Nissan Juke Reliability and Common Problems

The Nissan Juke is a reliable subcompact SUV with eye-catching exteriors and good performance. Unfortunately, this model has been discontinued after its 2017 model year. But if you’re planning to buy a used 2017 Juke, its 5-year depreciation rate is still pretty decent at 34%, according to AutoPadre.com.

Are Nissan Jukes Reliable Cars?

The Nissan Juke is a reliable subcompact SUV. In fact, RepairPal.com gives it an excellent rating of 4.0 out of 5.0. Despite this rating, the Juke is last in RepairPal’s lineup of seven subcompact SUVs. This vehicle’s average annual repair cost contributes greatly to its rank. On average, you may need to spend $548 to maintain a Juke every year, which is already more than the average annual repair cost of other subcompact SUVs ($466).

In addition, you can expect to bring a Juke to the shop 0.4 times per year for unscheduled repairs. This means that you have to bring this vehicle to the shop more often than other subcompact SUVs (0.2 times per year). As for the probability of needing major repairs done, the Nissan Juke is pretty much on par with other subcompact SUVs, both at 12%.

As for longevity, the Nissan Juke can last up to 200,000 miles with proper care and regular maintenance.

Top Nissan Juke Problems

Despite its great reliability ratings, the Nissan Juke has a few serious issues that are worth noting. Below are some of the most common Nissan Juke problems:

Grinding Noise from Transmission

There’s only one report about this issue on CarComplaints.com, but it is somewhat related to the worst Nissan Juke problem, which is why it’s on this list. A 2016 Nissan Juke owner had reported smelling gas inside the passenger cabin. The owner took the vehicle to the dealership to have it checked and the mechanics did not notice the smell.

However, they did notice an unusual grinding noise coming from the Juke’s transmission. In the report, the owner said that they were going to receive updates on their vehicle, but there were no updates added to her first report as of writing. According to the report, this issue started happening at approximately 22,000 miles.

Nissan has not issued any recalls regarding this issue, but they did release several technical service bulletins (TSBs) for transmission issues in 2016 Nissan Jukes. There is one TSB that specifically addressed unusual clicking noises coming from the front or rear axle during acceleration. TSB #NTB12-055G was published on January 17, 2020, and contained repair instructions to fix the clicking noise in 2011-2017 Jukes. As of writing, there have been no TSBs to address the specific grinding noise from the transmission.

Turbocharger Failure

Both the 2013 and 2011 Nissan Juke had serious problems with their turbocharger. In fact, among the issues listed here, CarComplaints.com lists turbocharger failure as the worst Nissan Juke problem. Some owners have reported hearing unusual, loud noises while they were driving. After that, their vehicles lost power and they were unable to accelerate.

On the CarComplaints.com website, one owner posted details of a recall specifically for 2011 Jukes and said that they weren’t eligible for the recall. However, upon checking the rest of the TSBs for both the 2013 and 2011 Juke on CarComplaints, there are no TSBs that match the information provided by this owner. As of writing, there are no available recall documents for both the 2011 and 2013 Nissan Juke for this turbocharger issue.

Despite no information on recalls for the Juke, there are TSBs available online that give more information about the faulty turbocharger in some units. TSB #NTB16-035a, which was released in March 2017, contained updated repair information about turbocharger replacements on 2011-2017 Jukes.

Transmission Failure

Another significant 2013 Nissan Juke problem is transmission failure. Many affected owners have reported encountering severe transmission issues early on, starting at approximately 59,700 miles. According to one owner, they had to replace the timing chain, turbocharger, and transmission within the first five months of owning the Juke. Another owner had reported hearing a whining sound. Once they took it to the service center, the technician discovered metal shavings in unexpected places.

The affected owners were told by technicians and mechanics that to solve the issue, the transmission needed to be replaced. This repair cost the owners at least $4,000. While some of the owners said they received assistance from Nissan regarding the repair fees, this problem was even harder to manage for those whose warranties have already lapsed.

There are no recalls for this specific issue, but Nissan did release a few TSBs and voluntary service campaigns regarding timing chain replacement and proper transmission care. TSB #SB-10055923-4231 was released on September 22, 2014, and contained timing chain repair information for affected 2011-2013 Nissan Jukes. Meanwhile, TSB #NTB14057A was released in August 2015 to provide information on the correct diagnosis and repair of fluid leaks. Unfortunately, the document has yet to be uploaded to the CarComplaints.com website.

No-start Condition

The 2012 Nissan Juke has a serious problem that involves its electrical system. This issue makes it difficult for owners to start their vehicles. A Juke owner had reported that after leaving their vehicle parked for two hours, it refused to start and the lights flickered. After that, all the electrical systems in their vehicle shut down. Unfortunately, this issue kept happening, and each time, the owner replaced their battery as per the dealership’s suggestions. Other affected owners had similar problems, and one of them even reported changing the batteries on their Juke at least once a year because of this issue.

On average, affected owners noticed this problem at around 40,600 miles. It also took them around $530 to fix. While many owners reported that replacing the battery worked, others have said that replacing the brake pedal switch, alternator, and break switch solved the issue entirely.

Nissan had issued TSB #NTB12115 on December 13, 2012, to give more information on the nature of this electrical problem and how to fix it. As of writing, the PDF file of this document is yet to be made available online.

Engine Failure

The worst 2014 and 2011 Nissan Juke problem is engine failure. According to CarComplaints.com, while this issue isn’t the worst the Juke has ever had, it affected many owners very early on. According to 2011 model year owners, they had encountered this problem at 70,000 miles on average. Meanwhile, 2014 model year owners have reported similar issues at around 8,500 miles.

According to a Juke owner, they took their vehicle to the shop after it had made unusual noises. Another reported that the check engine light illuminated before they had the SUV checked. At the dealership, these owners were told that the problem was a broken timing chain that had damaged the engine.

For 2011 Nissan Jukes, this problem is covered by the TSB #SB-10055923-4231. Nissan has also released TSBs for engine-related issues on the 2014 model year, though not specifically for engine failure.

While the Nissan Juke is undoubtedly a reliable vehicle, it still has its fair share of problems and major issues. If you plan on buying a used Nissan Juke, make sure to do your research first. Find out the common problems of the model year you plan on buying and search for related TSBs and recalls. Also, clear everything up with the seller before you make your purchase.

Finding Replacement Parts for Your Nissan Juke

Driving the Nissan Juke becomes a hassle when you’ve got parts that can’t do their job right. Whether they’re damaged or worn out, the result is the same: an SUV that’s unsafe and difficult to drive. On the bright side, it’s easy to get replacements that fit your vehicle with the help of CarParts.com.

Find the perfect replacement parts by entering your ride’s specifications into our vehicle selector. This will narrow down our Nissan Juke catalog to the parts that fit your ride. Our selection includes accurate and detailed fitment information, so you’re sure to get exactly what your Juke needs to get back on the road.

Here at CarParts.com, you’ll never go over budget while shopping for your automotive needs. All our products come with a low-price guarantee to help you get the best value for your money.

Don’t keep your Nissan Juke cooped up in your garage due to bad parts. Shop now!