Nissan Primastar 2(X82) — Problems & Common Faults
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
Since September 2021 the Nissan Primastar has reused the historic name of the first Nissan generation from 2002 and replaces the NV300 as Nissan's take on the Sandouville platform - technically identical to the current Renault Trafic III (second facelift) and without a direct Opel counterpart, since the Vivaro B ended production in 2019. As a Combi in L1 and L2 lengths with up to nine seats, it's the youngest and best-equipped member of the family.
From launch the Primastar uses the 2.0-litre Blue dCi engine (M9R) with AdBlue exhaust aftertreatment, available from 81 kW (dCi 110) to 125 kW (dCi 170). The six-speed manual is standard, with the EDC dual-clutch available on the stronger versions; since September 2025 a new ZF 9-speed torque-converter automatic has joined the range on the dCi 150 and 170. The engine itself already has its own weakness listings in the database via the Renault and Nissan entries and is generally considered robust as long as service intervals are respected.
Because the Primastar has only been on sale since 2021, there is neither ADAC defect statistics nor TÜV Report data for it - ADAC's official line is simply that no defect information is currently available. A road test by auto motor und sport of the dCi 170, however, already flags concrete criticisms: the middle seat row can only be unlatched via a snap fastener and must be manually wrestled out - a rustic solution the magazine says dates back to the first Primastar generation from 2002. The standard EDC dual-clutch gearbox also catches testers' attention, shifting leisurely and not always deftly through its six gears - a behaviour pattern also documented on the other models of the platform. Since the May 2022 update a lane-keep assist described as stressful has also been added, while the rest of the driver-assist suite works well.
Only one recall has been documented so far: in 2026 Nissan recalled Primastar vehicles built between February and September 2025 because the tyre pressure monitoring system did not comply with regulations. Given how young the model is, that is unsurprising and points to an otherwise unremarkable reliability record rather than serious problems.
Anyone using the Primastar as a family or club minibus should also know that, per the owner's manual, children under 36 kg may not sit in the third row - a point affecting all three sibling models and rarely mentioned in the sales pitch.
As a used vehicle the Primastar is still too young for a solid long-term track record. The platform's known technical profile - a solid Blue dCi engine but a debatable EDC gearbox - still applies, though, so the same caution recommended for the Trafic, Vivaro and NV300 applies here: favour the manual gearbox or the new torque-converter automatic, check the service history, and match the VIN against the recall database.
Engine Overview
The Nissan Primastar 2 is available with 3 engine variants — from 110 to 170 hp.
Turbocharged two-litre common-rail diesel with strong pull and plenty of torque low down. Composed in daily use, but not a worry-free unit. Early builds before 2011 suffer turbo failures, and automatic variants saw premature conrod bearing wear — oil change intervals are sacred. Injectors and the high-pressure pump wear with mileage, and the particulate filter clogs on short runs. The EGR cooler with its pressure valve and the turbo oil return line are known to leak. A complete service record and regular long-distance running are the best insurance.
- !! Connecting rod bearing early failure with automatic from 40,000 km
Early M9R variants with automatic gearbox show connecting rod bearing failure at very low mileage (14,000–57,000 km). Nissan extended the warranty to 150,000 km and issued internal technical bulletins.
Symptoms: Metallic knocking from the engine, sudden engine failure, oil pressure warning light, engine will not turn over. - !! Turbocharger failure before 2011 build year from 100,000 km
Pre-revision M9R engines (before 2011) show frequent turbocharger failures occurring in conjunction with the connecting rod bearing damage. The revised version from 2011 is significantly more reliable.
Symptoms: Whistling or rattling turbo noise, blue smoke, severe power loss, limp mode. - !! Timing chain stretch, tensioner rail wear from 200,000 km
At higher mileage the M9R timing chain stretches, sprockets and tensioner rails wear out. In the worst case the chain jumps. Replacement is labour-intensive and usually requires removing the engine (except the Espace).
Symptoms: Rattling or clattering on cold start, juddering when cranking, tractor-like knocking from shifted valve timing, power loss.
+ 4 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Turbocharged two-litre common-rail diesel with strong pull and plenty of torque low down. Composed in daily use, but not a worry-free unit. Early builds before 2011 suffer turbo failures, and automatic variants saw premature conrod bearing wear — oil change intervals are sacred. Injectors and the high-pressure pump wear with mileage, and the particulate filter clogs on short runs. The EGR cooler with its pressure valve and the turbo oil return line are known to leak. A complete service record and regular long-distance running are the best insurance.
- !! Connecting rod bearing early failure with automatic from 40,000 km
Early M9R variants with automatic gearbox show connecting rod bearing failure at very low mileage (14,000–57,000 km). Nissan extended the warranty to 150,000 km and issued internal technical bulletins.
Symptoms: Metallic knocking from the engine, sudden engine failure, oil pressure warning light, engine will not turn over. - !! Turbocharger failure before 2011 build year from 100,000 km
Pre-revision M9R engines (before 2011) show frequent turbocharger failures occurring in conjunction with the connecting rod bearing damage. The revised version from 2011 is significantly more reliable.
Symptoms: Whistling or rattling turbo noise, blue smoke, severe power loss, limp mode. - !! Timing chain stretch, tensioner rail wear from 200,000 km
At higher mileage the M9R timing chain stretches, sprockets and tensioner rails wear out. In the worst case the chain jumps. Replacement is labour-intensive and usually requires removing the engine (except the Espace).
Symptoms: Rattling or clattering on cold start, juddering when cranking, tractor-like knocking from shifted valve timing, power loss.
+ 4 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Turbocharged two-litre common-rail diesel with strong pull and plenty of torque low down. Composed in daily use, but not a worry-free unit. Early builds before 2011 suffer turbo failures, and automatic variants saw premature conrod bearing wear — oil change intervals are sacred. Injectors and the high-pressure pump wear with mileage, and the particulate filter clogs on short runs. The EGR cooler with its pressure valve and the turbo oil return line are known to leak. A complete service record and regular long-distance running are the best insurance.
- !! Connecting rod bearing early failure with automatic from 40,000 km
Early M9R variants with automatic gearbox show connecting rod bearing failure at very low mileage (14,000–57,000 km). Nissan extended the warranty to 150,000 km and issued internal technical bulletins.
Symptoms: Metallic knocking from the engine, sudden engine failure, oil pressure warning light, engine will not turn over. - !! Turbocharger failure before 2011 build year from 100,000 km
Pre-revision M9R engines (before 2011) show frequent turbocharger failures occurring in conjunction with the connecting rod bearing damage. The revised version from 2011 is significantly more reliable.
Symptoms: Whistling or rattling turbo noise, blue smoke, severe power loss, limp mode. - !! Timing chain stretch, tensioner rail wear from 200,000 km
At higher mileage the M9R timing chain stretches, sprockets and tensioner rails wear out. In the worst case the chain jumps. Replacement is labour-intensive and usually requires removing the engine (except the Espace).
Symptoms: Rattling or clattering on cold start, juddering when cranking, tractor-like knocking from shifted valve timing, power loss.
+ 4 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Turbocharged two-litre common-rail diesel with strong pull and plenty of torque low down. Composed in daily use, but not a worry-free unit. Early builds before 2011 suffer turbo failures, and automatic variants saw premature conrod bearing wear — oil change intervals are sacred. Injectors and the high-pressure pump wear with mileage, and the particulate filter clogs on short runs. The EGR cooler with its pressure valve and the turbo oil return line are known to leak. A complete service record and regular long-distance running are the best insurance.
- !! Connecting rod bearing early failure with automatic from 40,000 km
Early M9R variants with automatic gearbox show connecting rod bearing failure at very low mileage (14,000–57,000 km). Nissan extended the warranty to 150,000 km and issued internal technical bulletins.
Symptoms: Metallic knocking from the engine, sudden engine failure, oil pressure warning light, engine will not turn over. - !! Turbocharger failure before 2011 build year from 100,000 km
Pre-revision M9R engines (before 2011) show frequent turbocharger failures occurring in conjunction with the connecting rod bearing damage. The revised version from 2011 is significantly more reliable.
Symptoms: Whistling or rattling turbo noise, blue smoke, severe power loss, limp mode. - !! Timing chain stretch, tensioner rail wear from 200,000 km
At higher mileage the M9R timing chain stretches, sprockets and tensioner rails wear out. In the worst case the chain jumps. Replacement is labour-intensive and usually requires removing the engine (except the Espace).
Symptoms: Rattling or clattering on cold start, juddering when cranking, tractor-like knocking from shifted valve timing, power loss.
+ 4 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Recall: tyre pressure monitoring non-compliance A KBA recall (PN5CJ) from 2026 covers a regulatory non-compliance of the tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) on vehicles built between February and September 2025. Symptoms: The TPMS may not reliably detect a loss of pressure, or detects it too late. | Low |
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Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 9 weaknesses have been documented for the Nissan Primastar 2 (2021–2026) — 7 engine-related and 2 vehicle-related. Typical issues affect Other, Gearbox.
Primastar (M9R, 2021–2026) — Be Careful: Connecting rod bearing early failure with automatic, Turbocharger failure before 2011 build year, Timing chain stretch, tensioner rail wear. Power: 110 PS.
Primastar (M9R, 2021–2026) — Be Careful: Connecting rod bearing early failure with automatic, Turbocharger failure before 2011 build year, Timing chain stretch, tensioner rail wear. Power: 150 PS.
Primastar (M9R, 2021–2026) — Be Careful: Connecting rod bearing early failure with automatic, Turbocharger failure before 2011 build year, Timing chain stretch, tensioner rail wear. Power: 170 PS.
What to watch out for with the Nissan Primastar? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
What problems and weaknesses does the Nissan Primastar 2 have? +
What should I look for when buying a used Nissan Primastar 2? +
Which engine is recommended? +
Which Nissan Primastar 2 engine is the most fun? +
Is the Nissan Primastar 2 worth buying used? +
What horsepower variants are available for the Nissan Primastar 2? +
Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee