YearToAvoid

2020 Nissan Versa Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Good The 2020 Nissan Versa ranks 12th worst of 19 model years, with a complaint index of 39 and a Good verdict. It has 64 complaints, 2 recalls, and no do-not-drive recalls, putting it well below the worst Versa years.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
39/100
#12 of 19 Versa years
Verdict
Good
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
64
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
2
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
5
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
5
Top issue
Collision Avoidance & Cameras
Best nearby year
2021
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
32.5
29.5 city / 37.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
5 / 0

Top 2020 Nissan Versa problems

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

  1. Collision Avoidance & Cameras16 (25%)
  2. Transmission & Powertrain16 (25%)
  3. Engine15 (23%)
  4. Other14 (22%)
  5. Electrical System12 (19%)
  6. Brakes6 (9%)
  7. Fuel System6 (9%)
  8. Airbags5 (8%)
  9. Structure & Body5 (8%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (8%)

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

What owners report

  • Automatic emergency braking sometimes triggers full braking power at highway speed with no obstacle present, leading to rear-end collisions.
  • Forward collision warning and AEB systems have activated or failed to activate appropriately during driving, contributing to multi-car crashes.
  • The CVT transmission has jerked and slowed the vehicle down at very low mileage shortly after purchase.
  • The infotainment screen sometimes fails to power on, leaving drivers without GPS or radio for a few miles until it starts working.
  • The driver's seat belt has failed to release on button press, accompanied by an abnormal noise from the seat mechanism.
  • Owners report the hood not closing fully, leaving a visible gap on the passenger side.
2020 Nissan Versa complaints: complaints filed per month4Jul 2020Mar 2021Dec 2021Jan 2023Aug 2024May 2025Nov 2025Jun 2026
64 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2020 to Jul 2026; peak Feb 2025 (4).

2020 Nissan Versa recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 21V471000Jun 23, 2021Electrical System30,799 vehicles

    Exterior lighting:turn signal:bulbs

    Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Titan, Titan XD, and Versa vehicles. The front right and/or left turn signal bulb can crack and fail to illuminate.

    Risk: Inoperable front turn signals cannot alert on-coming drivers and/or pedestrians that the vehicle will be turning, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the bulbs as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 20, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's numbers for this recall are PM986 and PC811.

  2. NHTSA 20V112000Feb 26, 2020Fuel System46 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly

    Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Versa vehicles. Due to a manufacturing issue, the fuel tank wall thickness may be insufficient, potentially causing a small hole in the tank seam area.

    Risk: If a small hole is present, a fuel leak may occur if the operator fills the tank over half full, increasing the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began April 6, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.

2020 Nissan Versa fuel economy and fuel cost

City
29.5 MPG
Highway
37.5 MPG
Combined
32.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,000
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.

2020 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
2018Good3355230
2019Best024132
2020Good3964232.5
2021Best2231332.5
2022Best620032.5

All Nissan Versa years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Nissan Versa reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2020 Versa rates Good, ranking 12th worst out of 19 model years with a complaint index of 39.
What problems does the 2020 Nissan Versa have?
The top problem areas are Collision Avoidance & Cameras and Transmission & Powertrain, each with 16 complaints (25% share), followed by Engine issues with 15 complaints.
Does the 2020 Nissan Versa have any recalls?
Yes, two recalls: one for turn signal bulbs that can crack and fail to illuminate, and one for fuel tanks with insufficient wall thickness that can develop a small hole. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
What year Nissan Versa should I avoid?
Based on NHTSA data, 2008 through 2012 Versa years carry Avoid verdicts with complaint indexes as high as 100, far worse than the 2020 model's index of 39.
How many complaints does the 2020 Nissan Versa have?
NHTSA lists 64 complaints for the 2020 Versa, including 5 crashes and 5 injuries, with no reported fires or deaths.

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.