I am sure it is not a thermal issue because:
1/ This is a brand new unit which already has the thermal pad between the SSD and the metal case. There is a good imprint of the SSD on the thermal pad indicating there is good contact.
2/ The CPU temperature as monitored by the Intel extreme tuning utility shows the CPU is idling at 36 degrees celsuis (97 farenheit) and this issue is till present when the NUC is not under load.
3/ This issue has occurred even from a cold startup in the morning.
4/ I don't have a wireless card installed so the SSD has no other hot components near it.
I just managed to get the board out of the case and could not find anything loose or obviously suspicious so I have put it all back together and it is behaving the same as always.
I will try to take some video of the issue and upload to Youtube so you can see what I am describing.