2020–nowF16 SelectedF161.0 turbo petrolPetrolSee faults & what to checkKickTyres illustration, not a photograph.Nissan Juke F16: common faults & what to check
The F16 is the Nissan Juke built 2020 onward. It was sold here with the 1.0 turbo petrol and 1.6 hybrid. Of the 21 faults documented for the Juke, 3 apply to this generation, each with its symptoms, what to inspect and a typical repair cost. Free, no account needed.
Check this exact Nissan Juke
- Odometer history
- Money owing
- Reported stolen
- Ownership history
21
Critical
$350–$2,800
8
You're looking at the F16
2020–nowF16 SelectedF161.0 turbo petrolPetrolSee faults & what to checkKickTyres illustration, not a photograph.
2020–nowF16 SelectedF161.6 hybridHybridSee faults & what to checkKickTyres illustration, not a photograph.Now narrow it to the engine
A 2021 Nissan Juke is the F16 generation (2020 to now).
Start your free check on this Nissan Juke
Pick the engine above first: the Juke came with 2, and without it the report has to show all of their faults. Pick the engine
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Nissan Juke · 2021
Narrowed to the year. No engine is recorded for this vehicle. Pick an engine to see which faults apply.
Tell us the engine, or check the engine code on the car, before relying on this.
- No engine is recorded for this vehicle.
matched on year only
What to look out for
Worth checking
Check the dash for warning lights on start-up and again after the test drive.
Forward collision warning false alerts and sensor faults
Owners of 2020-on Jukes report the forward collision warning / autonomous emergency braking system throwing intermittent warning lights or intervening too eagerly, sometimes braking for parked cars or roadside furniture. Dirt on the camera or radar, misalignment after windscreen or bumper work, or a genuinely faulty sensor are the usual causes. A sensor replacement plus recalibration is a dealer-level job.
What you would notice
Worth checking
Lift the boot floor and check the spare wheel well for standing water, rust stains or tide marks.
Water leaks into the boot and rear footwells
Multiple owners of the second-generation Juke report water pooling in the boot well or soaking the rear carpets after heavy rain. The usual culprits are the tailgate seal, poorly-seated rear light cluster seals, and the rear body pressure vents, which need resealing or replacing. Left unfixed it breeds mould, damages the spare wheel area, and can corrode electrical connectors in the boot floor.
What you would notice
See all 3 issues for this one
Electrical
01Forward collision warning false alerts and sensor faults
Owners of 2020-on Jukes report the forward collision warning / autonomous emergency braking system throwing intermittent warning lights or intervening too eagerly, sometimes braking for parked cars or roadside furniture. Dirt on the camera or radar, misalignment after windscreen or bumper work, or a genuinely faulty sensor are the usual causes. A sensor replacement plus recalibration is a dealer-level job.
Symptoms to notice
What to check
Ask the seller
Body, brakes, suspension & interior
02Water leaks into the boot and rear footwells
Multiple owners of the second-generation Juke report water pooling in the boot well or soaking the rear carpets after heavy rain. The usual culprits are the tailgate seal, poorly-seated rear light cluster seals, and the rear body pressure vents, which need resealing or replacing. Left unfixed it breeds mould, damages the spare wheel area, and can corrode electrical connectors in the boot floor.
Symptoms to notice
What to check
Ask the seller
Depends on the exact engine — 1 more
Engine, transmission & cooling
Other Nissan Juke engines and years
Engine, transmission & cooling
01MR16DDT Big-End Bearing Failure (Oil Dilution)
Does not apply02CVT Belt Slip and Shudder from NS2 Fluid Degradation
Does not apply03CVT judder, overheating and premature failure (Jatco JF015E)
Does not apply04MR16DDT Turbocharger Bearing Oil Starvation Failure
Does not apply05MR16DDT 1.6T Timing Chain Stretch and Tensioner Failure
Does not apply06Jatco JF015E CVT Push-Belt Judder and Shudder
Does not apply071.6 DIG-T high oil consumption and turbo failures
Does not apply08AWD Rear Electromagnetic Coupling Shudder and Failure
Does not apply
Does not apply
The AWD Juke uses a BorgWarner electronically controlled rear coupling unit (Haldex-type) to distribute torque to the rear wheels. The coupling's internal clutch pack wears prematurely and its dedicated fluid degrades, causing a shudder or judder that is most pronounced during slow-speed tight turns or parking manoeuvres. In advanced cases the coupling overheats, triggers a 4WD warning light, and the system defaults to front-wheel drive only. Replacement units are expensive and the fault is frequently misdiagnosed as a tyre or suspension issue.
Symptoms to notice
What to check
Ask the seller
09AWD Rear Coupling Transfer Chain Wear — Vibration and Noise
Does not apply
Does not apply
All-wheel-drive Juke models use an electronically controlled rear drive unit that contains a chain-driven coupling mechanism to transfer torque to the rear axle. The chain and its sprockets are lubricated by a sealed oil fill that does not have a manufacturer-specified service interval, meaning the fluid is rarely changed and gradually degrades. As the chain stretches and the sprocket teeth wear from chronic under-lubrication, the chain begins to slap against the housing during load transitions, producing vibration and noise that is transmitted through the rear floor. In severe cases the worn chain can jump a tooth or fail entirely, disabling rear-wheel drive and in rare instances damaging the rear halfshafts.
Symptoms to notice
What to check
Ask the seller
10Coolant Thermostat Housing Leak (MR16DDT)
Does not apply
Does not apply
The MR16DDT engine uses a plastic thermostat housing that is prone to cracking and weeping coolant. The housing is subject to repeated thermal cycling and the plastic becomes brittle with age. Leaks typically start as a small seep around the housing gasket or at a hairline crack in the housing body, and can worsen rapidly to a significant coolant loss. If undetected, the resulting overheating can cause head gasket failure or warping of the aluminium cylinder head — a repair far more expensive than replacing the housing itself.
Example of the part — not this vehicleA double-valve engine thermostat, labelled: the wax capsule is what sticks.
Symptoms to notice
What to check
Ask the seller
11MR16DDT Intercooler and Boost Hose Failure
Does not applyElectrical
01Electric Power Steering Column Motor Failure
Does not apply
Does not apply
The Juke uses a column-assist electric power steering (EPS) system. The EPS motor mounted on the steering column can fail due to internal brush wear, overheating from sustained low-speed manoeuvring, or failure of the EPS control module. When the motor or module fails, the system cuts out entirely, leaving the driver with very heavy, unassisted steering. The fault is typically flagged by a persistent EPS warning light. The control module can also develop faults from moisture ingress in the connector.
Symptoms to notice
What to check
Ask the seller
02Electric Power Steering Rack Internal Rattle
Does not apply
Does not apply
The Juke uses an electric power steering (EPS) rack with the motor mounted on the rack housing. The internal rack sliding mechanism relies on a nylon or plastic wear pad to eliminate lash between the rack and its housing. As these pads wear, small amounts of clearance develop and the rack can rattle or knock against the housing when the steering experiences rapid, small-angle inputs — such as when traversing tar-seal joins, rough surfaces, or during parking manoeuvres. In some cases the EPS motor mounting bracket or wiring harness bracket can also loosen and contribute to the noise. The rattle does not always correspond to a loss of steering function but indicates internal rack wear that will worsen.
Symptoms to notice
What to check
Ask the seller
Body, brakes, suspension & interior
01Front Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Wear
Does not apply
Does not apply
The front suspension lower control arm ball joints on the F15 Juke are a standard wear item, but the relatively lightweight dust boot used from the factory is prone to cracking and splitting, allowing road contamination to ingress and accelerate abrasive wear of the ball and socket. Once the joint develops play, steering geometry becomes unstable under braking and cornering load, producing a shimmy or wander that is disproportionate to the degree of wear detectable on a static inspection. In New Zealand and Australian conditions where roads contain gravel and loose material, premature boot failure is commonly observed well before 100,000 km.
Example of the part — not this vehicleA separated lower ball joint: the control arm has dropped and the wheel has splayed out under the guard.
Symptoms to notice
What to check
Ask the seller
02Rear Trailing Arm Bush Collapse
Does not apply
Does not apply
The rear suspension of the F15 Juke uses a torsion-beam axle with the trailing arms located by pressed-in rubber bushes at the forward mounting point on the body. These bushes are subject to both longitudinal (braking) and lateral (cornering) loads and are made from a relatively soft rubber compound that degrades through normal exposure to oil, ozone, and heat cycling. When the forward trailing arm bush collapses or splits, the rear axle is no longer correctly located, causing the rear wheel to move rearward under braking and outward in cornering — effectively introducing unwanted rear toe changes that make the car feel nervous and unpredictable at speed.
Symptoms to notice
What to check
Ask the seller
03Brake Caliper Guide Pin Seizure
Does not apply
Does not apply
The front and rear brake calipers on the F15 Juke use sliding guide pins to allow the caliper body to move laterally as the brake pads wear, ensuring equal pressure is applied from both the fixed and floating pad. The guide pins are steel sliding in aluminium or steel bores and are protected only by rubber dust boots. In New Zealand and Australian conditions, road salt, grit, and moisture contaminate the pins when the boots split or deteriorate, causing corrosion and eventual seizure of the pin in its bore. A seized guide pin prevents the caliper from retracting fully after braking, causing the brake pads to drag continuously against the rotor, generating sustained heat that can warp the rotor, degrade the brake fluid, and in extreme cases ignite wheel dust or damage the tyre bead.
Symptoms to notice
What to check
Ask the seller
04Premature Rear Wheel Bearing Failure
Does not apply
Does not apply
The Juke's rear wheel bearing assemblies wear prematurely relative to the vehicle's size and typical usage profile. The relatively heavy kerb weight of the Juke (particularly the AWD turbo variants at over 1,400 kg) combined with a modest rear bearing specification contributes to early wear. Failures are commonly reported between 80,000 and 140,000 km. On the AWD model, the rear wheel bearings are pressed-in units integrated with the hub, requiring a press or full hub assembly replacement. The fault is often dismissed as a road noise issue until bearing play becomes measurable.
Symptoms to notice
What to check
Ask the seller
Nissan Juke faults in detail
What these repairs cost on other cars
Some of the Nissan Juke’s documented faults are repairs other models share. Each page lists the documented NZ cost for every model it affects.
Other Nissan models
Nissan Juke buyer questions
Is the Nissan Juke reliable?
Like any used car, it depends on the specific example and its service history. Across the 21 documented faults for the Nissan Juke, the recurring problem areas are engine, transmission, and fluid leaks. A Nissan Juke with a full service history and no signs of the issues listed on this page can be a sound buy but each one needs to be checked individually before you commit.
What are the most common problems with a used Nissan Juke?
We've catalogued 21 known faults for the Nissan Juke, covering engine, transmission, and fluid leaks. All 21 are written out in full on this page, with the symptoms to notice, what to inspect, and typical repair costs for each. Free to read, no account needed.
How much do repairs cost on a Nissan Juke?
Most single repairs on the Nissan Juke fall between $350–$2,800 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 21 documented faults cost less and a few cost considerably more, and no one car needs them all. Knowing which ones to look for before you view is what lets you negotiate the price down or walk away.
Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a Nissan Juke?
Yes. A Nissan Juke inspection focused on its known weak points is the single best way to avoid an expensive mistake. KickTyres gives you a guided, model-specific inspection plus a market valuation and negotiation figure for $24.90 far less than the cost of missing one of the faults on this page.