2003 Nissan Primera Reviews

Cam timing chain & gear (expensive to repair).

ABS faults, which also prevent the speedo from working (on-going).

Seatbelt warning (both front seats).

Radiator failed.

Suspension components failed (inc 2 front struts).

Air con pipe failed at join to compressor.

Very comfortable and easy to drive, nice to drive on the motorway.

Pretty economical for a 2.2 litre engine.

Spacious interior (estate version).

Bought the car as I always thought Nissan's to be very reliable. Apparently built in conjunction with Renault - don't know if that's why they are so unreliable, but suspect it is!

Overall, this car has been a bitter disappointment. On paper, it should be the ideal family car, but you can only keep throwing money at a car for SO long...

Throttle idle valve playing up; the car was stalling when stopping at junctions, and the revs dropping below tickover when my foot wasn't on the accelerator.

Intermittent problem with starting; one time it would start OK, then it would just turn over and not fire, then it wouldn't turn over at all. Turned out to be a fault with the circuit board behind the computer screen.

Driver's side electric window mechanism collapsed; it appeared the brackets that hold the window in place are made of plastic, and are not man enough for the job.

The interior (mine's light grey) is impossible to keep clean; I'm a coach driver, but some times it looks like I'm a coal merchant!

It was a car I had always liked, and I was happy when I bought it, but my happiness soon turned to anger.

I paid a bit over the odds, because it was a low mileage example, but the problems I have had are what I would associate with a much higher mileage car; within 2 months it had been back to dealers twice.

I had a Mk II Primera for 4 years, and it never cost me a bean, so this influenced my decision to get this model, but I have been very disappointed with this car. I suppose it was to be expected when I found out that the electrics were done by Renault! If I had known this before, I would have stayed well clear!!!

The fuel consumption is terrible; the 6th gear is no different to 5th, so motorway journeys show no real difference in fuel economy by having the extra gear.

5th gear has to be replaced.

This car is seriously quick and handles like it's on rails. Hope Nissan replace this model again.

When we collected car from dealer, the immobiliser light on dash stayed on after car was started, which didn't effect the way the car ran, then some times when we tried to start the car, it would just turn over and not fire, or when we turned the key, there was nothing, just lights on the dash, but the car seemed to be dead!

After a visit to the dealer where we purchased it, they arranged to have it sent back to the Nissan main agents to sort the problem, which turned out to be a loose wire behind dash, which had something to do with the immobiliser. This was sorted and seems to be fine now.

Gearbox is a bit notchy when the engine is cold.

Handles road well for a big car, but the ride is a bit hard on bumpy roads.

My car has the 6-speed box, but I can't see why it has the 6th gear as I have not seen any real benefit when driving on motorways, the engine revs hardly drop, so fuel economy isn't great above 75mph, but it is a comfy car on long hauls.