Nissan Qashqai Common Faults in Ireland
J11 2014–2021, J12 2021+ — compact crossover SUV. Updated 2026-10-12.
The RSA lists three Irish Nissan Qashqai recalls on its 2023–2026 pages: a fuel-line clip fire risk (25 November 2025: 4,526 cars built 4 May 2021–17 October 2024; a second entry on 30 June 2026 lists 173 vehicles with the same build range) and a battery-software fault that can cause loss of engine power (13 August 2026: 215 cars built 8 July 2025–20 May 2026). Ask a Nissan dealer to check the car's VIN for open recalls before buying. This guide does not rank model years or engines by reliability; it relies only on regulator and manufacturer documents.
Live Nissan Qashqai market on Autoza — 1 November 2026
Median asking price €20,925 · from €4,950. See the live Nissan Qashqai listings →
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Figures for this model, not averages.
CO₂ and VRT
- Petrol: 142–163 g/km (typically 157)
- Diesel: 140–183 g/km — depends on the engine
- Hybrid: 141–146 g/km (typically 143)
WLTP, measured across 12,185 Irish-registered cars (EEA data). CO₂ sets the VRT band when you import one.
Estimate the VRT on an import →Monthly cost
At the €20,925 median asking price, see what a Nissan Qashqai costs a month on PCP.
PCP calculator →For sale now
Nissan Qashqai listings from Irish dealers, from €4,950. Check each one against the faults and checks below.
See Nissan Qashqai listings →Related reading
Set by CO₂ and by the date of first registration — NEDC table for July 2008–2020 registrations, WLTP table from January 2021. The two tables use the same band letters for different amounts, so an import is keyed to its first registration abroad. Check your exact rate →
Quick-stats values are indicative editorial estimates aggregated from owner-forum sentiment, recall portals, and reliability surveys. For Autoza-derived median asking prices per cohort with sample size and confidence tier, see the open dataset at huggingface.co/datasets/Autoza/irish-used-car-price-index.
Which Nissan Qashqai years should you avoid?
No year is picked as worst because Nissan and the RSA publish no reliability ranking by model year. Avoid any Qashqai whose recall work has not been completed, and be cautious with any car that has no documented service history. This guide checked the RSA recall pages for 2023–2026 only; the RSA's earlier archive (2011–2022) was not reviewed, so ask a Nissan dealer to check the VIN of older J10 and J11 cars as well.
Best and worst years to buy
No year is picked as best because Nissan and the RSA publish no reliability ranking by model year. What the documents do show: the RSA fuel-line clip recall covers Qashqais built 4 May 2021–17 October 2024 and the battery-software recall covers builds from 8 July 2025 to 20 May 2026, so the VIN of any 2021-or-later car should be checked with a Nissan dealer. The J12 (2021 on) is sold in Europe with a 1.3 DIG-T 12V mild hybrid (140 and 158 PS; manual, or Xtronic CVT on the 158 PS) and, announced for Ireland on 30 September 2022, the 1.5 e-POWER (the petrol engine only generates electricity; single-speed drive); there is no diesel. Nissan describes the J12's CMF-C platform as a completely new architecture and its Xtronic CVT as new (Nissan Europe, 1 June 2021); that is the manufacturer's own description, not an independent reliability finding. Nissan Ireland's new-car warranty is 3 years or 100,000 km, whichever comes first, so a car first registered more than three years ago is outside it whatever its mileage; Nissan also offers an optional Extended Warranty.
No year is picked as worst because Nissan and the RSA publish no reliability ranking by model year. Avoid any Qashqai whose recall work has not been completed, and be cautious with any car that has no documented service history. This guide checked the RSA recall pages for 2023–2026 only; the RSA's earlier archive (2011–2022) was not reviewed, so ask a Nissan dealer to check the VIN of older J10 and J11 cars as well.
Known faults — Nissan Qashqai J11 2014–2021, J12 2021+
Fault patterns are cross-checked against manufacturer technical bulletins, the RSA Ireland recall portal and Autoza dealer feedback. Repair costs are Irish ranges built from verified 2026 Irish labour rates, never converted from another market. Severity is colour-coded.
RSA recall: fuel line can move in its retaining clip (fire risk)
Major — significant repair cost- Symptoms
- RSA wording: during engine operation the fuel line could move within its retaining clip in the engine compartment, damage the fuel line and cause a fuel leak; the RSA describes a risk of fire.
- Years affected
- Qashqai built 4 May 2021–17 Oct 2024: RSA lists 4,526 vehicles in Ireland (recall of 25 Nov 2025) and a second entry of 173 vehicles with the same build range (30 Jun 2026)
- Repair cost in Ireland
- Recall work is arranged through Nissan Ireland, which the RSA says will write directly to affected owners to arrange an inspection
- What to check before buying
- Ask a Nissan dealer to check the car's VIN against open recalls and get written confirmation that any recall work has been done. The RSA recall pages do not offer a VIN lookup; its FAQ says to check with an authorised dealer quoting the VIN. Nissan Ireland Customer Relations: 01 4091100 or customer.service@nissan.ie.
RSA recall: lithium-ion battery software (possible loss of engine power)
Major — significant repair cost- Symptoms
- RSA wording: an incorrect software calibration means that, if regenerative charging occurs under certain conditions, the fail-safe mode may turn off the main relay and cause a loss of engine power; in the worst case the vehicle may stop while moving.
- Years affected
- Qashqai built 8 Jul 2025–20 May 2026: RSA lists 215 vehicles in Ireland (recall of 13 Aug 2026)
- Repair cost in Ireland
- Recall work is arranged through Nissan Ireland, which the RSA says will write directly to affected owners to arrange an inspection
- What to check before buying
- Ask a Nissan dealer to check the car's VIN against open recalls and get written confirmation that any recall work has been done. Nissan Ireland Customer Relations: 01 4091100 or customer.service@nissan.ie.
Automatic gearbox test drive (Xtronic CVT or DCT)
Major — significant repair cost- Symptoms
- Look for shudder, hesitation or warning lights on take-off and under acceleration
- Years affected
- Automatic Qashqais: J11 1.2 DIG-T 115 PS and 1.6 dCi 130 PS with Xtronic CVT (the 1.2 DIG-T was replaced in October 2018); J11 1.3 DIG-T 160 PS with a seven-speed DCT (from late 2018); J12 1.3 mild hybrid 158 PS with Xtronic CVT. The 1.6 DIG-T 163 PS was manual-only.
- Repair cost in Ireland
- Independent garage €900–€1,800 · Main dealer €1,400–€2,800This is the clearest case for going independent: a specialist rebuild of the existing unit typically costs well under a dealer’s replacement unit. Diagnosis alone is usually €80–€180 — pay for that first and decide afterwards.
- What to check before buying
- Long test drive including motorway acceleration. If anything feels wrong, have a Nissan dealer or independent specialist inspect the car before you buy.
Diesel particulate filter and injectors (J11 1.5 dCi)
Moderate — service-level fix- Symptoms
- Look for an engine or DPF warning light, rough running or reduced power on the test drive
- Years affected
- J11 1.5 dCi 110 PS diesel (offered from the 2014 launch)
- Repair cost in Ireland
- Independent garage €250–€700 · Main dealer €1,000–€3,000A specialist clean is the usual first step and by far the cheaper route. Main dealers generally replace the filter rather than clean it, which is where the four-figure quotes come from — so get a specialist to assess it before agreeing to a replacement.
- What to check before buying
- Ask for the full service history and how the car was used, and consider a diagnostic scan before buying. This is a general used-diesel check, not a Nissan-identified fault.
Rear wiper
Minor — wear-and-tear- Symptoms
- Rear wiper not working or intermittent
- Years affected
- All years (general check)
- Repair cost in Ireland
- Costs vary widely by garage — get one quote from a local independent and one from a main dealer before committing. Irish labour runs about €70–€110 an hour independent and €110–€160 at a franchised dealer, VAT included.
- What to check before buying
- Test the rear wiper during inspection.
Parking brake
Minor — wear-and-tear- Symptoms
- Parking-brake warning light, or the brake not applying or releasing normally
- Years affected
- All years (general check)
- Repair cost in Ireland
- Independent garage €180–€320 · Main dealer €280–€450Per axle, discs and pads together. Fronts usually wear roughly twice as fast as rears.
- What to check before buying
- Apply and release the parking brake several times during inspection and check for warning lights.
Infotainment and phone connection
Minor — wear-and-tear- Symptoms
- Touchscreen unresponsive or phone not connecting
- Years affected
- All years (general check)
- Repair cost in Ireland
- Costs vary widely by garage — get one quote from a local independent and one from a main dealer before committing. Irish labour runs about €70–€110 an hour independent and €110–€160 at a franchised dealer, VAT included.
- What to check before buying
- Use the infotainment and phone connection for 15 minutes during the test drive.
Who this car suits — and who should look elsewhere
Family buyers wanting a compact crossover SUV who will check the car's recall status and service history before buying.
Buyers who cannot confirm a car's recall status and service history before paying.
Frequently asked questions about the Nissan Qashqai
What are the most common faults on a used Nissan Qashqai in Ireland?+
The RSA lists three Irish Nissan Qashqai recalls on its 2023–2026 pages: a fuel-line clip fire risk (25 November 2025: 4,526 cars built 4 May 2021–17 October 2024; a second entry on 30 June 2026 lists 173 vehicles with the same build range) and a battery-software fault that can cause loss of engine power (13 August 2026: 215 cars built 8 July 2025–20 May 2026). Ask a Nissan dealer to check the car's VIN for open recalls before buying. This guide does not rank model years or engines by reliability; it relies only on regulator and manufacturer documents.
What is the best year to buy a used Nissan Qashqai in Ireland?+
No year is picked as best because Nissan and the RSA publish no reliability ranking by model year. What the documents do show: the RSA fuel-line clip recall covers Qashqais built 4 May 2021–17 October 2024 and the battery-software recall covers builds from 8 July 2025 to 20 May 2026, so the VIN of any 2021-or-later car should be checked with a Nissan dealer. The J12 (2021 on) is sold in Europe with a 1.3 DIG-T 12V mild hybrid (140 and 158 PS; manual, or Xtronic CVT on the 158 PS) and, announced for Ireland on 30 September 2022, the 1.5 e-POWER (the petrol engine only generates electricity; single-speed drive); there is no diesel. Nissan describes the J12's CMF-C platform as a completely new architecture and its Xtronic CVT as new (Nissan Europe, 1 June 2021); that is the manufacturer's own description, not an independent reliability finding. Nissan Ireland's new-car warranty is 3 years or 100,000 km, whichever comes first, so a car first registered more than three years ago is outside it whatever its mileage; Nissan also offers an optional Extended Warranty.
Which Nissan Qashqai years should you avoid?+
We have not found a published source that singles out a model year of the J11 2014–2021, J12 2021+ Nissan Qashqai to avoid, so none is named. Check the VIN for open recalls and the service history of any car before you buy.
How much does a used Nissan Qashqai cost in Ireland in 2026?+
Typical asking prices on Autoza.ie: J11: about €5,000–€17,000 | J12 (2021–2024): about €19,000–€37,000; indicative asking prices that vary widely with age, mileage and spec. Prices vary by mileage, county, and trim. Compare at least five listings of the same year and mileage band before negotiating.
What is the motor tax on a Nissan Qashqai in Ireland?+
Annual motor tax: Set by the car's CO2 band, not the model name. Department of Transport rates: J11 launch engines (99–132 g/km on Nissan's 2013 figures) fall in NEDC bands A2–B2, which is €180–€280 a year. Nissan Ireland lists €190 a year for the current e-POWER (117 g/km) and €270 for the 1.3 mild hybrid (142–143 g/km). Check a specific car's rate at motortax.ie.. Irish motor tax is set by CO2 and by the date the car was FIRST REGISTERED, not by model generation: cars first registered between July 2008 and December 2020 are taxed on the NEDC CO2 table, and cars first registered from 1 January 2021 on the WLTP table. The two tables use the same band letters for different amounts, so the same car can pay a different rate depending on its registration date. An import is keyed to its first registration in its country of origin. Check the CO2 figure on your VRC against the tables on https://autoza.ie/motor-tax-calculator-ireland for the exact rate.
What real-world fuel economy does a Nissan Qashqai achieve on Irish roads?+
Fuel economy: Nissan Ireland's current Qashqai specification page lists 5.2 l/100 km for the e-POWER and 6.3 l/100 km for the 1.3 mild hybrid (SV); earlier model years may differ. For the J11 1.5 dCi 110 Nissan's launch figure (NEDC, 2013) was 3.8 l/100 km. These are official test figures; real-world consumption varies.. Official WLTP figures are lab figures; real-world consumption varies with driving style, load, weather and how the car is used.
How does a Nissan Qashqai compare to its rivals?+
Strong alternatives in Ireland: Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Toyota RAV4, Skoda Karoq. Choose based on dealer network in your county, parts availability, and your priorities (running cost vs. cabin quality vs. badge).
Who is the Nissan Qashqai most suitable for?+
Family buyers wanting a compact crossover SUV who will check the car's recall status and service history before buying.
Who should NOT buy a Nissan Qashqai?+
Buyers who cannot confirm a car's recall status and service history before paying.
What should I know about the RSA recall: fuel line can move in its retaining clip (fire risk) on the Nissan Qashqai?+
RSA recall: fuel line can move in its retaining clip (fire risk): an Irish recall notice, not a general fault pattern. Symptoms: RSA wording: during engine operation the fuel line could move within its retaining clip in the engine compartment, damage the fuel line and cause a fuel leak; the RSA describes a risk of fire.. Years affected: Qashqai built 4 May 2021–17 Oct 2024: RSA lists 4,526 vehicles in Ireland (recall of 25 Nov 2025) and a second entry of 173 vehicles with the same build range (30 Jun 2026). Repair cost in Ireland: Recall work is arranged through Nissan Ireland, which the RSA says will write directly to affected owners to arrange an inspection What to check before buying: Ask a Nissan dealer to check the car's VIN against open recalls and get written confirmation that any recall work has been done. The RSA recall pages do not offer a VIN lookup; its FAQ says to check with an authorised dealer quoting the VIN. Nissan Ireland Customer Relations: 01 4091100 or customer.service@nissan.ie.
What should I know about the RSA recall: lithium-ion battery software (possible loss of engine power) on the Nissan Qashqai?+
RSA recall: lithium-ion battery software (possible loss of engine power): an Irish recall notice, not a general fault pattern. Symptoms: RSA wording: an incorrect software calibration means that, if regenerative charging occurs under certain conditions, the fail-safe mode may turn off the main relay and cause a loss of engine power; in the worst case the vehicle may stop while moving.. Years affected: Qashqai built 8 Jul 2025–20 May 2026: RSA lists 215 vehicles in Ireland (recall of 13 Aug 2026). Repair cost in Ireland: Recall work is arranged through Nissan Ireland, which the RSA says will write directly to affected owners to arrange an inspection What to check before buying: Ask a Nissan dealer to check the car's VIN against open recalls and get written confirmation that any recall work has been done. Nissan Ireland Customer Relations: 01 4091100 or customer.service@nissan.ie.
Is the Automatic gearbox test drive (Xtronic CVT or DCT) on the Nissan Qashqai a serious problem?+
Automatic gearbox test drive (Xtronic CVT or DCT): reported on some Nissan Qashqai cars, and not necessarily a manufacturer-confirmed defect unless it is listed as a recall. Symptoms: Look for shudder, hesitation or warning lights on take-off and under acceleration. Years affected: Automatic Qashqais: J11 1.2 DIG-T 115 PS and 1.6 dCi 130 PS with Xtronic CVT (the 1.2 DIG-T was replaced in October 2018); J11 1.3 DIG-T 160 PS with a seven-speed DCT (from late 2018); J12 1.3 mild hybrid 158 PS with Xtronic CVT. The 1.6 DIG-T 163 PS was manual-only.. Repair cost in Ireland: Independent garage €900–€1,800 · Main dealer €1,400–€2,800 What to check before buying: Long test drive including motorway acceleration. If anything feels wrong, have a Nissan dealer or independent specialist inspect the car before you buy.
Alternatives to consider
If the Nissan Qashqai doesn't suit, these comparable models are worth a look in the Irish market:
Still deciding? Compare by budget
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Before you buy or sell a Nissan Qashqai
Two quick checks pay for themselves on any used Qashqai. First, check the car's NCT history before you buy — a missed or repeat-fail NCT often signals a chronic fault the seller is hoping you'll miss. Second, if you're weighing the Qashqai against rival models, you can compare the Qashqai against its rivals side-by-side on price, running costs and spec.
Selling instead? See what your Nissan Qashqai is worth with our free Irish valuation — it reads live comparable listings and returns a resale and trade-in figure in seconds, no signup.
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