Engine choice
While the Qashqai is actually one of the better cars in its class for reliability, there is still a number of common faults you need to be aware of. By far the most serious is occasional oil pump failure on the 1.6- and 2.0-litre diesels. While it’s not guaranteed to happen, you’re advised to not drive the car as soon as you see the oil warning lamp. A number of owners have discovered, after driving their cars to the dealership for a diagnosis, that it was the drive there with no oil circulating that caused most of the engine damage.
Another common fault, which only tends to affect pre-2008 cars, is related to the engine stalling at random. This is due to a problem with the aircon compressor, which can seize and cause the drivetrain to jolt to a halt. If turning the aircon off stops it from happening, then you need a new compressor.
The 1.6 and 2.0 diesels are among the best of the bunch for reliability as far as modern diesels are concerned, although they do need to be run on long journeys at least once a week to avoid a build-up of soot in the particulate filter, which can lead to the engine going into ‘limp-home’ mode. They do have another common fault that has similar symptoms to a DPF issue, though, which is caused by splits in the turbo hoses, leading to air escaping. When it does, the power drops off quickly and the engine goes into ‘limp-home’ mode.
Finally, 1.5 dci diesels are prone to leaks from the diesel injectors. This can occasionally be remedied by taking them out, carefully cleaning the thread and where they sit in the block, and refitting them, though this will most likely only be a temporary fix.
If you have a Qashqai that simply refuses to turn over, let alone start, this is more often than not a fault with the ignition key. If these get wet or overheat, the transponders can drop the signal. Try the spare and, if that works, you need to get your key fixed. Most high street key-cutters can do this, but you may then need to code it using diagnostic equipment, or else use an auto-locksmith.