YearToAvoid

2013 Nissan Versa Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2013 Nissan Versa has 204 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 56, ranking 9th worst out of 19 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Transmission and powertrain issues make up 36% of complaints, followed by engine problems at 23%.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
56/100
#9 of 19 Versa years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
204
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
18
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
13
Top issue
Transmission & Powertrain
Best nearby year
2019
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
30
27 city / 35 hwy
Injuries / deaths
13 / 3

Top 2013 Nissan Versa problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Transmission & Powertrain73 (36%)
  2. Engine47 (23%)
  3. Brakes35 (17%)
  4. Other35 (17%)
  5. Airbags22 (11%)
  6. Structure & Body20 (10%)
  7. Electrical System14 (7%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires10 (5%)
  9. Fuel System9 (4%)
  10. Steering8 (4%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Owners report brakes failing to respond when the pedal is depressed, leading to collisions at low speeds around town.
  • Some drivers describe the vehicle rolling forward unexpectedly after coming to a complete stop with the brake applied.
  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in several crashes, including a low-mileage incident and a deer collision, despite hard braking.
  • Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration at very low speeds, including one case where the vehicle surged into a building.
  • One report describes a popping noise from the brake area followed by loss of steering control and a broken front axle.
2013 Nissan Versa complaints: complaints filed per quarter112012 Q42014 Q32016 Q22018 Q12019 Q42021 Q32023 Q32026 Q1
204 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2012 Q4 to 2026 Q2; peak 2018 Q4 (11).

2013 Nissan Versa recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 15V507000Aug 12, 2015Engine298,747 vehicles

    Vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal

    Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Nissan Versa sedan vehicles manufactured June 9, 2011, to March 11, 2015, and 2014-2015 Nissan Versa Note vehicles manufactured April 23, 2013, to March 11, 2015. The affected vehicles have a center console trim panel that may catch the driver's shoe and delay the transition from the accelerator pedal to the brake pedal.

    Risk: A delay in the application of the brake pedal would lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will modify the console trim panel, free of charge. The recall began on September 14, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

2013 Nissan Versa fuel economy and fuel cost

City
27 MPG
Highway
35 MPG
Combined
30 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,150
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.

2013 compared with other Versa years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2011Avoid83269628
2012Avoid944861030
2013Caution56204130
2014Caution61207230
2015Caution67168130

All Nissan Versa years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Nissan Versa reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2013 Versa a complaint index of 56 and a Caution verdict, ranking 9th worst among 19 model years of the Versa based on owner complaints and recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Nissan Versa?
Transmission and powertrain issues account for 36% of complaints, followed by engine problems at 23% and brakes at 17%, according to NHTSA data.
Does the 2013 Nissan Versa have any recalls?
NHTSA lists one recall for the 2013 Versa, campaign 15V507000, covering an engine-related console trim panel issue; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2013 Versa compare to other model years?
The 2013 Versa's complaint index of 56 is better than most 2007-2012 model years, which were rated Avoid with indexes from 72 to 100, but worse than 2016 and later years, several of which earn Good or Best verdicts.
What is the median mileage for brake complaints on the 2013 Versa?
NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 25,000 miles at failure for brake-related complaints on the 2013 Versa.

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.