We last communicated back last summer (May/June) as I'd just bought a Pathfinder from a main dealer in Birmingham (Chatfields) with a failing dual mass flywheel.

You helped me fight Nissan and get the car sorted. This was unfortunately a temporary fix as after 6K the problem re-occurred, I returned to my dealer who said they could not hear the problem, they would need to remove gearbox etc. at my cost to see if there was a problem.

It will be going for a service and clutch inspection (gearbox out) in the next few weeks.

I'm still within my 12 months warranty but I'm extremely concerned that after 32k miles the car will be needing a third clutch/dual mass flywheel.

The car has never been off road is only ever been wrapped in cotton wool, it's never towed, only gets driven on the road, if it was used as intended I might be on the 6th or 7th clutch!

I have researched the problem and the solid clutch option sounds awful, if I wanted a transit van I would have bought one!

I really am disapointed with Nissan's reliability, Land Rovers can be a pain but my Freelander had 100K on the clock and I used to tow the max size caravan - only then did I get clutch issues.

Do you have any advice other than a can of petrol and a match on a rather expensive car!

My annual mileage is now 30k per annum which equates to 3 clutches at £1500 a throw!

Asked on 24 January 2012 by nissan pathfinders-not fit for purpose

Answered by Honest John