I am going through a long ongoing issue with Nissan at present for same issue, on a new 2010 plated 2011 delivered D40 STX manual. It now has 36,000klm (18 months old) and the issue has been getting chased via warranty from its first service. I have had a D40 prior to this (no problem) and am lucky enough to have other company cars that can be compared, about 10 in the last 5 years. this problem has not existed on any. (We have had mostly manual D40 STX (127kw and 140kw spec) , but also one auto and 1 550).
Nissan repeatadely acknowledged this as a known issue, until last service where they started claiming "common trait of the vehicle" thus no repair. Dealer advises they (Nissan au) cannot find a repair. The dealer claims they have tried every possibly solution in another vehicle (new engine mounts, driving with no tailshaft/rear diff installed, loosening body mounts, plus all the obvious type things).
My car has aftermarket wheels and cooper AT3, but has been tested with stock factory wheels and tires also and still has the issue.
I do have full OME suspension fitted form 3000klm, which could actually indicate the problem is not related to the stock suspension components. OME is all medium rated, front to take the weight of the bullbar, rear for towing but has the same rating in the first stage as stock springs, thus should not have much effect on the issue. Problem was there before this was fitted.
Issue improves and goes away with reasonable load in tray (sat 200kg) or if towing larger weights (say 150kg tow ball download). I have had 6+ separate wheel balances etc etc trying to resolve., flywheel considered but problem is not rev specific, even tried turning engine off o straight road at 10klm (dealer suggestion) with no difference, all the obvious things also checked. So far I am unable to have Nissan au authorise checking of balance on tailshaft, etc.
I am convinced it is something in the rear end (rotating mass) causing the issue based on dealers advice and other fixes they have attempted without success. The felling is very similar to rear wheel out of balance experienced on other D40's.
I am currently awaiting a reply form nissan to my written complain, however it sounds as though they will walk away from this. They also refuse to put anything I have been told in writing, so effectively there is no history trail of the issue other than what I claim and basic notes form service via the dealer...
No other Navaras we have had have ever had this issue, although I do note they have been fairly sensitive to wheel balance in the rear.
My next step is to drive another to try and show this is not a "common trait", however by phone Customer Service are basically saying it is a common problem, but only on a select few vehicles.
The D40 I test drove did NOT do it. The D40's I have parked next to it in the garage do NOT do it. So far we have found 1 in 10 only...... Not really a common trait.
I am sure this is not the answer you were looking for, but by all means feel free to take it up with Nissan, as they should not be walking away from this. The more people with this issue complaining, possibly the more chance they will take it seriously.
Out of interest the dealer had taken back a 3000klm old 550 with this problem, and delivered another new vehicle to one of their very good customers as the issue could not be solved. They did this without support of Nissan at their cost.
If you want any more details feel free to PM me. There is a lot of other information stuff done in an attempt to isolate the issue. the dealer is also experiencing grief as it effects his business, and he cannot get Nissan support.
Would be interested to hear how common an issue this really is.......
cheers.
