Common Problems with the Nissan Juke
FixMyCar discusses common problems with the Nissan Juke and average repair costs.
Compare Nissan Juke repair quotesEllie Dyer-Brown
Thursday October 30 2025
6 min read
The Nissan Juke turned heads when it hit UK roads in 2010, blending SUV practicality with sporty styling. Loved for its distinctive looks and fun driving feel, it’s become one of Nissan’s most recognisable models.
This guide examines known issues with the Juke, providing owners and potential buyers with insights into specific faults and their average repair costs.
What's wrong with the Nissan Juke?
Drivers are searching online for information about the following problems.
Nissan Juke 1.2 DIG-T problems
DIG-T stands for Direct Injection Gasoline Turbo. Early 1.2-litre units are known for poor reliability, with common faults including timing chain stretch and turbo failure – both of which are costly to fix.
Average timing chain replacement price: £1,112.25
Average turbo fault repair price: £759.75
Nissan Juke hybrid problems
Some Juke hybrid owners report the car staying in second gear at around 30mph, causing the engine to rev loudly. In many cases, a software update fixes the issue.
Nissan Juke automatic gearbox problems
The 1.6 CVT (continuously variable transmission) draws frequent complaints: jerky acceleration, shuddering, whining and, in some cases, complete failure well before 50,000 miles. The cause is often internal bearing wear, and the fix is typically a full transmission replacement, which can cost thousands of pounds.
Recent recalls
| Recall number | Date | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| R/2025/118 | 07.04.25 | On affected vehicles the front seat belt may have been accidentally damaged during the parts preparation for assembly. |
| R/2024/234 | 17/06.24 | On affected vehicles the VIN stored in the vehicle system may not match the actual VIN of the vehicle. This may lead to a situation where a vehicle user can see information related to a different vehicle resulting in a data security breach. |
| R/2024/179 | 25.04.24 | On affected vehicles the right hand rear door welds may be out of specification. The door may rattle and a side impact may increase the risk of deformation. In the extreme impact could cause the hinge to fail and the door to open. |
| R/2023/096 | 19.04.23 | A potential concern affecting the HEVC (Hybrid Electric Vehicle Control) module software has been identified which may cause a module reset of affected vehicles. Simultaneous pressing of brake and accelerator could cause engine stumble or stall. |
| R/2021/345 | 21.10.21 | The rear seat back may not be securely latched when returned to the upright position after folding. |
| R/2021/074 | 30.03.21 | The driver’s air bag may tear during inflation. |
| R/2020/220 | 14.08.20 | Possible reduced retention force of the rear door child lock switch. |
| R/2018/233 | 05.09.18 | Ignition switch spring defect may cause engine to be turned off while driving. |
Nissan Juke 2010-2019 problems
1. CVT gearbox issues
As mentioned previously, the CVT gearbox in 1.6 models is notoriously unreliable, and repairs are often not possible. Signs of a problem include:
Jerky gear changes
Whining or grinding noises
Hesitation
What repair is needed for CVT gearbox issues, and how much does it cost for a Nissan Juke?
You will likely need to replace the entire gearbox, which can cost thousands of pounds if it isn’t covered under warranty.
2. Turbo failure
The turbocharger in petrol and diesel models can fail due to a blocked oil feed line, starving the turbo of lubrication. However, this problem can be avoided by regularly changing the oil.
What repair is needed for turbo failure, and how much does it cost for a Nissan Juke?
Repairing the turbo in a Juke costs £778.25 on average.
3. Premature clutch wear
Some Juke owners have reported signs of premature clutch wear, such as juddering, vibrations, clutch slipping, a higher biting point and difficulty shifting gears.
What repair is needed for premature clutch wear, and how much does it cost for a Nissan Juke?
The average price of a Juke clutch replacement on FixMyCar is £602.31.
4. Worn front brake pads
The front brake pads can also wear out prematurely. When this happens, you may notice squeaking or grinding when you apply the brakes, reduced brake responsiveness and vibrations through the brake pedal.
What repair is needed for worn front brake pads, and how much does it cost for a Nissan Juke?
Replacing the front pads on a Nissan Juke costs £105.86 on average; for the front pads and discs, it’s £267.87.
Nissan Juke 2019-2025 common problems
1. Low-speed hesitation
Some Jukes with the 7-speed DCT can pause when you press the accelerator, then lurch forward a moment later. Owners report it both in Drive and Reverse, especially at low speeds.
What repair is needed for low-speed hesitation, and how much does it cost for a Nissan Juke?
Garages usually start with a software update/adaptation for the gearbox. If the behaviour remains, further diagnosis is needed. Expect £60–£120 for diagnostics; updates typically take ~1 hour of labour.
2. Forward-collision/AEB warning
Owners of 2019-onward Jukes report intermittent collision warning lights or the system cutting in too eagerly. Dirt on the camera/radar, misalignment or a faulty sensor can trigger this.
What repair is needed for forward collision/AEB warning, and how much does it cost for a Nissan Juke?
Start with cleaning the camera/radar area and a diagnostic test. If needed, ADAS calibration or sensor replacement follows. The average price of a diagnostic test for a Juke is £61.96. Replacing a sensor costs £72.44 on average.
3. Infotainment glitches
Owners report the head-unit freezing, going blank or losing USB power. Many are cured with a hard reset or firmware update; a few need a replacement unit.
What repair is needed for infotainment glitches, and how much does it cost for a Nissan Juke?
Try a hard reset and firmware update first. If the unit has failed, replacement may be needed. Guide prices: diagnostics/reset £60–£120; update ~1 hour labour; replacement £700–£1,200+ supplied & fitted.
4. Water leaking into the boot or rear footwell
Multiple owners of 2019-present Jukes report water in the boot or rear carpets after heavy rain. The usual culprits are tailgate seals or rear body vents that need resealing or replacement.
What repair is needed for leaking water, and how much does it cost for a Nissan Juke?
Common fixes include resealing the tailgate area, replacing/resealing the rear vents, and drying the interior. The typical cost is £80–£200, with higher costs if trim removal and drying time are extensive.
5. Worn brakes
Repair data summaries for the current Juke list brakes as the most common fault area, usually minor and cheap to fix. As with the previous generation, owners often mention pads wearing sooner than expected.
Read about five brake problems you shouldn't ignore.
What repair is needed for worn brakes, and how much does it cost for a Nissan Juke?
The cost depends on which parts of the brakes are worn. Below are the average prices for various brake repairs on the Juke:
Front pads: £105.86
Front and rear pads: £181.58
Front and rear pads and discs: £459.02
Rear pads and discs: £219.09
Front brake callipers: £332.20
Rear brake callipers: £150.61
Is the Nissan Juke reliable?
The Nissan Juke is not a reliable car. In What Car?’s 2025 Reliability Survey, it came in last place, 38th out of 38 vehicles in the small SUV class with a score of just 55.2%. Nissan, as a brand, did almost as poorly, coming 29th out of 30 manufacturers.
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Ellie is FixMyCar's Content Manager. She has over three years of experience writing about cars and regularly collaborates with automotive experts to provide trustworthy advice for drivers that is easy understand. Her work has been featured in Yahoo! Finance, iNews, The Daily Express and The Sun. She has a BA in English literature and an MA in creative writing from Durham University. Outside of work, Ellie follows F1 and eagerly awaits Ferrari's next era of dominance in the sport. She drives a Suzuki Swift.