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Nissan · NHTSA safety record

2018 Nissan Versa

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 55 safety complaints about the 2018 Nissan Versa with the US government. Of those, 11 describe a crash, 10 people were injured and no death is recorded. 2 recall campaigns are open against it, covering back-over prevention and the electrical system.

The most complained-about system is the electrical system, named in 17 complaints, 31% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 28,652 miles, the median across the 26 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers December 2017 to August 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

55 complaints on file

55

Complaints

11

Describe a crash

0

Mention fire

10

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year. A further 1 defect investigation is open and unresolved.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17 · 31%
ENGINE 14 · 25%
AIR BAGS 13 · 24%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 13 · 24%
POWER TRAIN 10 · 18%
SERVICE BRAKES 6 · 11%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 4 · 7%
STEERING 2 · 4%
STRUCTURE 2 · 4%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 2 · 4%
WHEELS 2 · 4%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 1 · 2%
0 8 15

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 55.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2019 at 11.

12 9 6 3
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2017 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2018 Nissan VERSA, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test 4 DR FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover 14.3%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

2 on file

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

19V654000 · September 12, 2019

The defect
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
The risk
The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.

Nissan North America, Inc. · up to 1,228,830 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

18V551000 · August 22, 2018

The defect
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2017 Nissan NV200, Sentra, NV3500 Van, NV3500 Bus, NV200 Taxi, NV1500, NV2500 Van, Chevrolet City Express, 2017-2018 Frontier, Versa Note, and Versa Sedan vehicles that have a mechanical (physical) key ignition system. 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.
The risk
If the vehicle stalls, it can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the production information on the ignition switch, and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.

Nissan North America, Inc. · up to 153,047 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations

1 on file

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

EA21002

Still open engineering analysis · opened September 17, 2021

the air bags

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · towed

AIRBAGS DID NOT INFLACT WHEN CAR HAD A HARD IMPACK HIT TO FRONT OF CAR. I WAS GOING 40MPH OR MORE WHEN A CAR COME INTO MY LINE. INODER TO AVOID THE HEAD ON COLISION I SHRIVED TO THE RIGHT AND HIT A IN GROUND BRICK THAT WERE BOUNDED INTO THE GROUND. THE FRONT END AND ENGINE WAS DAMAGE. THE CAR IS NOW AT COLOIAL COLISION. THIS A CONCERN TO ME THIS VELICAL NEEDS TO BE CHECKED OUT. I DONT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICAL AGAN.

NHTSA complaint 11098180. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

2 injured · crash · towed · 3,298 miles

WE HAD LEASED THIS VEHICLE FROM HERTZ EARLIER IN THE DAY. THAT EVENING, I WAS DRIVING DOWN A HILL AND THE VEHICLE'S STEERING SYSTEM HAD SUDDENLY LOCKED UP. I WAS NOT ABLE TO STEER AND DROVE INTO A TREE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. MY PASSENGER AND I BOTH SUFFERED SIGNIFICANT BODILY INJURIES AND WERE TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE.

NHTSA complaint 11140381. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 injured · crash · towed · 100,000 miles

VEHICLE STALLS WHICH CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, MY GRANDMOTHER [XXX] DIED FROM STALLED VEHICLE WHO WAS DRIVING.*DT*JB *DT*DT*JB *JS PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint 11280554. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 19,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 NISSAN VERSA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH THROUGH AN INTERSECTION, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS T-BONED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING 55 MPH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS IN AND OUT OF CONSCIOUSNESS AFTER THE CRASH AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO A LOCAL HOSPITAL. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, BACK, SPINE, AND WAS PARALYZED FOR THE FIRST TWO DAYS AFTER THE CRASH. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MULTIPLE OTHER INJURIES AS WELL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE WHEREABOUTS OF THE OTHER DRIVER WERE UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE

NHTSA complaint 11256191, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Car jerks and doesn’t go into gear right away. Never know when it will happen. There is a notice from Nissan that it happens because of short in tail light. Happened approx 3 yrs ago and has started again but worse. It is available for inspection No recall but very unsafe. While attempting to cross street it didn’t go into gear and I was almost hit. Also almost rear ended cause driver behind me didn’t expect me to not go into gear Took in 3 yrs ago and tail light fixed. Now new mechanic tried fixing it but it only worked about a week. Have to take it back in so he can try fixing it again. Same code keeps coming up Check engine light came on and off for last three weeks. Doesn’t stay on so I

NHTSA complaint 11760083, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
2018 Nissan Versa transmission issues. i have 2018 Nissan Versa with 116,993 miles. Transmission is starting to skip and slip. it was diagnosed as a possible chain slip. there was bulletin out for this issue in which Nissan has known about. Nissan was contacted to see if they could warranty the transmission, but was told they were not going to cover it. There was warranty extension, but only for 84,000 miles. nissan was unwilling to help fix it and wanted to charge $210 to diagnose it. this is saftey issue because there are probably other nissan Versas out there with the same issue. the point is that there is an issue which knows about. vehicle should be fixed under warranty. car was bought

NHTSA complaint 11740282, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VISIBILITY/WIPER
My car was parked out front my house. Weather has been in the 60’s no major differences. I walked outside ant 1pm and noticed the entire back windshield was shattered. There was no impact marks, no hole in the window. I’m not sure how this has happened and thankfully we were at home and not driving.

NHTSA complaint 11735379. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

towed · 105,000 miles

The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving approximately 4 MPH, the vehicle was shaking violently. There were no warning lights illuminated. When the heater was activated, there was a loud clanking sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the technician was unable to duplicate the failure. The failure reoccurred. While stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle stalled and was towed to the same independent mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with a faulty computer, coils, and a defective crankshaft sensor. There was also paper found inside the heater system. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was

NHTSA complaint 11723880, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS
Out of nowhere my airbag light start blinking, I ran the code and got a P2096 which apparently is not related to the airbag I took it to Firestone to get it checked out and they told me they cannot do anything about the airbag light I would have to go to my dealership for help with that. No one seems to know what to do.

NHTSA complaint 11710587. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
I was driving on the express way in rush hour traffic, and my car started to judder and rpm were reving high.i tried to accelerate and the car just stop in mid traffic, I had to have the car towed home,and from home to the nissan dealership. They told me that my transmission had failed and needed to be replaced.i had no warning light or any other problem and I could have been hurt really bad if the car behind me hadn't stop and help me get out of the rush hour traffic.

NHTSA complaint 11685820. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Nissan Versa

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2024 96 1 —
2023 37 1 —
2022 20 0 —
2021 31 3 —
2020 64 2 —
2019 24 1 —
2017 62 3 —
2016 80 0 1
2015 168 1 1
2014 207 2 1
2013 204 1 3
2012 486 10 1
2011 269 6 1
2010 268 7 1

Other 2018 Nissan models

Rogue 668 Altima 225 Sentra 185 Murano 113 Rogue Sport 94 Titan 90 Kicks 85 Pathfinder 77

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Nissan on this site — 205 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst