Nissan Navara D23 Common Problems: An Owner’s Guide
The D23 Navara, also sold as the NP300, arrived in 2015 and changed a lot about how a Navara drives. Dual cab models with the factory tub got coil springs at the back in place of leaf springs, and there was a new 2.3 litre diesel, available with one turbo or two. It’s a comfortable, capable ute, and it has a few known weak points that are worth understanding.
Here are the ones we check for when a D23 comes into our Stratton workshop.
Key summary
Early D23s sag at the back and feel vague when loaded. Nissan reworked the rear springs in later updates.
Oil leaks are common, particularly from the rear main seal and gearbox seals.
On twin-turbo models, the bottom radiator hose can rub against the drive belt pulley and wear through.
Like any modern diesel, the DPF needs regular highway driving to stay clear.
Nissan’s service interval is every 12 months or 20,000 km. If you tow or drive on dirt, servicing more often is worth it.
Rear sag and vague handling under load
The coil spring rear end gives the D23 a better ride than most utes when it’s empty. The trade-off on early models was how they handled a load. Put real weight in the tray or hitch up a heavy trailer and the rear could squat noticeably, with the steering going light and vague.
Nissan responded in its updates. The 2018 update brought new dual-pitch rear springs and an extra rebound damper, designed to stay comfortable when empty and hold up better when loaded.
What helps: on an early D23 that carries or tows a lot, check the springs and shocks, and talk to us about heavier-rated springs or helper airbags. Make sure any upgrade is rated for the weight you actually carry.
Oil leaks
This is one of the most common things we find on D23s. The usual suspects are:
The rear main seal, between the engine and gearbox
Gearbox and transfer case output seals
The sump gasket and timing cover seal
Oil around the turbo pipes and intake hoses
A small weep isn’t an emergency, but leaks only get worse, and oil dripping onto hot exhaust parts is something to fix. We check underneath at every service and let you know what we see and how urgent it is.
The radiator hose on twin-turbo models
This one is easy to miss and expensive to ignore. On twin-turbo D23s, the bottom radiator hose can sit close enough to the drive belt pulley to rub. Over time the rubbing wears through the hose, coolant escapes, and an engine that loses its coolant can overheat and be badly damaged.
What helps: have the hose and its clearance checked at every service, and replace or reroute it at the first sign of wear. If your temperature gauge ever climbs or you spot coolant under the ute, stop and get it checked.
DPF and short trips
The 2.3 diesel uses a diesel particulate filter (DPF) that traps soot and burns it off when the exhaust is hot enough. A Navara that only does short trips never gets the filter hot enough to clean itself, and eventually a warning light comes on.
What helps: a run at highway speed every week or two. If the warning light comes on and a highway drive doesn’t clear it, book it in sooner rather than later. Carbon also builds up in the intake on high-kilometre diesels, and our diesel system clean is built for that.
Timing chain
The 2.3 diesel uses a timing chain, not a belt, so there’s no set replacement interval. Chains last well when the oil is changed on time. They wear faster when oil changes are stretched. A rattle for the first few seconds after a cold start is the warning sign, and it’s worth getting checked before it gets louder.
Check for open recalls
The D23 has had several recalls over the years. They include ignition switches on some 2017 models and steering knuckle bolts on some June to July 2020 builds. You can enter your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au to see if any apply to your Navara, and any Nissan dealer will do recall work for free.
Navara D23 service schedule
Nissan’s interval is every 12 months or 20,000 km. That’s fine for a ute that mostly does highway kilometres. If you tow, drive on dirt or do lots of short trips, changing the oil more often is cheap insurance for the turbos and the timing chain. At service time, the items that matter most are:
Engine oil and filter
Diesel fuel filter at the logbook interval
Air filter, sooner if you drive on dirt
Coolant and brake fluid at their set intervals
A check underneath for oil leaks and the radiator hose on twin-turbo models
Differential and transfer case oils on 4x4s
More on this in our post on how often to service a diesel ute.
Frequently asked questions
Is the D23 Navara a good ute?
Yes, for most owners. It rides well and is good value. Keep up with servicing, keep an eye out for leaks, and on early models upgrade the rear suspension if you carry heavy loads.
What’s the difference between the single-turbo and twin-turbo Navara?
Both use the same 2.3 litre diesel. The twin-turbo version makes more power and torque and was fitted to the higher-spec models. The radiator hose issue above applies to twin-turbo models.
Why is my Navara sitting low at the back?
On early D23s, the rear springs were soft for heavy loads. Tired shocks or springs can make it worse with age. We can check them and recommend an upgrade that suits what you carry.
Can you do my Navara logbook service?
Yes. We do logbook services on all makes, and an independent service keeps your new car warranty intact as long as the schedule is followed.
Book your Navara in
If you’ve noticed a leak, a sag or a rattle, or you’re just due for a service, we’ll take a proper look and give you a quote before any work starts.
Auto Response is at 177 O’Connor Road, Stratton, open Monday to Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Book online or call (08) 9250 2266 and tell us it’s a Navara.
