The Nissan Navara is one of the oldest vehicles from the Japanese manufacturer and has taken on many different shapes and forms. First released back in 1985, it is still one of the best Nissan pickups that people from around the world rely on. However, dealing with one common issue like the Nissan Navara not accelerating could be frustrating.

Various engine issues could be the main cause for acceleration issues with the Nissan Navara and if you notice the check engine light being on, you might want to stop and check the codes. After checking various situations, one of the biggest reasons for a Nissan not accelerating is the transportation of fuel to the engine. You might be dealing with a clogged fuel filter or damaged pump.

Unfortunately, the check engine light does not always come on when your Nissan Navara is having issues. While the pickup is not known for extensive problems, we have done some searching to find out what could be causing the lack of acceleration.

Top 9 Reasons For Nissan Navara Not Accelerating

If the engine light does not activate and you still have issues with your Nissan Navara not accelerating, you might want to consider some of the following reasons. Many of these can be fixed at home, but having mechanical assistance is often something you might want to look into. Your mechanic could better advise you on the issue:

1.      Faulty Transmission

Problem: One of the most frustrating issues you can deal with is a fault in the transmission of your Navara. No matter how much you press the gas pedal, the vehicle might stutter before it pulls away. In severe cases, the gas pedal might work. A damaged solenoid or valve could be responsible for the problem.

Solution: One thing you can do at home is to check the transmission to see if you can spot any of these possible problems. However, taking the transmission apart might be something you want your mechanic to do. It can often be daunting to take apart the transmission and put it back together if you don’t have the mechanical skills.

2.      Damaged Torque Converter

Problem: The engine is often driven by mechanical mechanisms that create mechanical power. The purpose of the torque converter is to convert this mechanical power into hydraulic power. However, a broken torque converter does not fulfill the job and you will notice that power does not reach the transmission. Without power in the transmission, the vehicle does not move.

Solution: The torque converter is a complicated piece of engineering and it includes many small components that work together to create the transfer of power. You might need to replace the torque converter and this could be expensive. It is best to visit your mechanic and find out what the problem is with the torque converter.

3.      Fuel Pump Failure/ Clogged Filter

Problem: The Nissan Navara is not prone to having massive fuel pump failures, but when fuel is not adequately transferred to the engine, it could lead to a possible break down. The vehicle will start, but it might not move forward. Additionally, the fuel pump might not have failed and you could be dealing with a clogged fuel filter, which limits the adequate level of fuel needed to turn the engine.

Solution: While your first thought might be to worry about the fuel pump, you should consider checking the fuel filter. The first thing you need to do is to take apart the fuel filter and check to see if it is dirty. Once you have cleaned and replaced the filter, you can test the car. If there is still an issue, it could possibly be the fuel pump, which needs replacing.

4.      Punctured/Damaged Air Intake Hose

Problem: Everyone knows that gasoline needs to combine with air before it is pumped into the engine to power the vehicle. If you don’t have enough air coming in, the mixture will be too fuel-rich, which means that it does not burn properly. The fuel needs to ignite to ensure that it can generate power for your vehicle.

Solution: The issue can be found in either the air filter or the intake system. If the intake filter is clean and you don’t notice any clogging, you should consider the intake valve. Once the intake valve is checked, the hose should be next. You might have a small puncture in the hose, causing the air to escape and depriving the fuel from oxygen.

5.      Broke Drive Shaft/ Axle

Problem: If you spend a lot of time doing off-road trails or you like challenging yourself on bumpy roads, you could be placing a lot of strain on the drive shaft. The drive shaft connects the wheels to the transmission, which propels the vehicle forward. However, you might notice a jerk when shifting, which could be an indication of a broken drive shaft.

Solution: Fortunately, you don’t need to replace the drivetrain and it would be best to figure out which part of the drivetrain has lost the connection to the wheels. Once you have determined the fault, you can have it reconnected. Unfortunately, this can be hard to determine, and visiting your local mechanic is the solution.

6.      Damaged Clutch (Manual Transmission)

Problem: Many people are moving away from manual transmission and the sales of automatic vehicles have increased significantly over the last couple of years. The clutch is responsible for engaging the transmission and shifting the gears. If you have a bad clutch, the Navara might not go into gear anymore.

The main reason for this could be a worn-out flywheel that needs to be replaced and you can often feel the gears slipping at high speeds. Not only is this dangerous, but if you cannot get into the right gear, you simply cannot move.

Solution: Replacing a damaged clutch is one of the most expensive fixes you will make on your vehicle and you must have it fixed as much as possible. While a slipping transmission might still work for a while, eventually, it will completely break. We recommend focusing on fixing the clutch as soon as possible.

7.      Worn Out Accelerator Cable

Problem: The idea of the accelerator cable is to connect the accelerator or gas pedal to the throttle body. Due to the tension on this cable, the driver can determine how much they want to accelerate the vehicle. One possible issue could be the wear on the cable causing it to potentially stretch. Once this happens, you have no control over the acceleration and the vehicle might not move.

Solution: Buying these cables are fairly cheap and you can easily find one for you Nissan. Once you have the cable, it only takes a few minutes to replace the cable. Make sure that you have enough solid tension on the cable to effectively control the acceleration pedal.

8.      Low Transmission Fluid

Problem: The transmission fluid in your vehicle plays an important role when transferring power from the engine to the wheels. However, a Navara with low transmission fluid might not be able to transfer the power to the rear wheels. The power will be transferred to the torque converter where it will simply stay.

Solution: Fortunately, this is one of the problems you can solve at home. If you have determined that the transmission fluid is not sufficient, you can fill it up. We recommend doing this as soon as possible to avoid any other damage from occurring.

9.      Perished Vacuum Hose (Older Models)

Problem: Vacuum hoses are responsible for maintaining the correct pressure in the engine. While this component is rarely something to be concerned about, older models might have trouble with perished vacuum hoses. The older Navara D40 models are prone to perished vacuum hoses, which disrupts the engine pressure and affects the fuel to the engine. One common symptom is when your vehicle stutters until the turbo kicks in past 2000 RPM.

Solution: The positive is that this is one of the least concerning of all your issues if you drive a Nissan Navara. Generally, you can easily access these hoses to see if any perishing or damage can be spotted. Additionally, it is one of the cheaper fixes that will get your engine back and working.

FAQ

Which Nissan Navara Models Have Engine Problems?

Almost all vehicles can run into engine problems and the problems will vary depending on the vehicle. However, the Nissan Navara D40 and D22 have been known to have a couple of engine problems. Fortunately, Nissan is rectifying some of these common engine issues with the newer models and the 2022 version has not been identified with extensive problems.

How Long Do Nissan Navara Engines Last?

Nissan is a top Japanese manufacturer and they have risen from the ashes in the 21^st Century after almost being bankrupted before the infamous Carlos Ghosn took over. Nissan has since become a top brand and the Navara is one of their best models. The Nissan Navara engines tend to last around 100,000 miles. However, doing regular maintenance could extend the lifespan.