Nissan Versa years to avoid (and the best years)
2,082 NHTSA owner complaints and 24 recalls across 16 model years, 2010 to 2025. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 2,082complaints
- 24recalls
- 190reported crashes
- 18reported fires
- 161reported injuries
- 9reported deaths
Which Nissan Versa years should you avoid?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the Nissan Versa years to avoid are 2012, 2011, 2010, 2014 and 2013. The typical Nissan Versa year has 72 complaints on file.
- 2012: 486 complaints, 6.8 times the typical year. Most complaints name the airbags (34% of complaints) and the transmission and drivetrain (34% of complaints).
- 2011: 269 complaints, 3.7 times the typical year. Most complaints name the airbags (57% of complaints) and the suspension (17% of complaints).
- 2010: 268 complaints, 3.7 times the typical year. Most complaints name the airbags (49% of complaints) and the suspension (26% of complaints).
- 2014: 207 complaints, 2.9 times the typical year. Most complaints name the transmission and drivetrain (40% of complaints) and the engine (19% of complaints).
- 2013: 204 complaints, 2.8 times the typical year. Most complaints name the transmission and drivetrain (36% of complaints) and the brakes (17% of complaints).
What are the best Nissan Versa years?
The Nissan Versa years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2022 (20), 2019 (24) and 2021 (31). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 12 | 0.2× | 0 | 2 | 1 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2024 | 95 | 1.3× | 1 | 1 | 0 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2023 | 37 | 0.5× | 1 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2022 | 20 | 0.3× | 0 | 0 | 1 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2021 | 31 | 0.4× | 3 | 5 | 3 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2020 | 64 | 0.9× | 2 | 5 | 5 | Few red flags | Forward collision avoidance system |
| 2019 | 24 | 0.3× | 1 | 2 | 1 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2018 | 55 | 0.8× | 2 | 11 | 10 | Some concerns to check | Electrical system |
| 2017 | 62 | 0.9× | 3 | 9 | 6 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2016 | 80 | 1.1× | 0 | 13 | 16 | Some concerns to check | Airbags |
| 2015 | 168 | 2.3× | 1 | 18 | 26 | Some concerns to check | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2014 | 207 | 2.9× | 2 | 27 | 17 | Approach with caution | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2013 | 204 | 2.8× | 1 | 18 | 13 | Approach with caution | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2012 | 486 | 6.8× | 11 | 40 | 31 | Approach with caution | Airbags |
| 2011 | 269 | 3.7× | 7 | 19 | 23 | Approach with caution | Airbags |
| 2010 | 268 | 3.7× | 8 | 20 | 8 | Approach with caution | Airbags |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 807 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Airbags & seat belts267 (33%)
- Engine & powertrain215 (27%)
- Steering, suspension & tires148 (18%)
- Other systems67 (8%)
- Electrical & infotainment50 (6%)
Recalls (24)
Airbags · 24V154000 · Feb 2024 · model years 2023, 2024
An air bag that deploys improperly may not protect the driver as intended during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Steering · 23V496000 · Jul 2023 · model year 2021
Loss of power steering assist can increase the steering effort required, especially at low speeds, and increase the risk of a crash.
Steering · 22V693000 · Sep 2022 · model year 2021
Loss of power steering assist can increase the steering effort required, especially at low speeds, and increase the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 22E066000 · Aug 2022 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Exterior lighting · 21V471000 · Jun 2021 · model years 2020, 2021
Inoperable front turn signals cannot alert on-coming drivers and/or pedestrians that the vehicle will be turning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 20V112000 · Feb 2020 · model year 2020
If a small hole is present, a fuel leak may occur if the operator fills the tank over half full, increasing the risk of a fire.
Airbags · 20V008000 · Jan 2020 · model years 2010, 2011
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Safety · 19V654000 · Sep 2019 · model years 2018, 2019
The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 18V551000 · Aug 2018 · model years 2017, 2018
If the vehicle stalls, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 18V401000 · Jun 2018 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 18V044000 · Jan 2018 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Suspension · 17V637000 · Oct 2017 · model year 2012
If a front coil spring fractures, it may contact the tire, possibly puncturing it, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 17V449000 · Jul 2017 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 17V275000 · Apr 2017 · model year 2017
In the event of a crash, if the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended, it can increase the risk of injury.
Airbags · 17V144000 · Mar 2017 · model year 2012
If the curtain and seat-mounted air bags inadvertently deploy, it can increase the risk of injury.
Airbags · 17V028000 · Jan 2017 · model year 2012
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 16V724000 · Oct 2016 · model year 2017
In the event of a crash necessitating side curtain air bag deployment, if the side curtain air bags do not deploy as intended there would be an increased risk of injury.
Airbags · 16V349000 · May 2016 · model years 2010, 2011
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Suspension · 15V573000 · Sep 2015 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
If a front coil spring fractures, it may contact the tire, possibly puncturing it, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 15V507000 · Aug 2015 · model years 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
A delay in the application of the brake pedal would lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increase the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 15V418000 · Jul 2015 · model year 2014
If the engine start/stop button gets stuck in the housing, road vibrations may cause the engine to shut off unexpectedly while the vehicle is being driven, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 12V055000 · Feb 2012 · model year 2012
THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
Transmission · 12V032000 · Feb 2012 · model year 2012
THE OPERATOR CAN INADVERTENTLY SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO GEAR WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH OR INJURY TO A NEARBY PEDESTRIAN.
Safety · 10V401000 · Sep 2010 · model year 2010
OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.