YearToAvoid

2016 Nissan Versa Note Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

60/100

#3 most-complained of 6 Versa Note years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2016 Nissan Versa Note has a Complaint Index of 60, ranking 3rd worst among 6 model years and earning a Caution verdict. It has 29 complaints, 0 recalls, and its top problem area is Transmission & Powertrain with 10 complaints.

Complaints
29
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
3 / 0
Injuries / deaths
4 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2016 Nissan Versa Note problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Transmission & Powertrain10 (34%)
  2. Other8 (28%)
  3. Brakes6 (21%)
  4. Engine6 (21%)
  5. Airbags5 (17%)
  6. Electrical System3 (10%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (7%)
  8. Fuel System1 (3%)
  9. Seat Belts1 (3%)
  10. Steering1 (3%)

What owners report

  • Vehicles fail to stop or show increased stopping distance when the brake pedal is depressed, sometimes leading to low-speed crashes into walls or other vehicles.
  • Transmission suddenly fails to engage gears while driving, with reported deceleration even though the gas pedal remains engaged.
  • Some owners describe the brake pedal sinking on its own at random times, whether stopped, on the highway, or turning corners.
  • The engine has stalled unexpectedly while driving or idling, in one case shutting off completely in a parking lot.
  • Airbags deployed in moderate-speed collisions, with one report of a passenger striking their head on the windshield despite airbag deployment.
  • An electrical system fault let rainwater enter through the air vent and damage a camera module mounted under the front passenger seat.
2016 Nissan Versa Note complaints: complaints filed per month6Jul 2016Aug 2018Jan 2020Jul 2020Sep 2021May 2023Jul 2026
44 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2016 to Sep 2026; peak Jan 2022 (6).

2016 Nissan Versa Note recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2016 compared with other Versa Note years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201420152016201720182019
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2014Avoid1001363—
2015Avoid80862—
2016Caution60290—
2017Good40102—
2018No verdict2033—

All Nissan Versa Note years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Nissan Versa Note reliable?
NHTSA lists 29 complaints for the 2016 Versa Note and a Complaint Index of 60, which is a Caution rating compared to other years of this model. Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 34% of complaints.
What year Nissan Versa Note should I avoid?
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2014 model year (Complaint Index 100) and 2015 model year (Complaint Index 80) rank worse than the 2016, which sits at index 60 and rank 3 of 6 years.
Does the 2016 Versa Note have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2016 Versa Note in this dataset, and none of them are do-not-drive recalls.
What is the biggest problem with the 2016 Versa Note?
Transmission & Powertrain complaints are the largest category, accounting for 10 of 29 complaints (34%), with a median mileage at failure of 83,984 miles.
How does the 2016 Versa Note compare to the 2017 model?
The 2017 Versa Note has a lower Complaint Index of 40 and only 10 complaints, versus 60 and 29 complaints for the 2016, making 2017 the better-rated year.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.