Nissan Versa Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Nissan Versa model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2019 drew the fewest (24) and the 2009 the most (504).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
12 | 0 | Power train | 5★ | 30–35 |
| 2022 | 20 | 0 | Power train | 5★ | 30–35 |
| 2019 Among the fewest complaints |
24 | 1 | Power train | 4★ | 30–34 |
| 2021 Among the fewest complaints |
31 | 3 | Power train | 5★ | 30–35 |
| 2023 | 37 | 1 | Engine | 5★ | 30–35 |
| 2018 Among the fewest complaints |
55 | 2 | Electrical system | 4★ | 29–34 |
| 2017 | 62 | 3 | Air bags | — | 29–34 |
| 2020 | 64 | 2 | Forward collision avoidance | 5★ | 30–35 |
| 2016 | 80 | 0 | Air bags | 4★ | 29–34 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
96 | 1 | Engine | 5★ | 30–35 |
| 2015 | 168 | 1 | Power train | 4★ | 29–34 |
| 2013 | 204 | 1 | Power train | 4★ | 30–35 |
| 2014 | 207 | 2 | Power train | 4★ | 30–35 |
| 2010 | 269 | 7 | Air bags | — | 27–30 |
| 2011 | 269 | 6 | Air bags | 2★ | 27–30 |
| 2007 | 354 | 8 | Air bags | — | 27–28 |
| 2008 Among the most complaints |
381 | 7 | Air bags | — | 27–29 |
| 2012 Among the most complaints |
486 | 10 | Air bags | 4★ | 27–33 |
| 2009 Among the most complaints |
504 | 7 | Suspension | — | 27–30 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Nissan Versa years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2009 Nissan Versa: 504 complaints
Most-reported: Suspension 182 (36%); Air bags 180 (36%); Steering 28 (6%).
Reports mention 27 crashes, 2 fires, 16 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 64,000 miles. 7 recall campaigns listed.
2012 Nissan Versa: 486 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 167 (34%); Power train 163 (34%); Engine 50 (10%).
Reports mention 40 crashes, 6 fires, 31 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 60,088 miles. 10 recall campaigns listed.
2008 Nissan Versa: 381 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 171 (45%); Suspension 70 (18%); Electrical system 25 (7%).
Reports mention 24 crashes, 8 fires, 22 injuries, 3 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 52,000 miles. 7 recall campaigns listed.
The Nissan Versa years with the fewest complaints
2019 Nissan Versa: 24 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 11 (46%); Electrical system 7 (29%); Service brakes 4 (17%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 1 injury. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 20,000 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
2021 Nissan Versa: 31 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 9 (29%); Electrical system 7 (23%); Air bags 5 (16%).
Reports mention 5 crashes, 3 injuries. 3 recall campaigns listed.
2018 Nissan Versa: 55 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 17 (31%); Engine 14 (25%); Air bags 13 (24%).
Reports mention 11 crashes, 10 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 29,304 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Nissan Versa owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 96 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 37 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 31 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 64 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 15,000 |
| 2019 | 24 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 20,000 |
| 2018 | 55 | 11 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 29,304 |
| 2017 | 62 | 9 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 27,014 |
| 2016 | 80 | 13 | 1 | 16 | 1 | 35,523 |
| 2015 | 168 | 18 | 2 | 26 | 1 | 46,000 |
| 2014 | 207 | 27 | 0 | 17 | 1 | 56,000 |
| 2013 | 204 | 18 | 0 | 13 | 3 | 52,305 |
| 2012 | 486 | 40 | 6 | 31 | 1 | 60,088 |
| 2011 | 269 | 19 | 6 | 23 | 1 | 64,800 |
| 2010 | 269 | 20 | 3 | 8 | 1 | 65,000 |
| 2009 | 504 | 27 | 2 | 16 | 0 | 64,000 |
| 2008 | 381 | 24 | 8 | 22 | 3 | 52,000 |
| 2007 | 354 | 23 | 8 | 19 | 1 | 55,214 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Nissan Versa recalls
- No Back-Up Camera Display Image/FMVSS 111 (2018–2019 model years; 1,228,830 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2019; 19V654000)
- Driver Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture (2007–2012 model years; 515,394 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 2017; 17V449000)
- Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture (2007–2011 model years; 413,852 vehicles across all models; filed May 2016; 16V349000)
- Frontal Passenger Air Bag Inflators May Explode (2007–2011 model years; 307,962 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 2020; 20V008000)
- Lower Trim Panel may Impede Pedal Operation (2012–2015 model years; 298,747 vehicles across all models; filed Aug 2015; 15V507000)
All 26 Nissan Versa recall campaigns · Nissan Versa problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Nissan Versa years FAQ
Which Nissan Versa year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2019 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (24). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Nissan Versa years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2009, 2012 and 2008 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the air bags. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Nissan Versa problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the air bags (1,083 of 3,323 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Nissan Versa have?
NHTSA lists 26 recall campaigns covering the Nissan Versa. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Nissan Versa recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.