Hi All,

I am hoping others can share similar experiences below.

Nearly 3 years ago in my 2010 GU patrol I started a driving holiday around WA. I was towing my camper trailer (less than 1500kg loaded). The first 200km was fine but then I started noticing that the cruise control would disengage and it would rev as if the clutch was slipping when under load like going up hills.

I had someone look at it at my next destination which was a further 300km. When they inspected the car, the camper trailer was off. They said they didn't know what was wrong with it, when I suggested the clutch they said definitely not the clutch.

8 days and 1600km later I drove into Nissan in Port Hedland, there the technician who took the car for a test drive drove it to destruction, he was riding the clutch, revving the engine to red-line and popping the clutch and when he pulled back to the dealership it wouldn't drive anymore.

They couldn't fit me in for another 3 weeks and suggested I take it elsewhere. They said Nissan Australia may or may not fix it under warranty.

I had a new solid flywheel and clutch installed at another mechanics who were very helpful and took photo's and everything. They stated that the DM Flywheel had separated and failed.

I have been 4WDing for 20+years and know exactly how to burn out a clutch, which has led me to know exactly how not to burn out a clutch as well. Some people laugh at me letting my tyres up and down all the time but tyre pressure is a key factor in clutch preservation.

I wrote to Nissan Australia seeking compensation under warranty. I received a phone call from a very rude lady who stated that they will not reimburse me under warranty as it is not a manufacturing fault. I stated that a warrantable item on the vehicle had failed, she refused to listen and kept repeating this. I asked to speak with her manager and she stated she doesn't have one (lucky me must have been speaking with the General Manager of Nissan). I asked for this reason in writing and she refused.

I went to consumer protection and they stated that I did have a case and they spent the next 2 years going back and forth with Nissan, bringing in experts and everything to no avail. Unfortunately Consumer Protection leave it to the consumer to take them to court, so I am now in the process of taking Nissan to court, which costs me more money.

Nissan have stated several interesting things so far in the pre-trial conference, being that it is not a manufacturing fault, it is a result of overheating, the DM Flywheel is a wear and tear item and Nissan Australia stated it is not a known issue and has not seen any DM Flywheel's returned (never had a warranty claim submitted for the DM Flywheel).

I love my Patrol, but this has put a real dampener on me ever buying another one.

I have started a Poll (in the polls section) to see how many others have had similar issues and if Nissan came to the party for them or not. I would love to hear your story below, if you have had warranty or been rejected warranty and your general dealing with Nissan Australia.