Nissan X-Trail T32

1.6/1.7 dCi turbodiesel from the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Frugal, but timing chain and EGR valve are known weak points.

• !! Timing chain stretches prematurely from 145,000 km

  The R9M timing chain stretches from as early as 140,000 km, well before its intended service life of 250,000 km. A jumped chain can bend valves through piston contact.

  Symptoms: Rattling from timing chain area on cold start, engine warning light, rough running, misfires
  800–2,500 $
  Ad Timing chain R9MTiming chain kit Nissan 1.6 dCiTiming chain tensioner R9MTiming chain guide R9M
• !! EGR valve and cooler foul rapidly from 80,000 km

  The R9M EGR valve becomes dirty very quickly from soot particles. In addition, the EGR cooler fails prematurely and allows exhaust gases into the cabin.

  Symptoms: Power loss, rough engine running, exhaust smell in cabin when cooler fails, engine warning light
  200–900 $
  Ad EGR valve R9MEGR cooler R9M 147109816REGR valve Nissan 1.6 dCi Qashqai
• !! Piezo injectors unreliable from 120,000 km

  The R9M's piezo injectors are regarded as temperamental and require more frequent workshop visits. The high-pressure fuel system demands clean fuel and regular additive treatment.

  Symptoms: Stumbling under acceleration, harsh combustion knock, power loss, increased consumption, engine warning light
  600–2,500 $
  Ad Injectors R9MPiezo injector 1.6 dCi NissanHigh-pressure pump R9M Qashqai

+ 4 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses

Renault-Nissan 2.0 dCi with common rail. Powerful, but susceptible to injector damage and DPF issues with short-trip driving.

• !! Connecting rod bearing early failure with automatic from 50,000 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.
  3,500–7,000 $
  Ad Connecting rod bearing M9RConnecting rod bearing Nissan 2.0 dCiCrankshaft M9R Nissan
• !! 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.
  1,200–3,000 $
  Ad Turbocharger M9RTurbocharger Nissan 2.0 dCiTurbocharger Qashqai 2.0 dCiTurbocharger bearing M9R
• !! Injectors and high-pressure pump wear from 130,000 km

  Like all common rail diesels the M9R high-pressure pump is critical. Injectors coke up with short-trip driving. Dual-mass flywheel is an additional cost item at higher mileage.

  Symptoms: Hard combustion (diesel knock), power loss, starting difficulties, check engine light on injector fault.
  800–3,000 $
  Ad Injectors M9R NissanHigh-pressure pump Nissan 2.0 dCiDual-mass flywheel M9R

+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses

1.6L DIG-T turbocharged engine with direct injection. Powerful and rev-happy, but sensitive to poor maintenance.

• !! Timing chain — known weak point from 90,000 km

  The timing chain is considered the most critical weak point of the MR16DDT. Nissan has carried out several revisions (5th generation is more robust). Chain break at around 77,000 km led to recalls in the USA and Canada.

  Symptoms: Metallic rattling on cold start and under load, engine fluctuations on load changes, check engine light.
  1,200–5,000 $
  Ad Timing chain MR16DDTTiming chain tensioner Nissan 1.6 DIG-TTiming chain kit Juke DIG-T
• !! Turbocharger susceptible to poor maintenance from 130,000 km

  The MHI TF035HL turbocharger in the MR16DDT is sensitive to deposits in the exhaust manifold, defective crankcase ventilation, and faulty solenoid valves. Premature bearing wear is possible.

  Symptoms: Whistling or whining noises from the turbocharger, power loss, blue smoke, limp mode.
  800–2,500 $
  Ad Turbocharger MR16DDTTurbocharger Nissan Juke 1.6 DIG-TTF035HL turbochargerBoost pressure solenoid MR16DDT
• !! High-pressure pump and injectors susceptible from 100,000 km

  The MR16DDT direct injection system operates at up to 270 MPa. The fuel pump can fail within the warranty period. Injectors are prone to coking and blockage.

  Symptoms: Power loss and limp mode on pump failure. Misfiring and increased consumption from injector coking. Check engine light.
  500–1,800 $
  Ad High-pressure pump MR16DDTInjectors Nissan 1.6 DIG-TFuel pump Juke DIG-T

+ 1 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses

2.0L direct injection with timing chain. Fundamentally solid, but injectors can foul.

• !! Timing chain elongates at high mileage from 130,000 km

  The MR20DD timing chain can elongate from around 130,000 km causing rattling noises. Low oil level significantly accelerates wear. As the MR20DD is an interference engine, a broken chain causes severe engine damage.

  Symptoms: Rattling on cold start, metallic chattering on load changes, rough running
  700–1,800 $
  Ad Timing chain MR20DD NissanTiming chain kit Nissan 2.0 DIGTiming chain tensioner MR20DD
• !! Cylinder head cracks — sensitive aluminum from 120,000 km

  The MR20DD aluminum cylinder head is sensitive to overheating and over-tightened spark plugs. Even modest overtorquing during a plug change can crack the coolant passages around the plug bores. Coolant loss without any visible external leak is the first warning sign.

  Symptoms: Dropping coolant level with no visible external leak, overheating indicator, white smoke from exhaust, coolant smell in engine bay
  1,500–4,000 $
  Ad head gasket MR20DD Nissan Sentracylinder head MR20DD 2.0 repairMR20DD cylinder head replacement
• !! Intake valves carbon up (direct injection) from 80,000 km

  As a pure direct injection engine the MR20DD does not wash the intake valves with fuel. Carbon deposits build from around 80,000 km, causing rough idle, power loss, and increased consumption.

  Symptoms: Rough idle, hesitation on pull-away, increased fuel consumption, power loss on a cold engine
  300–700 $
  Ad Intake valve cleaning MR20DDWalnut blasting Nissan 2.0 DIGIntake port cleaning Qashqai 2.0

+ 2 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses