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Nissan
Qashqai
J11·
2014-2022
suv-soft
Price (AUD)
$12k-$32k
Body styles
5-door wagon
Drivetrain
FWD (front-wheel drive only in Australia)
Origin
Japan
Built in
United Kingdom (Sunderland)
Overview
Australia's replacement for the Dualis, built in Nissan's Sunderland (UK) plant rather than Japan, and sold here only as a front-wheel-drive soft-roader (no AWD was offered in the AU range). Grades ran ST, ST-L, N-Tec and Ti across a Series I (2014-2017), Series II (2017) and later MY updates. Engine choice in Australia was deliberately narrow: a 2.0L MR20DD direct-injection petrol throughout the whole run, plus a 1.6L R9M turbo-diesel offered only on Series I (2014-2017) before being dropped at the 2017 facelift. The defining caveat is the Jatco-built CVT auto behind the petrol - juddering, overheating and the occasional outright failure are the classic complaints, though Nissan Australia replaced many failed units (even on used cars) and revised the oil pump from April 2016. The diesel adds DPF/EGR short-trip headaches. Otherwise it is a comfortable, well-equipped, easy-to-own urban SUV - just buy on transmission and service history.
Engines & variants
2.0L MR20DD petrol
Engine
2.0L DOHC 16v direct-injection petrol I4 (dual VTC)
Config
I4 NA
Displacement
1997cc
Power
106kW @ 6000rpm
Torque
200Nm @ 4400rpm
Drivetrain
FWD
Economy
6.9-7.7 L/100km combined (CVT)
Tow (braked)
1200kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
6MT, CVT (Xtronic)
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven
Pros
- Smooth, adequate and economical for urban/suburban use
- Direct-injection efficiency with timing chain (no belt to replace)
- Manual avoids the CVT's headline weakness entirely
- Cheap, plentiful and easy to own
Cons
- Behind the Jatco CVT: juddering, overheating and possible failure
- Direct injection causes intake-valve carbon build-up over time
- Timing chain tensioner can rattle / chain can stretch at higher km
- Notable oil consumption on some examples - check the dipstick
- Modest 200Nm feels flat when fully loaded
Known problems
high
CVT (Xtronic) judder, overheating and failure
The Jatco-built CVT is the Qashqai's defining weakness - owners report shudder/judder on light acceleration, an overheat warning that drops the car into a limp 'protection' mode, and in worse cases complete transmission failure. The early units suffered an oil-pump pressure-regulating valve fault (revised with a variable-displacement pump from April 2016), and the cooling/venting design means a missing splash guard or fluid neglect accelerates trouble.
Fix: Service the CVT fluid early and often (well before any '110k/lifetime' claim); keep the underbody splash guard fitted; check for Nissan goodwill replacement history. A manual car sidesteps this issue.
medium
Intake-valve carbon build-up (direct injection)
Like all direct-injection engines, the MR20DD has no port fuel washing the back of the intake valves, so carbon accumulates and can cause rough idle, misfires and lost power over time.
Fix: Walnut-blast / intake clean as needed; quality oil and a catch-can help slow it.
medium
Timing chain tensioner rattle / chain stretch
Owners report a cold-start or under-load rattle from a tired chain tensioner; left unaddressed the chain can stretch and throw timing.
Fix: Replace the timing chain, tensioner and guides if rattling; maintain oil changes to protect chain life.
medium
Oil consumption
A meaningful share of MR20DD owners report the engine using oil between services, requiring top-ups; severe cases point to rings/valve seals.
Fix: Monitor oil level between services; investigate (ring/seal work) if consumption is high.
1.6L R9M dCi turbo diesel
Engine
1.6L common-rail turbo-diesel I4 (DPF), Renault-Nissan R9M
Config
I4 turbo
Displacement
1598cc
Power
96kW @ 4000rpm
Torque
320Nm @ 1750rpm
Drivetrain
FWD
Economy
4.9-5.6 L/100km combined
Tow (braked)
1200kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
6MT, CVT (Xtronic)
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven
Pros
- Excellent economy - sub-5.5 L/100km is achievable
- Strong low-down 320Nm torque makes it feel gutsier than the petrol
- Long-distance touring sweet spot
- Timing chain (no belt service)
Cons
- Only offered on Series I (2014-2017), then dropped from the AU range
- DPF dislikes short urban-only trips and can clog / fail to regen
- EGR and intake soot build-up are typical of the platform
- Turbo actuator and injector faults appear at higher km
- Same CVT concerns apply when paired with the auto
Known problems
high
DPF clogging / failed regeneration (short trips)
On predominantly short, low-speed runs the diesel particulate filter cannot reach temperature to complete a regen, soots up and eventually triggers limp mode or needs forced regen/replacement.
Fix: Regular longer highway runs; correct low-ash diesel oil; forced regen or DPF clean/replacement if blocked.
medium
EGR valve / intake soot build-up
Soot fouls the EGR valve and intake manifold, causing rough running, lost power and emissions faults.
Fix: EGR clean or replacement; intake clean.
medium
Turbo actuator / injector faults
The R9M's turbo actuator can stick and injectors can wear at higher km, giving boost faults, smoke and hard starting.
Fix: Diagnose and replace/recondition the turbo actuator or affected injectors; quality fuel and filtration.
Common problems (all variants)
high
Takata airbag inflator recall
Like many of the era, J11 Qashqais were caught in the Takata airbag recall - degraded inflator propellant can rupture the metal housing on deployment, firing shrapnel. A genuine safety defect, not wear.
Fix: Check the VIN with Nissan Australia and have the inflator replaced free of charge if outstanding.
medium
AEB / forward emergency braking false activation
Some owners report the autonomous emergency braking / forward-collision system braking or warning when no obstacle is present, particularly the radar/camera-equipped grades.
Fix: Software update / sensor recalibration at a dealer; check for related service campaigns.
low
Infotainment / electrical glitches
Touchscreen freezes, Bluetooth/reversing-camera dropouts and minor electrical gremlins are commonly reported on the J11.
Fix: Head-unit software update or reset; replace faulty module if persistent.
medium
Body control module (BCM) lamp-fault warning (Sep 2017-Jan 2018 build)
A subset of J11s built September 2017 to January 2018 had an incorrect BCM setting that could fail to warn the driver of an indicator-lamp failure - subject to an Australian recall.
Fix: Dealer BCM reflash under the recall; confirm it has been completed.
low
Front suspension / steering wear and squeaks
Control-arm bushes, links and front-end components wear with age, giving clunks, squeaks and slightly vague steering on higher-km cars.
Fix: Standard front-end refresh - bushes, links and alignment as needed.