Nissan Versa reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 2,087 complaints about the Nissan Versa with NHTSA since 2010, most often about airbags and transmission and drivetrain. Nissan has filed 5 warranty extensions and 18 service campaigns for it, and there are 23 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Nissan Versa? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the Versa a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2010 on.
- Owner complaints
- 2,087
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 5
- Filed by Nissan
- Service campaigns
- 18
- Filed by Nissan
- Safety recalls
- 23
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the Versa with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 12 | Transmission and drivetrain (33%) | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 96 | Engine (55%) | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | 37 | Engine (62%) | 1 | 0 |
| 2022 | 20 | Transmission and drivetrain (35%) | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 31 | Transmission and drivetrain (29%) | 3 | 2 |
| 2020 | 64 | Automatic emergency braking and collision warning (25%) | 2 | 2 |
| 2019 | 24 | Transmission and drivetrain (46%) | 1 | 2 |
| 2018 | 57 | Electrical system (30%) | 2 | 5 |
| 2017 | 62 | Airbags (24%) | 3 | 4 |
| 2016 | 81 | Airbags (26%) | 0 | 5 |
| 2015 | 168 | Transmission and drivetrain (28%) | 1 | 6 |
| 2014 | 207 | Transmission and drivetrain (40%) | 2 | 10 |
| 2013 | 204 | Transmission and drivetrain (36%) | 1 | 10 |
| 2012 | 486 | Airbags (34%) | 10 | 10 |
| 2011 | 269 | Airbags (57%) | 6 | 4 |
| 2010 | 269 | Airbags (48%) | 7 | 5 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single Versa model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Nissan
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Nissan filed with NHTSA for the Versa, in its own words. A warranty extension means Nissan pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Warranty extensionOct 2025· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2012–2017
CAMPAIGN BULLETIN CVT Warranty Extension In an effort to assure customer satisfaction, demonstrate our confidence in continuously variable transmissions (CVTs), and to address customer concerns including those expressed by customers in a class action, Nissan will extend the…
- Warranty extensionDec 2022· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2018–2019
CVT Class Action Owner Notification In mid-December, current and former owners and lessees of the following vehicles will receive a postcard from a Settlement Administrator informing them of the terms of a proposed class action that, subject to final court approval, could extend…
- Warranty extensionMay 2020· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2012–2017
CVT Warranty Extension In an effort to assure customer satisfaction, demonstrate our confidence in continuously variable transmissions (CVTs), and to address customer concerns including those expressed by customers in the class actions, Nissan will extend the warranty coverage…
- Warranty extensionAug 2017· Airbags· model years 2018–2019
Air Bag Control Unit Reprogram Voluntary Service Campaign Temporary suspension of this campaign on all affected 2004-2006 model year vehicles.
- Warranty extensionFeb 2017· Engine and cooling· model years 2010–2016
2016 Titan High Pressure Turbo- Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign - Dealer Announcement The announcement from December 15th, 2016 has been revised to include: - High pressure turbo kits and additional service parts for diesel engine repair are no longer on restriction and may…
- Service campaignOct 2021· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2020
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) Replacement Voluntary Emission Service Campaign Dealer Announcement: Nissan is conducting a Voluntary Emission Service Campaign to replace the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) on three (3) 2020 Nissan Kicks vehicle and one (1)…
- Service campaignOct 2021· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2020
VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN 2020 KICKS AND VERSA; CVT REPLACEMENT INTRODUCTION Nissan is conducting this voluntary emissions service campaign, on certain specific model year 2020 Kicks and Versa vehicles, to replace the CVT assembly.
- Service campaignMar 2021· Electrical system· model years 2010
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN 2010 VERSA AND SENTRA INSTRUMENT CLUSTER Service Campaign ID # PM053 is no longer active.
- Service campaignMar 2021· Engine and cooling· model years 2021
Engine Control Module (ECM) Reprogram Voluntary Service Campaign Dealer Announcement: Nissan has reclassified the previously announced quality action (PM968) for new vehicle inventory as a Voluntary Service Campaign to reprogram the Engine Control Module (ECM) on 846 specific…
- Service campaignMar 2021· Engine and cooling· model years 2021
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN 2021 VERSA; ENGINE CONTROL MODULE INTRODUCTION Nissan is conducting this voluntary service campaign on certain specific model year 2021 Versa vehicles.
- Service campaignDec 2019· Engine and cooling· model years 2018
VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN VEHICLES REGISTERED IN CALIFORNIA; ENGINE CONTROL MODULE INTRODUCTION Nissan is conducting this voluntary emissions service campaign on certain specific model year Nissan vehicles (see APPLIED VEHICLES) registered in the state of California.
- Service campaignDec 2019· Engine and cooling· model years 2018
Engine Control Module (ECM) Reprogram California Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign ***** Campaign Summary***** Nissan is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign on approximately 104,221 specific Nissan vehicles identified in Service Comm and currently registered to…
- Service campaignDec 2019· Engine and cooling· model years 2018
VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN VEHICLES REGISTERED IN CALIFORNIA; ENGINE CONTROL MODULE INTRODUCTION Nissan is conducting this voluntary emissions service campaign on certain specific model year Nissan vehicles (see APPLIED VEHICLES) registered in the state of California.
- Service campaignJul 2018· Electrical system· model years 2012–2017
CAMPAIGN BULLETIN Engine Control Module (ECM) Reprogram Regional (NV & AZ) Voluntary Service Campaign ***** Campaign Summary***** Nissan is conducting a Regional Voluntary Service Campaign to reprogram the Engine Control Module (ECM) on affected vehicles currently registered in…
- Service campaignJul 2018· Engine and cooling· model years 2012–2017
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN 2012–2017 VERSA SEDAN; ECM REPROGRAM INTRODUCTION Nissan is conducting this voluntary service campaign on certain specific model year 2012-2017 Versa Sedan vehicles that are currently registered in the states of Arizona or Nevada.
- Service campaignSep 2017· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2012–2014
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN 2013-2014 SENTRA, 2012-2014 VERSA SEDAN, AND 2014 VERSA NOTE; CVT REPROGRAMMING This bulletin has been amended. The Service Procedure has changed. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- Service campaignAug 2015· Electrical system· model years 2012–2014
Nissan is conducting this voluntary service campaign to reprogram the Transmission Control Module (TCM) for the CVT transmission on certain specific 2013–2014 Sentra, 2012–2014 Versa Sedan, and 2014 Versa NOTE vehicles.
- Service campaignAug 2015· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2012–2014
Nissan is conducting this voluntary service campaign to reprogram the Transmission Control Module (TCM) for the CVT transmission on certain specific 2013–2014 Sentra, 2012–2014 Versa Sedan, and 2014 Versa NOTE vehicles.
- Service campaignAug 2015· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2012–2014
INTRODUCTION Nissan is conducting this voluntary service campaign to reprogram the Transmission Control Module (TCM) for the CVT transmission on certain specific 2013-2014 Sentra, 2012-2014 Versa Sedan, and 2014 Versa NOTE vehicles.
- Service campaignApr 2015· Equipment and accessories· model years 2012–2015
Nissan is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign on certain specific Model Year 2012–2015 Versa Sedan and Versa Note vehicles to remove material from the Center Console Lower.
- Service campaignJan 2013· Electrical system· model years 2010–2011
Nissan is conducting this voluntary service campaign to reprogram the speedometer and/or odometer, and to adjust the odometer reading to reflect the correct mileage on certain MY2009-11 Nissan Versa vehicles.
- Service campaignDec 2012· Electrical system· model years 2010–2011
On certain model year 2009 - 2011 Nissan Versa vehicles the speedometer and/or odometer may be reading out of specification due to a parts application error.
- Service campaignNov 2012· Electrical system· model years 2010–2011
Nissan is conducting this voluntary service campaign to reprogram the speedometer and/or odometer, and to adjust the odometer reading to reflect the correct mileage on certain MY2009-11 Nissan Versa vehicles.
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every Versa model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Airbags583 (28%)
- Transmission and drivetrain508 (24%)
- Engine306 (15%)
- Other or unspecified270 (13%)
- Electrical system202 (10%)
- Cruise control and speed control149 (7%)
- Suspension143 (7%)
- Brakes142 (7%)
Safety recalls
23 recalls cover at least one Versa model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Due to a manufacturing issue, the driver's air bag inflator may absorb moisture, and cause the air bag to deploy improperly.
An intermittent electrical connection in the electric power steering (EPS) torque sensor can disable the power steering assist.
An intermittent electrical connection in the electric power steering (EPS) torque sensor can disable the power steering assist.
The front right and/or left turn signal bulb can crack and fail to illuminate.
Due to a manufacturing issue, the fuel tank wall thickness may be insufficient, potentially causing a small hole in the tank seam area.
The vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated, frontal passenger air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls.
Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles.
In these models, over time, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.
Nissan is also recalling 2010-2011 Nissan Versa sedan vehicles and 2010-2012 Nissan Versa hatchback vehicles ever registered in the states of ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa,…
Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Nissan is recalling certain 2009-2010 Versa Hatchback, and Versa Sedan vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois,…
Road salt may corrode the front coil springs, possibly resulting in the coil springs fracturing.
The affected vehicles have a driver frontal air bag inflator that may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to moderate absolute humidity, temperatures, and temperature cycling.
The ring plate that secures the air bag cushion to the passenger frontal air bag assembly may fail, possibly causing the air bag to deploy improperly in the event of a crash.
Degradation of the side impact sensor connector pins may cause the curtain and seat-mounted air bags to deploy unexpectedly if the door is slammed.
Virgin Islands, or "Zone A". Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" above, Nissan is recalling certain 2009-2010 Infiniti M35 and M45 and 2009 Nissan Versa sedans and hatchbacks originally sold, or ever registered,…
And 8 more recalls on NHTSA.
NHTSA investigations
Defect investigations NHTSA opened. Many close without a recall.
- PE24007Preliminary evaluation· opened Mar 2024, closed Oct 2025· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2021–2024
Reduced Power After Engine Stall
- EA21002Engineering analysis· opened Sep 2021, still open· Airbags· model years 2010–2018
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
- PE16013Preliminary evaluation· opened Sep 2016, closed Mar 2017· Airbags· model years 2012
Inadvertent Curtain and Seat Air Bag
Led to recall 17V144000.
- PE15019Preliminary evaluation· opened May 2015, closed Oct 2015· Suspension· model years 2010–2012
Front Coil Spring Fracture
Led to recall 15V573000.
- EA15003Engineering analysis· opened Apr 2015, closed Sep 2015· Brakes· model years 2012–2015
Pedal Operation Interference
Led to recall 15V507000.
- PE14018Preliminary evaluation· opened Jun 2014, closed Apr 2015· Brakes· model years 2012–2014
Pedal Operation Interference
- PE14014Preliminary evaluation· opened May 2014, closed May 2015· Brakes· model years 2013–2014
Excessive Brake Pedal Travel
- PE12023Preliminary evaluation· opened Aug 2012, closed Jan 2013· Airbags· model years 2012
SRS Warning Light Illumination
- EQ12002Investigation· opened Feb 2012, closed May 2012· Airbags· model years 2012
Autoliv Air Bag Propellant Mixture
NHTSA's own page for the 2025 Nissan Versa has the complaint text and every document.
Common questions
Is the Nissan Versa reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2010 on: 2,087 owner complaints, 5 warranty extensions and 18 service campaigns Nissan filed, and 23 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2012 (486), 2010 (269), 2011 (269). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Nissan Versa?
Across every model year since 2010, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name airbags (28%), transmission and drivetrain (24%), engine (15%). Nissan has filed 5 warranty extensions covering the Versa, listed on this page.
Which Versa model years have the most complaints?
2012 (486), 2010 (269), 2011 (269). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the Versa with each other rather than with other models.
Has Nissan extended the warranty on the Versa?
Yes: transmission and drivetrain (model years 2012–2017); transmission and drivetrain (model years 2018–2019); transmission and drivetrain (model years 2012–2017), and 2 more. A dealer does a covered repair for free within the extended time or mileage.
How do I check recalls on a Versa?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 23 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.