Nissan just dropped off its funky subcompact SUV, the Juke this year and we can’t take our eye off it. But it turns out that most of the money went into the looks and not the engineering as the reliability aspect of this compact has been more or less dreadful. Powertrain issues have been piling up and people are struggling to get proper support from the manufacturer. 3 recalls and 143 user complaints might look decent on a brand new product, but that is only till you realize the critical powertrain problems it hides. So, should you be spending $19,570 on the Juke which is more or less on its test period? We might have an answer for that in this section. Some alternates you could consider instead of the 2011 Nissan Juke are the Kia Soul, the Mini Countryman, and the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport.
2011 Nissan Juke User Complaints and Problems
Mechanical Complaints
- Engine Problems- Engine problems have been something that has been plaguing the 2011 Nissan Juke. Faulty timing chain tensioner has been the prime cause of the issues, which can cause engine oil leaks and even engine head failure in worst cases. Vehicles with mileage under 50,000 miles are reported to exhibit this complaint. Nissan had to admit to this inherent fault with the engine and released a voluntary service campaign with warranty extension policies to cover the damage to users. Apart from that, fuel pressure sensor leak and boost pressure sensor fault on the turbocharger is the other issue seen with the unit, both of which have received separate recalls.
- Transmission/CVT problems- Like the engine, the CVT units on the 2011 Nissan Juke are another major failure point as reported by the NHTSA. Inherent design defects cause the transmission to overheat, resulting in uneven lubrication and premature wear of its internal components. Excessive noise while acceleration, hesitation to throttle, jerking, and stalling when coming to a halt are the most common indications of a faulty transmission.
Electric System complaints
- Starting issues- Starting issues on the 2011 Nissan Juke can arise due to a variety of conditions. The primary faults to check out for are a blown starter relay/fuse or faulty brake pedal switch. If those seem to work fine, then it might be the battery itself as this iteration of the Juke is known for parasitic battery drain issues and has several TSBs of the charging system and related wiring issues.
Structural Complaints
- Water leak- Several 2011 Nissan Juke have reported finding water in the passenger footwell as well as the trunk floor in the SUV. This model year of the Juke is prone to this issue and several points on the off and liftgate are reported to have minor leaks. Vehicles under warranty could get the leak fixed at the dealer and no information on manufacturer support on this issue is available as of now.
2011 Nissan Juke Recalls
|
S. No |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
7th March 2018 |
18V156000 |
The fuel pressure sensor may loosen and leak |
During a previous recall remedy, the fuel pressure sensor may not have been properly tightened, potentially causing the sensor to loosen and leak fuel |
The dealers will tighten the fuel pressure sensor to the proper torque, free of charge. The recall began on April 24, 2018. |
|
2 |
24th February 2012 |
12C069000 |
The fuel pressure sensor may leak |
The fuel pressure sensors may not have been tightened to the correct specification which may lead it to loosen by the heat and vibration, causing fuel to leak and increase the risk of a fire. |
The dealers will replace the fuel pressure sensors, as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 2, 2012. |
|
3 |
8th December 2011 |
11V583000 |
Air inlet tube |
The turbocharger boost sensor bracket may separate from the air inlet tube due to a defective weld, causing the vehicle to stall and increasing the risk of a crash. |
The dealers will check the lot number on the air inlet tube and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about January 9, 2012. |
Should you buy a used 2011 Nissan Juke?
2011 would probably not be the best time to get the Nissan Juke in our opinion. Being a platform that reportedly is prone to both engine and transmission complaints in such a short duration after launch, and receiving multiple recalls and TSBs for the same, the Juke, in its nascent stage, is a hard subcompact SUV to own. Even though the improved customer support programs and warranty policies might clear the air a bit, a vehicle with inherent powertrain problems is never a good daily runner. Given the segment it competes in prioritizes the economical and reliability aspects of ownership, the 2011 Nissan Juke is a tough sell as we see it.
