Nissan March common problems: what to check before you buy
Credov's researched list of the 9 faults the Nissan March is known for (2007–2010), 8 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.
Known problems on the Nissan March
Loose steering wheel
Safety risk
2002–2003 · petrol · Suspension and steering
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.
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.
What to look for: Listen for slow, weak or clicking starts over several cold cranks, and smell for burning near the starter.
Why it matters: MLIT recall 3426 (5 September 2014), item 1, covers 44,213 March (DBA-K13) and 10,403 (DBA-NK13) built 25 June 2010 to 15 April 2014. The notification states the fit between the motor coil and the shaft is too loose, the coil shifts under starting loads, the brush distorts and starting fails, and in the worst case the brush holder breaks, shorts and catches fire.
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).
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: Start from cold and listen for a rattle from the front of the engine that fades as it warms.
Why it matters: Stretch upsets cam timing (cam/crank correlation codes, and crank sensors are often replaced first without curing it). A badly stretched chain can jump a tooth and damage valves.
What to look for: Drive it warm and listen for a belt-slip noise, feeling for any loss of power or lost drive.
Why it matters: The US Versa twin averages failures around 120,000-140,000 km. Cars built mid-2010 to mid-2012 were covered by a Nissan Japan CVT campaign for belt slip (software, or a new CVT where the belt had slipped badly), and later builds have fewer reports.
What to look for: Feel each corner of both mirror glasses for rocking or a gap between the glass and its backing.
Why it matters: MLIT recall 3485 (12 December 2014) covers 109,719 Note (DBA-E12, excluding heated mirrors), 43,325 March (DBA-K13) and 10,116 Latio (DBA-N17). The notification states the mirror adhesive is too weak, UV exposure reduces it further and the glass can fall out, leaving the driver unable to see behind. A missing or loose mirror glass is also a warrant-of-fitness problem.
Got a question about a Nissan March? Ask Credov: a noise, a warning light, a part or how to fix it.
Also check on every car
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.