1998 Nissan Patrol Touring 2.8 turbo diesel

Summary:

Good, but unreliable for me

Faults:

Alternator went twice.

Clutch went at 70000 miles, I did not use this car for towing.

Air flow meter.

Glow plug relay.

At 7000 miles, it took a mind of its own about whether would start or not. It would start perfect for one week, let you down the next, could not trace the problem.

General Comments:

All in all, I found this car OK. But being a Nissan, I thought it would be more reliable.

For a car with low mileage, there were a lot of problems. Other than that, it was OK.

It did about 32 miles per gallon of diesel, which is OK for a big heavy jeep. It would cruise all day at motorway speeds, but it takes a while to get there, so not one for the boy racers.

It is huge inside, but the boot seats do restrict loading space, as you cannot take them out.

In four wheel drive it would go anywhere; better I think than a Land Rover.

I would not buy another Patrol.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th April, 2011

2003 Nissan Patrol ST 3.0 TD

Summary:

The Patrol is a great on and off-road 4x4 and is a bargain especially the 3.0 TD

Faults:

When the car was first delivered the steering wheel would constantly wobble at speeds above 80km/h. The problem was traced back to the tyre dealership where we had a set of BF Goodrich Mud Terrains fitted, they had mistakenly used a sedan wheel balancer instead of the heavy duty one required for the 4x4.

The rear large door is difficult to close and after consulting the dealer they said that it was normal and that we should just slam it shut. This is difficult to understand as the cabin doors are so easy to open and shut.

General Comments:

The Patrol is a very comfortable vehicle with great on road behavior and exceptional off-road capabilities.

The fuel consumption of the 3 liter Turbo is amazing, compared to friends with Land Cruisers we find ourselves at the gas station a lot less, with figures of 11-12l/100km on the highway and an ever so slight increase to 14-15l/100km around town we are amazed again by theses figures for such a large vehicle.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th June, 2004

2001 Nissan Patrol 3.0 TD GR 5dr 3.0TD

Summary:

Very capable - WHEN ITS RUNNING

Faults:

We have now had 3 engines fitted in 3 years, and now this 3rd engine is overheating badly.

We have had 2 gearboxes fitted, and now this 2nd gearbox is beginning to clunk into reverse gear, the same as the other 2 gearboxes.

We have fitted a new ECU just 9 months ago.

We fitted a new radiator 9 months ago.

We have just fitted a new a/c condenser unit.

General Comments:

This vehicle should be a total embarressment to Nissan, but the service and back up from them has been very poor, their general attitude has been to try and avoid any commitment whatsoever to this vehicle and its problems.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 30th May, 2004

2nd Jan 2009, 10:36

I own an 01 PATROL, and have owned several Jeeps and Toyotas, but the Patrol is on top of them all.

I have 350 000 km in mine, and with no problems whatsoever except some bushings and a clutch plate, but those were quite cheap to replace.

I go off-roading daily, and it performs exceptional (may I add quite better than some tractors), so out of 10 I give the Patrol a solid 9 because it has everything it needs to be a good solid vehicle off road as well as on road, but it's a bit too rigid on road.

22nd Apr 2012, 00:19

The 3.0 litre turbo diesel has a very well documented history of engine failure. It seems to be a problem with one of the sensors carboning up, then inaccurate readings are sent, causing the engine to run lean, overheating, then cracking pistons. If you replace the motor but not the sensor, the same problem will occur. Research 4wd forums for 5 minutes to read case after case of 3.0 turbo diesel problems. In Australia, 2nd hand 3.0 diesels are worth half what the older bigger 6 cylinder diesels are worth, because the old motors are in such high demand.

In reply to 22nd Apr 2012, 00:19

28th Feb 2014, 10:32

Hi, my name is Premdeep Karthak (aka JIMI). I am from Kathmandu Nepal!!

My first Nissan Patrol was a 1984 SWB with the SD 33 motor, and it was built tough, but the engine was horrible!

Then I managed to buy a 1990 Nissan Patrol LWB Y60 model with the TD 42 engine, and then after that that I bought a 2001 model Patrol with the ZD 30 (3.0 litre turbo).

I must say that the only good Patrol, which is the best they have made, is the Y60 model with the TD 42 six cylinder engine... the one with the 3.0 litre engine was a big disappointment as the diesel filter kept clogging for no reason! This engine was too complex and never really gave the optimum performance... I say NISSAN should go back to the drawing board and build the Y60 versions with engines like the hardy TD 42 straight six diesel engines! The 3.0 engines are very bad.

In reply to 28th Feb 2014, 10:32

28th Feb 2014, 13:19

They never will - because those engines do not comply with current and future emissions regulations.