Credov's researched list of the 5 faults the Nissan Tiida is known for (2005–2008), 5 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: 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: Look at the car on level ground for one front corner sitting low, and check each spring's bottom coil for rust.
Why it matters: Road salt makes it much worse, so JDM imports from Hokkaido and the snowy north of Japan are the higher-risk cars in NZ, but springs also broke on cars from warm areas. Fix is new springs (do them in pairs), around NZ$400-900 fitted, plus a tyre if it has been cut.
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 all brake lights come on every time with a helper pressing and releasing the pedal repeatedly.
Why it matters: MLIT recall 2227 (5 December 2008) covers 118,444 Tiida (DBA-C11) and 14,856 (DBA-NC11) built 6 Sept 2004 to 11 June 2007. The notification states an unsuitable lubricant used in making the stop lamp bulb socket lets an insulating deposit form at the contact, the contact heats up, the socket plastic deforms and the stop lamp stops working. Non-functioning brake lights fail a New Zealand warrant of fitness.
Sources: 1
What to look for: Drive it warm and listen for a rising whine, and feel for slip or flare on acceleration.
Why it matters: Old or wrong fluid and heat speed up the wear. Fix is usually a used or reconditioned CVT, about NZ$2,000-4,500 fitted in NZ, more for new.
Got a question about a Nissan Tiida? 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.