2014 Nissan Versa Note Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2014 Nissan Versa Note ranks worst among 6 model years with 136 complaints and a Complaint Index of 100, earning an Avoid verdict. Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 40% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 66,000 miles.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 6 Versa Note years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 136
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 10
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- —
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2014 Nissan Versa Note problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain55 (40%)
- Engine34 (25%)
- Other23 (17%)
- Airbags19 (14%)
- Brakes19 (14%)
- Electrical System11 (8%)
- Structure & Body11 (8%)
- Steering8 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers4 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report airbags failing to deploy during rear-end and side-impact crashes, sometimes resulting in facial or head injuries.
- The CVT transmission has been reported to shift into a lower gear on its own several seconds after coming to a complete stop, causing unintended forward movement.
- Drivers describe the transmission slipping or failing to accelerate correctly during highway and residential driving, often just after the warranty period ends.
- Some owners report sudden and complete brake failure while approaching stop signs, with loss of steering occurring at the same time.
- One owner reported smelling burning wires and seeing smoke from under the hood, followed by loss of air-conditioning, heat, and fan function.
2014 Nissan Versa Note recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 15V507000Aug 12, 2015Engine298,747 vehicles
Vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Nissan Versa sedan vehicles manufactured June 9, 2011, to March 11, 2015, and 2014-2015 Nissan Versa Note vehicles manufactured April 23, 2013, to March 11, 2015. The affected vehicles have a center console trim panel that may catch the driver's shoe and delay the transition from the accelerator pedal to the brake pedal.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will modify the console trim panel, free of charge. The recall began on September 14, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
- NHTSA 13V324000Jul 24, 2013Structure & Body7,707 vehicles
Structure:body
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2014 Versa Note vehicles manufactured April 23, 2013, through July 3, 2013. The lower body sill bolts may be missing or incorrectly torqued.
Risk: Missing lower body bolts may affect the vehicle's integrity in the event of a rear impact, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will install and tighten to specification the lower body sill bolts, as needed, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin August 19, 2013. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
- NHTSA 13V326000Jul 24, 2013Structure & Body7,782 vehicles
Seats:mid/rear assembly
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2014 Versa Note vehicles manufactured April 23, 2013, through July 5, 2013. The rear seat latch bolts may have been manufactured incorrectly, reducing their strength.
Risk: If the rear seat latch bolts break, the rear seats may not perform as designed in a crash, increasing the risk of injury to back seat occupants.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear seat latch bolts, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin August 19, 2013. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
2014 compared with other Versa Note years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2014 Nissan Versa Note reliable?
- Compared with other Versa Note model years, the 2014 ranks worst, with 136 complaints, a Complaint Index of 100, and an Avoid verdict from NHTSA owner-complaint data.
- What are the most common problems with the 2014 Nissan Versa Note?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues account for 40% of complaints (55 complaints, median failure mileage 66,000), followed by Engine problems at 25% and Airbags and Brakes each at 14%.
- Does the 2014 Nissan Versa Note have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2014 Versa Note: an engine-related console trim panel issue, missing or incorrectly torqued lower body sill bolts, and incorrectly manufactured rear seat latch bolts. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2014 Versa Note compare to later model years?
- The 2014 model has the highest Complaint Index at 100, while later years improve steadily: 2015 sits at 80, 2016 at 60, 2017 at 40, 2018 at 20, and 2019 at 0.
- Are airbags a known issue on the 2014 Versa Note?
- Airbags account for 14% of complaints (19 complaints) with 7 associated crashes, and owners report cases of airbags failing to deploy during collisions.