2013 Nissan Versa Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
67/100
#6 most-complained of 16 Versa years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2013 Nissan Versa has a Complaint Index of 67 and ranks 6th worst out of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 204 complaints, 1 recall, and 18 crashes, with Transmission & Powertrain issues making up 36% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 204
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes / fires
- 18 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 13 / 3
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 30
- 27 city / 35 hwy
Top 2013 Nissan Versa problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain73 (36%)
- Engine47 (23%)
- Brakes35 (17%)
- Other35 (17%)
- Airbags22 (11%)
- Structure & Body20 (10%)
- Electrical System14 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires10 (5%)
- Fuel System9 (4%)
- Steering8 (4%)
What owners report
- Brakes reportedly lose power or fail to respond when slowing from around 30-35 mph, leading to rear-end collisions.
- Airbags failed to deploy in multiple low-to-moderate speed crashes, including one involving a tractor and lamp post at 45-50 mph.
- A rear passenger seat belt anchor reportedly broke during a head-on collision, releasing the belted occupant.
- Owners describe sudden loss of vehicle control on the highway, with one report of a popping sound followed by the car crossing lanes and hitting a rail.
- Structure and body damage occurred in low-speed turning maneuvers where airbags deployed unexpectedly.
2013 Nissan Versa recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- 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
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Nissan Versa reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2013 Versa a Complaint Index of 67, ranking it 6th worst among 16 model years, with a Caution verdict relative to other Versa years.
- What is the top problem area for the 2013 Nissan Versa?
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints lead, making up 36% of the 204 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 85,904 miles.
- Does the 2013 Nissan Versa have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2013 Versa, covering an engine-related console trim panel modification, reported in 2015.
- How does the 2013 Versa compare to other years?
- The 2013 Versa's Complaint Index of 67 is lower than the 2012 model's 100 and the 2010 and 2011 models' 87 and 93, but higher than 2015-2025 model years, most of which rate Good or Best.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2013 Nissan Versa?
- The EPA rates the 2013 Versa at 30 mpg combined, 27 mpg city, 35 mpg highway, with an annual fuel cost of $2,150.