Nissan Versa Best and Worst Years (2007–2025)
Nissan Versa years 2008 through 2012 rank worst, led by 2009 with a complaint index of 100 and airbag/suspension problems reported near 63,500 to 64,400 miles. Best-rated years are 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2025, each with a complaint index under 22 and few reported issues.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2008Avoid 2009Avoid 2010Avoid 2011Avoid 2012Best 2019Best 2021Best 2022Best 2023Best 2025
- Model years
- 19
- 2007–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 3,320
- Recall campaigns
- 26
- Crashes reported
- 264
- Fires reported
- 36
- Top problem area
- Airbags
Versa 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.
Nissan Versa problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Caution | 72 | 354 | 23 | 8 | 8 | Airbags | 28 | — |
| 2008 | Avoid | 89 | 381 | 24 | 8 | 7 | Airbags | 28 | — |
| 2009 | Avoid | 100 | 503 | 27 | 2 | 7 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 28.5 | — |
| 2010 | Avoid | 78 | 268 | 20 | 3 | 7 | Airbags | 28 | — |
| 2011 | Avoid | 83 | 269 | 19 | 6 | 6 | Airbags | 28 | 2★ |
| 2012 | Avoid | 94 | 486 | 40 | 6 | 10 | Airbags | 30 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Caution | 56 | 204 | 18 | 0 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | 30 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Caution | 61 | 207 | 27 | 0 | 2 | Transmission & Powertrain | 30 | 4★ |
| 2015 | Caution | 67 | 168 | 18 | 2 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | 30 | 4★ |
| 2016 | Good | 44 | 80 | 13 | 1 | 0 | Airbags | 30 | 4★ |
| 2017 | Good | 28 | 62 | 9 | 0 | 3 | Airbags | 30 | — |
| 2018 | Good | 33 | 55 | 11 | 0 | 2 | Electrical System | 30 | 4★ |
| 2019 | Best | 0 | 24 | 2 | 0 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | 32 | 4★ |
| 2020 | Good | 39 | 64 | 5 | 0 | 2 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 32.5 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Best | 22 | 31 | 5 | 0 | 3 | Electrical System | 32.5 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Best | 6 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Engine | 32.5 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Best | 11 | 37 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Engine | 32.5 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Caution | 50 | 95 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Engine | 32.5 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Best | 17 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Transmission & Powertrain | 32.5 | 5★ |
Versa years to avoid: what went wrong
2009 Nissan Versa Index 100 · 503 complaints · 7 recalls
The 2009 Versa has the highest complaint index of any model year at 100. Suspension, wheels, and tires lead complaints at 41%, with airbags close behind at 36%, both showing failures around 64,000 to 88,000 miles. Owners reported airbags failing to deploy properly in crashes and seats or seatbelts failing structurally during impacts. Seven recall campaigns target this year, three of them covering airbag inflators. Steering complaints also describe loss of directional control at highway speeds.
2009 suspension, wheels & tires problems →2009 airbags problems →2009 engine problems →
2012 Nissan Versa Index 94 · 486 complaints · 10 recalls
The 2012 Versa carries a complaint index of 94, the second-worst year, with ten recall campaigns, the most of any Versa year. Airbags and transmission/powertrain issues are tied at 34% each, with transmission failures showing a median mileage of 70,000. Owners reported vehicles rolling and crashing while parked, airbags failing to deploy on impact, and engine damage in collisions. A dedicated recall addresses front coil spring replacement on Versa Hatchback models.
2012 airbags problems →2012 transmission & powertrain problems →2012 engine problems →
2008 Nissan Versa Index 89 · 381 complaints · 7 recalls
The 2008 Versa carries a complaint index of 89, the third-worst of any year. Airbags account for 45% of complaints, with owners reporting non-deployment during crashes and inflator ruptures, typically surfacing around 74,000 miles. Suspension and wheel issues make up another 25% of reports. NHTSA lists seven recall campaigns for this year, including three separate airbag inflator replacement campaigns. Structure and body complaints describe front seat backs failing to hold position during collisions.
2008 airbags problems →2008 suspension, wheels & tires problems →2008 engine problems →
2011 Nissan Versa Index 83 · 269 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2011 Versa has a complaint index of 83. Airbags make up 57% of all complaints, with a median failure mileage of 74,215, the largest concentration of any avoid year. Owners reported airbags not deploying in side-impact crashes and seatbelts failing to retract properly. Suspension and wheel complaints follow at 19%. Six recall campaigns cover this year, three of them for airbag inflators, alongside reports of power steering and brake failure incidents.
2011 airbags problems →2011 suspension, wheels & tires problems →2011 electrical system problems →
2010 Nissan Versa Index 78 · 268 complaints · 7 recalls
The 2010 Versa posts a complaint index of 78. Airbags dominate at 49% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 73,310, followed by suspension and wheel issues at 29%. Owners described fishtailing and loss of control while changing lanes, plus reports of electrical smoke and roof melting. Seven recalls apply to this year, including three airbag inflator campaigns. Engine-area complaints reference crash damage extending into the engine bay during collisions.
2010 airbags problems →2010 suspension, wheels & tires problems →2010 engine problems →
Most common Nissan Versa problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Airbags1,082 (33%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires596 (18%)
- Transmission & Powertrain564 (17%)
- Engine561 (17%)
- Other323 (10%)
- Electrical System294 (9%)
- Brakes247 (7%)
- Fuel System190 (6%)
- Steering188 (6%)
- Structure & Body178 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What years of the Nissan Versa should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, 2008 through 2012 rank worst, with 2009 the highest at a complaint index of 100 and 2012 close behind at 94.
- What are the best Nissan Versa years?
- 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2025 are rated Best, each with a complaint index of 22 or lower and few reported problems.
- Does the Nissan Versa have airbag recalls?
- Yes. Airbags are the top problem area across the model, making up 33% of all 3,320 complaints, and multiple recall campaigns from 2017 through 2020 cover front airbag inflator replacement on 2007-2012 Versa models.
- Is the 2009 Nissan Versa reliable?
- The 2009 Versa has the highest complaint index of any Versa year at 100, driven by suspension, wheel, and airbag complaints, and is rated Avoid relative to other Versa years.
- Are recent Nissan Versa years reliable?
- 2019 through 2025 mostly earn Good or Best verdicts, with complaint indexes ranging from 0 to 50, though 2024 is rated Caution with a complaint index of 50.