Nissan Patrol GU (Y61) years to avoid, and the best years to buy
Every Nissan Patrol Y61 (GU) model year: which ones owners and specialists recommend, which have documented problems, which carry recalls, and what they sell for now.
For a touring diesel, the TD42 years. CarsGuide calls the TD42 turbo-diesel 'the pick of the Patrol engines from this era', and Westside Auto names the 2005–07 TD42T ST and ST-L as the GU's sweet spot for reliability. The TD42T arrived in 1999 and the intercooled TD42Ti in 2003, and Australian sources date the end of the TD42 to 2006 or 2007. Be wary of 2000–2003 ZD30s. In the Gulf, where petrol GUs dominate, CarSwitch rates the 2008–10 Safaris as the most refined Y61s.
At a glance
Nissan Patrol GU (Y61) year by year
| YEAR | VERDICT | WHAT CHANGED |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | — | Y61 (GU) launches in late 1997. Widened diff housings around the same H233/H260 centres, bigger CVs, better seats and NVH. Engines: TB45 petrol, RD28ETi turbo-diesel and naturally aspirated TD42 |
| 1999 | Sweet spot | TD42T turbo-diesel added (to the ST in Australia). It's mechanically injected with no electronic engine control. CarsGuide calls the TD42 turbo-diesel 'the pick of the Patrol engines from this era' |
| 2000 | Beware | GU II (April): 3.0 L four-cylinder ZD30DDTi diesel arrives with an optional automatic. The naturally aspirated TD42 reportedly left the wagon range around this time. Early ZD30s (2000–2003 in Westside Auto's guide) are known for piston and bottom-end failures |
| 2001 | — | GU III (October): new nose and the 4.8 L DOHC TB48DE petrol six (185 kW / 420 N·m) |
| 2003 | Sweet spot | Factory-intercooled TD42Ti arrives, with electronic injection timing from February. ST-L grade added. 4X4 Australia rates its reliability and simplicity for remote travel, and Westside Auto names the 2005–07 TD42T ST and ST-L as the GU's sweet spot |
| 2004 | — | GU IV facelift (October): new headlights, box flares and larger tail lights. Wikipedia credits this refresh with fixing the ZD30's variable-geometry-turbo trouble |
| 2006 | — | Revised 180 kW / 400 N·m TB48 from February (GoAuto). 4X4 Australia and Marque News date the end of the TD42 family in Australian GUs to 2006; CarsGuide and Wikipedia say 2007 |
| 2007 | — | GU VI (September; there was no GU V): the common-rail ZD30 is the only diesel, and Wikipedia says the TD42Ti couldn't meet Euro IV. Westside Auto calls the common-rail engine improved, but CarsGuide's Q&A still fields piston-failure questions from owners of 2008–09 ZD30s, so there's no clean cut-off |
| 2010–2013 | — | GU VII from early 2010. In Australia the petrol models are replaced by the Y62 in February 2013, and the diesel GU carries on alongside it |
| 2016 | — | Australian run ends with the ST-based Legend Edition, limited to 300 units. Production for the Middle East, Africa and fleet buyers continued into 2024 |
“Sweet spot” means owners and specialists recommend those years; “Beware” means documented problems; “Recall” means check the recall was done rather than walk away.
What a Nissan Patrol GU (Y61) costs (October 2026)
The Y61 is only just becoming legal in the US, so there are very few American sales so far. The ones that have sold are late-1990s Japanese and Gulf trucks bringing driver money.
| Project / non-running | about $5k |
|---|---|
| Driver | $13k–17k |
Based on four 1998–99 Bring a Trailer sales from 2023 to 2026: $5,300 for a Gulf Super Safari whose automatic wouldn't engage forward gears, $12,900 for a Japanese TD42 turbo automatic, $14,250 for a TB45 Granroad and $16,600 for an ex-US-Embassy 1999 Safari 5-speed. A 1998 LHD TD42 manual and a 1998 European GR SE turbo-diesel failed to sell at $13.5k and $15.5k. There's too little data yet for an 'excellent' band.
Best years are buyer consensus from owners, specialists and forums, not spec sheets. See all Nissan Patrol years to avoid across every generation.