Nissan has recalled X-Trail petrol models (2023–2026) with the 1.5L three-cylinder engine due to an overheating oil fault that can cause engine damage. Over 320,000 cars are affected worldwide, including 4,590 in the UK. The fix is a free software update available at Nissan dealers from March 2026.
If you own a Nissan X-Trail, this one’s worth two minutes of your time. Nissan has kicked off a worldwide Nissan X-Trail recall over an engine fault that, left alone, could wreck the engine completely.
It affects petrol cars built between 2023 and 2026, and the fix won’t cost you a penny. Here’s what’s wrong, whether you can still drive it, and how to get it sorted.
- The recall covers X-Trail models with the 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, built between 2023 and 2026.
- Engine oil can get too hot, which weakens lubrication and risks engine damage.
- Over 320,000 cars are affected worldwide; 4,590 of them are in the UK.
- The e-Power hybrid version is not part of the recall.
- The fix is a free software update that is available at any authorised Nissan dealer.
- Nissan says the car is safe to drive in the meantime.
What’s Actually Wrong?
The problem is hot oil. On the affected cars, engine oil temperatures can creep too high. When oil gets that hot, it stops doing its job of keeping everything slippery and protected.
Lose that lubrication, and the engine starts wearing itself out, which can mean internal damage, and in the worst case, the engine giving up altogether. That’s why Nissan would rather step in now than wait for cars to conk out.
Nissan spelt it out itself: “In accordance with Nissan’s commitment to customer safety, Nissan is recalling certain MY23-25 X-Trail vehicles due to a potential increase in engine oil temperature, which may degrade lubrication that may lead to engine damage and, in some cases, engine failure.”
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Is my Nissan X-Trail affected by the recall?
Only X-Trail models with the 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, built between 2023 and 2026, are affected. If yours is the e-Power hybrid, you’re fine. Because it runs on a totally different setup and isn’t part of this group.
Both the five- and seven-seat versions use that petrol engine, so check which you’ve got. The Auto Express confirmed the hybrid line stays well clear of the fault
| Model | Engine | Affected |
|---|---|---|
| X-Trail Petrol (2023–2026) | 1.5L 3-cylinder | Yes |
| X-Trail e-Power Hybrid | Hybrid | No |
How Many Cars are Involved?
More than 320,000 X-Trails are caught up in the recall globally. As for Britain, The Standard reported the UK tally sits at 4,590 vehicles. Auto Express first noted the exact UK figure wasn’t confirmed while Nissan crunched the numbers, so 4,590’s the one to go by.
Either way, the X-Trail is Nissan’s biggest SUV – the beefier cousin of the Qashqai, which has been one of Britain’s best-loved cars for donkey’s years.
What Nissan Has Said
Yes. Nissan has said the X-Trail is safe to drive while you wait for the fix. That said, the brand went a bit quiet when pressed on whether owners should lay off driving in the meantime.
The Sun pointed out that Nissan didn’t actually tell people to stop. My take? Carry on as normal, but if you hear odd noises, spot a warning light, or feel the car losing puff, get it booked in sharpish.
When Will Nissan Get in Touch?
From March 2026. Nissan’s putting it in writing: “Nissan will begin notifying customers via mail in March 2026 to notify them that they can visit their local authorised Nissan dealer, where an update will be performed free of charge.”
So keep half an eye on the post. One catch: if you bought your X-Trail second-hand and the V5C logbook was never updated, that letter might never land on your mat. Don’t just sit waiting for it.
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The Same Fault Reached America
The same engine family has also landed Nissan in trouble across the pond. NDTV reported that in the US, around 643,000 Nissan Rogue SUVs are being recalled.
323,917 of them (2023–2025) have engine bearing failures that risk fires and power loss, plus another 318,781 (2024–2025) with broken throttle body gears that can cut power and stop gears from engaging. American dealers are reprogramming the software, checking for fault codes and road-testing each car, all free, with owners notified by mail in March 2026.
And it’s been a busy few months. Back in January, Nissan recalled over 26,000 Sentra and Altima saloons, Frontier pickups and Kicks SUVs over dodgy door striker welding, where “the door striker wire loop may have insufficient strength and, in certain cases, could crack and separate from the plate”.
The X-Trail itself has had the usual mix over the years too — airbag recalls (the huge Takata saga included), plus brake, steering and electrical ones.
The Fix: Step by Step
The repair is dead simple and free. Dealer techs run a software update that stops the oil from overheating. Here’s how to get it done:
- Find your VIN: It’s the 17-character code on your V5C, your insurance papers, at the base of the windscreen on the driver’s side, or inside the driver’s door frame.
- Check your car: Pop your VIN or reg into Nissan’s official recall checker (or the tool at the top of this page) to see if yours is listed.
- Ring a dealer: If it’s flagged, call your nearest authorised Nissan service centre and quote your reg so they can order any parts in advance.
- Get it fixed: Take your recall letter and vehicle registration along. The update is free and will not take up your entire day.
How do I check if my car is affected?
You don’t have to wait around. Head to the DVSA checker at gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall, punch in your number plate, and it’ll flag any outstanding recalls. Nissan runs all its UK recalls through the DVSA. A dealer can also run your VIN through their system, which sometimes turns up service campaigns the DVSA list misses. It’s worth doing twice a year anyway, before your MOT, and always the second you buy a used one, since the previous owner may not have bothered.
The Bottom Line
A recall sounds scary, but it really isn’t a sign your X-Trail is a lemon. Nissan caught the issue through its own quality checks and wants it sorted before anyone gets caught out; that’s the system doing exactly what it’s meant to. It landed just weeks after BMW recalled around 575,000 cars worldwide (25,000 here) over a fire risk in the starter motor’s magnetic switch.
It’s not all doom, mind — around the same time Nissan started building its new third-generation electric Leaf at its UK plant, the first new high-volume car made in Britain since 2020, with up to 375 miles of range and the full £3,750 electric car grant.
So don’t panic — just book yours in, keep the paperwork for your service history, and you’re sorted.
FAQs
Q. Is my Nissan X-Trail affected by the recall?
A. Only petrol X-Trails with the 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine built between 2023 and 2026 are affected. The e-Power hybrid is not included.
Q. Is it safe to drive my X-Trail during the recall?
A. Yes, Nissan says the car remains safe to drive while awaiting the fix, though owners should watch for unusual noises or warning lights.
Q. Will the recall cost me anything?
A. No, the fix is a free software update available at any authorised Nissan dealer.
Q. How do I check if my car has a recall?
A. Visit gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall and enter your number plate, or contact your local Nissan dealer with your VIN.
Sources & References:
- Auto Express – The hybrid model of the Nissan X-Trail 2023-2026 is not affected.
- The Standard – In the UK only, the number of recalled vehicles is 4,590.
- The Sun – Nissan did not tell people to stop driving the cars.
- NDTV – In the US, around 643,000 Nissan Rogue SUVs have been recalled.
