Nissan Primastar (2002 – 2015) Review
Nissan Primastar (2002 – 2015) At A Glance
Nissan version of the Renault Trafic, good quality ride and comfortable cabin, handles well, refined dCi engine.
Starting to feel dated now, reports of gear linkage problems.
As with the NV400, Nissan teamed up with Renault when it came to developing its medium-sized panel van - the Primastar. It's the equivalent of the Renault Trafic and also the Vauxhall Vivaro and like its counterparts there are a wide range of versions available. It was facelifted in 2010 with a fresher look and improvements to engines and refinement.
The cabin was overhauled with more car-like features including a revised dashboard with new instruments and some snazzy new colour accents. All models got improved upholstery fabrics and higher quality panels and coverings.
Alongside the standard panel van there's a crew van, launched in 2007, based on the SE low roof van, but with the benefit of three additional seats in the rear. And as part of Nissan’s Good-To-Go ‘off the peg’ range, the Primastar is available with a choice of chiller and freezer conversions.
The Primstar's load bay is reached either through the standard nearside sliding door or twin rear doors which open to 180 degrees. SE grade models offer an optional offside sliding door and rear doors opening out to 250 degrees (on LWB, low roof versions only). Six lashing rings help keep everything in place, while load bay lamps activated by the doors shed some useful light on proceedings during nocturnal loading. Load bay dimensions are 2.4m long and 1.38 m high increasing to a maximum 2.8m by 1.91m.
Nissan Primastar (2002 – 2015) Models and Specs
Dimensions | |
---|---|
Length | 4782–5182 mm |
Width | 1904 mm |
Height | 1942–2465 mm |
Load Volume | 1.0–8.4 m3 |
Miscellaneous | |
---|---|
Kerb Weight | 1678–2002 kg |
Payload | 1000–1263 kg |
Warranty | 36/60,000 |
Servicing | 18000 |
Chiller Van
Version | List Price | MPG | |
---|---|---|---|
Chiller SWB 2.0 dCi 115 Low Roof SE | £22,900 | - | Details |
Chiller Van SWB
Version | List Price | MPG | |
---|---|---|---|
Chiller SWB 2.0 dCi 115HP Low Roof SE | £22,000 | - | Details |
Crew Van LWB
Version | List Price | MPG | |
---|---|---|---|
Crew Van LWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115 Low Roof SE | £21,080 | - | Details |
LWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115HP Low Roof SE | £20,180 | 38.2 mpg | Details |
Crew Van SWB
Version | List Price | MPG | |
---|---|---|---|
Crew Van SWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115 Low Roof SE | £20,280 | - | Details |
SWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115HP Low Roof SE | £19,380 | 38.2 mpg | Details |
Freezer Van
Version | List Price | MPG | |
---|---|---|---|
Freezer SWB 2.0 dCi 115 Low Roof SE | £23,800 | - | Details |
Freezer Van SWB
Version | List Price | MPG | |
---|---|---|---|
Freezer SWB 2.0 dCi 115HP Low Roof SE | £22,900 | - | Details |
Minibus LWB
Version | List Price | MPG | |
---|---|---|---|
LWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115HP Low Roof SE | £20,350 | 36.7 mpg | Details |
LWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115HP Low Roof SE | £21,150 | 37.6 mpg | Details |
LWB 2.5 dCi 2900 150HP Low Roof SE | £21,550 | 32.1 mpg | Details |
Minibus LWB Low Roof
Version | List Price | MPG | |
---|---|---|---|
Minibus LWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115 Low Roof SE | £21,250 | 37.2 mpg | Details |
Minibus SWB
Version | List Price | MPG | |
---|---|---|---|
SWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115HP Low Roof SE | £19,550 | 36.7 mpg | Details |
SWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115HP Low Roof SE | £20,350 | 37.6 mpg | Details |
SWB 2.5 dCi 2900 150HP Low Roof SE | £20,750 | 32.1 mpg | Details |
Minibus SWB Low Roof
Version | List Price | MPG | |
---|---|---|---|
Minibus SWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115 Low Roof SE | £20,450 | 37.2 mpg | Details |
Panel Van High Roof
Version | List Price | MPG | |
---|---|---|---|
SWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115 High Roof E | £18,380 | 35.8 mpg | Details |
SWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115 High Roof SE | £18,880 | 35.8 mpg | Details |
SWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115 High Roof SE Auto | £19,680 | 36.7 mpg | Details |
SWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115 High Roof SE+ | £19,980 | 35.8 mpg | Details |
SWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115 High Roof SE+ Auto | £20,780 | 36.7 mpg | Details |
Panel Van LWB High Roof
Version | List Price | MPG | |
---|---|---|---|
LWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115 High Roof E | £19,180 | 35.8 mpg | Details |
LWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115 High Roof SE | £19,680 | 35.8 mpg | Details |
LWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115 High Roof SE Auto | £20,480 | 36.7 mpg | Details |
LWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115 High Roof SE+ | £20,780 | 35.8 mpg | Details |
LWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115 High Roof SE+ Auto | £21,580 | 36.7 mpg | Details |
LWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115HP High Roof E | £18,280 | 34.0 mpg | Details |
LWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115HP High Roof SE | £18,780 | 34.0 mpg | Details |
LWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115HP High Roof SE | £19,580 | 35.3 mpg | Details |
LWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115HP High Roof SE+ | £19,880 | 34.0 mpg | Details |
LWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115HP High Roof SE+ | £20,680 | 35.3 mpg | Details |
LWB 2.5 dCi 2900 150HP High Roof SE | £19,980 | 32.1 mpg | Details |
LWB 2.5 dCi 2900 150HP High Roof SE+ | £21,080 | 32.1 mpg | Details |
Panel Van LWB Low Roof
Version | List Price | MPG | |
---|---|---|---|
LWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115 Low Roof E | £18,480 | 37.7 mpg | Details |
LWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115 Low Roof SE | £18,980 | 37.7 mpg | Details |
LWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115 Low Roof SE Auto | £19,780 | 41.5 mpg | Details |
LWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115 Low Roof SE+ | £20,080 | 37.7 mpg | Details |
LWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115 Low Roof SE+ Auto | £20,880 | 41.5 mpg | Details |
LWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115HP Low Roof E | £17,580 | 38.2 mpg | Details |
LWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115HP Low Roof SE | £18,080 | 38.2 mpg | Details |
LWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115HP Low Roof SE | £18,880 | 38.7 mpg | Details |
LWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115HP Low Roof SE+ | £19,180 | 38.2 mpg | Details |
LWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115HP Low Roof SE+ | £19,980 | 38.7 mpg | Details |
LWB 2.5 dCi 2900 150HP Low Roof SE | £19,280 | 32.1 mpg | Details |
LWB 2.5 dCi 2900 150HP Low Roof SE+ | £20,380 | 32.1 mpg | Details |
Panel Van SWB
Version | List Price | MPG | |
---|---|---|---|
SWB 2.0 dCi 2700 115HP Low Roof E | £16,380 | 38.2 mpg | Details |
SWB 2.0 dCi 2700 115HP Low Roof SE | £16,880 | 38.2 mpg | Details |
SWB 2.0 dCi 2700 115HP Low Roof SE | £17,680 | 38.7 mpg | Details |
SWB 2.0 dCi 2700 115HP Low Roof SE+ | £17,980 | 38.2 mpg | Details |
SWB 2.0 dCi 2700 115HP Low Roof SE+ | £18,780 | 38.7 mpg | Details |
SWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115HP Low Roof E | £16,780 | 38.2 mpg | Details |
SWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115HP Low Roof SE | £17,280 | 38.2 mpg | Details |
SWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115HP Low Roof SE | £18,080 | 38.7 mpg | Details |
SWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115HP Low Roof SE+ | £18,380 | 38.2 mpg | Details |
SWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115HP Low Roof SE+ | £19,180 | 38.7 mpg | Details |
Panel Van SWB High Roof
Version | List Price | MPG | |
---|---|---|---|
SWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115HP High Roof E | £17,480 | 34.0 mpg | Details |
SWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115HP High Roof SE | £17,980 | 34.0 mpg | Details |
SWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115HP High Roof SE+ | £19,080 | 34.0 mpg | Details |
Panel Van SWB Low Roof
Version | List Price | MPG | |
---|---|---|---|
SWB 2.0 dCi 2700 115 Low Roof E | £17,820 | 37.7 mpg | Details |
SWB 2.0 dCi 2700 115 Low Roof SE | £17,780 | 37.7 mpg | Details |
SWB 2.0 dCi 2700 115 Low Roof SE Auto | £18,580 | 41.5 mpg | Details |
SWB 2.0 dCi 2700 115 Low Roof SE+ | £18,880 | 37.7 mpg | Details |
SWB 2.0 dCi 2700 115 Low Roof SE+ Auto | £19,680 | 41.5 mpg | Details |
SWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115 Low Roof E | £17,680 | 37.7 mpg | Details |
SWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115 Low Roof SE | £18,180 | 37.7 mpg | Details |
SWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115 Low Roof SE Auto | £18,980 | 41.5 mpg | Details |
SWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115 Low Roof SE+ | £19,280 | 37.7 mpg | Details |
SWB 2.0 dCi 2900 115 Low Roof SE+ Auto | £20,080 | 41.5 mpg | Details |
Good
Refined dCi engine and low cabin noise means the Primastar is good for long distance work.
Neat handling and good steering mean it's good in town and easy to slot into tight parallel parking spaces.
Bad
Recall 19-09-2016: Steering wheel may break/detach and cause loss of steering (affecting vans built from 25-09-2012 to 14-12-2013).
Standard stereo looks cheap and is fiddly to use.
Starting to feel dated now, particularly the interior.
General Motors PK5, PK6, PF1, PF6 manual transmission failure common in Primastar. The 'built-in' fault, which will result in failure, irrespective of how the vehicle is driven or serviced, is that the gearboxes are assembled in such a way that the preload on the bearings is massively over-torqued, which results in bearing failure, and the total destruction of the box from as low as 20k upwards. In some cases the boxes are built up so tight that it makes turning the box over by hand virtually impossible. Once the bearings are replaced, and shimmed correctly, the box will “go on” virtually indefinitely.
Report on BBC Watchdog that some 2006 - 2010 Renault Trafic, Vauxhall Vivaro and Nissan Primastar vans fitted with the 2.0DCI M9R diesel enginewere suffering from rainwater dripping from a failed bonnet seal at the base of the windscreen into the valley on the top of the engine containing the injectors. On a van left for long period unused, or used primarily for short runs, this water is not evaporatred off by the heat of the engine and causes corrosion between the injectors and the cylinder head, fusing the injectors to the head (very similar to the notorious problem with Ford Focus 1.6 petrol engines). There is now a new piece of kit that can extract corrosion fused injectors from diesel engines. The current Vauxhall Technical Service Bulletin (published in August 2013) covering injector corrosion states that Vauxhall will make a 100% goodwill contribution to replace the injectors on vehicles up to 7 years old and 248,000 miles. The first Technical Service Bulletin pertaining to this issue (published in June 2010 and effective up to August 2013) stated that vehicles within warranty would be repaired under the conditions of the warranty. Vehicles up to 4 years old/100,000 miles would be repaired with a goodwill contribution of 70% from Vauxhall. Vehicles up to 5 years old/100,000 miles would be repaired with a 50% goodwill contribution from Vauxhall.
Very common gear linkage problem Renault Trafics, Renault Masters, Nissan Primastars, Vauxhall Vivaros and Vauxhall Movanos from 2001. The selector cable bush wears or simply pops off the balljoint on the gearbox selector arm. Warrington Transmissions (www.wtc.co.uk) has developed a repair clip to prevent this from happening for just £8 that takes a mere 15 minutes to fit.
3-11-2017: Report of Nissan Primastar van developing a "really low biting point on the clutch" making it almost impossible to get a smooth change. Garage found no leak in the hydraulics, so removed gearbox and replaced the clutch. Showed owner that it was in good condition and confirmed no leak from slave cylinder or cranskshaft end seal or transmission input shaft seal. Problem persisted. Garage eventually discovered that pedal assembly had fatigued and was pulling away from the bulkhead. Something to watch on ageing Primastars, Vivaros and Trafics.
Model History
October 2006
Nissan Primastar launched
Nissan's Primastar range was given a fresh look, even more convenience features, and most significantly a range of engines that not only enhance driveability, but are Euro 4 compliant too.
Customers still have a choice of diesel power in three outputs, but in place of the 82PS and 100PS 1.9 dCi engines comes a new 2.0 litre dCi turbocharged common rail unit developed with Renault and offered in either 90PS or 115PS outputs at the same 3500 rpm. Most notable are the improved torque characteristics, rising from 190Nm and 240Nm to 240Nm and 290Nm, respectively. What's more, peak torque arrives at 1600 rpm, rather than 2000 rpm, to give more low speed lugging ability where it's needed most.
December 2007
Nissan launches Good-To-Go range
For the Primastar this means new chiller and freezer versions with Carrier products – either Viento 200, 300 and 350 units or the Xarious range featuring a power standby for added convenience. All refrigerated models of course meet ATP category C (for frozen operation down to -20°C and requiring a minimum thermal efficiency (K factor) of less than 0.4W/m2/°C).