Nissan Versa Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)
Nissan Versa model years 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2014 are the ones to avoid, based on NHTSA complaints and recalls. 2012 ranks worst with 486 complaints and a complaint index of 100, driven mainly by airbag and transmission issues. Best years are 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023, each with far fewer complaints and low complaint index scores.
Avoid 2010Avoid 2011Avoid 2012Avoid 2014Best 2019Best 2021Best 2022Best 2023
- Model years
- 16
- 2010–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 2,082
- Recall campaigns
- 23
- Crashes reported
- 190
- Fires reported
- 18
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Avoid | 87 | 268 | 20 | 3 | 7 | Airbags | 28 | — |
| 2011 | Avoid | 93 | 269 | 19 | 6 | 6 | Airbags | 28 | 2★ |
| 2012 | Avoid | 100 | 486 | 40 | 6 | 10 | Airbags | 30 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Caution | 67 | 204 | 18 | 0 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | 30 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Avoid | 80 | 207 | 27 | 0 | 2 | Transmission & Powertrain | 30 | 4★ |
| 2015 | Caution | 73 | 168 | 18 | 2 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | 30 | 4★ |
| 2016 | Caution | 53 | 80 | 13 | 1 | 0 | Airbags | 30 | 4★ |
| 2017 | Good | 33 | 62 | 9 | 0 | 3 | Airbags | 30 | — |
| 2018 | Good | 47 | 55 | 11 | 0 | 2 | Electrical System | 30 | 4★ |
| 2019 | Best | 0 | 24 | 2 | 0 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | 32 | 4★ |
| 2020 | Good | 40 | 64 | 5 | 0 | 2 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 32.5 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Best | 20 | 31 | 5 | 0 | 3 | Electrical System | 32.5 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Best | 7 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Engine | 32.5 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Best | 13 | 37 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Engine | 32.5 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Caution | 60 | 95 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Engine | 32.5 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Good | 27 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Transmission & Powertrain | 32.5 | 5★ |
Versa years to avoid: what went wrong
2012 Nissan Versa Index 100 · 486 complaints · 10 recalls
The 2012 Versa ranks worst of all years, with 486 complaints and a complaint index of 100. Airbags and transmission & powertrain each account for 34% of complaints, with median failure mileage of 44,357 for airbags and 70,000 for transmission issues. Owners described airbags failing to deploy or deploying with smoke, and a parked vehicle rolling backward unexpectedly. Three recalls cover airbag inflators and front coil springs. NHTSA recorded 40 crashes, 6 fires, 31 injuries, and 1 death for this year.
2012 airbags problems →2012 transmission & powertrain problems →2012 engine problems →
2011 Nissan Versa Index 93 · 269 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2011 Versa has 269 complaints and a complaint index of 93, ranking 2nd worst. Airbags make up 57% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 74,215; suspension, wheels & tires follow at 19% (median 69,529 miles). Owners reported airbags not deploying in crashes, electrical failures affecting the alarm and starting system, and a wheel that fractured and separated from a coil spring failure. Three recall campaigns address airbag inflators. There were 19 crashes, 6 fires, 23 injuries, and 1 death reported.
2011 airbags problems →2011 suspension, wheels & tires problems →2011 electrical system problems →
2010 Nissan Versa Index 87 · 268 complaints · 7 recalls
NHTSA lists 268 complaints for the 2010 Versa, with a complaint index of 87 and rank 3 worst of the model. Airbags account for 49% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 73,310, followed by suspension, wheels & tires at 29% (median 52,000 miles). Owners describe airbags failing to deploy in crashes, brake pedals not responding, and steering components showing damage. Three recall campaigns cover airbag inflators. The year saw 20 crashes, 3 fires, 8 injuries, and 1 death reported.
2010 airbags problems →2010 suspension, wheels & tires problems →2010 engine problems →
2014 Nissan Versa Index 80 · 207 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2014 Versa has 207 complaints and a complaint index of 80, ranking 4th worst. Transmission & powertrain issues lead at 40% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 80,787.5, followed by engine problems at 29% (median 56,579 miles). Owners described feet becoming stuck under brake pedals leading to low-speed crashes, and airbags failing to deploy in collisions. Two recalls address engine console trim and an electrical start/stop switch housing. This year recorded 27 crashes, 17 injuries, and 1 death.
2014 transmission & powertrain problems →2014 engine problems →2014 brakes problems →
Most common Nissan Versa problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Airbags582 (28%)
- Transmission & Powertrain514 (25%)
- Engine438 (21%)
- Other273 (13%)
- Electrical System225 (11%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires218 (10%)
- Brakes195 (9%)
- Structure & Body124 (6%)
- Steering115 (6%)
- Fuel System103 (5%)
Frequently asked questions
- What Nissan Versa years should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, avoid the 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2014 Nissan Versa. The 2012 model year is the worst overall, with 486 complaints and a complaint index of 100.
- What are the best Nissan Versa years?
- The 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023 Versa rank as the best years based on NHTSA data, with complaint indexes of 0, 20, 7, and 13 respectively and far fewer total complaints than the avoid years.
- What is the most common problem area for the Nissan Versa?
- Across all model years, airbags account for 28% of the 2,082 total complaints, followed by transmission & powertrain at 25% and engine issues at 21%.
- Does the Nissan Versa have airbag recalls?
- Yes. The 2010, 2011, and 2012 Versa each have multiple recall campaigns tied to airbag inflators, and airbags are the top complaint area for those years.
- How many total complaints and recalls does the Nissan Versa have?
- NHTSA lists 2,082 total complaints and 23 recall campaigns across the 2010-2025 Nissan Versa model years covered.