Steering rack and steering column Nissan: problems by model and engine

Documented faults, from most to least important

Severity × frequency. Below each one, the Nissan models it appears in.

- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalNissan Leaf ISteering column safety clip not fitted: the lower joint may loosenNissan recalled Leafs built from 12 February 2013 to 16 October 2014 because the safety clip of the steering column may not have been fitted at the factory: without it, the lower joint bolt can be tightened without the column shaft fully inserted, and it can loosen over time, with a risk of losing steering control.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalNissan Micra IIIPoorly tightened steering wheel retaining boltTwo separate campaigns (2003 and 2013) cover Micra III cars in which the bolt that secures the steering wheel to the steering shaft may not be properly tightened, with a risk of the steering wheel becoming loose or coming off.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalNissan NV200Defective steering wheel attachment to the steering column on the 2012 Nissan NV200Yes: Nissan recalled 2012 NV200s because the steering wheel attachment (the connecting part, according to the DVSA; the screws, according to Safety Gate) may not have the correct strength, and the wheel could come off the column under high force, with loss of steering control. It is inspected and, where necessary, the steering wheel assembly is replaced.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalNissan NV400Steering shaft to steering box joint poorly tightened on the Nissan NV400 (2016-2017)Yes: Nissan recalled NV400s built between 12 May 2016 and 6 June 2017 because the joint between the steering shaft and the steering box might not be properly bolted, with a risk of losing steering control. In the United Kingdom the manufacturer advised not driving them until repaired.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalNissan PrimastarCracks in the metal structure of the steering wheelYes: Primastars built between September 2012 and December 2013 may have cracks in the metal structure of the steering wheel due to a production error; in the worst case it could break and come away from the column. This is Safety Gate alert A12/1226/16 (2016), notified by Spain. It is inspected and the steering wheel replaced if necessary.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalNissan X-Trail IILoss of steering from the pinion cover bolt (2008-2009 campaigns)In 2008 and 2009 Nissan recalled X-Trail T31s in the UK over the steering rack: a bolt on the pinion cover could work loose, causing noise in the steering and, in the worst case, loss of control.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalNissan Micra IIIElectric power steering failureElectric power steering is one of the most frequently cited weak points of the Micra III: the assist motor, the torque sensor or the control unit can fail, leaving the steering heavier or causing intermittent loss of assistance.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalNissan NV400The NV400 instrument cluster with PREM3 equipment may not warn of a steering fault (2017)According to the British DVSA, in some PREM3 variant NV400s built between March and November 2017 the warning light did not come on when there was a steering fault, because of an incorrect software configuration of the instrument cluster. It is fixed with a software update.
- Critical severityFrequency: RareNissan Note ISteering pinion bearing that may be missing (2015 recall)Yes: a July 2015 European alert covered Note (E11) cars built between 27 June and 3 September 2008, because the lower needle roller bearing of the steering pinion may have been left out at the factory. Over time the pinion could disengage and cause loss of steering control.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalNissan X-Trail IIPlay in steering and suspension joints (TÜV)CarWiki.de, drawing on TÜV inspections, reports that the X-Trail T31 suffers worn joints with play, for example in the steering, with expensive repairs, along with lighting defects.

By Nissan model

Open yours to see only the faults that affect it, by engine and by year.

Parts for your Nissan for faults with the steering rack and column

Add the model and engine in the shop, or better still the registration plate or VIN, to see only the parts that fit.

Steering rack
- Buy part at Autodoc (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)

Affiliate links: if you buy from these shops, MotorFiable may receive a commission at no cost to you. Check compatibility against the registration plate or VIN before ordering. Affiliate links

Frequently asked questions

What faults with the steering rack and column do Nissan cars have?

In 7 models from Nissan there are 10 documented faults with the steering rack and column. The most important: steering column safety clip not fitted: the lower joint may loosen, poorly tightened steering wheel retaining bolt and defective steering wheel attachment to the steering column on the 2012 Nissan NV200. Each fault has its own page with the affected years and versions, the symptoms and the repair cost.

Which Nissan models have the most problems with the steering rack and column?

Nissan Micra III (2 faults), Nissan X-Trail II (2 faults), Nissan NV400 (2 faults) and Nissan Primastar (1 fault).