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Nissan carsCode E12

Nissan Note II problems (2013–2017)

We have documented 2 engines and 1 gearbox for the Nissan Note II; the CVT Xtronic gearbox and the 1.5 dCi have high or critical severity faults. The safest option is the 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR) in its 1.2 HR12DE 80 hp (Micra K13 and Note E12, 2010-2017) version, with a «Buy» verdict.[1][2]

Outside the engine: Apart from the engine, the Note II (2013–2017) has few documented problems: owner reports on fiches-auto.fr (44) mention suspension creaks, car radio faults and the odd clutch on the 1.5 dCi, all isolated cases, and German sources add broken suspension springs from 80,000–100,000 km. There are two European campaigns (start button and driver's airbag); AutoCentrum.pl rates it 4.4 out of 5.[3][4][5][6][7][8]

Nissan Note II (2013–2017)
Photo: Tokumeigakarinoaoshima · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons. Reference image for this generation.
02468107.4out of 10

Nissan Note II rating: acceptable reliability

Calculated using only 14 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. Limited evidence: a score of 7.0 or more claims that the car is reliable, and getting into the rankings requires at least 6 sources in 3 languages, 2 real documented faults outside the engine and well-studied engines. It doesn't meet that yet. How it is calculated

  • Engine7.7From 6.8 to 8.6 depending on the engine
  • Gearbox7.7Manual: 9.3 · CVT Xtronic: 6.2
  • Suspension7.92 faults and ITV (technical inspection)
  • Brakes8.7Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.5 times the defects normal for its age
  • Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
  • Steering9.3Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.3 times the defects normal for its age
  • Electrical system9.31 fault
  • Headlights and lights7.4Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.0 times the defects normal for its age
  • Electronics and infotainment9.61 fault
  • Climate control10.0No documented faults
  • Bodywork and interior7.8Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.9 times the defects normal for its age
  • Airbags and safety8.91 fault

The weak points of the Nissan Note II

  1. 1High severity: Oil leaks and internal wear that can force gearbox replacementCVT Xtronic gearbox
  2. 2High severity: Limp mode and loss of traction due to rev fluctuationsCVT Xtronic gearbox
  3. 3High severity: Premature turbo failure and intake hoses that come loose1.5 dCi engine
  4. 4Medium severity: Jerking, vibrations and a slipping sensation under accelerationCVT Xtronic gearbox
  5. 5Medium severity: Premature dual-mass flywheel failure and clutch problems1.5 dCi engine · repair €700–€1,300

Documented engines, from highest to lowest risk

The first label is the most serious fault affecting that engine in this car; the second, our verdict for the versions it is fitted to. Each engine's risk index is calculated only from the faults that affect this car (how we calculate it). We only show engines we have documented with sources: if yours does not appear, we have not analysed it yet. View all engines

See what to check before buying

Outside the engine

2 recalls and campaigns documented, the latest: Start button that does not return. See the campaigns for the Nissan Note II

28 sourcesHow we work

CVT Xtronic gearbox

Jatco Xtronic / X-Tronic CVT (JF015E, JF016E, JF017E)

In the Note II
2013–2017[3]
Name
Xtronic CVT
Faults that affect it
3 · 2 of high or critical severity
Risk index on this car
38
Moderate risk

Verdict for the version it uses

  • Jatco CVT7 JF015E (compact applications)since 2009 · JF015E

    With caution

    Owner reports for the Qashqai II, Juke and Pulsar point to this gearbox as one of the car's weak points, with jerking and wear that sometimes force components to be replaced; it is worth checking the oil change history and doing a long road test before buying any version with this gearbox.[9][10][11]

Faults that affect the Note II

  1. High severityFrequency: OccasionalTransmissionOil leaks and internal wear that can force gearbox replacementYes: Autopista describes rapid wear of internal components in the Qashqai's Jatco JF015E gearbox that can cause oil leaks and force replacement of worn parts or, in the most advanced cases, the complete gearbox.
  2. High severityFrequency: OccasionalElectronicsLimp mode and loss of traction due to rev fluctuationsOn the Qashqai II, fiches-auto.fr describes the Xtronic gearbox as able to end up "in safe mode" if pressure or internal parts degrade; Nissan also recalled units with the CVT gearbox built between July 2013 and July 2014 over a risk of loss of traction.
  3. Medium severityFrequency: CommonTransmissionJerking, vibrations and a slipping sensation under accelerationYes: several owner fault roundups point to the Xtronic gearbox as a weak point of the Qashqai, X-Trail, Juke, Pulsar and Koleos II: jerking and vibrations under gentle acceleration, the engine revving without the car keeping pace, and sometimes grinding noises.

Note II CVT Xtronic gearbox pageAll versions and faults of the CVT Xtronic

1.5 dCi

Renault 1.5 dCi (K9K) · Diesel

In the Note II
2013–2017[12][13]
Name
1.5 dCi 90
Faults that affect it
4 · 1 of high or critical severity
Risk index on this car
32
Moderate risk

Verdict for the versions it uses

  • 1.5 dCi Euro 5 with particulate filter (75, 90, 95 and 110 hp, 2010-2015)2010–2015 · 75–110 hp · K9K 608, K9K 609, K9K 656, K9K 770, K9K 832, K9K 836, K9K 837, K9K 846, K9K 892, K9K 896

    With caution

    The 90 hp has an excellent record. On the 110 hp it is worth checking the turbo, the injectors and, on the first units with a DPF, the condition of the filter; on a 2010 Scénic III, check the belt change. Caradisiac considers the engine fully sorted from 2012.[12][14][15]

  • 1.5 dCi Energy Euro 6 with NOx trap (90 and 110 hp, 2015-2018)2015–2018 · 90–110 hp · K9K 500, K9K 628, K9K 647

    Buy

    There are no documented recurring serious faults: there are isolated cases of injectors and turbo failures that are much rarer than in earlier generations. On 2015 Captur and Kadjar models, check that the emissions campaign has been carried out.[16][17][18]

Faults that affect the Note II

Only those that affect the versions and years that this car used. The 1.5 dCi has 8 documented faults in total.

  1. High severityFrequency: OccasionalTurboPremature turbo failure and intake hoses that come looseThe turbo on the 105 and 110 hp 1.5 dCi can fail early: Caradisiac documents it on the Clio III, Scénic III and Qashqai II, sometimes before 80,000 km. More common and cheaper is for a turbo intake hose to come loose or burst and the engine to lose power.
  2. Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalClutchPremature dual-mass flywheel failure and clutch problemsThe 105 and 110 hp 1.5 dCi engines can break the dual-mass flywheel early, sometimes before 40,000 km. It warns you with vibrations at idle and metallic noises, and forces you to replace the clutch and flywheel assembly.Repair (garage): €700–€1,300
  3. Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalInjectionInjector and injector seal failuresThe 1.5 dCi injectors, or their seals, can fail early, especially on the 110 hp, causing rough running, jerking or hard starting. Replacing the affected injector is usually enough; Caradisiac still reports cases on the Kadjar and Duster II.
  4. Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalEmissions controlNOx trap and AdBlue system on the Euro 6 1.5 dCiThe 2015 Euro 6b 1.5 dCi engines had a badly calibrated NOx trap that Renault corrected with recall campaigns. On the Blue dCi (from 2018), the AdBlue pump, tank or injector can fail, with an emissions warning and even the car locked out with a full tank.

Note II 1.5 dCi pageAll versions and faults of the 1.5 dCi

1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR)

Safest option

Nissan 1.2 tricilíndrico: HR12DE atmosférico and HR12DDR DIG-S con compresor · Petrol

In the Note II
2013–2017[4]
Names
Note 1.2 80 CV · Note 1.2 DIG-S 98 CV
Faults that affect it
1
Risk index on this car
14
Low risk

Verdict for the versions it uses

Faults that affect the Note II

  1. Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalIgnitionShort-circuited ignition coil: the engine stalls and will not restartIn Micra and Note 1.2 DIG-S built between July 2015 and January 2016, a short circuit in the ignition coil could blow a fuse and stop the engine, which would then not restart. Nissan notified owners and the remedy is a new coil.

Note II 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR) pageAll versions and faults of the 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR)

Faults of the Nissan Note II outside the engine

Suspension, brakes, tyres, electronics and the rest of the car. They occur with any engine.

What the MOT inspection finds on the Nissan Note II

Official Dutch MOT (APK) inspection data: 2,168 inspections of 750 cars registered between 2013 and 2017, compared with cars of the same age.

  • Suspension and axles· counts in the score

    Defects in 3.7% of inspections; in cars of its age, 3.6%.

    Average

  • Brakes· counts in the score

    Defects in 1.9% of inspections; in cars of its age, 3.9%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Steering· counts in the score

    Defects in 0.1% of inspections; in cars of its age, 1.5%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Headlights and lights· counts in the score

    Defects in 15.6% of inspections; in cars of its age, 15.2%.

    Average

  • Rust and bodywork· counts in the score

    Defects in 0.1% of inspections; in cars of its age, 0.2%.

    Average

  • Exhaust and emissions

    Defects in 0.2% of inspections; in cars of its age, 1.6%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Fluid leaks

    Defects in 0.4% of inspections; in cars of its age, 1.9%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Glass, wipers and mirrors

    Defects in 4.4% of inspections; in cars of its age, 4%.

    Average

  • Tyres and wheels· depends mostly on maintenance

    Defects in 15.1% of inspections; in cars of its age, 16.5%.

    Average

The inspection measures wear and the defects visible at a periodic check, not engine or electronics failures. Source: RDW Open Data (public domain). How we calculate it · opendata.rdw.nl

Checklist for buying a used Nissan Note II

Check the advert or the paperwork to see which engine the car has and go through its section. Each point comes from a documented fault; you can tick them off as you inspect.

If it has the CVT Xtronic gearbox (2013–2017)

Oil leaks and internal wear that can force gearbox replacement

High severity

Limp mode and loss of traction due to rev fluctuations

High severity

Jerking, vibrations and a slipping sensation under acceleration

Medium severity

If it has the 1.5 dCi (2013–2017)

Premature turbo failure and intake hoses that come loose

High severity

Premature dual-mass flywheel failure and clutch problems

Medium severity

Injector and injector seal failures

Medium severity

NOx trap and AdBlue system on the Euro 6 1.5 dCi

Medium severity

If it has the 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR) (2013–2017)

Short-circuited ignition coil: the engine stalls and will not restart

Medium severity

Wear parts for the Nissan Note II

Brakes, wiper blades, pollen filter and battery, searched for this model. The exact part number depends on the engine and year: confirm it with the registration plate or VIN.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the Nissan Note II reliable?

We have documented 2 engines and 1 gearbox for the Nissan Note II; the CVT Xtronic gearbox and the 1.5 dCi have high or critical severity faults. The safest option is the 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR) in its 1.2 HR12DE 80 hp (Micra K13 and Note E12, 2010-2017) version, with a «Buy» verdict. Apart from the engine, the Note II (2013–2017) has few documented problems: owner reports on fiches-auto.fr (44) mention suspension creaks, car radio faults and the odd clutch on the 1.5 dCi, all isolated cases, and German sources add broken suspension springs from 80,000–100,000 km. There are two European campaigns (start button and driver's airbag); AutoCentrum.pl rates it 4.4 out of 5.

Which Nissan Note II engine is the most reliable?

Among the 2 engines and 1 gearbox we have documented, the safest option is the 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR) in its 1.2 HR12DE 80 hp (Micra K13 and Note E12, 2010-2017) version, with a «Buy» verdict. A Polish source describes it as simple and durable, and the German guide documents no chain faults; we have not found any faults of its own, although the source base is small.[1][2]

What problems does the Nissan Note II have apart from the engine?

Apart from the engine, the Note II (2013–2017) has few documented problems: owner reports on fiches-auto.fr (44) mention suspension creaks, car radio faults and the odd clutch on the 1.5 dCi, all isolated cases, and German sources add broken suspension springs from 80,000–100,000 km. There are two European campaigns (start button and driver's airbag); AutoCentrum.pl rates it 4.4 out of 5. The most important documented faults are: broken suspension springs (suspension, medium severity), driver's airbag with excess pressure in the inflator (2016 recall) (airbags and safety, high severity), slipping or failing clutch on the Note 1.5 dCi 90 (gearbox and clutch, medium severity) and start button that stays pressed in (2015 recall) (electrical system, medium severity).[3][4][5][6][7][8]

What faults does the Nissan Note II have?

The most important by severity and frequency, on the engines we have documented, are: oil leaks and internal wear that can force gearbox replacement (CVT Xtronic, high severity), limp mode and loss of traction due to rev fluctuations (CVT Xtronic, high severity), premature turbo failure and intake hoses that come loose (1.5 dCi, high severity), jerking, vibrations and a slipping sensation under acceleration (CVT Xtronic, medium severity) and premature dual-mass flywheel failure and clutch problems (1.5 dCi, medium severity).

What is the best year to buy a Nissan Note II?

According to our rating by year, the best is 2017 (7.9/10); the worst rated is 2015 (7.5/10). Each year's rating counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those units: open each year to see what changes.

Does the Nissan Note II have recalls?

Yes: we have documented 2 campaigns for the Nissan Note II, such as start button that does not return (2015). Check with your VIN at the official service centre whether yours has been done.[5]

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Nissan Micra K13: bezawaryjne auto miejskieOtomoto · Motoring press · published 30 October 2020 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in another language
  2. Nissan Micra (K12, K13, K14): Probleme, Schwachstellen und Krankheitencarwiki.de · General press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  3. Tous les problèmes sur Nissan Note 2013-2016 (44 témoignages)fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  4. Nissan Note (Wikipedia)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  5. Nissan Note recallscar-recalls.eu (EU Safety Gate) · Official body · consulted 29 October 2026
  6. Nissan Note II (E12) | Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 28 July 2023 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  7. Nissan Note Probleme (E11, E12) | Krankheiten, Schwachstellen & MängelCarWiki.de · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  8. Usterki Nissan Note II - wady, awarie (zgłoszenia użytkowników)AutoCentrum.pl · Owners' forum · consulted 30 October 2026 · in another language
  9. Fiabilité Nissan Qashqai 2 (2014-2021) : pannes recensées par les propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  10. Fiabilité Nissan Juke (2010-2019) : pannes recensées par les propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  11. Fiabilité Nissan Pulsar (2014-2019) : pannes recensées par les propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  12. Fiabilité du 1.5 dCiFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · published 19 April 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  13. Renault K-Type engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  14. Maxi-fiche fiabilité : que vaut le Renault Scénic 3 en occasion ?Caradisiac · Motoring press · published 2 February 2016 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  15. Fiabilité du Nissan Qashqai 2 : la maxi-fiche occasion de CaradisiacCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 22 December 2017 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  16. Fiabilité du Renault Kadjar : la maxi-fiche occasion de CaradisiacCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 19 November 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  17. Fiabilité du Dacia Duster 2 : la maxi-fiche occasion de CaradisiacCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 27 April 2022 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  18. Fiabilité du Renault Captur : la maxi-fiche occasion de CaradisiacCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 2 March 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  19. Nissan Note: problemas comunes y llamadas a revisióncar-recalls.eu · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
  20. Nissan Micra (K13/E12): el motor se apaga estando en funcionamientoHELLA · Technical documentation · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
  21. Il motore si spegne improvvisamente anche durante la marcia (Nissan Micra K13)Carpedia · Technical documentation · consulted 30 October 2026 · in another language
  22. Problemas comunes del Nissan Qashqai: cómo solucionarlos en el popular SUVAutopista · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  23. Nissan Qashqai II: Schwachstellen, Probleme und KaufberatungGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  24. Nissan Pulsar – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  25. Maxi-fiche fiabilité : que vaut le Dacia Duster en occasion ?Caradisiac · Motoring press · published 18 January 2012 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  26. Volante bimasa, averías y precio de sustituciónDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 3 November 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  27. Fiabilité Renault Mégane 3 : que vaut le modèle en occasion ?Caradisiac · Motoring press · published 25 November 2015 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  28. Maxi-fiche fiabilité - Renault Clio 5 : loin d'être irréprochableCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 19 April 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French