The Nissan Juke Years To Avoid
The Nissan Juke, a compact crossover SUV that first hit the roads in 2010, has intrigued and interested car enthusiasts and casual drivers alike. Its funky-looking design quickly garnered a significant fan base, making it a popular choice in the compact SUV market globally. What many people don’t realize is that the Juke was a pioneer of the subcompact crossover movement.
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Despite its popularity, the Nissan Juke was discontinued in the United States in 2017 when Nissan decided to halt its production – a decision that was met with disappointment by many enthusiasts. However, it’s important to note that the Juke continues to be produced and sold in other markets worldwide. In the wake of the Juke’s discontinuation, Nissan introduced a new compact SUV market in the U.S. - the Nissan Kicks, which has a more traditional design.
If you’re looking to buy a used Juke, you have several options to choose from. However, reliability wasn’t the strongest suit of the Nissan Juke, so certain model years are more problematic than others. So for today’s post, we go through the Nissan Juke years to avoid and give an overview of why used car buyers should avoid them.
Which Nissan Juke Years To Avoid?
Below are some of the worst years of this crossover SUV that most used car buyers should skip due to reliability issues and the high number of complaints.
- 2011 Nissan Juke
- 2012 Nissan Juke
- 2013 Nissan Juke
- 2014 Nissan Juke
2011 Nissan Juke
The 2011 model year is one of the most problematic iterations of the Juke because it received a lot of owner complaints. CarComplaints.com has listed 236 complaints and three recalls for the 2011 Juke, with major issues listed as turbo failure, blown engine, and poor fuel economy.
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It has intrigued many used car buyers due to its quirky style and compact functionality. If you’re a potential buyer, you need to know what the most reliable Nissan Juke year models are.
One of the most alarming problems is the failure of the turbo, which can occur around an average of 89k mileage. The typical repair cost is estimated to be around $2,840. One owner from California reported a terrifying noise from her car, which she bought new and had driven only 57,000 miles. The mechanic confirmed that the turbo component was faulty, a problem she was told was the manufacturer’s fault, not hers. The repair was quoted to be a whopping $3,350.
Another concern for the 2011 Juke is the engine issues, including oil leaks and outright failure. An owner claimed to have experienced both engine and turbo failure at 90k miles. The owner had noticed the car burning oil for years, and despite reporting this to the dealership, no action was taken until the engine locked up. The owner was quoted $6,000 for repairs.
As you can see, the 2011 has numerous major issues with reliability, which is why it’s an easy skip for buyers.
2012 Nissan Juke
Unfortunately, the 2012 model is another bad year for the Nissan Juke. According to CarComplaints, this model has received 145 user complaints and four recalls.
The top issue of this model relates to electrical problems that prevent the engine from turning over. With 16 written complaints, owners complained about the vehicle refusing to start randomly. Some users claimed that it happened after the vehicle sat for several days. A frustrated owner reported that the car would randomly not start, despite having the battery, starter, and alternator checked and found to be in good shape. This issue would occur sporadically, with the car running fine for several weeks once jumped.
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In addition, the 2012 Juke also struggled with transmission-related issues, including grinding noises and blown transmission. An owner experienced a loud rumbling noise and fluctuating revs while driving their 2012 Nissan Juke. The dealer identified a failed automatic transmission (CVT), which required replacement. This is a common theme among Nissan vehicles with the company’s highly problematic CVT transmission.
Lastly, the 2012 Juke also had engine issues, particularly with the engine timing belt. Out of 148 NHTSA complaints, 62 are about engine issues, and most of the reports complained about the faulty timing chain. A person complained about their car’s timing chain rattling, which bore a hole in the timing cover and resulted in an oil leak. They also claimed to have discovered the oil had leaked onto the ground. Plus, They also mentioned that even before the oil leak, the car would completely shut down whenever they slowed down, including in the middle of intersections.
2013 Nissan Juke
Based on the number of complaints, the 2013 Nissan Juke was more unreliable than the 2012 model. CarComplaints has documented 167 complaints and two recalls for the 2013 Juke.
At the top of its list of issues, the 2013 Juke also housed Nissan’s defective transmission system. One owner reported experiencing a whining sound from the vehicle, which was later identified as a transmission issue. Moreover, metal shavings were found in the transmission pan, which indicates severe wear.
In addition, this model year also received reports of faulty turbochargers. A disgruntled owner reported that the turbocharger went out completely at 85,000 miles. The car almost lost power, was near stalling, and spewed black smoke. The repair cost was nearly $2,500.
From the transmission issue to the defective turbochargers, the 2013 Nissan Juke is a model year you can easily avoid.
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2014 Nissan Juke
Lastly, the 2014 model is one of the worst Nissan Juke years to avoid – mainly because of its problematic CVT transmission. CarComplaints logged over 100 complaints and two recalls for the 2014 Juke.
Based on the written complaints on the website, a person reported a transmission failure at 63,000 miles and another complete failure at 93,000 miles, which also affected the turbo unit. The dealer quoted a repair cost of $7,500 – you might as well buy another vehicle. Another one claimed this was the third transmission for their car. The original transmission made it to 56,000 miles before it had to be replaced under warranty. At 140,000 miles, the owner had to replace the transmission again.
If you don’t want to deal with annoying and expensive transmission repairs, it’s best to skip the 2014 Juke.
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