, driveshaft and clutch.
• D23 single-turbo: honest work ute. Check for sump leaks and coil sag.
• D23 twin-turbo: the pick. Listen to the turbos and check it hasn't been towing three tonnes off-road.
• Series 2 and later: better springs. Pro-4X and Warrior are worth Elite.

Learn more on our company facts page, or see how our pre-purchase car inspections in Sydney work.

Nissan Navara FAQs

What are the most common Nissan Navara problems?

On the D40, CarsGuide reports timing chain stretch before 80,000km on the 2.5 diesel, injector and EGR cooler failures, transmission cooler failures, exhaust temperature sensors triggering limp mode, clutch wear and body cracks. On the D23, carsales reports sump gasket leaks, throttle surging, turbo failures and sagging rear coils. These are reported issues, not failure rates.

What is the Navara D40 timing chain problem?

The 2.5 YD25 diesel uses a single-row primary timing chain that CarsGuide says was underdone and can stretch before 80,000km, confusing the cam sensor and triggering limp mode, or in the worst case letting pistons and valves collide. The trade recommends replacing it by about 80,000km, inspecting every 40,000km and fitting the aftermarket double-row chain.

Is the Nissan Navara NP300 reliable?

Better than the D40. carsales says D23 engine issues seem confined to sump gasket oil leaks and some throttle surging, with turbo failure an ever-present but not common threat. The coil rear springs can sag under constant heavy loads, which uprated springs fix. Service history and how it was used matter more than the badge.

Why does the Navara have coil springs at the back?

Nissan fitted coils and a five-link axle on the D23 for better ride and control on corrugations and bitumen. Drive praised the result. carsales says the trade-off was weaker performance under heavy loads or towing until the 2017 Series 2 update brought re-rated springs and dampers. Persistent heavy use can still leave the coils with a permanent droop.

Has the Nissan Navara been recalled in Australia?

Yes. D40 recalls cover the lower steering shaft (REC-002832), bonnet strikers with heavy bull bars (REC-001092) and cracking alloy wheels (REC-001094). D23 recalls cover an ignition switch spring (REC-001113, 2016–2017), child seat tethers (REC-001598), steering knuckle bolts (REC-001584, 2020) and an oxygen sensor on petrol models. Check the VIN on vehiclerecalls.gov.au.

How much can a Nissan Navara tow?

carsales says the D23 is rated to 3,500kg braked, and CarsGuide lists 3,500kg on 2015 4x4 models, though it advises checking the exact configuration. carsales recommends caution towing more than three tonnes and especially off-road, with some owners reporting bent chassis components. Always confirm the figure on the compliance plate.

How many kilometres is too many for a Navara?

For a D40 diesel, CarsGuide says many in the trade treat about 160,000km as the limit for reliable service, and Drive reports chain and cam rattles around that distance. For a D23, there's no published limit; judge it on service history, turbo health, leaks and suspension condition rather than the odometer alone.

Do you inspect Navaras in my area, and what does it cost?

Yes. We're mobile across Greater Sydney, Newcastle (including Maitland), the Central Coast, the Blue Mountains and Wollongong/Illawarra, 7 days. Essential is $199, Comprehensive and Ute, Van & Light Truck are $329, and Elite Buyers' Protection is $449. No travel charges, the quoted price is the price, in every region we cover.

Aussie Auto Care Pty Ltd · ABN 19 701 853 090 · 02 8320 1246 · Mobile pre-purchase inspections, 7 days.

Sources

CarsGuide, Nissan Navara problems (owner Q&A, David Morley)

CarsGuide, Nissan Navara overview and FAQs

CarsGuide, Nissan Navara 2015 (towing)

Drive, Nissan Navara D40 used car review

Drive, 2015 Nissan Navara NP300 review

carsales, Buying a used Nissan Navara D23 (2015–2018)

REC-002832

REC-001092

REC-001094

REC-001101

REC-001113

REC-001598

REC-001584

PPSR