Credov's researched list of the 21 faults the Nissan Serena is known for (2010–2016), 19 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: Listen at the front of the engine for a whine or rattle, and watch for a flashing idle-stop or charge light.
Why it matters: MLIT recall 5268 (27 January 2023) covers 275,424 Serena (DBA-FC26, DBA-FNC26, DBA-NC26, DBA-C26) and X-Trail (DBA-NT32, DBA-T32) built 20 Sept 2010 to 2 June 2017, and recall 5269 covers a further 246,833 Serena S-Hybrid (DAA-HC26, DAA-HFC26). The notification states the ECO motor's internal bearing seal specification is wrong, debris enters, the bearing breaks, the motor fails and the engine stops;
What to look for: Listen at the alternator at idle and on a throttle blip for rattle, and check the charge light isn't on.
Why it matters: Two Japanese campaigns cover this. MLIT recall 5379 (29 September 2023) covers 45,402 Serena without idling stop (DBA-C26, DBA-NC26, DBA-FC26, DBA-FNC26, DBA-FPC26, DBA-FNPC26): the grease in the pulley one-way clutch is not heat-resistant enough, the clutch wears and breaks, the pulley free-spins, charging fails and the engine stops - and a pulley that comes off the shaft while hot can contact flammable material in…
What to look for: Feel for shudder or slip at 30-60 km/h, and check the OBD scan results for any gearbox (CVT) code.
Why it matters: MLIT recall 4770 (3 July 2020) covers 29,761 Serena (DAA-HC26) and 80,558 (DAA-HFC26) built 3 July 2012 to 2 Dec 2013. The notification states the CVT control program is inappropriate and scores the steel belt, and that continued use can break the belt and leave the car unable to move.
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: Feel for hesitation or a stumble to idle when pressing the accelerator with a slight sideways push on the drive.
Why it matters: MLIT recall 3227 (27 September 2013) covers 159,945 plus 20,667 Serena C25 (DBA-CC25, DBA-CNC25), 125,951 plus 9,272 plus 9,842 X-Trail T31 (DBA-NT31, DBA-T31, CBA-TNT31) and 3,196 Fuga. The notification states the accelerator sensor's internal contact force is insufficient when the pedal is pushed sideways, the signal drops out, fail-safe limits throttle opening and acceleration is lost - and that the fail-safe air…
Sources: 1
What to look for: Ask if the car has ever shut down with fuel in the tank, and ask for the software update record.
Why it matters: MLIT recall 5129 (15 April 2022) states the e-POWER vehicle control module program is inappropriate, so on particular roads and driving conditions the car can decide it is out of fuel when it is not while starting the generator engine, activate a fail-safe that cuts output, and become undriveable. On an imported Serena this software is unlikely to have been updated locally.
What to look for: Look for a resin cap on the engine computer's bolt tip, and for wear on the wiring sleeve next to it.
Why it matters: MLIT recall 5351 (14 July 2023) states the engine bay harness routing is deficient, the engine control unit mounting bolt tip can enter the slit in the harness protector and contact the wiring directly, the insulation is then damaged, the bolt reaches the conductor and short circuits, and in the worst case the motor stops while driving and the car cannot be driven.
Sources: 1
What to look for: Listen for a rattle underneath over bumps, and look behind each wheel for a cracked or loose brake hose bracket.
Why it matters: MLIT recall 5171 (1 July 2022) covers 502 Serena (5AA-GFNC27) and 303 (5AA-GNC27), four-wheel-drive only, built 8 Dec 2021 to 16 Feb 2022. The notification states the bracket weld to the body was partly inadequate, the bracket comes off, driving vibration lets the brake pipe strike the body and make a noise, the pipe is then damaged, fluid leaks and in the worst case one brake circuit fails and stopping distance…
What to look for: Ask about rough running or stalling on cold mornings, and ask for the fuel pump campaign record.
Why it matters: MLIT recall 3248 (1 November 2013) covers 251,876 Serena for a high-pressure fuel pump whose cover shape lets driving-wind chill freeze water in the fuel at the pump filter, blocking it, lighting the warning lamp and making the engine run unevenly.
What to look for: Look for rust or pitting on both tailgate struts, especially the end caps, and check the tailgate stays up.
Why it matters: MLIT recall 3803 (15 April 2016) covers 428,392 vehicles, of which the Serena C26 share is 174,666 (DAA-HFC26), 60,354 (DAA-HC26), 82,962 (DBA-FC26), 28,961 (DBA-FNC26), 57,402 (DBA-C26), 20,885 (DBA-NC26) plus the FPC26 variants.
Sources: 1
What to look for: Look for the earth straps pulling tight as a helper revs the engine, and feel along each for broken strands.
Why it matters: MLIT recall 2226 (5 December 2008) covers 56,543 plus 9,469 Serena C25 (DBA-CC25, DBA-CNC25) built 24 May 2006 to 18 April 2008. The notification states the main and sub earth leads are the wrong length, engine rocking breaks both leads, the engine stalls and will not restart.
Sources: 1
What to look for: Check the ABS and stability warning lights go out at start, and ask for the ABS recall record.
Why it matters: MLIT recall 3977 (27 January 2017) covers 7,789 plus 1,321 plus 2,414 plus 815 plus 463 Serena C27 (DAA-GFC27, DAA-GFNC27, DAA-GC27, DAA-GNC27, DBA-C27) built 1 Oct to 10 Nov 2016. The notification states an assembly setting error damaged the internal seal of the pump inside the ABS actuator, discharge pressure during ABS operation may be insufficient and in the worst case ABS does not work and stability under…
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: Check the coolant level cold, look for staining around the radiator, and watch the gauge on a long drive.
Why it matters: A slow leak often goes unnoticed until the engine overheats, which can then damage the head gasket. A radiator costs about 30,000-50,000 yen in Japan.
What to look for: Drive it warm and listen for a rising whine, and feel for slip, flare or hesitation on acceleration.
Why it matters: Japanese owners report failures from about 60,000 km and replacements around 400,000 yen; CarComplaints Sentra and Rogue owners with the related CVT report failures between about 70,000 and 300,000 km. A used or rebuilt unit is the usual fix and can cost more than an older Serena is worth.
What to look for: Accelerate firmly and check the car gains speed in step with the revs, not revving with no pickup.
Why it matters: Some cars improved after a fluid, filter, strainer and pan service at a CVT specialist, but often the gearbox still needs replacing. Earlier C26s also had sudden losses of acceleration on motorway climbs.
What to look for: Hold a steady 30 km/h and feel through the seat and pedals for a judder or vibration.
Why it matters: C26 owners (including S-Hybrids) report a vibration through the accelerator at about 30 km/h with no acceleration, a knocking-like shudder at 20-40 km/h, and big shift shocks from R to D and after idle-stop restarts. Nissan released a CVT reprogramming update for some of these complaints, and at least one car with the knocking shudder had its CVT replaced.
What to look for: Check for an engine warning light or a 'system failure' message, and ask for EGR cleaning history.
Why it matters: It starts with warning lights, then poor starting, rough idle and idle-stop faults, and can end with stalling and a tow. Dealers have quoted 150,000-250,000 yen when the cause was unclear, while an EGR valve replacement is typically about 50,000-70,000 yen.
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.
Sources: 1
What to look for: Listen for a metallic knock from under the rear floor when pulling away briskly and braking with about half a tank.
Why it matters: MLIT recall 2753 (27 May 2011) covers 61,536 plus 10,703 Serena C25 (DBA-CC25, DBA-CNC25) built 24 May 2006 onward. The notification states the weld between the fuel tank and the internal anti-slosh baffle plate lacks durability, repeated fuel movement cracks it, the weld then breaks and the plate moves on take-off or stopping.
Sources: 1
Got a question about a Nissan Serena? 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.