Car Defect Radar
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Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated October 26, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.
Confirm 3 recalls before you buy.

Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by a dealer.

Recalls

3 total · 3 to confirm

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

Steering recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 23V496000 · Jul 2023

Loss of power steering assist can increase the steering effort required, especially at low speeds, and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy
Dealers will inspect the steering column torque sensor lot code and replace the steering column assembly, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PMA26. This recall involves vehicles that were previously inspected, but did not receive a steering column replacement, under recall number 22V-693. These vehicles will need to be reinspected for this recall.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Steering recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 22V693000 · Sep 2022

Loss of power steering assist can increase the steering effort required, especially at low speeds, and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy
Dealers will inspect the steering column torque sensor lot code, and replace the column, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 9, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's numbers for this recall are PMA10 / PMA25.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Exterior lighting recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 21V471000 · Jun 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.

Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the bulbs as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 20, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's numbers for this recall are PM986 and PC811.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Owner complaints by system

31 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Worth reading
16

Most reports here involve transmission slipping. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

transmission slipping 8sudden stalling 4fluid leaks 2
A recent report: Automatic CVT failure confirmed by Future Nissan of Roseville CA. No warning prior to failure. Replaced by Kirkwood Autoworx Mechanical since Nissan Corporate denied a good-will replacement. Reason…
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Automatic CVT failure confirmed by Future Nissan of Roseville CA. No warning prior to failure. Replaced by Kirkwood Autoworx Mechanical since Nissan Corporate denied a good-will replacement. Reason: 15k miles over warranty - 75081odometer reading at replacement on 5/27/26. CVT failed while on a busy street [XXX] ). I had only reverse and had to back my way out of traffic. Extremely dangerous situation. New Issue: Left Front Door (Driver) Locking actuator failure on XXX Not a safety issue yet. Will not lock or unlock with key fob. Manual entry only. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11741559 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Worth reading
4

Most reports here involve loss of steering. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

loss of steering 1software faults 1premature wear 1
A recent report: The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while attempting to reverse at 2 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal grinding sound. Additionally, the contact stated that the high-beam…
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The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while attempting to reverse at 2 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal grinding sound. Additionally, the contact stated that the high-beam headlights were failing and were independently deactivating. The contact stated that the high-beam headlights switch had to be held manually for the high-beam headlights to remain activated. No warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local Pep Boys to be diagnosed. The local Pep Boys was unable to duplicate the failure. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired, because the dealer was unable to duplicate failure. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11635655 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Worth reading
2

Most reports here involve loss of braking. Of these, 2 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

loss of braking 2
A recent report: 2021 Nissan Versa S on Aug 26th 2023 driving back from NY heading toward Ma. when a Malfunction sign came up on the dashboard of the car. we pulled over trying to figure out what was happening and…
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2021 Nissan Versa S on Aug 26th 2023 driving back from NY heading toward Ma. when a Malfunction sign came up on the dashboard of the car. we pulled over trying to figure out what was happening and took a picture of the warning sign also the Break Assist showing something just happened. turned the car off and the driver turned the car back on. Continue driving. 20 miles down the road the Car brakes locked up the car skid a bit jerking driver and passenger forward. The driver stopped the car. A warning sign was on the dashboard showing a yellow square in front of a car and above two cars colliding. Monday I called the Nissan dealership and explained it and how that is very dangerous and a safety issue. lady said yes it is and we need to get you right in and said she was going to connect me with the Service Manger. after learning what happened he said yes that could be an issue and we need you to bring it in. Then said you did purchase the vehicle here said no in Vt then changed his tune now said we cant get you in right away don't have any opening. made an appointment for Sept 7th 11:00 am. I called Nissan Corporation and reported the issue and the way I was treated and how this vehicle is a safety risk to us and the public. was connected to Nissan Consumer Affair. Explained it to the lady she was going up the chain and get this taken care of. We emailed. I have the emails. called another Nissan dealer where we purchased it. Took me in the next morning. Ran a test then explained the test showing there's been a number of malfunctions happening. Said vehicle isn't having the issue at this moment so it passed. Said it was ok to drive. happened again appointment day came the 7th. Service Manger called me saying he can't get me in needs to reschedule. That afternoon happened again causing a crash. with a Utility pole. Showing emails and pictures to police. The police report reads Mechanical issue. I've tried uploading won't let me. but can email if need be.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11545075 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Minor
2

Most reports here involve smoke.

smoke 1
A recent report: The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Versa. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V496000 (Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact…
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The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Versa. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V496000 (Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11577638 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Worth reading
2

Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

airbags not deploying 1
A recent report: On three separate occasions while driving, my driver seatbelt has come unbuckled on it's own. Most recently today. It also sometimes sticks and is difficult to unbuckle.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11661166 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Minor
4

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 4
A recent report: I purchased 2021 4 months ago. Two weeks ago on a very hot day my driver side visor broke. I called Nessan holiness and told them the visor drops. It obstructs vision of driving. I called today and…
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I purchased 2021 4 months ago. Two weeks ago on a very hot day my driver side visor broke. I called Nessan holiness and told them the visor drops. It obstructs vision of driving. I called today and first was put on hold, then call was disconnected. I recalled back and informed Nessan about driver side visor. As we were talking she asked me if I bought car with extended warranty. I said no. Car was sold as is. She hung up the phone on me. She did not call me back, nor did she explain why for hanging up the phone. I googled Nessan Versa driver side visor faulty and found several complaints by other owners about visor dropping down while driving do to cheap visor parts. I don't believe this is my responsibility or other Nessan owners to futuristic keep replacing the driver side visor. Nessan should have a recall on this problem and be forced to make a better quality visor to prevent possible accidents.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11605376 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Minor
1

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 1
A recent report: The shape of the driver’s armrest is sharply pointed at front of it. While leaning over to pick something up from passenger side, front of armrest lodged between my ribs and I felt something…
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The shape of the driver’s armrest is sharply pointed at front of it. While leaning over to pick something up from passenger side, front of armrest lodged between my ribs and I felt something physically pop. Excruciating pain was caused to point of feeling nauseous. Nearly three weeks later, I’m still sore in the spot where the armrest stabbed me.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11454792 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 31 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2021 and 2026, roughly 6 a year, which is fewer than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.

How does it compare with other years? The 2021 has 31 complaints on file, fewer than the 2020 (64) and more than the 2022 (20). Of the 16 model years of the Nissan Versa we cover, the 2012 has the most (486). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.