Nissan1995–2005 Major issues documented

Nissan Gloria Y34: common faults & what to check

The Y34 is the Nissan Gloria built 1999–2004. Of the 8 faults documented for the Gloria, 8 apply to this generation, each with its symptoms, what to inspect and a typical repair cost. Free, no account needed.

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Odometer history
Money owing
Reported stolen
Ownership history

Official NZ vehicle register data
NZ owned and operated

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Documented faults

Major

Most serious

$350–$900

Typical repair

Systems covered

You're looking at the Y34

Everything below is narrowed to this variant. Pick a different one to change it.

1999–2004Y34 Selected1999–2004Y34Engine not documented for this generationEngine not documentedDocumented issues8 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: Mytho88 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.

Choose a different generation

Now narrow it to the engine

A 1.8 and a 2.4 of the same car do not fail the same way, so the faults below narrow to the engine as well as the year. Free, no account needed.

Which engine is in it? These cover every year of this model.

3.0L petrol (VQ30-DE)· 3.0 litre petrol 3.0L petrol (VQ30-DET)· 3.0 litre petrol

A 2000 Nissan Gloria is the Y34 generation (1999 to 2004).

We cannot narrow the engine list to this year, so every engine this model was sold with is offered.

Start your free check on this Nissan Gloria

No plate needed. You get the risk score, the buyer's checklist and the guided inspection for the exact car you picked above — not the whole nameplate.

Nissan Gloria Y34Engine not picked yet

Pick the engine above first: the Gloria came with 2, and without it the report has to show all of their faults. Pick the engine

Can't confirm for this car

Nissan Gloria · 2000

Narrowed to the year. No engine is recorded for this vehicle. Pick an engine to see which faults apply.

Tell us the engine, or check the engine code on the car, before relying on this.

No engine is recorded for this vehicle.

matched on year only

What to look out for

The checks worth doing on a Nissan Gloria before you hand over any money. Every documented fault is listed below, each with its own page.

Costly issue
Inspect boot for splitting.
See why
Front Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Wear
Front lower control arm ball joints wear with mileage causing clunking on rough surfaces and imprecise handling.
What you would notice
- Clunking from front suspension over bumps and during low-speed manoeuvring
- Imprecise handling feel when changing direction
Typically $350–$800 to put right.
Common issue
Test AC during test drive.
See why
Air Conditioning Compressor Clutch Bearing Failure
AC compressor electromagnetic clutch bearing wears causing squealing when AC is engaged. Advanced cases cause bearing seizure loading the drive belt.
What you would notice
- Squealing or grinding noise from engine front when AC is switched on
- Noise stops immediately when AC is switched off, confirming compressor clutch bearing source
Typically $400–$1,500 to put right.
Common issue
With vehicle raised, inspect rear lower arm bushes for cracking and deformation.
See why
Rear Suspension Lower Arm Bush Deterioration
Rear lower arm rubber bushes harden and collapse causing knocking, imprecise handling, and inner rear tyre wear.
What you would notice
- Knocking from rear suspension over rough surfaces and during cornering
- Imprecise rear handling feel and inner rear tyre scrub from misalignment
Typically $350–$900 to put right.
Common issue
Inspect pump housing for fluid residue around the shaft seal.
See why
Power Steering Pump Shaft Seal Weep
The power steering pump shaft seal weeps fluid causing progressive fluid loss, steering whine under full lock, and eventually reduced steering assistance.
What you would notice
- Power steering fluid weeping around pump shaft seal with fluid drip below the pump
- Steering whine when turning at full lock from low fluid level caused by ongoing seal leak
Typically $300–$900 to put right.

See all 8 issues for this oneDocumented for the exact year and engine you picked.

Electrical1

01Air Conditioning Compressor Clutch Bearing Failure

Test AC during test drive.1999–2004Electrical$400–$1,500

CommonElectrical $400–$1,500 to fix

AC compressor electromagnetic clutch bearing wears causing squealing when AC is engaged. Advanced cases cause bearing seizure loading the drive belt.

Symptoms to notice

Squealing or grinding noise from engine front when AC is switched on
Noise stops immediately when AC is switched off, confirming compressor clutch bearing source

What to check

Test AC during test drive.
Listen for squealing from engine front when AC engaged.
Switch AC on and off and note if noise follows the AC state.

Where to look: AC compressor on front of engine

Parts involved: Clutch.

Ask the seller

“Has the air conditioning compressor clutch bearing been inspected or repaired?”

Body, brakes, suspension & interior2

02Front Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Wear

Inspect boot for splitting.1999–2004Suspension$350–$800

CommonSuspension $350–$800 to fix

Front lower control arm ball joints wear with mileage causing clunking on rough surfaces and imprecise handling.

Symptoms to notice

Clunking from front suspension over bumps and during low-speed manoeuvring
Imprecise handling feel when changing direction

What to check

Inspect boot for splitting. Any movement indicates replacement needed. If a workshop inspection is possible: With vehicle raised, lever the lower arm and check for ball joint play.

Where to look: Front lower suspension control arms both sides

Parts involved: Ball joint.

Ask the seller

“Has the front lower control arm ball been inspected or repaired?”

03Rear Suspension Lower Arm Bush Deterioration

With vehicle raised, inspect rear lower arm bushes for cracking and deformation.1999–2004Suspension$350–$900

CommonSuspension $350–$900 to fix

Rear lower arm rubber bushes harden and collapse causing knocking, imprecise handling, and inner rear tyre wear.

Symptoms to notice

Knocking from rear suspension over rough surfaces and during cornering
Imprecise rear handling feel and inner rear tyre scrub from misalignment

What to check

With vehicle raised, inspect rear lower arm bushes for cracking and deformation.
Push the arm — any movement indicates collapsed bushes.
Check rear tyre for inner edge scrub.

Where to look: Rear suspension lower control arms

Parts involved: Ball joint.

Ask the seller

“Has the rear suspension lower arm bush been inspected or repaired?”

Fluid leaks1

04Power Steering Pump Shaft Seal Weep

Inspect pump housing for fluid residue around the shaft seal.1999–2004Fluid Leaks$300–$900

CommonFluid Leaks $300–$900 to fix

The power steering pump shaft seal weeps fluid causing progressive fluid loss, steering whine under full lock, and eventually reduced steering assistance.

Symptoms to notice

Power steering fluid weeping around pump shaft seal with fluid drip below the pump
Steering whine when turning at full lock from low fluid level caused by ongoing seal leak

What to check

Inspect pump housing for fluid residue around the shaft seal.
Check power steering fluid reservoir level.
Listen for a whining from the pump on full lock — this indicates low fluid from seal leak.

Where to look: Power steering pump on engine, accessible from engine bay

Parts involved: Steering rack.

Ask the seller

“Has the power steering pump shaft seal been inspected or repaired?”

Depends on the exact engine — 4 moreDocumented for a specific engine we could not confirm from what you picked. Check the engine code on the car.

Engine, transmission & cooling4

01VQ30DET Turbo Waste Gate Actuator Failure

Disconnect the waste gate actuator vacuum line and manually apply vacuum — the rod should move smoothly and hold vacuum for at least 30 seconds.petrol1999–2004EngineCan't confirm for this car$300–$900

CommonEngine $300–$900 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The VQ30DET 3.0 turbocharged V6 in the Y34 Gloria uses a pneumatic waste gate actuator to control boost pressure. The actuator diaphragm develops a crack over time, causing loss of boost pressure control. A cracked actuator rod or diaphragm results in either persistent overboost (rod stuck closed) or permanent underboost/wastegate open (rod stuck open). Overboost triggers the ECU boost protection cut, while underboost produces a flat power curve with no turbo response.

Symptoms to notice

Loss of power under acceleration with a flat power curve and no perceptible turbo spool
Boost-related fault code stored or overboost cut-off with sudden power loss above 4000rpm

What to check

Disconnect the waste gate actuator vacuum line and manually apply vacuum — the rod should move smoothly and hold vacuum for at least 30 seconds. A rod that moves but loses vacuum immediately indicates a cracked diaphragm. Check for boost-related fault codes. Test drive to verify full boost builds correctly.

Where to look: VQ30DET turbocharger waste gate actuator, passenger side engine bay

Parts involved: Turbocharger.

Ask the seller

“Has the vq30det turbo waste gate actuator been inspected or repaired?”

02VQ30DE Valve Cover Gasket Oil Leak

Check for oil leaks around valve covers, sump and gaskets.petrol1995–2005EngineCan't confirm for this car$364–$728

CommonEngine $364–$728 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

Valve cover gaskets on the VQ30DE in Y33/Y34 Gloria harden with age and leak at the semi-circular cut-outs. Oil travels down the rear of the engine and contacts the oxygen sensor wiring harness, degrading the insulation. Spark plug well seals also fail, allowing oil ingress into plug wells and causing misfires. The rear bank is particularly difficult to access in the Y33 engine bay.

Symptoms to notice

Oil leaks visible beneath engine
Engine misfire or rough idle

What to check

Check for oil leaks around valve covers, sump and gaskets.
Inspect coolant condition and level.

Parts involved: Rocker / valve cover.

03VQ30DET Intercooler Pipe Split Under Boost

With engine at operating temperature, firmly accelerate from 2000rpm and listen for a boost hiss or puffing sound from the engine bay.petrol1999–2004EngineCan't confirm for this car$150–$500

CommonEngine $150–$500 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The intercooler charge pipes on the VQ30DET are connected with rubber joiners that harden and crack with age and heat cycling. A split joiner releases boost pressure under acceleration, causing a sudden flat spot and loss of turbo response. The fault is easy to diagnose as the pressure escapes with an audible hiss under hard acceleration.

Symptoms to notice

Sudden flat spot and loss of power under hard acceleration with an audible hiss from the engine bay
Power returning to normal immediately after releasing the throttle as the pipe reseals under reduced pressure

What to check

With engine at operating temperature, firmly accelerate from 2000rpm and listen for a boost hiss or puffing sound from the engine bay. Inspect all intercooler pipe rubber joiners for cracking, splitting, or oil residue at the joints indicating a pressurised leak.

Where to look: Intercooler charge pipes and rubber joiners between intercooler and throttle body

Parts involved: Turbocharger.

Ask the seller

“Has the vq30det intercooler pipe split under been inspected or repaired?”

045-Speed Automatic Transmission Torque Converter Shudder

Test drive at 80-100 km/h with very light throttle and feel for rhythmic vibration through the seat and floor.petrol1999–2004TransmissionCan't confirm for this car$400–$2,500

CommonTransmission $400–$2,500 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The 5-speed RE5R01A automatic transmission develops torque converter lock-up clutch shudder under light throttle at highway speed. The friction material on the lock-up clutch wears and glazes, causing a rhythmic vibration at 60-100 km/h under light cruise throttle.

A cutaway automatic transmission torque converter showing the internal turbine and stator. — A torque converter, sectioned. The lock-up clutch inside is what shudders.
No machine-readable author provided. BerndB~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims). · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Symptoms to notice

Rhythmic vibration felt at 60-100 km/h under very light throttle that clears when accelerating firmly
ATF that is brown or has a burnt smell indicates degraded fluid contributing to clutch shudder

What to check

Test drive at 80-100 km/h with very light throttle and feel for rhythmic vibration through the seat and floor. The shudder clears under firm acceleration. A transmission fluid change with fresh Nissan Matic-J ATF often reduces shudder temporarily.

Where to look: 5-speed automatic transmission and torque converter

Parts involved: Torque converter.

Ask the seller

“Has the 5-speed automatic transmission torque converter been inspected or repaired?”

Other Nissan models

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Nissan Gloria buyer questions

Is the Nissan Gloria reliable?

Like any used car, it depends on the specific example and its service history. Across the 8 documented faults for the Nissan Gloria, the recurring problem areas are transmission, engine, and suspension. A Nissan Gloria with a full service history and no signs of the issues listed on this page can be a sound buy but each one needs to be checked individually before you commit.

What are the most common problems with a used Nissan Gloria?

We've catalogued 8 known faults for the Nissan Gloria, covering transmission, engine, and suspension. All 8 are written out in full on this page, with the symptoms to notice, what to inspect, and typical repair costs for each. Free to read, no account needed.

How much do repairs cost on a Nissan Gloria?

Most single repairs on the Nissan Gloria fall between $350–$900 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 8 documented faults cost less and a few cost considerably more, and no one car needs them all. Knowing which ones to look for before you view is what lets you negotiate the price down or walk away.

Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a Nissan Gloria?

Yes. A Nissan Gloria inspection focused on its known weak points is the single best way to avoid an expensive mistake. KickTyres gives you a guided, model-specific inspection plus a market valuation and negotiation figure for $24.90 far less than the cost of missing one of the faults on this page.