Nissan Note common problems: what to check before you buy
Credov's researched list of the 18 faults the Nissan Note is known for (2012–2015), 14 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 Note
Engine breather hose cracking
Safety risk
2016–2020 · HR12DE · hybrid · Engine
What to look for: Look along the engine breather hose for cracks or perished rubber past the black sleeve, and ask for the recall record.
Why it matters: MLIT recall 5350 (14 July 2023) covers 289,827 Note (DAA-HE12), 25,085 Note (DAA-SNE12) and 66,190 Kicks (6AA-P15) built between 25 Aug 2016 and 6 Oct 2020. The notification states that where the hose cracks the engine may fail to start and the motor may stop while driving, leaving the car unable to move.
What to look for: Look with a torch at the bottom of each front spring for rust, flaking paint or a broken coil.
Why it matters: MLIT recall 4481 (12 April 2019) covers 500,523 Note (DBA-E12), 50,494 (DBA-NE12), 185,206 e-POWER (DAA-HE12) and 9,149 (DAA-SNE12) built 25 July 2012 to 1 Feb 2019 - one of the largest single-model Japanese campaigns on a car common on New Zealand lots. The notification states the spring shape lets it move against the seat, the paint wears off, the spring corrodes and in the worst case fractures.
What to look for: Ask for the recall record, and watch for the engine rocking or knocking as a helper shifts between Drive and Reverse.
Why it matters: MLIT recall 3821 (10 June 2016) covers 229,465 Note (DBA-E12) built 25 July 2012 to 10 Nov 2015. The notification states the bolt hole in the left engine mount bracket was machined twice on some cars, CVT torque vibration loosens the bolt, the bolt then breaks, the engine tips and in the worst case the driveshaft pulls out and the car cannot be driven.
What to look for: Check the steering wheel for Intelligent Cruise or ProPILOT buttons, and if fitted, ask for the software update record.
Why it matters: MLIT recall 5352 (14 July 2023) states that the motor output control program in the vehicle control module of e-POWER and electric models is deficient, and that after a specific input immediately following the end of a cruise-control run the car may accelerate unintentionally. The Japanese filing covers 88,183 plus 10,189 Note E12 e-POWER, 35,842 plus 7,511 Note E13, 25,751 plus 7,041 Note Aura and 66,190 Kicks.
What to look for: Ask for the recall record, listen for a knock at idle or pulling away, and look underneath for engine rub marks.
Why it matters: MLIT recall 4970 (11 June 2021) covers 26,754 Note (6AA-E13) and 567 (6AA-SNE13) built 12 Nov 2020 to 10 March 2021. The notification states the bolts were fitted incorrectly, can loosen and break, the engine then tips and contacts the front suspension member, and in the worst case the driveshaft pulls out and the car cannot be driven.
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.
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: Rev the engine and listen for a loud whoosh or hiss, and check for a flat spot or stall at idle.
Why it matters: One owner traced stalling and loss of drive at about 70,000 km to it and found 40+ similar reports on the Japanese transport ministry defect hotline; another at 170,000 km had a cracked duct and an engine that would not rev. The duct is a cheap part; stalling in traffic is the danger.
What to look for: Check the OBD scan results for misfire codes, feel for stumbles on the drive, and ask for the coil recall record.
Why it matters: MLIT recall 3732 (22 January 2016) covers 26,669 plus 56 Note (DBA-E12) built 2 Aug 2012 to 7 Dec 2015. The notification states the supercharged engine's ignition coils lack durability, repeated heating breaks the internal element, the engine misfires and loses acceleration and in the worst case stalls and will not restart.
What to look for: Feel both rear wheel centres after a drive for one much hotter, and check the car rolls freely in neutral.
Why it matters: MLIT recall 3426 (5 September 2014) covers 49,582 Note (DBA-E12), 2,622 March (DBA-K13) and 8,268 Latio (DBA-N17). The notification states a manufacturing jig scored the rear brake upper spring, the spring can fracture and in the worst case braking force is not fully released when the pedal is let go.
What to look for: Check no warning light stays on when switched to Ready, and ask for the battery fuse recall record.
Why it matters: MLIT recall 5240 (2 December 2022) covers 4,856 NISMO S Note (DAA-HE12) built 21 Aug 2018 to 28 July 2020. The notification states the internal fuse specification in the lithium-ion battery is wrong for the way the car is driven, degradation is accelerated, and in the worst case the fuse blows, a warning lamp lights, power to the motor stops and the car cannot be driven.
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: Select R and D from a stop several times, checking engagement is within a second with no delay or clunk.
Why it matters: Several cars had their CVT replaced, some twice; others had the CVT control unit replaced. A CVT that slips or flares is close to needing a unit, and a used or rebuilt CVT fitted is the usual fix.
What to look for: Accelerate gently then firmly and check revs rise in step with road speed, not flaring ahead of it.
Why it matters: Warning signs: whine, shudder, revs rising without speed, a delayed or harsh engagement, and limp mode. Repair is a replacement or rebuilt CVT.
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.
What to look for: Check the low beams stay on with adaptive beam and fog lights on and the switch at the parking position.
Why it matters: MLIT recall 4971 (11 June 2021) covers 11,317 Note (6AA-E13) built 12 Nov 2020 to 15 Feb 2021. The notification states the body control module program is deficient and the low beam extinguishes in that switch combination, so the car does not meet Japanese headlamp regulation Article 32. The same behaviour is a lighting-compliance problem for a New Zealand warrant of fitness.
What to look for: Check the air con blows properly cold at the centre vents on max and stays cold for several minutes.
Why it matters: Nissan's service campaign of 29 September 2023, filed with MLIT, covers Note (6AA-E13, 6AA-SNE13), Note Aura (6AA-FE13, 6AA-FSNE13), Serena (6AA-GC28, 6AA-GFC28) and Kicks (6AA-RP15, 6AA-SNP15) built between 2 Dec 2022 and 12 May 2023.
What to look for: Check the boot floor and spare wheel well for damp carpet, water staining or a musty smell.
Why it matters: Causes found by dealers: the high-mount brake lamp seal on the hatch (Nissan released a countermeasure lamp), rear glass bonding not fully sealed, the hatch latch area, and unsealed panel joins in the rear wheelhouse letting water and sand into the boot sides. Left alone it rots the spare wheel well, stains the trim and creates the musty smell that buyers walk away from.
Got a question about a Nissan Note? 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.