Nissan Micra (2003 – 2010) Review
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Nissan Micra (2003 – 2010) At A Glance
Cute looks. Not very different from the Fiat 500.
Not much rear seat room and luggage room. Difficult to get into back of 3-door. Electrics can fail. Expensive faults especially with ABS. Serious failures can render it scrap.
"Ahhh....cute. It's like a baby." Those were my wife's words when she first caught sight of the frogeyed new Nissan Micra. Smart girl. She summed it up straight away.
Other small hatchbacks try to be chic, like the 206. Or stylish, like the Ibiza. Or retro, like the C3. Or solid, like the Polo. Or practical, like the Jazz. Or just plain efficient Fordy, like the Fiesta. But this is the first to put on such a sweet and friendly look that women want to hug it. They'd have to have a heart of stone not to fall for the Micra's Kermit-like cuddlyness.
Of course, that wasn't enough for Nissan. They want to sell 160,000 a year in Europe, so cute alone won't cut it against the intense opposition. (And I hadn't even mentioned the Yaris yet.) So they've taken a few leaves from other peoples books as well as their own to make sure women love the new Micra.
Safety was top of the list. So every new Micra has ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution and Nissan Brake Assist (of which, more later). They all have five proper three-point seatbelts. They all have driver and passenger airbags. They all have electric power steering. They all have single slot CD players. And the petrol fuelled models all have unburstable chain-cam 16v engines.
Reviews for Nissan Micra (2003 – 2010)'s top 3 rivals
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Nissan Micra (2003 – 2010) handling and engines
- Engines range from 1.2 16V to 1.6 16V SR
- Readers report Real MPG to be between 32–75 mpg
It has class-leading ride quality, so good you're unaware of poor road surfaces that would feed straight through to your backside in a first generation Jazz. It steers and handles well rather than brilliantly. The gearchange is good (mainly because it's the same as the old Micra).
It's perky enough with the 1.2 or 1.4 litre engines (not much to choose between them: the 1.2 is sweeter, but the 1.4 has slightly more grunt). It ‘aims' well, through gaps between approaching traffic and your side of the road. The bobbles on top of the headlights help to direct it accurately when parking, and it has a very tight turning circle.
It is revving quite hard at speed, as both the 1.2 and 1.4 are geared to do around 18mph per 1,000 rpm in 5th. The benefit of this is that's its quite lively in 5th, but engine noise, especially in the 1.4, could become a bit wearing. Nevertheless, it's still reasonably economical. And if super-economy is your thing, from April you'll also be able to order the Micra with the 65bhp 1.5 litre direct injected Renault diesel engine from the Clio (an 82bhp version is due in September).
But now to the ABS with EBD and Brake Assist. There we were on the Via Sophia heading out of Rome behind an old Jag with a smashed-in back-end and, of course, no brake lights, when it suddenly stopped. My driver was right on it, reacted quickly and Brake Assist did the rest, bringing us to a safe stop about a metre behind the Jag. Not so the FIAT Stilo behind us, which rammed our poor Micra into pre-smashed Jag.
Thankfully no one was hurt (our Micra effectively became the Stilo's crumple zone and crumpled both ends). But perhaps a rear window sign like the old ‘CAUTION: AIR BRAKES' is in order. Something along the lines of ‘STAY BACK: STOPS QUICKLY' to keep errant FIATs out of Micra luggage compartment. Especially those with ‘L' plates practising emergency stops.
As you can see from the list, new Micra prices start at a very sensible £7,495, and insurance groups are low, so we could see more than a few ‘new' drivers in them. I've already recommended one to a lady wanting a car for her 17 year old daughter. Blokes might hesitate a bit, because it's not a blokey car.
On the other hand they might want to put over their caring sensitive, unaggressive nature, so it could be a bird puller too. Especially of girls who believe that inside every frog there's a handsome prince.
| Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 16V | 48 mpg | 12.5–13.5 s | 139 g/km |
| 1.4 16V | 45 mpg | 11.9 s | 154 g/km |
| 1.5 dCi | 60–61 mpg | 10.9–11.9 s | 120–125 g/km |
| 1.6 16V | 43 mpg | 9.8 s | 158 g/km |
| 1.6 16V SR | 43 mpg | 9.8 s | 158 g/km |
Real MPG average for the Nissan Micra (2003 – 2010)
Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.
Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.
Average performance
100%
Real MPG
32–75 mpg
MPGs submitted
252
Nissan Micra (2003 – 2010) interior
- Boot space is 251–584 litres
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 3719–3734 mm |
| Width | 1660 mm |
| Height | 1540 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2430 mm |
Inside, the dash-top is nice with a sort of skin-like fabric feel to it. The steering wheel is just the right size. There are clever cup holders and storage areas all over the place. Up-spec models have retro ivory-look switches, like the Nissan Figaro of ten years ago.
A sliding rear seat, to give more legroom or luggage room at the expense of each other, like the Renault Twingo and Toyota Yaris. A huge hidden removable bin under the passenger seat, like the Suzuki Wagon R.
And a massive compartmentalised glove locker with a drawer, somewhere for bottles, somewhere for all the nick-knacks you carry in a car. Even the door pockets are thought out, so that if you use them to store maps, the handle stops the map flopping over.
The Intelligent Key system is just like that of a Mercedes Benz S Class. Merely approaching the car with it in your pocket unlocks it, which is very handy if your hands are full. To start up, you just put a foot on the brake (for safety) and turn a switch. There's also an automatic from launch: not a CVT like the old Micra, but a conventional Jatco 4-speed torque converter electronic auto, because it's is lighter and cheaper than a CVT.
I'd also better make you aware that though the back seat slides forwards to provide more luggage space and the seatbacks fold, the seat cushions don't. So as is the case with the new Mazda 2, you can't achieve a perfectly flat floor.
Nissan Micra (2003 – 2010) models and specs
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 3719–3734 mm |
| Width | 1660 mm |
| Height | 1540 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2430 mm |
| Miscellaneous | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight | 1032–1128 kg |
| Boot Space | 251–584 L |
| Warranty | 3 years |
| Servicing | 12500 miles |
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| List Price | £7,495–£13,600 |
| Insurance Groups | 7–15 |
| Road Tax Bands | C–G |
| Official MPG | 42.8–61.4 mpg |
| Euro NCAP Safety Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Adult | 4 |
| Child | - |
| Pedestrian | 2 |
| Overall | - |
On sale until October 2010
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.2 16v Visia 3dr | £8,500 | 47.9 mpg | 12.5 s |
| 1.2 16v Visia 5dr | £9,100 | 47.9 mpg | 12.5 s |
| 1.5 dCi 86 Visia 3dr | £9,800 | 61.4 mpg | 10.9 s |
| 1.5 dCi 86 Visia 5dr | £10,400 | 61.4 mpg | 10.9 s |
On sale until January 2010
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.2 16v Acenta 3dr | £10,100 | 47.9 mpg | 13.5 s |
| 1.2 16v Acenta 3dr Auto | £10,100 | - | - |
| 1.2 16v Acenta 5dr | £10,700 | 47.9 mpg | 13.5 s |
| 1.2 16v Acenta 5dr Auto | £10,700 | - | - |
| 1.2 16v Tekna 3dr | £11,700 | 47.9 mpg | 13.5 s |
| 1.2 16v Tekna 3dr Auto | £11,700 | - | - |
| 1.2 16v Tekna 5dr | £12,300 | 47.9 mpg | 13.5 s |
| 1.2 16v Tekna 5dr Auto | £12,300 | - | - |
| 1.4 16v Acenta 3dr | £10,450 | 44.8 mpg | 11.9 s |
| 1.4 16v Acenta 3dr Auto | £10,450 | - | - |
| 1.4 16v Acenta 5dr | £11,050 | 44.8 mpg | 11.9 s |
| 1.4 16v Acenta 5dr Auto | £11,050 | - | - |
| 1.4 16v Tekna 3dr | £12,050 | 44.8 mpg | 11.9 s |
| 1.4 16v Tekna 3dr Auto | £12,050 | - | - |
| 1.4 16v Tekna 5dr | £12,650 | 44.8 mpg | 11.9 s |
| 1.4 16v Tekna 5dr Auto | £12,650 | - | - |
| 1.5 dCi 86 Acenta 3dr | £11,400 | 61.4 mpg | 11.9 s |
| 1.5 dCi 86 Acenta 5dr | £12,000 | 61.4 mpg | 11.9 s |
| 1.5 dCi 86 Tekna 3dr | £13,000 | 61.4 mpg | 11.9 s |
| 1.5 dCi 86 Tekna 5dr | £13,600 | 61.4 mpg | 11.9 s |
On sale until December 2008
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.4 16v Active Luxury 3dr | £10,863 | 44.8 mpg | 11.9 s |
| 1.4 16v Active Luxury 3dr Auto | £10,863 | - | - |
| 1.4 16v Active Luxury 5dr | £11,499 | 44.8 mpg | 11.9 s |
| 1.4 16v Active Luxury 5dr Auto | £11,499 | - | - |
| 1.5 dCi 86 Active Luxury 3dr | £11,996 | 61.4 mpg | 11.9 s |
| 1.5 dCi 86 Active Luxury 5dr | £12,632 | 61.4 mpg | 11.9 s |
| 1.6 16v Active Luxury 3dr | £12,331 | 42.8 mpg | 9.8 s |
| 1.6 16v Active Luxury 5dr | £12,967 | 42.8 mpg | 9.8 s |
| 1.6 16v SR 3dr | £10,863 | 42.8 mpg | 9.8 s |
| 1.6 16v SR 5dr | £11,499 | 42.8 mpg | 9.8 s |
On sale until July 2007
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.2 16v Initia 3dr | £7,495 | 47.9 mpg | 13.5 s |
| 1.2 16v Initia 3dr Auto | £7,495 | - | - |
| 1.2 16v Initia 5dr | £8,145 | 47.9 mpg | 13.5 s |
| 1.2 16v Initia 5dr Auto | £8,145 | - | - |
| 1.2 16v Spirita 3dr | £8,795 | 47.9 mpg | 13.5 s |
| 1.2 16v Spirita 3dr Auto | £8,795 | - | - |
| 1.2 16v Spirita 5dr | £9,445 | 47.9 mpg | 13.5 s |
| 1.2 16v Spirita 5dr Auto | £9,445 | - | - |
| 1.2 16v Sport 3dr | £9,895 | 47.9 mpg | 13.5 s |
| 1.2 16v Sport 5dr | £10,545 | 47.9 mpg | 13.5 s |
| 1.4 16v Spirita 3dr | £9,095 | 44.8 mpg | 11.9 s |
| 1.4 16v Spirita 3dr Auto | £9,095 | - | - |
| 1.4 16v Spirita 5dr | £9,745 | 44.8 mpg | 11.9 s |
| 1.4 16v Spirita 5dr Auto | £9,745 | - | - |
| 1.4 16v Sport 3dr | £10,195 | 44.8 mpg | 11.9 s |
| 1.4 16v Sport 5dr | £10,845 | 44.8 mpg | 11.9 s |
| 1.5 dCi 86 Initia 3dr | £8,655 | 60.1 mpg | 11.9 s |
| 1.5 dCi 86 Initia 5dr | £9,305 | 60.1 mpg | 11.9 s |
| 1.5 dCi 86 Spirita 3dr | £9,955 | 60.1 mpg | 11.9 s |
| 1.5 dCi 86 Spirita 5dr | £10,605 | 60.1 mpg | 11.9 s |
| 1.5 dCi 86 Sport 3dr | £11,055 | 60.1 mpg | 11.9 s |
| 1.5 dCi 86 Sport 5dr | £11,705 | 60.1 mpg | 11.9 s |
| 1.6 16v Sport SR 3dr | £10,695 | 42.8 mpg | 9.8 s |
| 1.6 16v Sport SR 5dr | £11,345 | 42.8 mpg | 9.8 s |
Model History
- January 2003: Nissan Micra launched
- June 2005: New Micra 160SR introduced
- October 2005: Midlife facelift
- April 2008: Micra Visia+ launched
- March 2009: Nissan Connect available
January 2003
Nissan Micra launched
Built on the same floorpan as the next generation Renault Clio, but with Nissan 65PS 1.0, 80PS 1.2 and 88ps 1.4 petrol engines or Renault's 65PS and 82PS 1.5 diesels. 4-speed Jatco torque converter auto option on petrol engines (not CVT).
Sunderland build differs from Japan built March equivalent which went on sale in Japan in early 2002.
Range starts with 65PS 1.0E at £7,495 for 3-door or £7,995 for 5-door. £7,995 also buys an 80PS 1.2S 3-door, which has side airbags, three adjustable rear head restraints, driver's seat height-adjustment and 60/40 split folding rear seat which also slides to give more rear legroom at the expense of luggage space or vice versa. 5-door 1.2S is £8,495.
£8,995 gets the 1.2 SE 3-door and £9,495 the SE 5-door, both of which have 'Intelligent key' (automatic proximity remote control) door opening, leather bound steering wheel, part-leather seats, 6 speaker ICE, electric door mirrors, 15-inch wheels and a storage compartment under the passenger seat. For another £1,000 SXs and SVEs have 15-inch alloy wheels and electronic climate control with ivory coloured controls.
1.4 litre petrol engines cost £300 more than 1.2s; and very frugal 65bhp 1.5 litre Renault sourced diesel engines are an extra £800. 4-speed Jatco automatic transmission on the 1.2 or 1.4 is an extra £900.
June 2005
New Micra 160SR introduced
Priced at £9995 for 3-door and £10,645 for 5-door. 110PS. 0-60mph 9.5 seconds. 42.8mpg on the combined cycle.
Stiffer, lower suspension, dynamic ESP, deep front spoiler with integrated projector fog lamps, body coloured roof and side spoilers, dark tinted headlamps and graphite finished 16" alloys. Side curtain airbags, aluminium pedals, white dials, Intelligent key, six speaker CD system, automatic wipers and lighting plus air-conditioning – all as standard. Optional sunroof at £375. On 15" wheels is very good over speed humps.
October 2005
Midlife facelift
Included stronger bumpers, new seats, new colours, updated dash panel with chrome ringed instruments, and now model designations: E, S, SE and SVE + 160SR.
Special Edition 'Active Luxury' models with leather and Alcantara seats based on Sport 1.4 and 1.6 and 1.5 86PS diesel from £10,995 announced October 2006. Revamp for 2008 with changes to the styling, additions to the equipment list and a new grade structure – new Micra and Micra C+C on sale from 1 October.
- INITIA (URBIS on C+C) changes to VISIA
- SPIRITA (SPORT on C+C) moves to ACENTA
- SPORT (ESSENZA on C+C) to TEKNA
- SPORT SR (hatchback only) returns to the previous name of 160SR
- ACTIVE LUXURY continues on both hatchback and C+C.
Special version for a limited time called ACENTA + on the hatchback version – based on the ACENTA but offering 15 inch TEKNA styled alloy wheels, in-place of the steels, for an additional £200 on top of the standard ACENTA price.
New twin front grilles. B Pillar trim (hatchback only) which is no longer colour coded giving an improved side profile. The wheel cover designs on VISIA and ACENTA have also been restyled.
An MP3 jack socket is included on all Micras so you can easily play your personal collection of music through the vehicle’s own stereo system, which incidentally has also been improved with a double DIN audio unit (C+C and from ACENTA on hatchback).
Engine line up range remains unchanged with 1.2, 1.4 and 1.6 (160SR and C+C only) petrol and a 1.5 dCi diesel being available. However, the 1.2 VISIA now has a power output of 65PS returning 47.9mpg on the combined cycle and a CO2 output of 139g/km. From ACENTA upwards the 1.2 engine remains with the current 80PS version.
Prices for the hatchback remain largely unchanged with the range starting from £7,495. The only increase is to TEKNA (was SPORT) of £150 – now £10,045; which is not so painful considering it now includes rear parking sensors, automatic lights and rain sensing wipers as standard. The C+C starts at £13,550 for the VISIA which is an increase of £50. The rest of the C+C range increases by £150 but these also have rear parking sensors as standard.
April 2008
Micra Visia+ launched
Priced from £7,995 (£500 over standard Visia) offers manual air conditioning and an upgrade to a 80 PS 1.2-litre petrol engine. It’s just as economical as the 65 PS unit, delivering 47.9 mpg (manual) and 42.8 mpg (automatic) combined, yet the manual model gets to 60mph in 13.2 secs.
Optional orange seat trim contrasting with a chocolate finish to the dashboard, steering wheel and gear lever. Graphite upholstery remains available for those with more conservative tastes. On the outside, the full Micra palette of paint shades is available, but they’re joined by the exclusive and sparkling Sunlit Copper that really will show the Micra Visia+ off to best effect in spring sunshine.
The added spec comes on top of the standard Visia grade’s side airbags, front active headrests, a CD player, power front windows, rear sliding seat, central locking and ISOFIX childseat mounting points. Prices start at £7995 for the 3 door manual, with an extra £650 for the 5 door model and a £900 supplement for the automatic gearbox option. In terms of insurance, all models get a low, group 2 rating.
March 2009
Nissan Connect available
Only £400 on Acenta, standard on Tekna. Full music and Bluetooth compatibility.
Nissan Connect has been designed to be intuitive, with buttons for the most commonly used functions and a touch screen for rapid navigation through the menu system. Further versatility comes from steering wheel mounted controls.
As well as a single CD player and AM/FM radio, Nissan Connect offers full digital music connectivity. On Note models, open up the storage cubby on top of the dashboard and you’ll find both a USB connector and a 3.5mm auxiliary input socket (aux in). That means tracks stored on iPods, other MP3 players, USB storage devices and USB external hard drives can be played via the in-car system (the equivalent connectors on Micra are located at the base of the centre console). MP3 and WMA sound files held on CD can also be played.
Once an iPod is connected, the touch screen can be used to search for and select tracks and while a track is playing, the song title, artist and directory folder are all displayed on screen. The steering wheel buttons offer volume adjustment and track selection.
What to watch out for
On 3-door models the seat lift and tilt mechanism has been failing.
Sudden poor running or failure to start due to spate of crankshaft sensor malfunctions. One reason given is that gloves worn by Engine Assembly workers shed Kevlar which sticks to the flywheels they were fitting. Magnetic signal for crankshaft sensor then gets disrupted. Remedy, remove sensor and insert a gas burner jet flame whilst slowly rotating the crank. TSB issued August 2007 with a special tool to clean the flywheel to solve crankshaft sensor problem. Looks like a small grinding wheel.
Battery flattening problem due to software programme which continuously rechecks that everything is off, using power in the process. Can be re-programmed not to and problem disappears.
Plenty of complaints about the Renault electrics. Renfaults have developed with keyless ignition systems and there is sometimes a long wait for replacement parts.
Water ingress to electric boot lock cases failures. Rear hatch latch water ingress problem can be cured by filling the cavity around it with caulk.
Front suspension clonking may be caused by a factory misalignment. Dealers are aware and can re-align. Crankshaft position sensor problems.
Plastic dipstick tubes vibrate and eventually snap off leading to oil loss and quite an expensive repair. Later models have stabilising brackets to prevent this.
On petrol engines, timing chains are still prone to stretching if the oil is not changed frequently enough. Oil best changed every 6k miles. Stretched timing chains upset the timing and the running of the engine. Big job to replace.
On 1.5 dCi EGR valve should open to allow carbon dioxide, which acts as a cooling gas) into the combustion chambers when the engine is under load (>30% boost). This allows the combustion chamber temperature to drop and thus the temperature of the exhaust gases. If it sticks in the closed position the exhaust gas temperature will rise causing a) the turbo bearings to fail and b) engine oil into the induction system. This will cause the engine to go on running until it has consumed all its oil and then it will go bang.Problems with EGR valves in Renault dCi engines are often the cause of rough running when the valve is stuck in the open position as well. In several cases turbos have blown but the EGR valve has not been replaced. Inevitably the new turbo unit will not last long. This seems to be confined to early 1.5DCIs as Renault modified the EGRs and no further reports of trouble in the 9 months to April 2007.
Can have a wiper problem, caused by a fault in the computer system fuse box which is located under the left hand headlight. Costs £20, plus labour to remove the headlight, remove the fuse box and replace.
ABS/ESP modules starting to fail after 3 - 4 years. Nissan and its dealers will replace for about £400 in cars 3 - 4 years old always serviced by Nissan dealers. Essential to replace brake fluid every 2 years to prevent this. (See below.)
One reader suffered the following failures on a 7 year old, but was not clear about when all the failures occurred: Engine sensor failures (twice); Starter motor failure; Rear seat belt failure on MOT due to failure of belt to retract; New clutch (2010); MOT failure (2010) due to:- Headlight adjustment failing and Indicator repeat lamp on dash requiring new dashboard component. Cost £800, including service and MoT.
13-01-2011:2004 Micra has been recalled due to a recent 'safety concern'. Apparently, there is a possibility that an electrical contact within the ECU ( on a relay) may become contaminated with silicon oxide, which could cause the engine to stall and make re-starting difficult.
01-05-2011:Seems to have inherited the same mass airflow sensor problem as thre K11 Micra (same engine). The throttle body incorporates the mass airflow sensor which fails and quite a lot of complete throttle body assemblies reported to have needed replacing at £450 to £500 a go. Throttle bodies also get choked by short runs from cold starts and slow running on cheap detergent free petrol. But worth checking the small fuse box located behind the radiator near to the battery. One of the fuses in that box supplies the fuel injection system. Road dirt and moisture can enter the fuse box resulting in corrosion and overheating of the fuel injection fuse. Simply cleaning the contacts and renewing the fuse might solve the problem of misfiring/cutting out. Another possible cure (from Australia) is to remove the throttle body (quite an easy task) and in turn remove the square metal plate on the side. This reveals a PCB with a number of soldered joints which over time can become "dry", a soldering iron is then used to touch each of these joints, preferably adding a blob of solder.6-1-2012: Further report of ABS module failure. Reader quoted £2,771 to replace. Nissan will only replace FOC within the 3 year warranty and if brake fluid changes have been made every two years.
03-03-2012:Notorious fault is severe corrosion of the fusible link holder, which is situated underneath the nearside headlamp unit. Rated at 30 amps, this piece of cheap and nasty, plastic framework (costing £64.97 ) suffers from very poor design of the waterproofing housing which results in moisture build-up inside the housing.
08-06-2012:Yet another report of ABS module failure.
04-07-2012:Early Micra with 'intelligent keys' are becoming economic write-offs because when the system fails a new steering column and rack is required costing £1,500. This in addition to the potential ABS problem above.
01-08-2012:Yet another ABS failure, this time on a 29k mile 2008 Acenta+ 1.5DCI. Quoted £2,686 to replace ABS attenuator assembly and engine bay harness. No goodwill because car had been independently serviced.
29-11-2012:Automatic transmission failure reported on a 13,500 2007/57 Micra auto. Cost to replace £2,050.
14-12-2012:Further report of ABS module failure and same quotation of £2,600 by Nissan dealer to replace. This must be writing off a lot of K12 Micras. Crucial to change brake fluid ever 2 years.
14-01-2013:Stretched timing chain and a quotation of £900 to fix led a reader to finally give up on her Micra.
10-04-2013:Report of failure of electric power steering on a 2005 Micra; quoted £1,100 to replace.
08-05-2013:One more report of ABS failure. Repaired under goodwill at an apparent cost of £2,000, then failed again 8 months later and this time the repair estimate was £3,000.
24-05-2013:At least one independent fix of the electric power steering problem has repeatedly failed. Awaiting news of developments.
09-06-2013:Yet another Electric Power Steering failure, this on a 38k mil 2005 K12 Micra. Reader quoted £1,300 for replacement.
17-09-2013:2005 Micra needed new starter motor, cost £278. Apparently requires a new ignition switch to be fitted at the same time, total cost £539. Begs the question why this was not fitted the first time.
24-11-2013:Ridiculous saga of 24k mile 2003 Micra high beam indicator light failing. This transformed into needing a new meter assembly combination of which there were none available in the UK or Europe and it would have to be ordered from Japan. Reader was asked to pay the full price for the part in advance (£448.38 incl VAT) and the order went in on 2nd September with an anticipated 3 week delivery date. The part did not arrive and the reader was given a new delivery date of 13th November. Again it failed to arrive and the latest delivery date became beginning of February 2014. The MOT expired on 4th September and although the main beam itself is in perfect working order, because the blue light does not come on the car failed so it is off the road. Both the garage and Nissan Customer Care Department keep telling the reader there is nothing they can do. The desperate saga of expensive failure on this model seem calculated to render it scrap after 7 - 10 years.
16-01-2014:Alloy wheel of 2008 Micra found to be porous inside due to die-casting defect.
21-01-2014:Nissan Micra load area-one way cabin vents can fail allowing water to be splashed up by rear wheels into the load area.
24-06-2014:Clutch pedal return clip failed on 25k mile 2004 Micra. Not available as a separate part; only as a complete assembly at £224. 3 week wait fcor the part.
03-07-2014:Power steering failed on a 2004 Micra the day afer it went in for the steering recall. Dealer said unrelated to the recall and wanted £1,400 to fix it.
14-07-2014:After an independent service the oil warning light of a 15,000 mile 2006 Micra came on at 600rpm idle speed. The sensor has been changed to no effect, the sump removed, that and the strainer cleaned replaced and refilled with the correct oil and a new filter but the problem still remains.
18-05-2015:Nissan dealer told owner of 2003 Micra K12 to scrap the car for the simple reason that a can bus cable to the hatchback release had failed. The cost of replacing the snapped wire would be 50p, but the ECU would not recognise a repair and would require an entire new wiring loom to be fitted, costing the value of the car. Recommended http://www.yell.com 'Car Electrical Specialists'.
13-12-2015:Stretched timing chains apparently common in early K12 Micras due to accelerated wear caused by acid build-up in the engine oil corroding the links in the chain. Eventually it stretches beyond the limit of the chain tensioner leading to a gradually worsening misfire, the engine warning light to illuminate, and eventually the engine ceases to start from cold. The deterioration from noticing the first effect to being unable to start was over about 1800 miles. Better quality timing cvhain fitted from 2005, but vital to change the oil at least every 12 months or at least every 10,000 miles, whichever comes first.
13-07-2017:ABS module failed on 2006 Nissan Micra 1.6 C+C Essenza due to water ingress. Nissan dealer advised replacing the ABS and engine wiring harness at a total cost of £2,867.11, which is the value of the car. Car has otherwise been reliable to 73,000 miles. Possible that ECU testing can fix the ABS module.
23-07-2017:Report of 2006 Nissan Micra K12 stalling at low speed. Engine cuts out. Likely to be the mass airflow sensor in the throttle body. Not available as a separate part, but some specialists can clean and fix it.
11-08-2017:Report of 7 year old Nissan Micra losing power then speeding up and a malfunction light coming on. Owner told it was lambda O2 sensor in the exhaust paid 180 Euros, but problem still there, thoug no malfunction light. Car nearly stops when turning corners.
