2008 Nissan Versa Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
89/100
#3 most-complained of 19 Versa years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2008 Nissan Versa has 381 owner complaints and 7 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 89 out of 100 — #3 highest of 19 Versa model years (verdict: Avoid). The most reported problem area is airbags (171 complaints, 45% of the total). Complaints report 24 crashes, 8 fires, 22 injuries, and 3 deaths.
- Complaints
- 381
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes / fires
- 24 / 8
- Injuries / deaths
- 22 / 3
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 28
- 26 city / 32 hwy
Top 2008 Nissan Versa problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags171 (45%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires94 (25%)
- Engine32 (8%)
- Fuel System32 (8%)
- Electrical System25 (7%)
- Steering23 (6%)
- Brakes22 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain17 (4%)
- Other16 (4%)
- Structure & Body12 (3%)
2008 Nissan Versa recalls
7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V008000Jan 9, 2020Airbags307,962 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated, frontal passenger air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 888-737-9511 or Infiniti customer service at 888-810-3715.
- NHTSA 18V452000Jul 6, 2018Airbags233 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2007-2008 Nissan Versa sedan and Versa hatchback vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The passenger air bag inflators may explode due to propellant degradation due to exposure to humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: If an inflator were to explode it may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 25, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Note: The vehicles covered by this recall are in addition to those covered by recall 16V-349.
- NHTSA 17V449000Jul 17, 2017Airbags515,394 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and 2007-2012 Versa Hatchback vehicles. The affected vehicles have a driver frontal air bag inflator that may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to moderate absolute humidity, temperatures, and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the subject inflator with a new one manufactured by a different supplier, free of charge. The recall began on March 9, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
2008 Nissan Versa fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 26 MPG
- Highway
- 32 MPG
- Combined
- 28 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,300
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2008 compared with other Versa years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Nissan Versa a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2008 Nissan Versa ranks #3 of 19 among Versa model years (Complaint Index 89/100, verdict: Avoid). It has 381 complaints and 7 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Nissan Versa?
- The most reported problem areas are airbags (171 complaints), suspension, wheels & tires (94 complaints), and engine (32 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 52,000 miles.
- Does the 2008 Nissan Versa have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2008 Nissan Versa, most recently reported 2020, covering airbags, suspension, wheels & tires, and other.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2008 Nissan Versa?
- EPA rates the 2008 Nissan Versa at 28 MPG combined (26 city / 32 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,300. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.