Furious customers urge Nissan to recall 4X4 Navaras after it emerges that major fault could see trucks snap in HALF
NISSAN was urged to recall the UK’s best-selling 4 x 4 pick-up after it emerged that a major fault could see the trucks snap in half.
Owners of Nissan Navaras — popular among builders and mums — have found severe rust which can cause cracks in the chassis.
The Japanese car firm has bought back scores of faulty trucks from drivers following inspections, but no official recall of the D40 model has been made.
The issue also affects some Pathfinder R51s, the seven-seater family car version of the Navara.
Nissan has known about the problem for a year and has been accused of keeping it “under wraps”.
An investigation by The Sun last May shamed Vauxhall into a £50million recall of 235,000 Zafira Bs which were at risk of fire.
The Transport Select Committee has been investigating the Vauxhall issue and is due to meet again on Monday.
And committee member Huw Merriman, a Tory MP, plans to raise the Nissan issue at the meeting.
He said: “To reassure the public, Nissan would be well advised to recall all affected vehicles.
“If, as they say, there are only a small amount impacted then it shouldn’t be a costly exercise in ensuring that these vehicles really are safe to be on the road.”
Committee colleague Iain Stewart, also a Tory MP, said: “I would urge Nissan to engage fully with the owners of these vehicles.”
'It could have killed my mum and dad'
HORRIFIED driver Michelle Palmer posted a picture online of her silver 2007 Navara being towed away two weeks ago.
Michelle, of Swansea, told in an accompanying message how the truck broke up. She wrote: “Sad day, but it could have killed my mum and dad, as half an hour earlier they were going 60mph on the motorway before it snapped.”
Navara owner Richy Holmes was towing a caravan to Scotland when his truck snapped with his pregnant wife and daughter aged four inside.
The 50-year-old Sunderland mechanic said of his 2015 ordeal: “I was only going a few miles an hour — I dread to think what could’ve happened if I’d been going faster.
“It’s an absolute disgrace that these vehicles are still on the roads.”
Motoring expert Matt Tumbridge, from Motoreasy, said: “If one of these breaks up at high speed it is not just the huge damage to that driver and pedestrians — it is other road users and pedestrians too.
“To make it worse, people buy these cars to carry heavy loads or trailers, which puts them under more strain and makes it more likely to happen.
“Nissan must issue a recall.”
One mechanic told The Sun he knew the rust problem was widespread, but said nothing in case Nissan stopped doing business with him.
In Australia in 2013, the firm recalled more than 40,000 Spanish-built Navaras with towbar problems.
Nissan insists this is unrelated and there has been no recall in Europe.
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The problem in the UK mainly affects Nissan Navara D40s with number plates from 2005 to 2008, which were manufactured in Spain.
There have also been reports of newer trucks being affected.
Concerned drivers can call Nissan and arrange for a free inspection.
If a fault is found, Nissan may offer repairs, buy-back at current market value or exchange.
But some drivers have complained the inspections, usually by the RAC, are inadequate — and claim some cars deemed safe then fail MOTs.
A law firm is hoping to sue Nissan on behalf of hundreds of owners.
Attwood Solicitors believes up to 35,000 Navaras are affected in the UK and 193,500 worldwide.
But Nissan “strongly disputes” the figure, insisting that only a small number of older vehicles are affected.
The car firm said: “About a year ago we became aware of this potential issue and an investigation was instigated.
“Appropriate steps have been put in place to find satisfactory resolutions for all customers.
“Many vehicles which have been checked and have had no issue.
“However should any concern be found we have a number of options in place to support the customer.”
Anyone concerned can contact the Nissan Care team on 0330 123 1231
Drive for justice
ANGRY Richy Holmes set up a Facebook page to raise awareness of the Navara break-up issues — and now has 15,000 members.
The mechanic was first offered a replacement chassis by Nissan and then £3,000 after his truck snapped during a family trip in 2015. New Navaras cost up to £29,000. Eventually Richy received nearly £10,000 — but only after he parked his vehicle outside Nissan’s Sunderland factory and dealership for months with a sign warning customers away.
'It was really dangerous... I couldn't use it'
CALLUM Holden bought his 57-plate Nissan Pathfinder last November — but by the end of December it was off the road with a split chassis.
The 24-year-old Sheffield furniture-maker said: “It was really dangerous because, without a solid structure, it was likely to crumple up in a collision.
“They should recall them, 100 per cent.”
Nissan took the car and paid him £6,500.