Browse over 9,000 car reviews

Nissan Dualis 2012 Problems

Are you having problems with your 2012 Nissan Dualis? Let our team of motoring experts keep you up to date with all of the latest 2012 Nissan Dualis issues & faults. We have gathered all of the most frequently asked questions and problems relating to the 2012 Nissan Dualis in one spot to help you decide if it's a smart buy.

Used Nissan Dualis review: 2008-2014

The 'dual' in Nissan Dualis signifies its dual-purpose nature, a vehicle that's a crossover between a family hatchback and a compact 4WD. Though these types of vehicle have become pretty well mainstream in the eight years since Dualis was launched here in January 2008, the Nissan was one of the first of its kind.

Though not aimed at the purist 4WD buyer, Dualis has Nissan's respected All-mode transmission so has decent traction on bush tracks, as well as on slippery sealed surfaces. It has higher than average ground clearance for a hatchback, but it isn't as high as a 'real' 4WD.

A 1.6-litre turbo-diesel was introduced in April 2013, but only has a six-speed manual gearbox. It wasn't exactly a success in a market where crossover SUVs are mainly used as family cars.



Despite its SUV look about 75 per cent of Dualis models sold here are 2WDs, through the front wheels. A sign of things to come as more and more so-called SUVs are really only 2WDs with a tougher look.

Nissan gave the Dualis a major makeover in April 2010. Every visible body component forward of the windscreen is new, with the revised bonnet giving it a bolder look and improved aerodynamics. Inside, the visual changes are minor, but the instruments and trip computer are easier to see.

Comfort of the Dualis is good and even poor quality Aussie backroads don't knock it about overmuch.

Six months later an extended wheelbase seven-seat version arrived, called Dualis +2. Children will be more comfortable than adults in the rearmost seats, though seven full-size folks can be carted in emergencies. The second-row seats can be moved forward to make access to the back reasonably easy. This sliding function also lets you juggle legroom in all three rows.

Comfort of the Dualis is good and even poor quality Aussie backroads don't knock it about overmuch. Handling is nothing out of the ordinary. It will look after you unless you do something really silly. Just don't expect a sporty Euro SUV at a Japanese price.

Nissan Dualis was originally powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine by way of a six-speed manual gearbox, or a CVT auto with pre-selected ratios that can be operated manually if you're not happy with the computer's decisions. Try for yourself during your private test drive as some will find performance is marginal.

Nissan (nee Datsun) has been operating in Australia since the mid 1960s. It built cars here for many years and is well and truly an established part of the downunder scene.

There are plenty of Nissan dealers Australian wide, with stronger than average representation in the country areas due to the longtime importation of tough 4WDs in the Patrols and Navaras.

Getting unusual parts for the Dualis may take a few days if you have trouble in the outback, but shouldn't normally take more than two or three business days. Price for Dualis parts are about average for this class.

Dualis has a reasonably simple makeup and amateur gals and guys with a mechanical bent can do a fair bit of their own work. Don't touch the safety bits, though.

Having originally shunned the name Qashqai that was used on other markets, Nissan Australia surprised us by choosing to use the Qashqai tag when the new generation 'Dualis' was introduced here in July 2014. Or perhaps the company's head office was still smarting over the failed Pulsar / Tiida / Pulsar experiment...

Dualis is built in the huge Nissan factory in Sunderland in the UK. We've extensively toured that factory and the quality it produces is pretty much equal with Japanese Nissans.

When test driving a Dualis with a CVT feel for any roughness, if it's not smooth as silk have an experienced automatic transmission person check it out.

Signs of off-road use are generally considered a no-no in a light-duty SUV.

Manuals should be smooth and easy in their gearchanges. Any hanging up or noise during changes may mean problems, either in the gearbox or the clutch.

Signs of off-road use are generally considered a no-no in a light-duty SUV. Scratches on the guards or doors; scuffs on the bumper corners; dings under the bumpers; and in particular damage to the sump may mean you should back off the purchase. Then again, if the price is right...

Check the interior and the boot for signs of hard usage. Kids can wreak havoc on the backs of the seats in front of them if they get crabby.

Read the article
Can you recommend an SUV for my family?

Both are well suited to everyday use around town. They're comfortable, fuel-efficient and safe. The Dualis is a little cheaper than the Sportage, but I would definitely go for the Sportage. I would expect them to have a similar resale value when it comes time to sell, but the reputation of the Sportage for quality and reliability would make it easier to move on.

Nissan Dualis 2012: Are these gearbox issues normal?

I’m not surprised at the clutch requiring replacement in that time, but I am surprised at the gearbox problem. I would contact Nissan directly and ask for some assistance with the cost of repairs.

Used Nissan Dualis review: 2007-2013

If you can come to terms with the quirky CVT, this may be the car to move your people.

When car companies quizzed SUV fans about the importance of four-wheel drive the response was: not important at all. Potential buyers wanted a high-riding wagon with the space to carry kids and their kit.

Nissan had an each-way punt with the compact Dualis by releasing front and all-wheel drive versions of what in reality was a small hatch with a wagon body and high driving position.

Initially it was sold as a five-seater wagon, later to be joined by a seven-seater, cutely called the +2. Entry to the Dualis club was via the ST, above which was the more highly specified Ti. The same designations carried over to the +2.

At launch, there was one engine only, a 2.0L four-cylinder with 102kW and 198Nm — nothing special, which showed on the road. Added eventually, the punchy 1.6L turbo diesel markedly improved the appeal of the Dualis.

There were manual and constantly variable transmissions. Pitched as an automatic, the latter wasn't in the conventional sense and drove quite differently. Very few bought the six-speed manual.

If the driving experience was nothing to write home about, the Dualis ticked boxes for practicality. There was plenty of space for families and the rear luggage area was quite generous, even more so once you laid the seats down flat.

On the road the Dualis's performance was unremarkable, somewhat dulled by the CVT, but it was easy to drive and park, the cabin was roomy and outward vision good.

Road testers had their reservations, but Dualis owners in the main are content with their choice.

Reliability issues are few, although one owner we talked to experienced several fairly minor glitches that clouded his view of the car.

Another owner suggested that his Dualis wasn't tough enough to withstand the punishment dished out on unsealed country roads.

Perhaps the most concerning is the report of shuddering with the CVT from one owner. Driving the CVT is definitely a different experience; it's like no other transmission. The CVT concept is brilliant and such transmissions have been around since the 1970s. However, they require the driver to understand how they operate and what idiosyncrasies to expect.

Rather than the cogs and hydraulics in a conventional automatic, a CVT has a belt and pulleys. The alignment changes continuously to maintain a constant, or near constant, engine speed for the greatest fuel efficiency.

The most common problem with a CVT is shuddering when you're taking off or accelerating. Walk away if you observe any shuddering while test-driving a car.

There have been a couple of recalls for the Dualis. One in 2012 was for the steering wheel boss, which was prone to failure and could come away from the column, leaving the driver without steering. Another in 2010 was for a cover screw connecting the steering gear pinion shaft to the housing — if it became loose, the steering could become noisy.

Read the article
What SUV should I buy for $22,000?

The CX-5 is the better vehicle, but the Hyundai is likely to be cheaper and with much longer to run on the factory warranty.

Holden Captiva: Better than a Nissan Qashqai?

I wouldn't recommend the Captiva but the Dualis gets The Tick and is good value. 

Nissan Dualis: Clutch is slipping

Nissan told us that the clutch in your car showed normal, even wear, but the issue of clutch wear is a tricky one. Clutches are not covered by the warranty, which is fair enough given that they do wear out, but I think owners are entitled to expect the clutch to last a reasonable time and distance before requiring replacement. Having worn out in 38,000 km of normal driving without any towing is unacceptable in my view, and something Nissan, and every other carmaker, should be addressing. In this case it's Nissan that is affected, but it happens with other makes and models. Perhaps, given the overwhelming popularity of automatic transmissions, and the diminishing demand for manuals, they simply don't care. Think about having a heavy-duty clutch installed, that way you should get a decent run out of it before you next need to replace the clutch.

Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. Carsguide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.
Have a new question for the CarsGuide team?
More than 9,000 questions asked and answered.
Complete guide to Nissan Dualis 2012
Complete guide to Nissan Dualis 2012 CarsGuide Logo
Reviews, price, specs and more