2017 Nissan Versa

Routine

Owners filed 62 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 3 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

34 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 010,000 miles; the median is 27,014 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags15
605
Electrical System10
000
Service Brakes7
101
Unknown or Other5
000
Power Train5
000
Engine5
100
Structure › Body3
000
Fuel/Propulsion System3
000
Visibility/Wiper2
000
Seat Belts2
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Electrical System › Ignition18V551000
Filed Aug 21, 2018153,047 vehiclesNissan North America, Inc.

Defect. 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 time, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.

Risk. If the vehicle stalls, it can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the production information on the ignition switch, and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module17V275000
Filed Apr 26, 2017509 vehiclesNissan North America, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Risk. In the event of a crash, if the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began June 12, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

Air Bags › Side/Window16V724000
Filed Oct 11, 20161,754 vehiclesNissan North America, Inc.

Defect. 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 226, "Ejection Mitigation", and number 214, "Side Impact Protection."

Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating side curtain air bag deployment, if the side curtain air bags do not deploy as intended there would be an increased risk of injury.

Remedy. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left and right side curtain air bags, free of charge. The recall began on December 2, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 27, 202669,443 milesAZ

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 vehicle being affected.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Nov 23, 2025FL

To whom it may concern the tint on all four of my doors is obstructing my site with Windows up my back window has bubbles all through it. Mike Erdman Nissan has replaced that one one time and it’s bubbled again. They refuse to replace the door window tint and said it was self inflicted. I have also tried to contact the tint department at the dealership numerous times and the dealership said they would have them call me back several times throughout the last four years and they have yet to do it. if you cannot help me, can you direct me to where I can get the help I need for my windows also the three pictures that I have sent in is from one of the windows with the window up the one with it down and the back window.

Electrical System
Filed May 28, 2025DE

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 for my make and model. It is a safety issue because at any time the car could stop causing an accident or fatality. Also, I had to have my starter replaced on this car. My car would not start. I was out with my daughter and if it was not for me having AAA we would have been stranded. Nissan stated that this issue was fixed on my car prior to me purchasing it. There is no record of this issue being fixed on Carfax and I paid almost $600 to replace it. Nissan have not assisted me with anything. Now I have to try to come up with the funds for a transmission.

Unknown or Other
Filed May 27, 2025NJ

Car was purchased September 2024 for my grandson. This car was garaged until mid-March when my grandson received his driver's license. End of March 2025, car was in the dealership for service and a complimentary multipoint inspection was done. On May 14, 2025, my grandson was driving to school in the rain. All of a sudden, water starts gushing out of the glove compartment. The whole interior was flooded including the backseat. My grandson received his driver license in March, 2025 (a new driver). There were no warning signs before the water started gushing. Dealership said it was a clogged cowl. Nothing was said about maintenance on this cowl when the car was purchased. There is nothing in the manual about this cowl. Looking on the internet, this is a known defect of the Nissan Versa and nothing is being done about it. Thank God he did not get into an accident. After only putting 4000 miles on the car since purchased, the insurance company has totaled the car.

Structure › Body
Filed Nov 21, 2024NY

Hood latch allowed hood to fly open at 30 mph, causing $3100 worth of damage to car, Potentially causing serious other vehicular/occupant injuries. Apparently the latch was inadvertently engaged, but the secondary latch did not hold and let the hood fly open. This incident happened 8/2023 but was not reported to Nissan and while estimate was obtained, repairs were not made.

Steering
Filed Aug 21, 2024TN

Power steering goes out while driving often.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 10, 2024VA

These vehicles have a cowl drain located on the passenger side under the wiper blades. The drain is really small so it clogs easily. When there are heavy rains, my car floods. It has happened on several occasions, including Monday 7/8/2024. It happened while driving in June 2023. I am not sure why Nissan hasn’t done anything to mitigate this problem. I am not even sure of this is the appropriate place to contract but I figured I would try. Thanks.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 7, 2024SC

Driver side airbag system completely broken. No crashes or accidents caused this. It happened out of nowhere one day.

Power Train
Filed Dec 1, 202377,645 milesCO

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 then towed to an independent mechanic, where the transmission was flushed; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was then towed to a transmission specialist, where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that upon starting the vehicle after the vehicle had been serviced at an independent mechanic, ten months later, the vehicle made an abnormally loud clunking sound. The mechanic informed the contact that the failure might be related to the transmission. The vehicle was towed to a certified transmission specialist, where it was diagnosed that there were metal shards inside the transmission. The mechanic determined that the CVT transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,645.

Electrical System
Filed Nov 12, 2023MO

Passenger door lock/unlocked, not working. Buzz noise when operating key fob; actuator malfunction. Can't open door manually.

Structure › Body
Filed Jul 20, 2023CA

When door assembly went out the door was stuck in the locked position the drivers door couldn’t be opened from inside or outside with or without the key. even if you manually opened the lock from the inside you couldn’t get out

Engine
Filed Jun 7, 2023CA

ENGINE BROKE DOWN AT 25000 MILES ONLY WITH ALL MAINTENANCE DONE ,

Electrical System
Filed May 31, 2023MD

Car will only start sporadically. Had both camshaft sensors replaced, check engine light still on. Unable to predict when vehicle will start. Sometimes it will rev up but wont actually start. Dealership says it needs ECM and engine harness replaced. I have had to get it towed several times from several random parking lots or streets because it wouldn't start. Wont pass an emissions test even though sensors were replaced, check engine lights wont go off.

Power Train
Filed Dec 13, 2022OH

Transmission failed 2x within 6 months extended warranty was 5k miles past 130k max mileage coverage 2nd transmission went out going 20 mph and revved up to 25mph and transmission failed. 1st time it went out I was in Cleveland on a busy road making a turn and transmission went out. Cars were beeping behind me. Issue is unknown as to why transmission keeps going out but is a safety issue. 2nd transmission was used with only 30-40k miles on it.

Power Train
Filed Oct 4, 2022107,799 milesGA

The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the mechanic retrieved fault code: P0705 indicating the Engine Control Module (ECM) or Transmission Control Module (TCM) failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,799.

Power Train
Filed Sep 7, 2022CA

The contact's daughter owns a 2017 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate and vibrate upon depression of the accelerator pedal with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was initially taken to a relative who was an independent mechanic; he informed her daughter that the issue was related to the transmission and to take the vehicle to a dealer. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle; she was also provided an estimate for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 17, 2022CA

My car stalled while at an intersection, i was driving and came to a red light where i stopped upon the light changing green i stepped on the gas pedal and my car would not move. I shifted into reverse and still no movement. I turned my car off and restarted it and no movement, the engine turned on etc i had to move it over to a side residential street to get it out of on coming traffic.

Power Train
Filed Oct 29, 2021PA

On Oct 29, 2021 at 4:30pm I got into my car and had no gears. The car went into drive but the car would not shift into gear. The drivetran would not engage for any gear even if shifted to the gear. The car shifted gears and drove without issue this morning.

EngineCrash
Filed Oct 6, 2021VA

Transmission went out on highway, car went from 70 to zero while on cruise control on 85 n in SC. Car startled again in traffic causing an accident

Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 5, 2021GA

When it rains, water flows through the filter cabin water to collect below the windshield and, when the collected water doesn't drain, it flows into the car on the front passenger side floor. The water trough runs under the windshield wipers runs from one side of the car to the other. the trough collects water and has the drains on each side get plugged, water collects in the trough and will slosh back and forth especially when you are driving and making turns. There is an entry hole (filter cabin, i believe) that then lets the built up water flow right into the passenger side floor. My carpet becomes wet from the front passenger side to the back passenger side. I have called my dealership and they have no clue. the Nissan dealership wanted me to leave my car for two days for a diagnosis and they do not give loaners during this time of diagnosis and repair.

20 of 62 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2009
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202512000Routine
202495100Routine
202337100Routine
202220000Routine
202131300Routine
202064200Routine
201924100Routine
201855200Routine
2017 — this page62300Routine
201680011Fatalities reported
2015168121Fatalities reported
2014207201Fatalities reported
2013204103Fatalities reported
20124861161Fatalities reported
2011269761Fatalities reported
2010268831Fatalities reported
2009503820Above average
2008381883Fatalities reported
2007354981Fatalities reported

Compare every Versa year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

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 21, 2018. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.