YearToAvoid

2016 Nissan Versa Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

53/100

#8 most-complained of 16 Versa years

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

The 2016 Nissan Versa has a Complaint Index of 53 and ranks 8th worst out of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Airbags and brakes stand out, with airbag failures making up 26% of complaints and brake failures reported at a median of 9,730.5 miles.

Complaints
80
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
13 / 1
Injuries / deaths
16 / 1
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
30
27 city / 36 hwy

Top 2016 Nissan Versa problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags21 (26%)
  2. Transmission & Powertrain20 (25%)
  3. Other16 (20%)
  4. Engine14 (18%)
  5. Brakes9 (11%)
  6. Electrical System9 (11%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires8 (10%)
  8. Steering7 (9%)
  9. Fuel System6 (8%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers2 (3%)

What owners report

  • Brakes fail to stop the vehicle even when pressed and pumped repeatedly, sometimes leading to collisions at low speeds like 30 mph.
  • Airbags fail to deploy during frontal or rollover crashes, including at low mileage such as 3,649 miles.
  • Seat belts reportedly release too easily from minor contact with the buckle, which owners link to a fatal crash.
  • The engine or transmission stutters and stalls suddenly while merging or crossing intersections, cutting power without warning.
  • Owners describe repeated dealership visits for the same brake problem without a lasting fix.
2016 Nissan Versa complaints: complaints filed per quarter92016 Q22017 Q22018 Q22019 Q32020 Q32021 Q42023 Q22025 Q3
114 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2016 Q2 to 2026 Q3; peak 2016 Q3 (9).

2016 Nissan Versa recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2016 Nissan Versa fuel economy and fuel cost

City
27 MPG
Highway
36 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.

2016 compared with other Versa years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2014Avoid80207230
2015Caution73168130
2016Caution5380030
2017Good3362330
2018Good4755230

All Nissan Versa years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Nissan Versa reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2016 Versa a Complaint Index of 53 and a Caution verdict, ranking 8th worst among 16 model years. It has fewer complaints than several earlier Versa years but more than the newer 2019-2023 models.
What is the biggest problem with the 2016 Nissan Versa?
Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 26% of complaints and 8 crashes. Transmission and powertrain issues follow at 25% of complaints, reported at a median mileage of 79,000.
Does the 2016 Nissan Versa have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2016 Nissan Versa, including 0 do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2016 Versa compare to other years?
The 2016 model's Complaint Index of 53 is better than 2010-2014 Versas, which range from 67 to 100, but worse than 2017 onward, which mostly score 47 or lower.
What mileage do brake problems show up at on the 2016 Versa?
Brake complaints have a median mileage at failure of 9,730.5 miles, suggesting issues can appear early in ownership.

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.