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Buying guide

Nissan Navara D23 NP300 (2014 to now): buying guide, problems and NZ numbers

The Nissan Navara D23 NP300 has been built since 2014 as a ute, with a manual or automatic gearbox, rear wheel drive or four wheel drive and diesel or petrol power. Chassis codes: D23 and NP300. Redline has a curated guide to its 6 most reported weak points, from owner club and specialist sources.

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Key facts

Years
2014 to now
Chassis codes
D23, NP300
Body types
Ute
Gearboxes
Manual, Automatic
Drive
RWD (rear wheel drive), 4WD (four wheel drive)
Fuel
Diesel, Petrol

On NZ roads

Counting every one on the NZ register. The first look can take up to 15 seconds.

Known weak points

Curated by Redline from owner club and specialist sources Commonly reported by owners and specialists for the Nissan Navara D23 NP300 (2015 to present). Not every car has these; check this one.

  1. Rear coil springs (Series 1)

    The rear coil spring suspension on early utes sags under heavy loads or persistent towing, which also makes the steering light and vague. Nissan fitted uprated springs from the Series 2 update.

    Where to look
    The rear coil springs and bump stops, and the build date
    How to test
    Look at how the rear sits unladen. Ask what it has carried and towed and whether uprated springs have been fitted.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    Medium cost uprated springs and shocks

    Sources: carsales.com.au (opens in a new tab), unsealed4x4.com.au (opens in a new tab)

  2. Engine oil leaks

    Oil leaks are the main engine issue, most often from the sump gasket, the rear main seal and the transmission outputs.

    Where to look
    The sump gasket, the join between engine and gearbox and the transmission output seals
    How to test
    Look underneath with a torch for wet oil and drips.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    Medium cost gaskets and seals; the rear main is a gearbox off job

    Sources: carsales.com.au (opens in a new tab), unsealed4x4.com.au (opens in a new tab)

  3. Turbo

    Turbo failures are an ever present threat and hard to spot until close to failing. One turbo pipe seal can only be replaced with the whole pipe from Nissan.

    Where to look
    The turbo, the boost hoses and the dump pipe
    How to test
    Watch for smoke, listen for a whistle when backing off and feel for reluctance to accelerate. Look for oil round the boost pipes.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    High cost a replacement turbo

    Sources: carsales.com.au (opens in a new tab), unsealed4x4.com.au (opens in a new tab)

  4. Lower radiator hose recall

    The lower radiator hose can rub on a pulley, and there has been a recall.

    Where to look
    The lower radiator hose near the engine pulleys
    How to test
    Look at the hose for rubbing marks and ask for proof the recall work was done.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    Low cost recall work is free at a Nissan dealer

    Sources: unsealed4x4.com.au (opens in a new tab)

  5. Body control module and accessory wiring

    The body control module is described as touchy, so aftermarket lights should be wired by a qualified auto electrician.

    Where to look
    Any light bar or accessory wiring, and the in dash display
    How to test
    Check who wired any accessories and test every function on the in dash display.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    Medium cost electrical diagnosis

    Sources: unsealed4x4.com.au (opens in a new tab), carsales.com.au (opens in a new tab)

  6. Chassis and 4WD use

    A few owners report bent chassis parts after overloading, caravan towing or fast corrugations, and using 4WD high range on dry hard surfaces can damage the driveline.

    Where to look
    The chassis rails and the 4WD selector
    How to test
    Look along the chassis rails for bends or kinks and ask how the 4WD has been used and what it has towed.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    High cost chassis or driveline repairs

    Sources: carsales.com.au (opens in a new tab), unsealed4x4.com.au (opens in a new tab)

General guidance from owner and specialist sources. Check the specific car with an independent inspection. Researched 4 November 2026.

What the cost bands mean
  • Low: a small job. Typically a few hundred dollars or less at an NZ workshop, often a DIY fix.
  • Medium: a proper workshop job. Typically several hundred to a couple of thousand dollars.
  • High: a major job. Typically several thousand dollars or more, enough to change what the car is worth.

Service items

  • Service: every 20,000 km on the Nissan Australia schedule; Unsealed 4X4 suggests about 10,000 km for towing, off road or hard use. The diesel works hard in ute use. (unsealed4x4.com.au (opens in a new tab))

Questions to ask the seller

  • Is it a Series 1 or a later ute with the uprated rear springs?
  • What has it towed or carried?
  • Has the lower radiator hose recall been done?
  • Who wired any light bars or accessories?
  • Has the turbo been replaced?

US recalls

Looking up US recall data.

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