The first two generations of the Nissan X-Trail (T30 and T31) were slightly rugged-looking, angular affairs that screamed ‘workhorse’ but for the third-generation car (the T32), the Japanese firm made it sleek, luxurious and fitted it with optional third-row seats.
Nissan has a pretty good reputation where reliability is concerned, no matter whether the diesel dCi engine is fitted, or the DiG-T or naturally aspirated petrols. But the X-Trail isn’t perfect, and suffers a number of irritating common glitches. However, in the main, these issues are nothing for the home mechanic to fear.
All you need to do is download our Haynes X-Trail Autofix and we’ll guide you through the diagnosis and repair of most issues, saving you hundreds of dollars on usual garage bills.
What recalls has the Nissan X-Trail been subject to in Australia?
In Australia, only the T30 X-Trail Mk1 was recalled (for Takata airbag issues). Neither the T31 or T32 X-Trails (Mk2 and Mk3) were recalled here.
What common problems does the Mk3 X-Trail have?
The X Trail can unexpectedly cause its ABS and ESP warning lights to illuminate, which is going to look very expensive indeed. In reality, it shouldn’t be because it’s simply a dodgy earth.
A number of owners have reported the malfunction indicator light illuminating, and the fault being a faulty fuel injector.
The air-conditioning system on the X-Trail T32 is also prone to the odd hiccup, and you may need to replace its control unit.
Sometimes, the X-Trail Mk3 fitted with the 2.0-litre dCi engine can be difficult to start. A camshaft issue can be the cause. And the X-Trail fitted with the 2.5-litre engine can stall suddenly when warmed up.
Finally, the seatbelts can sometimes fail to latch properly.
The X Trail ABS and ESP warning lights are showing. Why?
Driving along in your X-Trail Mk3 and suddenly seeing the ABS and ESP warning lights aglow in the instrument panel is going to cause concern. It’s certainly going to make you take extra care on the rest of the journey.
The good news is that the fault doesn’t actually lie in either of these systems.
In fact, it’s an electrical problem, caused by poor electrical continuity in the left-hand engine mount earth cable.
Even better, your Haynes X-Trail Autofix or Haynes Manual can show you where the earth cable is sited; if it has worked its way loose then you’ll simply need to tighten it up.
However, if it’s as tight as the day it left the factory, then you’d be wise to replace the cable.
Is my X Trail’s fuel injection faulty?
A malfunction indicator light (MIL) lighting up in your X Trail Mk3 is never a good sign.
First things first, you need to find out why it’s lit up, so you need to plug in a fault-code reader.
If this displays the code P062B, then the issue lies with either a faulty injector, faulty wiring or a duff engine ECU.
So, delete the fault code, switch the key to position ‘0’ and disconnect the injector wiring. Then tun on the ignition – if the fault reoccurs, then the ECIU is the source.
If it doesn’t, then switch off and connect one injector, before turning the ignition back on. Go through each injector like this to pin down the faulty injector. Then check the wiring. If the wiring is fine, replace the injector.
The Haynes X-Trail Autofix will be able to guide you through how to carry out the replacement procedure.
Does the X-Trail have air-con problems?
You can guarantee that you’ll find out that the air-con system on your Nissan X-Trail T32 isn’t working precisely when you need it to be – on a sweltering day.
However, it can pack up without warning. First up, you should plug in a fault-code reader. If the code shown is B24A1, then it’s likely the electronic control unit for the air-conditioning system that’s at fault.
First up, check the power supply to the control unit, and make sure any earth connection is solid. Delete the fault codes, then switch the system on. If the fault reappears, then the control unit is at fault and will need to be replaced.
And the X Trail Autofix or Haynes Manual will be there to help you along the way.
Why won’t the Nissan X Trail start?
If your X-Trail Mk3 suddenly proves difficult to start, and causes an engine warning light to illuminate, you need to quickly get to the source of the issue. So, plug in a fault-code reader to the OBD II port. If the code is P0340, it signifies a camshaft position fault, and if it’s P2263 then it’s a turbocharger fault.
Before you go any further, you need to make sure that the camshaft and crankshaft are still synchronised, which Haynes' X-Trail Autofix or Manual can help with.
If the engine is still synchronised, remove the valve cover and check the condition of the camshaft – it may be damaged. If it is, you’ll need to replace it, which will be a long job but which the Autofix can assist you with.
My X-Trail’s engine keeps stalling
It may start ok, but once the engine is fully warmed through it can suddenly stall. And it won’t restart until it’s cooled down again. Then you can get it running once more, but once it warm – stall. Annoying.
A fault-code reader is your first port of call. If it shows the code P0340 then you’ll know that the fault isn’t an engine issue, instead it’s a dodgy camshaft position sensor.
Check the wiring for the sensor, and if it’s fine, then it’s time to replace the sensor itself. This is a quick and easy task that the Haynes X-Trail Autofix can guide you through.
Finally, just delete the fault codes and all should be well – even when warmed up.
The Nissan X-Trail seatbelts won’t latch
Seatbelts play a vital role in safety, because they stop you hurtling forward in a crash. And they’re designed to work in tandem with the car’s airbags. So, any X Trail seatbelt issue is a big problem.
And that’s why it’s a concern that the seatbelts in the T32 X-Trail can unlatch themselves on occasion. The most common cause is that the car tends to be used by families, and children tend to drop things. These things can sometimes end up inside the latch, preventing it from closing properly.
If the latch refuses to shut, then you need to check it for foreign objects. If there’s something in there and you can’t get it out in situ, then you’ll need to remove the buckle and latch from the vehicle, which is a simple enough task. Just follow the steps and you’ll soon have fully functioning seatbelts once more.
