2010 Nissan Versa Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
87/100
#3 most-complained of 16 Versa years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2010 Nissan Versa has a Complaint Index of 87 and ranks 3rd worst among 16 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. Airbags account for 49% of its 268 complaints, with 7 recalls filed, most tied to Takata inflators.
- Complaints
- 268
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes / fires
- 20 / 3
- Injuries / deaths
- 8 / 1
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 28
- 26 city / 33 hwy
Top 2010 Nissan Versa problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags130 (49%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires78 (29%)
- Engine26 (10%)
- Structure & Body24 (9%)
- Electrical System19 (7%)
- Other15 (6%)
- Steering11 (4%)
- Fuel System10 (4%)
- Brakes8 (3%)
- Transmission & Powertrain6 (2%)
What owners report
- Airbags fail to deploy in crashes, sometimes with a burning smell or popping sound from the steering wheel area first.
- Passenger-side airbags did not deploy in a crash, with one owner reporting a concussion and cervical strain.
- Brakes reportedly stopped responding while driving, leading to drifting or crashing into a wall or curb.
- Steering wheel locked up or lost control while turning, with one inspection finding damaged splines on the steering wheel and shaft.
- Driver seat back failed to stay upright during a rear-end crash, letting the seat recline fully during impact.
- Electrical system reports include smoke and a melting smell coming from the roof while driving.
2010 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 18V401000Jun 15, 2018Airbags104,762 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2011 Nissan Versa sedan vehicles and 2011-2012 Nissan Versa hatchback vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Nissan is also recalling 2010-2011 Nissan Versa sedan vehicles and 2010-2012 Nissan Versa hatchback vehicles ever registered in the states of ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and 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 inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
- NHTSA 18V044000Jan 10, 2018Airbags52,614 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Versa Hatchback, and 2009-2011 Versa Sedan vehicles ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Nissan is recalling certain 2009-2010 Versa Hatchback, and Versa Sedan vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Nissan is also recalling certain 2009 Versa Hatchback and Versa Sedan vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and 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 passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
2010 Nissan Versa fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 26 MPG
- Highway
- 33 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.
2010 compared with other Versa years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2010 Nissan Versa reliable?
- Among Versa model years, 2010 ranks 3rd worst out of 16 years tracked, with a Complaint Index of 87 and an Avoid verdict based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2010 Nissan Versa?
- Airbags are the top problem area, making up 49% of all 268 complaints (130 complaints), with a median failure mileage of 73,310 miles.
- Does the 2010 Nissan Versa have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2010 Versa, five of which involve airbag inflators, plus one suspension coil spring recall and one GPS battery recall.
- How does the 2010 Versa compare to other years?
- The 2010 Versa's Complaint Index of 87 is close to 2011 (93) and lower than 2012 (100), the worst year, while years 2017-2023 and 2025 score much lower and are rated Good or Best.