Crossover Nissan Terrano second generation (2014–2023), built on the platform Renault Duster, has gained popularity due to its affordable price, high ground clearance and unpretentiousness. However, behind the external simplicity and reliability, serious problems are hidden, which appear after 50–80 thousand kilometers. Owners often encounter body corrosion, automatic transmission malfunctions And electronic glitches, which are not always covered by the warranty.
In this article we will look at 7 most common disadvantages of Nissan Terrano, confirmed by statistics from service centers and reviews from owners on forums Drive2, Drom.ru And Auto.ru. You will find out which components fail first, how much their repair costs and what to look for when buying a used one. Terrano. And if you are already an owner, you will find ways to extend the life of your car without extra costs.
1. Body corrosion: why Terrano rusts faster than its competitors
The main scourge Nissan Terrano — weak anti-corrosion treatment. The problem affects all body parts, but is especially vulnerable:
- 🚗 Thresholds — rust appears after 2–3 years, even with careful use.
- 🚪 Doors (especially the lower part) - water accumulates in the drainage holes, accelerating corrosion.
- 🔧 trunk lid - often rots from the inside due to poor sealing of the seals.
- 🛠️ Spars — they rust when the paintwork is damaged, since the metal does not have a zinc coating.
According to Autostat, every third Terrano Models from 2014–2017 show signs of corrosion already after 100 thousand kilometers. The reason is savings on galvanizing: instead of full coating, the manufacturer only used partial galvanization of critical areas, which does not protect against chips and reagents. Owners from regions with salty winters (Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk) encounter a problem already in the second year of operation.
⚠️ Attention: When buying used Terrano be sure to check the sills and bottom endoscope — external inspection will not show hidden corrosion. If there is already rust, repairs will cost 30–80 thousand rubles (depending on the degree of damage).
- I wash the bottom regularly
- I apply the anticorrosive agent myself
- I use the service
- I'm not fighting at all
- I only buy galvanized cars
2. Problems with automatic transmission: why an automatic transmission breaks down after 150 thousand km
Nissan Terrano with 4-speed automatic transmission DP0/DP2 (installed before 2020) is known for frequent transmission breakdowns. Main symptoms of malfunction:
- 🔄 Jerks when switching (especially when cold).
- 🛑 Acceleration delays (“dull” response to the gas pedal).
- 💥 Extraneous sounds (hum, grinding) when driving at a speed of 60–80 km/h.
The reason lies in design flaws:
- Weak valve body, which becomes clogged with wear products by 100 thousand km.
- Clutches wear out faster due to overheating (especially when towing or driving in traffic jams).
- Oil pump loses performance, which leads to oil starvation.
| Problem | Average development mileage | Repair cost (RUB) |
|---|---|---|
| Changing automatic transmission oil and filters | 60–80 thousand km | 8 000–12 000 |
| Valve block repair | 120–150 thousand km | 25 000–40 000 |
| Automatic transmission overhaul | 180–220 thousand km | 80 000–120 000 |
| Replacing the automatic transmission with a new one | 200+ thousand km | 150 000–200 000 |
From 2020 to Terrano started installing CVT X-Tronic, which turned out to be not much more reliable. His weak points are belt (wears out after 100 thousand km) and cones (lose geometry when overheated). The only plus is that the variator is cheaper to repair (about 50–70 thousand rubles versus 100+ thousand for automatic transmission).
If your Terrano with automatic transmission starts to “kick”, immediately check the oil level. Low level or black color of the fluid is a sign of imminent breakdown. Use only original oil Nissan Matic Fluid D (item KE908-99932).
3. Suspension: why does it knock after 30 thousand km?
Chassis Nissan Terrano inherited from Renault Duster, but with one key difference - softer shock absorber settings, which fail faster. Typical problems:
- 🔨 Knock in the front suspension - guilty
stabilizer links(resource 30–50 thousand km) andshock absorber supports(60–80 thousand km). - 🛞 Play in the steering - wear out
tie rod endsAndlath(the problem appears after 100 thousand km). - 🚘 Creaks in the rear suspension - the cause is
stabilizer bushingsAndsilent blocks.
According to owners, replacing the front struts costs 12–18 thousand rubles per pair, and a complete suspension repair (including silent blocks, ball and rods) - up to 50–70 thousand rubles. At the same time, original spare parts last no longer than analogues from SASIC or TRW, but cost 30–50% more.
⚠️ Attention: If the knocking does not go away after replacing the struts, check subframe - on Terrano it often cracks where it is attached to the body. Welding repairs will cost 15–20 thousand rubles, but there is no guarantee for durability.
Inspect the CV joint boots for ruptures
Bleed the shock absorbers (there should be no dips)
Turn the steering wheel all the way (there should be no play)
Drive over the speed bump (there should be no knocks) -->
4. Engines: which engines break down more often
Nissan Terrano equipped with three types of engines:
- 1.6 l (H4M) - the most common, but weak (114 hp).
- 2.0 l (F4R) — more powerful (143 hp), but gluttonous.
- 1.5 l diesel (K9K) — economical, but capricious.
Each of them has its own “diseases”:
| Engine | Typical problems | Lifetime before repair |
|---|---|---|
| 1.6 H4M | Oil appetite (up to 1 liter per 1000 km), crankshaft oil seal leak, vibration at idle | 200–250 thousand km |
| 2.0 F4R | Problems with the timing chain (stretches to 150 thousand km), valve cover leakage, overheating | 250–300 thousand km |
| 1.5 diesel K9K | Clogged particulate filter, turbine leak, problems with fuel injection pump | 180–220 thousand km |
The most problematic - diesel K9K. Owners complain about clogged particulate filter (replacement costs 40–60 thousand rubles) and turbine leak (repair - from 30 thousand rubles). Petrol 2.0 F4R more reliable, but requires regular checking of the timing chain - its break leads to valve bending and major repairs (from 100 thousand rubles).
What happens if you don't change the timing chain on the F4R?
When the chain breaks, the pistons hit the valves, which leads to destruction of the cylinder head. In 80% of cases, an engine replacement is required, since repairs are more expensive (150+ thousand rubles).
5. Electronics: glitches that drive you crazy
System Nissan Terrano suffers from unstable electronics, especially in cars from 2014–2018. Most common problems:
- 📱 Multimedia system failures - screen
Nissan ConnectFreezes and does not respond to commands. - 🔋 Spontaneous shutdown of sensors (ABS, ESP, tire pressure sensor).
- 🚨 False alarms — the car is blocked for no reason.
- 💡 Blown fuses (especially F20 and F30, responsible for lighting).
Reason - bad ECU firmware and poor wiring quality. For example, owners often encounter the error P0420 (“low catalyst efficiency”), although the problem lies in the failure of the oxygen sensor. Diagnostics in the service costs 1,500–3,000 rubles, but it doesn’t always help - sometimes it requires flashing the control unit (from 5,000 rubles).
If a “check” and an error light up on the dashboard P0420, do not rush to change the catalyst. First, check the oxygen sensors and ECU firmware - in 60% of cases the problem is solved without expensive repairs.
6. Interior: cheap materials and creaks
Interior Nissan Terrano made of hard plastic, which begins to creak after just a year of operation. The main complaints of the owners:
- 🪑 Uncomfortable seats — there is no lateral support, the back is too soft.
- 🔊 Poor sound insulation — at a speed of 100+ km/h you can hear the noise from the wheels and wind.
- 🌡️ Weak stove — in winter it doesn’t warm up your feet well, and the air conditioner doesn’t cool well.
- 🚪 Door rattling — seals wear out quickly, drafts appear.
According to reviews, the most problematic element is steering wheel, which begins to “crunch” when turning due to bearing wear. Replacement costs 8–12 thousand rubles, but the problem returns after 2–3 years. Many also complain about inconvenient button placement on the center console - for example, the seat adjustment is too low.
7. Fuel consumption: why Terrano “eats” more than stated
Official fuel consumption data for Nissan Terrano greatly overestimated. Real indicators (according to Fuelly.com):
- ⛽ 1.6 l (manual transmission) — 9.5–11 l/100 km (in the city), instead of the stated 7.6 l.
- ⛽ 2.0 l (automatic) — 12–14 l/100 km, instead of 9.8 l.
- ⛽ 1.5 diesel — 6.5–7.5 l/100 km, but only with quiet driving.
Reasons for increased consumption:
- Short passes in automatic transmissions, due to which the engine runs at high speeds.
- Aerodynamics — a high body creates a lot of air resistance.
- Weight — the car weighs 1.3–1.5 tons, which is a lot for 1.6–2.0 liter engines.
Owners note that consumption can be reduced by 1–1.5 liters if:
- Use quality fuel (AI-95 instead of AI-92).
- Follow tire pressure (optimally 2.2–2.4 atm).
- Avoid sudden acceleration and braking.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the disadvantages of the Nissan Terrano
❓ Is it worth buying a Nissan Terrano with a mileage of 100+ thousand km?
Purchase Terrano with a mileage of over 100 thousand km is justified only if:
- No corrosion on the sills and side members.
- Timely oil change in automatic transmission/variator (every 60 thousand km).
- Checking the timing chain (for the 2.0 F4R engine).
- If these conditions are met, the car will last another 100–150 thousand km without major investments.
❓ Which Terrano engine is the most reliable?
The most reliable - 2.0 F4R, but subject to regular maintenance:
- Oil change every 10 thousand km (semi-synthetic 5W-40).
- Monitoring the coolant level (risk of overheating).
- Check the timing chain every 100 thousand km.
- Diesel 1.5 K9K more economical, but expensive to repair (especially the turbine and fuel injection pump).
❓ Is it possible to drive Terrano off-road?
Nissan Terrano positioned as a crossover, but its cross-country ability is limited:
- Ground clearance of 205 mm allows you to overcome light off-road conditions.
- There is no all-wheel drive (only single-wheel drive or plug-in 4WD).
- Weak crankcase and fuel tank protection.
- For serious offroading it is better to choose Nissan X-Trail or Patrol.
❓ How much does a major overhaul of a Terrano automatic transmission cost?
The cost depends on the type of box:
- 4-speed automatic transmission DP0/DP2 — 80–120 thousand rubles (including replacement of the valve body and clutches).
- X-Tronic CVT — 50–70 thousand rubles (replacement of belt and cones).
- In both cases it is recommended to use original spare parts, since analogues last 2 times less.
❓ How to deal with corrosion on Terrano?
Effective measures:
- Anti-corrosion treatment (once every 2 years, cost 10–15 thousand rubles).
- Installation of mudguards (protect thresholds from sandblasting).
- Regular underbody washing in winter (removes reagents).
- Painting chips immediately after appearance.
- If there is already corrosion, only welding followed by galvanizing (from 30 thousand rubles).