YearToAvoid

2020 Nissan Versa Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

40/100

#10 most-complained of 16 Versa years

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

The 2020 Nissan Versa has a complaint index of 40, ranking 10th worst out of 16 model years, with a verdict of Good relative to other Versa years. NHTSA lists 64 complaints, 2 recalls, and 5 crashes with 5 injuries.

Complaints
64
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
5 / 0
Injuries / deaths
5 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
32.5
29.5 city / 37.5 hwy

Top 2020 Nissan Versa problems

NHTSA owner 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%)

What owners report

  • Forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking activate unexpectedly or falsely, in one case triggering hard braking at highway speed that led to a multi-car crash.
  • Airbags deployed in low-speed and animal-strike collisions, with one owner reporting a leg injury from the deployment.
  • The CVT transmission shudders, hesitates, and jerks, with one owner describing slipping and jerking that a mechanic diagnosed as transmission slippage.
  • The infotainment screen intermittently fails to power on, cutting off GPS and radio until the vehicle has been driven for a distance.
  • Dashboard warning lights and error messages appear repeatedly, including a recurring diagnostic code and intermittent key system errors.
  • A windshield rubber seal reportedly fails to keep water from reaching the engine bay area.
2020 Nissan Versa complaints: complaints filed per month7Jul 2020Mar 2021Dec 2021Jan 2023Aug 2024May 2025Nov 2025Jun 2026
106 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2020 to Jul 2026; peak Feb 2025 (7).

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)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2018Good4755230
2019Best024132
2020Good4064232.5
2021Best2031332.5
2022Best720032.5

All Nissan Versa years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Nissan Versa reliable?
Relative to other Versa model years, the 2020 is rated Good, with a complaint index of 40 and rank 10th worst out of 16 years tracked. NHTSA lists 64 complaints and 2 recalls for this year.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Nissan Versa?
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?
NHTSA lists two recalls: one for turn signal bulbs that can crack and fail to illuminate, and one for a fuel tank wall thickness issue that could cause a small hole in the tank seam.
Which Nissan Versa years should be avoided instead of 2020?
According to NHTSA data, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2014 are rated Avoid, with complaint indexes of 87, 93, 100, and 80 respectively, all far higher than the 2020's index of 40.
How is the 2020 Versa's fuel economy?
EPA rates the 2020 Nissan Versa at 32.5 mpg combined (29.5 city / 37.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,000.

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.