Common Problems with the Nissan Qashqai

The Qashqai - a compact crossover SUV - has, in the fifteen years since it first went on sale, secured its position as Nissan’s most successful vehicle to date. It’s designed to pack an impressive punch, offering the best of both worlds: the practicality, versatility and desirability of the SUV, combined with the driving dynamics, running costs and size of a hatchback.

This guide examines known issues with the Qashqai, providing owners and potential buyers with insights into specific faults and their average repair costs.

What’s wrong with the Nissan Qashqai?

While Nissan is considered a fairly reliable manufacturer, there are a few issues with the Qashqai that are frequently searched for by drivers. 

Nissan Qashqai radio problems

The radio in some Nissan Qashqai models can suddenly stop producing sound or fail to pick up certain radio stations. This is usually related to software issues. Disconnecting the battery and reconnecting it may solve the problem; if not, you should take your Qashqai to a dealer to check for a software update.

Nissan Qashqai alternator problems

The Qashqai can experience alternator problems, often because of a dodgy connection at the plug that goes into the voltage regulator. The factory wiring loom is quite short, so the wires can rub through over time and start to fray.

Nissan Qashqai turbo problems

Turbo trouble can crop up on some Qashqais due to oil starvation. It’s often caused by the turbo-bearing oil feed and return pipes getting partially blocked with carbon when the engine is switched off while the turbo is still very hot.

The good news is that it’s easy to reduce the risk of this happening – after a long run, especially on the motorway or after towing, letting the engine idle for a few minutes helps the turbo cool down gradually.

Learn how a turbo works in this guide.

Recent recalls

Nissan Qashqai 2007-2014 problems

1. DPF blockage

Qashqais can suffer from a clogged DPF, particularly in the 2.0-litre diesel engine. The 1.5-litre engine is also susceptible to sticking valves if mainly used for short, low-speed journeys.

What repair is needed to fix a DPF fault, and how much does it cost?

You should be able to fix a clogged diesel particulate filter by having it cleaned by a professional. You can find out more about the process here.

A Nissan Qashqai DPF clean costs £223.40 on average.

2. Turbocharger failure

Typically, this problem happens due to sticking valves. Common symptoms include stuttering while accelerating and uneven idling.

What repair is needed to fix a turbocharger failure, and how much does it cost?

The turbocharger will likely need to be replaced if the damage is too extensive for a repair. This is usually an expensive job.

Replacing the turbocharger on a Nissan Qashqai costs £706.69 on average when booked through FixMyCar.

3. Worn timing belt

The 1.5 dCi diesel engine’s timing belt must be changed at least every 60,000 miles (around four years). Otherwise, it will become worn and inevitably, it will fail.

When timing belts fail, they can cause serious - and expensive - damage to the whole engine.

What repair is needed to fix a worn timing belt, and how much does it cost?

The timing belt needs to be replaced as soon as it becomes worn. This costs £433.80 on average for a Nissan Qashqai.

4. Rear suspension issue

There is a known issue with the rear suspension shock absorbers, so make sure you listen for any rattling sounds in the back of the vehicle as this is a common symptom.

What repair is needed to fix the suspension, and how much does it cost?

A professional mechanic should be able to replace the shock absorbers relatively easily. The average price for a Qashqai shock absorber replacement on FixMyCar is £259.61.

Nissan Qashqai 2014-2020 problems

After almost 100,000 Qashqais were sold across Europe in the model’s first year, it’s hardly surprising that Nissan decided to introduce a second generation in 2014. Let’s look closely at some of this generation’s common faults.

1. Faulty parking sensors

Water may get into the parking sensors, causing them to either stop working or start warning you even if you’re not near anything.

What repair is needed to fix faulty parking sensors, and how much does it cost?

The parking sensors will need to be replaced if the water damage is too extensive to repair. Fixing parking sensors on a Nissan Qashqai costs £107.12 on average.

2. Excessive oil consumption

The 1.2-litre petrol engine is known to consume an unusually large amount of oil, so it’s important to check the dipstick level regularly. This isn’t a serious problem, but it can be inconvenient if you get caught out on a long journey with low engine oil.

What repair is needed to fix excessive oil consumption, and how much does it cost?

The solution is to regularly check and top up your oil. It costs £112.75 on average for a Nissan Qashqai oil change, but most of the time, you’ll just need to add some extra oil yourself. 

3. Gear change issues

Four-wheel-drive models may slip out of reverse gear. 

What repair is needed to fix gear change issues, and how much does it cost?

Gearbox linkage repairs cost £653.33 on average for a Nissan Qashqai.

Nissan Qashqai 2021-present problems

Data on the latest Qashqai is still fairly limited. Here's everything we know so far.

1. Infotainment and electrical glitches

The bulk of Mk3 Qashqai faults involve the central touchscreen/NissanConnect system and associated features, rather than the engine or gearbox.

What repair is needed for electrical glitches, and how much does it cost?

These problems are typically resolved by dealers with software updates, resetting or reprogramming the infotainment unit, or replacing individual electrical components (such as control modules or sensors) where necessary.

Years to avoid

There aren’t any universally agreed “never buy” years for the Qashqai, but reliability data and workshop experience suggest being selective about certain engine and age combinations.

• Older Mk1 diesels (roughly 2007-2010) - High-mileage 1.5 and 2.0-litre diesel Qashqais from the first generation are the most likely to suffer from DPF blockages, turbocharger problems and neglected timing belts, especially if they’ve mainly been used for short, stop-start journeys.

• Mk2 1.2-litre petrols (2014-2018) - The 1.2-litre petrol engine used in many 2014–2018 Qashqais is known for using more oil than expected and, in some cases, timing-chain wear, gearbox issues and rattling under acceleration.

Is the Nissan Qashqai reliable?

The Nissan Qashqai’s reliability is a bit of a mixed bag. Older models - especially high-mileage diesels and 1.2-litre petrols - have a clear track record of problems like DPF blockages, timing-chain and turbo issues, plus some well-known battery faults, so they’re not what you’d call bombproof. Mid-life petrol cars with the right engine and a strong service history are better but still not flawless.

In What Car?’s data, the 2014-21 Qashqai scored 83.2% for reliability and finished 19th out of 34 family SUVs, with diesel versions singled out as particularly weak. Older 2014-21 diesels score just 74.0%, putting them among the least reliable used family SUVs in the survey. By contrast, the latest 2021-on Qashqai did well in the 2023 What Car? Reliability Survey, coming 11th out of 34 family SUVs, which puts it comfortably above average.

In plain terms: new Qashqais are generally reliable, but older diesels in particular are best approached with caution.

If you found this guide helpful, you might also like:

• Nissan Qashqai owners' guide

• Common car problems

• Make/model ownership guides

• Car ownership 101: everything you need to know

• The ultimate guide to car maintenance