Nissan X-Trail T32 common problems: what to check before you buy

2013–2014 · petrol · Engine

What to look for: Ask for the recall record, and smell for fuel and look for wet fuel around the fuel rail at idle.

Why it matters: The recall hazard is a fuel leak near an ignition source (fire).

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2010–2017 · MR20DD · Electrical

What to look for: Listen at the front of the engine for a whine or rattle, and watch for a flashing idle-stop or charge light.

Why it matters: MLIT recall 5268 (27 January 2023) covers 275,424 Serena (DBA-FC26, DBA-FNC26, DBA-NC26, DBA-C26) and X-Trail (DBA-NT32, DBA-T32) built 20 Sept 2010 to 2 June 2017, and recall 5269 covers a further 246,833 Serena S-Hybrid (DAA-HC26, DAA-HFC26). The notification states the ECO motor's internal bearing seal specification is wrong, debris enters, the bearing breaks, the motor fails and the engine stops;

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2015–2016 · hybrid · Brakes

What to look for: Check the ABS and stability warning lights go out, and look around the ABS unit with a torch for wet fluid.

Why it matters: MLIT recall 3958 (16 December 2016) covers 15,549 X-Trail (DAA-HNT32) and 2,569 (DAA-HT32) built 20 April to 3 Dec 2015. The notification states the gear pump oil seal was moulded at the wrong temperature and is too soft, brake fluid permeates the seal, fluid leaks into the actuator and reaches the circuit board, the ABS and VDC lamps light and those functions stop, and in the worst case the circuit shorts and…

Sources: 1

2015–2020 · hybrid · Electrical

What to look for: Look with a torch where the wiring passes the engine computer bracket for a shiny worn patch or bare wire.

Why it matters: MLIT recall 5035 (22 October 2021) covers 13,667 X-Trail (DAA-HT32) and 50,449 (DAA-HNT32) built 20 April 2015 to 24 Aug 2020 - most of the hybrid T32 production run. The notification states the engine bay harness routing leaves insufficient clearance to the engine control unit bracket, the harness rubs on the bracket, the insulation is scraped away, the wire shorts and in the worst case the engine stops while…

Sources: 1 2

2015–2019 · hybrid · Brakes

What to look for: Check the brake warning light goes out, then press the pedal firmly several times, feeling for it going hard.

Why it matters: MLIT recall 5192 (29 July 2022) covers 11,724 X-Trail (DAA-HT32) and 44,884 (DAA-HNT32), hybrid only, built 20 April 2015 to 12 June 2019. The notification states the hydraulic pump motor part specification in the electric brake booster is inappropriate, repeated braking breaks the wiring inside the motor, hydraulic pressure falls short, the brake warning lamp lights followed by an audible warning, and continued use…

Sources: 1 2

2014–2016 · QR25DE · petrol · Gearbox

What to look for: Check Drive and Reverse engage within 3 seconds, then feel for shake or bumps pulling away gently to 60 km/h.

Why it matters: P17F0 calls for a complete CVT replacement under the bulletin; P17F1 requires a borescope belt inspection and at minimum a valve body. Either changes the buy price.

Sources: 1 2 3

2010–2014 · petrol · Engine

What to look for: Ask about rough running or stalling on cold mornings, and ask for the fuel pump campaign record.

Why it matters: MLIT recall 3248 (1 November 2013) covers 251,876 Serena for a high-pressure fuel pump whose cover shape lets driving-wind chill freeze water in the fuel at the pump filter, blocking it, lighting the warning lamp and making the engine run unevenly.

Sources: 1 2

2015 · hybrid · Hybrid and EV

What to look for: Drive at a very slow crawl after slowing into EV mode, and watch for a warning light or loss of drive.

Why it matters: MLIT recall 3631 (11 September 2015) covers 8,474 X-Trail (DAA-HNT32) and 1,285 (DAA-HT32) built 20 April to 18 Aug 2015. The notification states, first, that the connector terminals on the lithium-ion battery controller harness were inspected wrongly and the gap is too wide, so vibration causes a poor contact and in the worst case the engine and motor stop while driving;

Sources: 1

2017–2019 · hybrid · Hybrid and EV

What to look for: Ask if the car has ever briefly lost drive, and ask for the hybrid software update record.

Why it matters: MLIT recall 4682 (6 March 2020) covers 20,357 X-Trail (DAA-HNT32) and 6,551 (DAA-HT32) built 28 March 2017 to 23 Aug 2019. The notification states the motor drive control program in the hybrid powertrain control module is inappropriate, a communication fault with the engine control unit puts the car into fail-safe, drive is not transmitted and the car temporarily cannot be driven.

Sources: 1 2

2013–2022 · Body and structure

What to look for: Lift the front carpets and check for damp, and look in the fusebox area for water staining.

Why it matters: Parkers warns the water can saturate the fusebox and wiring, causing electrical faults later; US owners report mould, rusted seat frames, wet carpets and power-steering and dash faults. Drains should be cleared with a thin flexible probe from the front corners above the windscreen; rear drains are harder.

Sources: 1 2 3

2013–2022 · MR20DD · petrol · Gearbox

What to look for: Accelerate gently from a stop and feel for a rhythmic judder or shudder through the seat and pedals.

Why it matters: The documented bulletins name the 2.5, but the 2.0 is reported with the same symptoms in owner Q&As: shudder pulling away, jerking around 2,000 rpm at 60-80 km/h, slipping and noise, caused by belt slip or a faulty valve body. Parkers advises testing every X-Trail automatic for judder moving away, slip under acceleration and grinding or scraping noises.

Sources: 1 2 3

2014–2016 · Body and structure

What to look for: Check the tailgate stays up fully on its own, and look for rust on both gas struts near the ends.

Why it matters: The recall hazard is head injury from a falling tailgate; struts are inexpensive but a recall fix is free.

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