What year Nissan Versa Note should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2014 and 2015 model years should be avoided, with Complaint Indexes of 100 and 80 respectively, both driven mainly by transmission and powertrain complaints.

Which Nissan Versa Note year is the best?

Among years with complaint data, the 2017 Versa Note performed best, with only 10 complaints and a Complaint Index of 40, well below the 2014 and 2015 model years.

Does the Nissan Versa Note have transmission problems?

Yes. Transmission and powertrain issues are the top problem area across all model years, accounting for 92 of 265 total complaints, or 35 percent.

Are there recalls on the 2014 Nissan Versa Note?

Yes, NHTSA lists three recalls for the 2014 Versa Note, covering the console trim panel, lower body sill bolts, and rear seat latch bolts. None are do-not-drive recalls.

Is the 2016 Nissan Versa Note reliable?

The 2016 model is listed as a Caution year, with 29 complaints and a Complaint Index of 60, better than 2014 and 2015 but still centered on transmission and powertrain issues.

Nissan Versa Note Best and Worst Years (2014–2019)

Avoid the 2014 and 2015 Nissan Versa Note. The 2014 leads with 136 complaints and a Complaint Index of 100, while 2015 follows with 86 complaints and an index of 80, both centered on transmission and powertrain problems. The 2017 model, with only 10 complaints and an index of 40, is the strongest choice among years with data.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2014 Avoid 2015

Model years: 6; 2014–2019
NHTSA complaints: 265
Recall campaigns: 8
Crashes reported: 24
Fires reported: 3
Top problem area: Transmission & Powertrain

Versa Note Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Nissan Versa Note problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2014	Avoid	100	136	10	1	3	Transmission & Powertrain	—	4★
2015	Avoid	80	86	8	2	2	Transmission & Powertrain	—	4★
2016	Caution	60	29	3	0	0	Transmission & Powertrain	—	4★
2017	Good	40	10	2	0	2	Transmission & Powertrain	—	—
2018	No verdict	20	3	1	0	3	Transmission & Powertrain	—	—
2019	No verdict	0	1	0	0	1	Electrical System	—	—

Versa Note years to avoid: what went wrong

2014 Nissan Versa Note Index 100 · 136 complaints · 3 recalls

The 2014 Versa Note has the highest complaint count of any year at 136, giving it a Complaint Index of 100 and the worst rank overall. Transmission and powertrain issues make up 40 percent of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 66,000. Engine complaints follow at 25 percent, though those failures were reported at a much lower median mileage of 3,600. Owners also reported airbags that failed to deploy in crashes and brake problems. NHTSA lists three recalls for this year, covering the engine console trim panel, missing or incorrectly torqued lower body sill bolts, and rear seat latch bolts manufactured incorrectly.

2014 transmission & powertrain problems →2014 engine problems →2014 airbags problems →

2015 Nissan Versa Note Index 80 · 86 complaints · 2 recalls

The 2015 Versa Note ranks second worst with 86 complaints and a Complaint Index of 80. Transmission and powertrain problems account for 24 percent of complaints at a median failure mileage of 70,012. Engine issues follow at 22 percent with a median mileage of 50,500. Owners also reported brake and electrical system problems, including sudden fires and unexpected acceleration during low-speed parking maneuvers. NHTSA lists two recalls for this year: one for the engine console trim panel and one addressing door-related manufacturing issues shared with other Nissan models built in the same period.

2015 transmission & powertrain problems →2015 engine problems →

Most common Nissan Versa Note problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.

Transmission & Powertrain92 (35%)
Engine60 (23%)
Other55 (21%)
Brakes40 (15%)
Airbags36 (14%)
Electrical System30 (11%)
Structure & Body21 (8%)
Steering18 (7%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires18 (7%)
Fuel System9 (3%)

Frequently asked questions

What year Nissan Versa Note should I avoid?: Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2014 and 2015 model years should be avoided, with Complaint Indexes of 100 and 80 respectively, both driven mainly by transmission and powertrain complaints.
Which Nissan Versa Note year is the best?: Among years with complaint data, the 2017 Versa Note performed best, with only 10 complaints and a Complaint Index of 40, well below the 2014 and 2015 model years.
Does the Nissan Versa Note have transmission problems?: Yes. Transmission and powertrain issues are the top problem area across all model years, accounting for 92 of 265 total complaints, or 35 percent.
Are there recalls on the 2014 Nissan Versa Note?: Yes, NHTSA lists three recalls for the 2014 Versa Note, covering the console trim panel, lower body sill bolts, and rear seat latch bolts. None are do-not-drive recalls.
Is the 2016 Nissan Versa Note reliable?: The 2016 model is listed as a Caution year, with 29 complaints and a Complaint Index of 60, better than 2014 and 2015 but still centered on transmission and powertrain issues.