Credov's researched list of the 12 faults the Nissan Cube is known for (2008–2009), 12 of them serious or costly. Each one says what to look for when you check the car, so you can spot it before you buy. Not every car has these faults: they are the ones worth checking on this model.
What to look for: Check the start button springs back fully flush with a clean click every time, over ten or more presses.
Why it matters: MLIT recall 3595 (26 June 2015) covers Note (DBA-E12, DBA-NE12), Serena S-Hybrid (DAA-HFC26, DAA-HC26, DBA-FNC26, DBA-C26, DBA-NC26), Juke (DBA-YF15, CBA-NF15, CBA-F15) and Cube (DBA-Z12, DBA-NZ12) built roughly July to November 2013.
Sources: 1
What to look for: Look in the engine-bay fuse box with a torch for browning, melted plastic or soot, and sniff for a burnt smell.
Why it matters: MLIT recall 4164 (15 December 2017) and its replacement recall 4517 (28 June 2019) cover Serena (DBA-FC26, DBA-FNC26, DBA-FPC26, DBA-FNPC26, DBA-C26, DBA-NC26), Cube (DBA-Z12, DBA-NZ12) and NV200 Vanette - 461,000-plus vehicles in total on the 4517 filing.
What to look for: Check the airbag light goes out after start, and look for a sun visor label saying the passenger airbag is disabled.
Why it matters: MLIT recall 3988 (3 February 2017) covers X-Trail (TA-NT30, TA-T30, GH-PNT30), Cube (TA-AZ10, TA-ANZ10), Cefiro, Liberty and Bluebird Sylphy; MLIT recall 4236 covers a further tranche including X-Trail (GH-PNT30) built 2001-2007, Cube (TA-AZ10) and Caravan.
What to look for: Feel for any clunk or play when rocking the steering wheel in and out and side to side without turning it.
Why it matters: MLIT recall 3158 (24 May 2013) covers 117,048 March (UA-AK12), 3,743 (UA-K12), 68,444 Cube (UA-BZ11) and 9,921 (UA-BNZ11) built February 2002 to December 2003. The notification states the steering wheel retaining bolt was not tightened correctly, driving vibration loosens it, play develops at the wheel-to-column splines, the splines then wear, the play grows and in the worst case the steering cannot be operated.
Sources: 1
What to look for: Check the airbag light comes on then goes out, and ask a Nissan dealer to confirm the airbag recall is done.
Why it matters: MLIT recall 3456 (24 October 2014) covers 23,951 Cube (DBA-Z12), 2,382 (DBA-NZ12), 18,828 March (DBA-K13) and 5,529 (DBA-NK13) built between 6 Nov 2008 and 23 March 2012. The notification states the wrong partition plate was fitted in the driver airbag inflator's gas passage, so internal pressure rises abnormally on deployment, the inflator housing breaks and scatters and occupants can be injured.
Sources: 1
What to look for: Ask if the car has ever stalled and not restarted, and ask for the engine wiring recall record.
Why it matters: MLIT recall 2470 (26 February 2010) covers nine models built 15 Oct 2007 to 20 May 2008: Tiida (DBA-C11, DBA-NC11), Tiida Latio, Note (DBA-E11, DBA-NE11), Bluebird Sylphy, March (DBA-YK12) and Cube (DBA-YZ11 and variants).
Sources: 1
What to look for: Ask about hard starting or stalls, start the car several times, and ask for the engine relay recall record.
Why it matters: MLIT recall 2635 (29 October 2010) covers nine models totalling 291,000-plus vehicles including Note (DBA-E11, DBA-NE11), Tiida (DBA-C11, DBA-NC11), Tiida Latio, Cube (DBA-YZ11 and variants), March (DBA-YK12), Serena (DBA-CC25) and Wingroad (DBA-Y12); recall 2686 (25 December 2010) adds further March K12 and Cube BZ11 vehicles that were missed.
What to look for: Look along the engine drive belt for cracks, missing ribs or frayed edges, and listen for squeal on start-up.
Why it matters: MLIT recall 2348 (10 July 2009) covers 3,086 all-wheel-drive Cube (DBA-NZ12) built 6 Nov 2008 to 1 June 2009. The notification states the cord material in the accessory drive belt is unsuitable, the belt can break in service, the accessories then stop being driven, a warning lamp lights and in the worst case the engine stalls and cannot be restarted.
Sources: 1
What to look for: Drive for 20 minutes and feel for CVT slip, surging or shudder, especially once the gearbox is fully warm.
Why it matters: Fluid neglect speeds it up. Good used CVTs from Japan are the usual fix, about NZ$1,800-3,500 fitted; a rebuild costs more.
What to look for: Start and stop the car several times, including after the test drive, watching for a flashing amber key light.
Why it matters: Nissan replaced the part on some cars, and some replacements failed again years later. The fix is a new steering lock unit, about US$800-1,000 in the US; budget NZ$700-1,400 in NZ including programming and towing.
What to look for: Drive it warm and listen for a rising whine or whirring, and feel for slip or shudder under load.
Why it matters: Old or wrong fluid makes all of these worse. A good used CVT from Japan is the usual fix, about NZ$1,800-3,500 fitted.
What to look for: Drive it warm and feel for slipping or flare on acceleration, and listen for a whine that grows with speed.
Why it matters: Short trips, heat and old fluid are hard on it. A used CVT fitted in NZ is about NZ$2,000-4,000.
Got a question about a Nissan Cube? Ask Credov: a noise, a warning light, a part or how to fix it.
On top of the faults above, every Credov inspection covers the basics: fuel smell, leaks or filler rust, engine oil leaks, power steering fluid leak, drive belt cracks or squeal, rust underneath: chassis and mounts, engine mounts, engine oil level and colour, coolant level, colour and leaks, head gasket failure signs, cold start: rattle, knock or smoke, rough or hunting idle, engine running hot on gauge, gearbox or diff oil leak, swapped gearbox without lvv and more.
Researched by Credov from manufacturer recalls and service bulletins, owner reports and workshop sources. Repair prices are typical ranges, not quotes. See also fault codes and repair costs.