Nissan NV350: common faults & what to check

Which Nissan NV350 are you looking at?

2 generation variants documented. Pick the shape you recognise: the faults, the servicing and the timeline below all narrow to it. Free, no account needed.

Engine not documented

2 variants documented

2001–2012E252001–2012E25Engine not documented for this generationEngine not documentedDocumented issues3 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: TTTNIS via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain.

2012–nowE262012–nowE26Engine not documented for this generationEngine not documentedDocumented issues10 knownSee faults & what to checkKickTyres illustration, not a photograph.

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.

Start your free check on this Nissan NV350

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.

The checks worth doing on a Nissan NV350 before you hand over any money. Every documented fault is listed below, each with its own page.

• Costly issue

  Inspect the EGR valve body for carbon deposits if accessible.

  See why

  YD25DDTi EGR Valve Carbon Blockage

  The YD25DDTi 2.5L common-rail diesel EGR valve progressively accumulates carbon from recirculated exhaust gases, particularly in vehicles used for urban delivery work with frequent stop-start cycles. A heavily blocked EGR valve restricts intake airflow, causing rough idle, black smoke under acceleration, and reduced power. New Zealand's large population of ex-JDM commercial Caravans are especially susceptible given stop-start urban driving patterns common in Japanese fleet service.

  What you would notice

  • Rough or lumpy idle especially when fully warmed up
  • Black smoke from exhaust under acceleration
  • Engine management light with EGR flow restriction codes
  • Reduced throttle response and power output

  Typically $500–$1,400 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Listen for cold-start chain rattle before oil pressure builds.

  See why

  QR25DE Timing Chain Stretch and Plastic Guide Wear

  The QR25DE 2.5L petrol engine fitted to NV350 petrol Caravans is susceptible to timing chain stretch and plastic guide degradation, particularly after 150,000 km and where oil change intervals have been extended. A worn chain causes a cold-start rattle that clears as oil pressure builds. In severe cases the chain can skip timing, causing valve contact and potential internal engine damage. The QR25DE's chain wear is documented broadly across the Nissan family sharing this engine — X-Trail, Altima, Teana.

  What you would notice

  • Cold-start rattle from front of engine clearing within 10-20 seconds
  • Cam timing fault codes P0011 or P0021 stored
  • Rough idle when cold
  • Marginal loss of fuel efficiency or power

  Typically $1,200–$2,800 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Test handbrake effectiveness on a slope.

  See why

  Rear Drum Brake Adjuster Seizure

  Rear drum brake self-adjusting mechanisms on the NV350 Caravan corrode and seize in NZ's coastal and high-humidity environments, particularly on vehicles used infrequently or stored near the coast. Seized adjusters prevent compensating for shoe wear, resulting in excessive pedal travel, poor handbrake holding, and uneven braking. Drum removal for adjuster replacement and shoe inspection is required. This is a routine but commonly ignored fault on NZ commercial van stock.

  What you would notice

  • Handbrake lever requiring excessive travel to hold on a slope
  • Increasing brake pedal travel before vehicle decelerates
  • Vehicle pulling to one side under gentle brake application
  • Grinding or groaning from rear on brake engagement

  Typically $300–$750 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Hydraulic timing chain tensioner loses prime causing metallic rattle at cold start on the YD25.

  See why

  YD25 Timing Chain Tensioner Cold-Start Rattle

  Hydraulic timing chain tensioner loses prime causing metallic rattle at cold start on the YD25.

  What you would notice

  • Hydraulic timing chain tensioner loses prime causing metallic rattle at cold start on the YD25.
  • Confirm with pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic
• Costly issue

  Frequent loading and braking in commercial use causes guide pins to seize, causing uneven pad wear and pulling under braking.

  See why

  Front Brake Caliper Guide Pin Seizure from Commercial Use

  Frequent loading and braking in commercial use causes guide pins to seize, causing uneven pad wear and pulling under braking.

  What you would notice

  • Frequent loading and braking in commercial use causes guide pins to seize, causing uneven pad wear and pulling under bra
  • Confirm with pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic
• Costly issue

  Rear leaf spring main blade develops fatigue cracks at the main eye under sustained commercial loads.

  See why

  Rear Leaf Spring Main Eye Fatigue Crack

  Rear leaf spring main blade develops fatigue cracks at the main eye under sustained commercial loads.

  What you would notice

  • Rear leaf spring main blade develops fatigue cracks at the main eye under sustained commercial loads.
  • Confirm with pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic

What these repairs cost on other cars

Some of the Nissan NV350’s documented faults are repairs other models share. Each page lists the documented NZ cost for every model it affects.

• Timing Chain Replacement Cost
• EGR Valve and Cooler Repair Cost

Other Nissan models