Nissan 2.2 dCi / 2.5 dCi (YD22DDT, YD22DDTi, YD25DDTi)InjectorsFuel pump and high-pressure pump
Injection pump or injector failure on the 2.2/2.5 dCi
Why this rating?
High severity: Risk of a serious engine, turbo or gearbox failure.
Frequency common: Injector failure (or failure of the injection pump electronics on the pre-2003 YD22DDT) appears in 16 of the 101 accounts of the X-Trail's 2.2 dCi and in 6 of the 36 for the Almera; on the Primera it drops to 1 case in 29. Overall that is about 23 cases out of 166 accounts across the three models (around 14%), enough to consider it a known and widespread problem, although no manufacturer or body has acknowledged it with an official campaign.[1][2][3]
Symptoms
- The engine warning light can come on when the ECU detects an injection fault.[1]Engine warning light: other faults that cause it · Garage soon
- Jerky or uneven running, especially when the engine is cold.[2]Jerking: other faults that cause it · Garage soon
- Increased consumption when an injector sprays the fuel incorrectly.[3]Uses more fuel: other faults that cause it · Monitor
Why it happens
On the pre-2003 YD22DDT, the documented fault is in the electronics of the rotary injection pump, which can stop metering the fuel correctly.[1]
On the YD22DDTi, with common rail injection from 2003, the documented cases describe injectors that seize or lose their seal with wear, especially on the X-Trail.[2][4]
If it is not repaired: An injector that drips or seizes can dilute the engine oil with unburned fuel and speed up wear on other internal parts; the X-Trail report describes a seizing case that required a complete repair of the injection rail.[2]
Affected cars and years
Documented on the Almera, the Primera and, above all, the X-Trail, with both tunes of the 2.2. We have not found a reliability report of our own for the Navara or the Pathfinder confirming whether the 2.5 dCi suffers the same problem.[1][2][3]
| Version | Years | Codes |
|---|---|---|
| 2.2 Di 110-125 (YD22DDT, 2000-2003) | 2000–2003 | YD22DDT |
| 2.2 dCi 136-140 (YD22DDTi, 2003-2007) | 2003–2007 | YD22DDTi |
Models fitted with the affected versions
Nissan
- Nissan Almera II2000–2006
- Nissan Primera III2001–2007
- Nissan X-Trail I2001–2007
How much it costs to repair
Includes: Replacement of the faulty injector or injectors (or of the injection pump on pre-2003 versions), with coding into the ECU.[1][2]
The X-Trail reliability report cites a case of €3,900 for a seized injector at 55,000 km and a quote of €3,200 to replace all four; the Almera report cites €2,400 for the injection pump electronics. These are French market figures and we do not give them as a reference for Spain as we have not found a source of our own including Spanish VAT.
Prices in Spain, including VAT. A workshop hour costs on average €38–66 at independent garages and €77–134 at dealerships in Spain, depending on the region and the brand. How we calculate costs
How to check for it before buying a used car
- Start the engine from cold and check that it does not run jerkily or give off excessive smoke in the first few minutes.
- Ask for the service history: fuel filter changes on time and filling up at trusted stations reduce the risk.
Parts needed
The part or kit that fixes this fault, according to the sources.
Common rail injector
Individual replacement of the faulty injector on the YD22DDTi/YD25DDTi versions; it is worth checking the others if one has already failed.
Rotary injection pump (VP44)[1]
Repair or replacement of the pump electronics on the pre-2003 YD22DDT versions.
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How to prevent it
- Always fill up at trusted stations and do not run the tank too low, to stop fuel impurities reaching the injectors.
Recalls, campaigns and claims
As of 27 September 2026, we have no record of recalls, campaigns or extended manufacturer warranties for this fault. Check with an official dealer using the chassis (VIN) number: they will tell you whether the car has any outstanding campaign.
What owners say
Frequently asked questions
How can you tell an injector is failing on the 2.2 dCi?
Most commonly the engine runs jerkily, especially when cold, and consumption goes up; in advanced cases the engine warning light can come on.[2]
Is injector failure the same as injection pump failure?
No: on the pre-2003 YD22DDT the documented problem is in the electronics of the rotary pump, whereas on the YD22DDTi with common rail (from 2003) the fault is in the injectors themselves.[1][4]
Does this failure also affect the Navara or Pathfinder with the 2.5 dCi?
We have not found a reliability report with accounts of our own for the Navara or the Pathfinder to confirm it; both use common rail injection from the same technical family as the 2.2 dCi, but without frequency data of our own.[4][5][6]
What can you do now?
We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.
Other 2.2/2.5 dCi faults
- High severityFrequency: CommonTurboPremature turbo and intercooler failureOn the X-Trail with the 136 hp 2.2 dCi, the turbo and its intercooler are the most cited fault: they appear in nearly half of the reliability accounts consulted. On the Primera and Almera, with the same engine, the documented cases are far fewer.
- Critical severityFrequency: RareTimingTiming chain wearThe 2.2 dCi's timing chain is one of the engine's strong points: the reliability reports consulted record very few cases of wear, far below the other faults we document for this engine.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalEmissions controlClogged EGR valveThe 2.2 dCi's EGR valve gets dirty with carbon from the gas recirculation and can stick: it is the fault with the most accounts in the Almera report, with additional cases, though in lower proportion, on the X-Trail.
- Low severityFrequency: RareIntakeDirty or misreading mass airflow sensorThe 2.2 dCi's mass airflow sensor can get dirty and give incorrect readings; the Almera reliability report points to it as a known problem of the engine, although with few recorded cases.
More faults with the injectors on other engines and cars
- High severityFrequency: Very frequentOM651Delphi piezo injector failure (220/250 CDI)Yes: 220 and 250 CDI models built between 2008 and 2011 had Delphi piezo injectors that were prone to failing and seizing in the cylinder head. Mercedes-Benz replaced them under warranty in 2009 and switched the 220 CDI to solenoid injectors from 2010-2011, but the 250 CDI kept them.Repair (garage): €3,600–€5,900
- High severityFrequency: CommonBMW N52 / N53N53 piezoelectric injector failureThe N53's piezoelectric direct injectors fail frequently and cause misfires, rough idle and limp mode; replacing them is expensive and they must be coded.
- High severityFrequency: CommonMZR-CDOil dilution from leaking injector seals and DPF regenerationsOn the 2.0 and 2.2 MZR-CD, injector seals that age badly and incomplete particulate filter regenerations on short journeys can let unburnt diesel into the sump, diluting the oil and leaving the engine with less lubrication.
- High severityFrequency: CommonOM642Wear and failure of the Bosch piezo injectorsThe OM642's Bosch piezo injectors can fail from around 150,000-200,000 km, especially with poor-quality diesel; they cannot be repaired, only replaced. Because it is a V engine, those on the rear bank are harder to reach, which pushes up labour costs.Repair: €4,500–€6,500
- High severityFrequency: Common2.2 CDI (OM646)Injector seal leak with carbonisation around the seatYes: the copper washer that seals each injector can harden and let combustion gases through, forming a black crust of carbon around it. It is a known fault on Mercedes CDI diesels of this era, with injectors described as fragile on both the OM611 and the OM646.
- High severityFrequency: Common1.9 dCiFailures of the Delphi direct-injection injectorsThe Delphi injectors on the 1.9 dCi give trouble with some regularity, a weak point that gebrauchtwagenberater.de and planeterenault document as typical of direct-injection diesels of that era.
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Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Fiabilité Nissan Almera : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité Nissan X-Trail : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité Nissan Primera : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Nissan YD engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
- Nissan NavaraWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
- Nissan PathfinderWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026