Removing the rear seat on a Nissan Qashqai: instructions with photos and secrets of the masters

Rear sofa in Nissan Qashqai - a structure that seems monolithic until you are faced with the need to remove it. Według owners, most often this is required for interior cleaning after a flood, replacing upholstery, repairing electrical wiring under the seats, or installing additional equipment (for example, a subwoofer). But even in service manuals this procedure is described sparingly, and on YouTube - either superficially or with errors.

We have collected step-by-step algorithm taking into account nuances for both generations (J10 2007–2013 and J11 2014–2021), added unique life hacks from auto electricians (for example, how not to break plastic latches) and sorted out typical problems - from soured bolts to hidden fasteners under pillows. If you have never dismantled interior elements, this article will save you 2-3 hours of nerves and prevent fasteners from breaking.

Preparation: Tools and Safety Precautions

Before you begin, make sure you have everything you need. For Qashqai You don’t need a professional tool—a basic set is enough, but with a couple of important nuances.

• 🔧 Socket wrenches by 10 and 12 mm (for mounting bolts to the body). It is better to take with an extension cord - access to the rear bolts is limited.
• 🔨 Plastic spatulas or mediators (for snapping trim clips). Metal screwdrivers will damage plastic!
• 🧲 Magnetic holder for bolts - they like to fall into the cracks of the floor.
• 🧴 WD-40 or similar spray — if the machine was operated in high humidity conditions, the bolts may become sour.
• 📸 Smartphone for photographing the location of the wires (useful for reassembly).

Special attention - electrical safety. If you are removing the seat for wiring work (for example, when installing an alarm), Be sure to disconnect the negative terminal of the battery. B Qashqai under the rear sofa there are wires for the fuel pump, ABS sensors and airbags (in models with side airbags). A short circuit here is fraught not only with a blown fuse, but also activation of squibs.

⚠️ Attention: On 2017 and newer vehicles, there may be a system control unit under the rear seat ProPILOT. If the battery is disconnected, it will have to be recalibrated in a service center (cost ~3,000 ₽).

Rear sofa design: what you need to know before removing

Rear seat in Nissan Qashqai consists of three main parts:

1. Seat cushion (lower part) - attached to the body with bolts and latches.
2. Backrest — fixed with loops to the body and latches to the pillow.
3. Headrests — can be removed separately, but their dismantling makes access to the backrest fastenings easier.

Key Difference J10 from J11 — number of pillow mounting bolts:

• B J10 (2007–2013) — 4 bolts (two each in front and behind).
• B J11 (2014–2021) — 6 bolts (added fastenings on the sides).

Also in J11 maybe under the pillow plastic box with fuse box (in cars with a panoramic roof or premium audio system Bose). Do not pull it by the wires - just carefully disconnect the connectors!

Model	Number of pillow bolts	Backrest mounting type	Features
Qashqai J10 (2007–2013)	4 bolts (M8)	2 hinges + latches	Bolts often rust, clips are fragile
Qashqai J11 (2014–2021)	6 bolts (M8)	2 hinges + 4 latches	Additional fuse box under the pillow
Qashqai J11 (2021–present)	6 bolts (M8) + 2 clips	2 loops + electronic connectors	Passenger weight sensors in the airbag

Step-by-step instructions: removing the seat cushion

Let's start with the simplest part - the bottom pillow. The main thing here is not to rush and not to apply excessive force to the plastic elements.

1. Lean your back forward (if it is not removed). B Qashqai To do this, you need to pull the lever under the pillow (on the right or left, depending on the year). In some modifications, the backrest locks automatically - listen for a click when reclining.
2. Move the front seats as far forward as possible - this will give access to the front airbag bolts.
3. Find the mounting bolts:
   • B J10 — 2 bolts at the front (under the plastic plugs) and 2 at the rear (under the trunk trim).
   • B J11 — additional 2 bolts on the sides (under the decorative trims).

Unscrew the bolts socket wrench. If they do not respond, treat WD-40 and wait 10 minutes. Do not use a percussion instrument — You can break the threads in the body.

Raise your pillow behind and slide it forward to release the latches. B J11 Additional force may be required - the clips are stiffer there.

After removing the pillow you will see:

• 🔌 Wiring connectors (if there is heating or weight sensors).
• 🔧 Backrest fastenings - two loops on the sides.
• 📦 Plastic box (in J11) - do not pull it, but carefully disconnect the connectors.

Back reclined|Front seats moved|All fastening bolts found|Soured bolts treated with WD-40|A place for storing the pillow was prepared-->

⚠️ Attention: In cars with the system NissanConnect An antenna cable can be run under the rear seat for GPS And 3G modem. If it is damaged, navigation and emergency call (eCall) will stop working. The cable is usually braided black - do not confuse it with a heating harness.

Removing the backrest: hinges, latches and hidden fastenings

The backrest is more difficult to attach than a pillow - there are both mechanical hinges and electronic connectors (in new models). The main mistake beginners make is trying to remove the back without disconnecting it from the hinges. This leads to deformation of the metal frame.

Algorithm for Qashqai J10 (2007–2013):

1. Remove the head restraints (press the button at the base and pull up).
2. Unscrew the 2 bolts at the bottom of the backrest (under the plastic plugs).
3. Disconnect the latches at the top (they secure the backrest to the body). Use a plastic spatula to avoid scratching the trim.
4. Lift the back up, moving the hinges out of the grooves. You may need an assistant - the back is heavy.

Algorithm for Qashqai J11 (2014–2021):

1. Remove the headrests and unscrew the 2 bolts at the bottom (as in J10).
2. Disconnect 4 latches (two on top and two on the sides). In some modifications, the latches are hidden under decorative fabric - it must be carefully folded back.
3. Disconnect the wiring connectors (if there are belt sensors or heating). The connectors are usually secured with plastic clips - press them to release them.
4. Remove the backrest by lifting it up and at the same time removing the hinges from the grooves.

In cars 2021 and newer the backrest can be equipped shock sensors (for system Rear Automatic Braking). Their connectors are orange - do not confuse with heating! When the sensors are disabled, an error will appear on the dashboard SRS, which can only be reset using a diagnostic scanner.

What to do if the hinges are jammed?

If the backrest hinges do not come out of the grooves even after unscrewing the bolts, do not use force! Most likely the problem is corrosion or deformation. Process the loops WD-40 and gently tap them with a rubber mallet. If that doesn’t help, you’ll have to remove the trunk trim to get to the hinges on the other side. As a last resort, you can drill out the hinge bolts (diameter 8 mm), but then you will need to buy new ones (item number for J11: 84812-4M01A).

Typical problems and how to avoid them

Even with careful dismantling, the owners Qashqai face more difficulties. We have collected the most common of them and ways to solve them.

1. Stuck bolts

In cars older than 5 years, the seat bolts often rust. If the socket wrench turns but the bolt does not budge:

• 🔧 Use extension for key — he will increase the lever.
• 🔥 Heat the bolt with a construction hairdryer (do not overheat the plastic!).
• 🔨 If all else fails, drill out the bolt with a 7 mm drill, and then cut a new thread with a tap M8×1.25.

2. Broken plastic clips

Upholstery clips and backrest latches in Qashqai fragile. If one is broken:

• 🛒 Buy a repair kit of clips (item number for J11: 90510-4M000).
• 🔧 You can temporarily fix the back with zip ties, but this is unsafe in case of an accident.
• 📌 If the clip is cracked but not completely broken, use superglue Loctite 406 (withstands vibrations).

3. Damaged wires

B Qashqai J11 There is a harness with 10–15 wires running under the seat. If you accidentally cut or tear the insulation:

• 🔌 Insulate the damaged area with heat shrink tube.
• 📡 If the signal wire is broken (for example, from the belt sensor), use repair wire the same section (0.5–0.75 mm²).
• ⚡ If the power wire is damaged (for example, heating), don't twist it - only soldering followed by insulation.

💡

If the lamp comes on after assembly ABS or SRS, it means that you damaged the sensor wires or did not connect the connectors. Do not ignore this error - faulty airbags may deploy spontaneously!

Reassembly: nuances and calibration

Putting the seat back seems easier than removing it, but it has its pitfalls. The main rule is check all connectors before final fixing of the bolts.

Assembly order:

1. Connect all wiring connectors (heating, sensors, antenna).
2. Place the backrest on the hinges and secure with bolts. Make sure that the latches are in place - pull the backrest towards you, it should not wobble.
3. Place the cushion in place, aligning the holes with the bolts. B J11 First, slide the front of the pillow under the backrest, then lower the back.
4. Tighten the bolts crosswise (front first, then rear) to avoid distortion.
5. Install the head restraints and check that the backrest is secure in the reclined position.

After assembly Be sure to check:

• 🚗 Take a test drive: brake sharply - the backrest should not move.
• 🔥 Turn on the heated rear seats (if equipped) - all zones should heat evenly.
• 📱 Check the multimedia operation: if the antenna was disconnected, the signal may be lost GPS or radio.

⚠️ Attention: In cars with the system Intelligent Around View Monitor (360° cameras) after removing the seat, the calibration may be lost. To restore it, a diagnostic scanner is required Nissan CONSULT-III (service cost ~1,500 ₽).

FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to remove the rear seat? Qashqai without a socket wrench?

Theoretically yes, but it's risky. The fastening bolts have a 10 or 12 mm hex head. If you try to unscrew them with pliers or an adjustable wrench, there is a high chance of “licking” the edges. As a last resort you can use spanner wrench with an open mouth, but the force must be applied strictly perpendicular to the bolt.

What to do if a squeak appears in the cabin after removing the seat?

Creaking usually occurs due to:

1. Loose bolts — check the tightening torque (recommended: 20–25 Nm).
2. Friction of plastic elements — treat the contact surfaces with silicone grease.
3. Damaged skin — if the cushion is deformed during removal, it must be straightened or replaced.

If a squeak appears in the backrest area, check loops - they may require lubrication (use LIQUI MOLY Kunststoff-Pflege).

How to remove the seat if the bolts are unscrewed, but the cushion does not move?

Probably, the pillow “stuck” to the guides or caught on the wires. Proceed like this:

1. Check that all bolts are unscrewed (in J11 it's easy to miss the side ones).
2. Carefully lift the pillow from behind and shine a flashlight - the wiring harness may be in the way.
3. If the pillow "sits" on the guides, treat them WD-40 and rock the pillow left and right.

Do not pull by force - in Qashqai The pillow is also secured with plastic latches, which can break.

Do I need to remove the trunk trim to remove the seat?

In most cases, no. But if you are dealing with Qashqai J11 included Tekna or N-Connecta, under the trunk trim there may be:

• Additional backrest fastenings (in cars with a third row of seats).
• System control unit ProPILOT (on 2019 and newer models).
• Sound amplifier Bose (in cars with a premium audio system).

If you were unable to remove the backrest using the standard method, remove the plastic trunk trim (it is secured with 6 clips) and check for hidden fasteners.

Can the removed seat cushion be washed in the washing machine?

No! The pillow has:

• Metal frame that deforms during spinning.
• Polyurethane foam filler, which crumbles under mechanical stress.
• Some models have built-in weight or heating sensors.

For cleaning use:

• Foam cleaner (For example, Autoglym Interior Shampoo).
• Steam generator (temperature up to 100°C).
• A brush with soft bristles to remove contaminants.

After cleaning, dry the pillow in the sun or with a hair dryer (no closer than 30 cm).