2012 Nissan Note problems
The 2012 Nissan Note was sold with an engine that we have documented: the 1.6 16v HR16DE / H4M. It has no documented serious faults for the cars of that year. Outside the engine, 5 documented faults affect 2012 cars, such as risk of airbag rupture or abnormal deployment.
2012 Nissan Note score: acceptable reliability
Calculated using only 8 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. How it is calculated
- Engine8.13 faults
- Gearbox10.0No documented faults
- Suspension7.21 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
- Brakes8.8Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.5 times the defects normal for its age
- Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
- Steering9.5Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.2 times the defects normal for its age
- Electrical system9.31 fault
- Headlights and lights8.11 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
- Electronics and infotainment10.0No documented faults
- Climate control10.0No documented faults
- Bodywork and interior8.61 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
- Airbags and safety7.11 fault
What changes compared with the 2011 Nissan Note
The same engines and the same documented faults as in 2011.
1.6 16v HR16DE / H4M engine in the 2012 Nissan Note
Names: 1.6 16V 110
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1.6 110-117 (HR16DE, Nissan Qashqai I, Juke I, Note I and Micra III)
110–117 hp · HR16DE
Across more than 100 combined accounts from four different cars (Qashqai I, Juke I, Note I and Micra III), no source documents internal block failures, nor a pattern of timing chain, catalytic converter or ignition coil faults. The only issue that repeats on more than one car is clutch wear in a minority of cases, unrelated to the engine itself.[1][2][3][4]
Faults that affect 2012 cars
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalClutchPremature clutch and flywheel wearThe clutch and, in one case, the flywheel wear out earlier than expected in several owner accounts for the Qashqai I and Juke I with this naturally aspirated engine. It is always a minority of cases and does not indicate any internal block failure.
- Medium severityFrequency: RareFuelIsolated case of engine stalling due to the fuel pumpOne account from the Nissan Note (first generation) with this engine describes the car stalling while driving because of a fuel pump failure. It is an isolated case among the accounts consulted, not a repeated pattern.
- Low severityFrequency: RareTimingNo documented pattern of chain, catalytic converter or coil failuresUnlike other turbo engines from the same alliance, the sources consulted do not document a pattern of timing chain, catalytic converter or ignition coil failures for this naturally aspirated block: across more than 100 combined accounts, these sections appear empty or, at most, with an isolated case.
Faults outside the engine in the 2012 Nissan Note
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalAirbags and safetyRisk of airbag rupture or abnormal deploymentTwo campaigns (2016 and 2017) cover Note I units in which the driver's airbag could rupture on deployment or the passenger airbag deploy abnormally; between them, the production batches covered span practically the whole production of this generation.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalSuspensionRapid and uneven tyre wearRapid and sometimes uneven tyre wear is, according to fiches-auto.fr, one of the best-known defects of the Note I; rear suspension and wheel bearing noises are also relatively common.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalBodywork and interiorWater leaks and paint defectsOn some Note I units, water can get in through the rear lights, the tailgate or the windscreen, causing damp in the boot, and the paint or bumpers can peel or rust sooner than expected.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalElectrical systemElectric window regulator failureOn the Note I, the motor, switches or guides of the electric window regulators can fail, leaving the glass slow, stuck or unresponsive to the switch.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalHeadlights and lightsCracked, cloudy or misaligned headlightsThree sources from three countries agree that the Note I's headlights deteriorate: cracked housings (Polish owners), yellowing lenses (fiches-auto.fr) and damaged or misaligned headlights, a common fail point at Germany's TÜV (CarWiki.de).
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Nissan Note reliable?
The 2012 Nissan Note was sold with an engine that we have documented: the 1.6 16v HR16DE / H4M. It has no documented serious faults for the cars of that year. Outside the engine, 5 documented faults affect 2012 cars, such as risk of airbag rupture or abnormal deployment.
Is the 2012 Nissan Note better than the 2011?
Going by the documented faults, they are the same: the same engines and the same faults affect the 2011 and 2012 cars. Choose on condition, mileage and maintenance history.
What faults does the 2012 Nissan Note have?
The most important ones documented for 2012 cars are: risk of airbag rupture or abnormal deployment (airbags and safety, critical severity), premature clutch and flywheel wear (1.6 16v HR16DE / H4M, medium severity), isolated case of engine stalling due to the fuel pump (1.6 16v HR16DE / H4M, medium severity), rapid and uneven tyre wear (suspension, medium severity) and water leaks and paint defects (bodywork and interior, medium severity).
Own a 2012 Nissan Note? Tell us what faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Fiabilité et pannes du Nissan Note (2006-2012)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité et pannes du Nissan Qashqai (1re génération)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité et pannes du Nissan JukeFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité et pannes du Nissan Micra IIIFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French