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Nissan Versa 2012-2019 (N17)

Nissan Versa
Photo: MercurySable99 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Price
$11,990–$16,000
MPG
34
  • Strength: Strong running costs
  • Watch-out: Poor driving fun
  • Watch-out: Poor tech
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How it scores for you10 scores
America's price floor on four wheels: a huge back seat and trunk for the money, with a failure-prone CVT and penalty-box dynamics as the fine print.
Reliability40

Recalled about half as often as cars of the same model years; 2 of its 5 recalls were serious. About 8% of its owner complaints describe a crash, fire or injury. Based on recalls and serious defect reports — it doesn't capture everyday repairs or problems fixed by warranty extensions. Adjusted -8 points for its wider reputation.

Safety50

Not yet crash-tested by NHTSA, so this is scored as middle-of-the-road.

Running costs76

About $1,900 a year in fuel (EPA estimate) — cheaper to run than about 76% of cars we track.

Cargo & utility32

14.9 cu ft of cargo space — more than about 32% of other sedans we track.

Passenger space55

Standout rear legroom for a subcompact — the one area where it punches far above its price.

Driving fun12

109 hp, vague steering, and a droning CVT; its mission is cheap transport and it drives like it.

Tech15

Bare-bones equipment on base trims and a tiny optional touchscreen; modern active-safety tech never arrived on this generation.

Comfort35

Soft ride and a big rear bench, but thin seats, hard plastics, and lots of engine noise at speed.

Value retention55

Typical resale value for a sedan.

Capability0

No published tow rating; front- or rear-wheel drive only.

Safety & recalls7 recalls

Not yet rated by NHTSA.

7 recalls · 7 common complaint areas across 2015–2019

  • Powertrain — 45 complaints (2015)
  • Recall — Back over prevention: sensing system: camera (2019)
  • Airbags — 24 complaints (2015)

2019

  • RecallBack over prevention: sensing system: camera19V654000

    Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additio

  • Complaint clusterPowertrain9 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN

    Vehicle: 2019 Nissan Versa SV VIN: [XXX] My vehicle experienced intermittent transmission problems including hesitation during acceleration, shuddering, rough deceleration, loss of the Drive ("D") indicator, unexpected rear-view camera activation, and entry into fail-safe (limp) mode. Diagnostic c

2018

  • RecallElectrical: ignition18V551000

    Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2017 Nissan NV200, Sentra, NV3500 Van, NV3500 Bus, NV200 Taxi, NV1500, NV2500 Van, Chevrolet City Express, 2017-2018 Frontier, Versa Note, and Versa Sedan vehicles that have a mechanical (physical) key ignition system. In these models, over t

  • RecallBack over prevention: sensing system: camera19V654000

    Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additio

  • Complaint clusterElectrical12 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving approximately 4 MPH, the vehicle was shaking violently. There were no warning lights illuminated. When the heater was activated, there was a loud clanking sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independen

  • Complaint clusterAirbags12 complaintscomplaints:AIR BAGS

    Out of nowhere my airbag light start blinking, I ran the code and got a P2096 which apparently is not related to the airbag I took it to Firestone to get it checked out and they told me they cannot do anything about the airbag light I would have to go to my dealership for help with that. No one see

  • Complaint clusterPowertrain10 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN

    Car jerks and doesn’t go into gear right away. Never know when it will happen. There is a notice from Nissan that it happens because of short in tail light. Happened approx 3 yrs ago and has started again but worse. It is available for inspection No recall but very unsafe. While attempting to cross

  • Complaint clusterUnknown or other8 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    On May 29th, there was a really heavy down pour of rain. The next day when I got into my car, it was flooded. It rained for the next 3-4 days. I could hear water sloshing around inside the car frame. Water gushed into the passenger floor board from behind the dashboard. By the time I could vacuu

2017

  • RecallAirbags: side/window16V724000

    Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2017 Versa vehicles manufactured August 1, 2016, to August 16, 2016. A seam in the fabric section of the side curtain air bags may tear during side curtain air bag deployment, potentially affecting the performance of the air bag.

  • RecallAirbags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module17V275000

    Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2017 Versa, and Versa Note vehicles. The ring plate that secures the air bag cushion to the passenger frontal air bag assembly may fail, possibly causing the air bag to deploy improperly in the event of a crash.

  • RecallElectrical: ignition18V551000

    Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2017 Nissan NV200, Sentra, NV3500 Van, NV3500 Bus, NV200 Taxi, NV1500, NV2500 Van, Chevrolet City Express, 2017-2018 Frontier, Versa Note, and Versa Sedan vehicles that have a mechanical (physical) key ignition system. In these models, over t

  • Complaint clusterAirbags14 complaintscomplaints:AIR BAGS

    The vehicle was involved in a side impact collision at a high rate of speed. The vehicle was deemed a total loss after the accident, as the side impact was the drivers side door and wheel well. The air bags never deployed, despite the high rate of speed and the entire front drivers side of the vehic

  • Complaint clusterElectrical11 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    On 3/21/25 I was informed by Malik's Auto Repair that I need my transmission replaced after a diagnostic of my car making a vacuum noise. After researching, I found that many Nissan vehicles have been experiencing this problem. I contacted Nissan and they informed me that no recall has been made f

  • Complaint clusterPowertrain8 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN

    The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the transmission downshifted, and the vehicle decelerated to 5 MPH. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull to the side of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was

2016

  • Complaint clusterPowertrain17 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN

    0 The vehicle has a CVT transmission failure causing severe shuddering, jerking, and progressive loss of acceleration. Initially the vehicle would not exceed 20 mph, then worsened to 15 mph, then 10 mph, and now will not exceed 5 mph. The issue consistently occurs after the vehicle has been driven f

  • Complaint clusterAirbags15 complaintscomplaints:AIR BAGS

    The airbag warning light has come on and is flashing.Brought it in twice for it was in diagnosis mode the first time. History mode second time and two days later it is on again and flashing that is three times in one month! Nissan needs to have this problem fixed!

  • Complaint clusterUnknown or other10 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    The vehicle has a CVT transmission failure causing severe shuddering, jerking, and progressive loss of acceleration. Initially the vehicle would not exceed 20 mph, then worsened to 15 mph, then 10 mph, and now will not exceed 5 mph. The issue consistently occurs after the vehicle has been driven fo

  • Complaint clusterSteering7 complaintscomplaints:STEERING

    My engine light has always been on in my car contacted the dealership and they never cared to take care of the situation. My car has a problem with picking up speed and turning corners. Took it to a mechanic and said it’s my transmission and that it was never good especially the cvt transmission in

  • Complaint clusterBrakes6 complaintscomplaints:SERVICE BRAKES

    THE NISSAN VERSA 2016 HAS A FAULTY BRAKE SYSTEM. I WAS IN MOTION DRIVING WITH ONGOING TRAFFIC I SAW THE TRAFFIC STOPPED I PRESSED THE BRAKES AND KEPT PRESSING BRAKES AND THE CAR DID NOT STOP. I COULD NOT GO LEFT OR RIGHT BECAUSE CARS WERE IN BOTH LANES. I HIT CAR IN FRONT. THE OFFICER VERIFIED THAT

2015

  • RecallService brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages; vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal15V507000

    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 tha

  • Complaint clusterPowertrain45 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN

    The vehicle experienced a failure of the transmission/CVT transmission system and is available for inspection upon request. Prior to the failure, the vehicle began showing symptoms including hesitation while accelerating, jerking, slipping between gears, and delayed response when pressing the gas pe

  • Complaint clusterAirbags24 complaintscomplaints:AIR BAGS

    The vehicle engine stalled while driving in motion at approximately 65 miles per hour, and occasionally would stall without warning while waiting at a traffic light stop. The vehicle occasionally would not allow for the key to turn its ignition and would remain locked unpredictably and would require

  • Complaint clusterSteering20 complaintscomplaints:STEERING

    The PS warning light has been coming on intermittently. The power steering goes out and the vehicle is hard to steer. My safety and others are put at risk if I lose power steering. We have done research online and plan to take it to a dealership to confirm the exact issue. The PS warning light has c

  • Complaint clusterUnknown or other13 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    I was driving on the highway and my hood came up and hit my windshield. The windshield was cracked. The hood brackets were bent and the hood was dented. A trooper arrived on scene. The hood was tied down with bracing and needs repair. The hood latch gave way.

  • Complaint clusterEngine12 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE

    SMELLS EXHAUST FUMES WHENEVER INTERIOR VENTILATION " FAN " SWITCH IS TURN ON - WITHOUT A/C.

Cost to own$13,800 / 5 yr

MSRP, new

$11,990–$16,000

Estimated used price, by model year

2019$7,000–$8,200
2018$6,100–$7,200
2017$5,300–$6,200
2016$4,600–$5,400
2015$3,900–$4,600

$1,900/yr

EPA estimate, combined fuel cost per year.

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Specs
MSRPNew $11,990–$16,000
Efficiency34 MPG
Seats5
DrivetrainFWD
PowertrainGas

City MPG

31

Highway MPG

39

Combined MPG

34

Horsepower

109 hp

Doors

4

Cargo volume

14.9 cu ft

Limited data — dimensions unavailable.

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