2009 Nissan Versa

Above average

Owners filed 503 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 8 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

348 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles; the median is 64,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags176
17211
Suspension161
200
Steering17
100
Engine15
000
Power Train14
100
Fuel/Propulsion System11
000
Engine and Engine Cooling11
000
Tires › Pressure Monitoring and Regulating Systems9
000
Wheels8
000
Unknown or Other8
101

8 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module22E066000
Filed Aug 9, 2022375 vehiclesNissan North America, Inc.

Defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain air bag inflator replacement service parts that may have been installed as part of a theft or collision repair. The parts include certain passenger-side air bag inflators designed to fit Infiniti 2002-2003 QX4, 2006-2010 M35 and M45; Nissan 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, and both driver and passenger-side inflators designed to fit 2007-2012 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback vehicles. Please see Nissan's recall report for the specific part numbers. These replacement inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. Dealers will inspect and replace the inflators as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 14, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module20V008000
Filed Jan 9, 2020307,962 vehiclesNissan North America, Inc.

Defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated, frontal passenger air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 888-737-9511 or Infiniti customer service at 888-810-3715.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module18V044000
Filed Jan 10, 201852,614 vehiclesNissan North America, Inc.

Defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Versa Hatchback, and 2009-2011 Versa Sedan vehicles ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Nissan is recalling certain 2009-2010 Versa Hatchback, and Versa Sedan vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Nissan is also recalling certain 2009 Versa Hatchback and Versa Sedan vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module17V449000
Filed Jul 17, 2017515,394 vehiclesNissan North America, Inc.

Defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and 2007-2012 Versa Hatchback vehicles. The affected vehicles have a driver frontal air bag inflator that may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to moderate absolute humidity, temperatures, and temperature cycling.

Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the subject inflator with a new one manufactured by a different supplier, free of charge. The recall began on March 9, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module17V028000
Filed Jan 10, 2017152,554 vehiclesNissan North America, Inc.

Defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2012 Nissan Versa hatchbacks originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A". Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" above, Nissan is recalling certain 2009-2010 Infiniti M35 and M45 and 2009 Nissan Versa sedans and hatchbacks originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B". Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Nissan is recalling certain 2005-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45, 2006-2010 Infiniti M35 and M45, and 2007-2008 Nissan Versa vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began on June 8, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module16V349000
Filed May 24, 2016413,852 vehiclesNissan North America, Inc.

Defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45, 2003-2004 Infiniti I35, 2006-2010 Infiniti M35 and M45, and 2007-2011 Nissan Versa vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Nissan is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45, 2003-2004 Infiniti I35, 2006-2008 Infiniti M35 and M45, and 2007-2008 Nissan Versa vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Nissan is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Infiniti I35 vehicles originally sold, or registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began December 21, 2017. All owners should receive a second notice by May 15, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs15V573000
Filed Sep 14, 2015218,019 vehiclesNissan North America, Inc.

Defect. Nissan (Nissan North America, Inc.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2012 Nissan Versa vehicles manufactured May 8, 2006, to November 12, 2012, that were sold or ever registered in the District of Columbia, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Road salt may corrode the front coil springs, possibly resulting in the coil springs fracturing.

Risk. If a front coil spring fractures, it may contact the tire, possibly puncturing it, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front coil springs, free of charge. The recall began on February 2, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

Equipment › Electrical › Navigational System(global Positioning System)10V401000
Filed Sep 10, 20107,948 vehiclesNissan North America, Inc.

Defect. NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.

Risk. OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy. NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY GARMIN TECHNICIANS BY REPLACING THE BATTERY AND INSERTING A SPACER ON TOP OF THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN DIRECTLY AT 1-866-957-1981 OR NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air Bags
Filed Jul 27, 2026160,000 milesLA

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving 3 MPH, the front driver’s side air bag unexpectedly deployed. The contact was left with a bruised face and a nosebleed from the air bag deployment. The contact used tissues to stop the nosebleed, but no medical attention was sought. The contact stated that after the failure, while starting the vehicle, the horn would activate unless the brake pedal was depressed. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V349000 (Air Bags). The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

Suspension
Filed Feb 17, 202680,000 milesWA

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving out of a parking lot at 10 MPH, the front end of the vehicle made an abnormally loud sound, and the contact noticed a strong rubber odor. The contact inspected underneath the vehicle and became aware that a part had fractured underneath the vehicle. The contact was able to reverse into the parking space. Several independent mechanics were contacted and advised that the failure might be related to the front coil springs corrosion and associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V573000 (Suspension); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact stated that even though the vehicle was not registered in the States listed in the recall, the vehicle had been driven in one of the States listed while the contact was in school. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 16, 2025146,000 milesFL

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the driver’s air bag module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired, and the contact was referred to a dealer and to the NHTSA Hotline for further assistance. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 146,000.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 18, 2025CA

Dealership nissan would not closed recall campaign on my crs repairs done already

Steering
Filed Oct 4, 2024IA

See attached document for complaint.

Air Bags
Filed May 30, 2024299,000 milesNJ

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's and passenger's side air bag warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the driver's side air bag. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22E066000 (Air Bags), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 299,000.

Visibility
Filed Sep 7, 202396,632 milesFL

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that the alarm erroneously activated. The contact clicked on the key fob to disarm the alarm however, the alarm failed to turn off. The contact walked outside to the vehicle and noticed that the rear driver’s side window had shattered without impact. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 96,632.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 25, 2023CA

Indicator light appeared week of March 19, 2023. Took vehicle to the dealership March 24, 2023, and after a $225 diagnostic was told, “90626 FOUND DTC B1054. CUSTOMER NEEDS AIRBAG AND THE MODULE” (from invoice). Parts need to be ordered and will cost ~$1,000 less the diagnostic. Concerned about how a safety feature no longer functioning properly and needing replacement is the responsibility of the customer for an amount of this size.

Power Train
Filed Apr 22, 2022MN

Transmission failure as not changing gears, not starting driving when accelerator push down, shaking.

Air BagsCrash
Filed Feb 4, 2022WI

Airbags failed to deploy in an accident at 55 mph.

Power Train
Filed Dec 9, 2021LA

Unknown transmission make a real bad noise and now not move only in reverse

Suspension
Filed Dec 8, 2021OH

There is a safety recall campaign for the front coil springs breaking for all Nissan Versas registered in "salt states" The car is registered in a "salt state" and the the front coil has snapped. For a reason that neither corporate Nissan nor the local Nissan service center can explain, this car is excluded from repair.

Power Train
Filed Aug 27, 2021FL

Jatco Cvt transmission failed at 70,200 miles. Bearings burned out, engine roaring, then sudden deceleration and acceleration.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 17, 2021FL

Airbag inflator recall was repaired but the airbag light on the dash did not go off or clear, further diagnostic tool showed airbag sensor was flashing and broken clock spring was listed on diagnostic sheet. Nissan dealership did not repair the airbag sensor or change or fix clock spring therefore still being a safety hazard during deployment, which can lead to metal fragments breaking and bursting thru causing possible threat by shooting metal fragments to car occupants. Nissan airbag recalled the inflator for the specific reason of repairing it completely free of possible injury from metal fragments breaking during deployment and Nissan did not repair it. The recall states dealership is not to release vehicle until successful inspection. It is not repaired and still poses the same threat the recall states. It's now reported as fixed to manufacture, stating zero recalls. The 97.7 million dollar lawsuit Amended requirements Sept 2017 for dealership to repair to full inspection regulations. Dealership should fix the clock spring free because it directly impacts deployment of airbag and inflators. It's been a little over 30 days since recall repair, how can I get help making Nissan dealership responsible to replace clock spring?

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jul 26, 2021OH

Throttle is impaired; P2138 very dangerous when accelerating across traffic and suddenly there is only partial throttle command. This now has happened twice.

Air BagsFire
Filed Apr 27, 202110 milesFL

BEFORE WE CAN GET THE CAR FIXED WHILE THE AIRBAG RECALL WAS IN EFFECT, WHILE DRIVING THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE.

Suspension
Filed Mar 31, 2021189,600 milesNC

MY SPRING BROKE WHILE PULLING INTO A TIRE SHOP AND WENT FLYING ACROSS A PARKING LOT, LEAVING PART OF THE BROKEN SPRING STUCK IN THE CRADLE.

Suspension
Filed Dec 22, 2020160,000 milesOH

REPLACING THE EXHAUST THE REAR SPRINGS WERE BROKEN TO THE POINT THE INSULATORS FELL OUT . THE SPRINGS ON BOTH THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WERE BREAKING. THERE WASN'T ANY SIGNIFICANT RUST ON THE SPRINGS THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FRONT WHICH WAS DONE. THE INSULATORS MISSING MAKES A METAL TO METAL CONTACT WHICH WOULD MAKE IT WEAR OUT FASTER AND MORE PRONE TO RUST. WHY ARE THE SPRINGS BREAKING?

Air Bags
Filed Dec 10, 2020143,000 milesTX

DEFECTIVE AIR BAGS

Suspension
Filed Oct 18, 2020107,850 milesCA

FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE DRIVING

20 of 503 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2009
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202512000Routine
202495100Routine
202337100Routine
202220000Routine
202131300Routine
202064200Routine
201924100Routine
201855200Routine
201762300Routine
201680011Fatalities reported
2015168121Fatalities reported
2014207201Fatalities reported
2013204103Fatalities reported
20124861161Fatalities reported
2011269761Fatalities reported
2010268831Fatalities reported
2009 — this page503820Above average
2008381883Fatalities reported
2007354981Fatalities reported

Compare every Versa year →

Reading this record

Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Aug 9, 2022. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.