Nissan Presage: common faults & what to check

Which Nissan Presage are you looking at?

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

Petrol

2 variants documented

2003–2010U312003–2010U312.5 petrolPetrolDocumented issues10 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: TTTNIS via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain.

2003–2010U312003–2010U313.5 V6 petrolPetrolDocumented issues10 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: TTTNIS via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain.

Engine not documented

1 variant documented

1998–2004U301998–2004U30Engine not documented for this generationEngine not documentedDocumented issues6 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: TTTNIS via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain.

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 Presage

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 Presage before you hand over any money. Every documented fault is listed below, each with its own page.

• Serious issue

  Check the oil filler cap for creamy or milky residue indicating coolant mixing with oil.

  See why

  KA24DE 2.4L Head Gasket Failure (U30 Presage)

  The KA24DE engine in the U30 Presage is susceptible to head gasket failure on high-mileage examples with a history of overheating or infrequent coolant changes. Failure modes include external coolant seepage between block and head, combustion gases entering the coolant circuit, or coolant entering the combustion chamber. Often triggered by a failed thermostat or water pump leading to an overheating event.

  What you would notice

  • White steam from exhaust particularly when cold or after startup
  • Coolant loss without visible external leak
  • Milky or creamy residue on the oil filler cap
  • Engine temperature gauge running toward the hot end
  • Bubbles in the coolant reservoir when engine is running

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

• Costly issue

  Inspect the dust boots for cracking or tearing.

  See why

  Brake Caliper Guide Pin Corrosion and Seizure

  The sliding-type disc brake calipers fitted to the Presage front and rear axles rely on two hardened steel guide pins to allow the caliper body to slide laterally so that equal clamping force is applied through both the piston-side and reaction-side brake pads. The guide pin rubber dust boots degrade with age and allow water and road salt to enter the steel-pin-to-aluminium-bracket interface, promoting galvanic corrosion. Once a guide pin seizes, the caliper can no longer retract after brake application, maintaining continuous drag pressure on the disc that overheats the pad and rotor on that corner and generates asymmetric braking bias.

  What you would notice

  • Vehicle pulling to one side under braking as the seized caliper applies higher clamping force on that corner
  • Severely uneven brake pad wear on one caliper with the inner pad significantly more worn than the outer, or one side of the axle more worn than the other
  • Brake drag, wheel overheating, and in advanced cases a burning smell from the affected corner after normal driving

  Typically $150–$900 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Test drive from both cold and operating temperature.

  See why

  QR25DE Jatco CVT Belt Slip from Fluid Degradation

  The QR25DE-equipped Presage U31 uses a Jatco CVT that is sensitive to fluid condition. CVT fluid degradation from extended service intervals causes variator belt slip under load, presenting as a juddering or shuddering sensation between 30–60 km/h during light acceleration. Left unserviced, belt slip causes wear of the steel push-belt and pulley surfaces, rendering the transmission unrepairable without a full rebuild or replacement unit. NZ-imported examples frequently have CVT fluid that has never been changed despite age and mileage.

  What you would notice

  • Shuddering or juddering between 30–60 km/h during light throttle
  • Hesitation or stumble during acceleration from rest
  • RPM flare without corresponding vehicle acceleration
  • Transmission overheating warning in severe cases

  Typically $200–$6,000 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Listen carefully for chain rattle at cold startup, scan for timing correlation codes, and check service history for chain replacement.

  See why

  QR25DE timing chain stretch / rattle

  The U31 Presage's QR25DE 2.5 engine is prone to timing chain stretch and guide wear, producing a rattle on cold start and eventual VVT and running issues. A known weakness of this engine family.

  What you would notice

  • Rattle on cold start
  • Check engine light with cam/crank codes
  • Rough idle
  • Reduced power

  Typically $1,200–$3,500 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Cold-start the engine and listen for a metallic slapping rattle from the timing cover that settles after oil pressure builds.

  See why

  KA24DE Timing Chain Stretch and Guide Rail Wear

  The KA24DE 2.4-litre chain-driven DOHC engine is susceptible to primary timing chain elongation as mileage accumulates, particularly when oil change intervals exceed 7,500 km or when low oil pressure conditions have occurred. Chain stretch causes the plastic guide rails and tensioner blade to wear prematurely, allowing the chain to slap against the timing cover and progressively retard intake and exhaust cam timing, resulting in rough idle, power loss, and eventual cam position fault codes.

  What you would notice

  • Metallic rattling or slapping noise from timing cover on cold start that may persist at idle
  • Rough idle and hesitation under acceleration, worsening progressively as chain wear advances
  • Check Engine light with camshaft position sensor or variable cam timing fault codes
  • Reduced power output and increased fuel consumption due to retarded cam timing

  Typically $900–$2,000 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Inspect each rear lateral link and trailing arm bush visually for cracking, splitting, or rubber extruding from the metal sleeve.

  See why

  Rear Multi-Link Suspension Bush Deterioration and Collapse

  The rear suspension on both U30 and U31 Presage models uses a multi-link arrangement with rubber bushes pressed into the lateral links, toe-control arms, and trailing arm pivot mounts. The rubber compound hardens and cracks with age and exposure to UV radiation, ozone, and the heat cycles generated by the exhaust system running nearby. As the bushes collapse they allow uncontrolled lateral movement of the rear wheel carriers during cornering and braking loads, causing rear-wheel toe and camber to deviate from specification. The result is degraded high-speed stability, accelerated tyre wear, and a vague or wandering steering response at highway speeds.

  What you would notice

  • Rear-end wander or instability at motorway speeds, requiring constant minor steering corrections to maintain lane
  • Rapid and uneven rear tyre wear, concentrated on the inner edge due to uncorrected camber or toe change
  • Knocking or thumping from the rear suspension over road imperfections as collapsed bushes allow metal-on-metal contact

  Typically $600–$1,600 to put right.

What these repairs cost on other cars

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

• Timing Chain Replacement Cost
• CVT Gearbox Repair Cost
• Head Gasket Repair Cost

Other Nissan models