Nissan Versa — the 15 years we've written up
2010–2024, side by side: what goes wrong on each, what the fix costs, and what they typically ask. 15 of the 15 carry a high-severity issue.
What this page is
These are the 15 Nissan Versa model years Kestrel has done the homework on — not every year Nissan built one. A year that isn't listed here isn't a year we're warning you off; it's one we haven't written up yet. Ranking a whole model run would mean telling you about years we've never looked at.
Nissan Versa by year
How many owner complaints NHTSA holds. A big number usually means a lot were sold; the shape matters more than the total.
Year by year
Stall the manual, restart it, and it comes back in limp mode — 20 mph uphill, 55 mph flat out — $0–$700 for a software update or camshaft sensor; likely covered while the 3-year/36,000-mile warranty is in force
Manual-transmission cars lose power after a stall — a limp mode that tops out at 20–30 mph — $0–$700 for a software update or camshaft sensor; likely covered while the 3-year/36,000-mile warranty is in force
CVT slips, lurches, then dies — the same transmission failure as the 2020–2021 cars — $3,500–$5,000 for a replacement CVT
Power steering assist can cut out from a faulty torque sensor in the column — recalled twice — $0 with the recall — verify it was performed
Fuel tank wall can be too thin and leak from the seam — a fire risk (recall) — $0 with the recall — verify it was performed
Jatco CVT shudder, stop-clunk and limp mode — 46% of a small record — $3,000–$4,500 for a replacement CVT; $150–$250 for a fluid change if it is simply overdue
Ignition switch can turn itself off under a heavy keychain — the car stalls (recall) — $0 with the recall — verify it was performed
CVT failure — $3,000-$4,000 on a $6,000 car
Jatco CVT shudders, jerks, then stops pulling — the car's one expensive fault — $3,000–$4,500 for a replacement CVT; $150–$250 for a fluid change if it is merely overdue
CVT reliability — $3,000-$4,500
CVT fails at 60,000–90,000 miles — slipping, shuddering, revving without pulling; $3,700–$3,900 per replacement, some cars on their second — $250–$400 for a fluid service; $3,000–$4,500 for a replacement CVT
CVT that surges, slips, flares to 5,000 rpm and will not pull away from a light — the whole story of this car — $250–$400 for a fluid service; $3,000–$4,500 for a replacement CVT
CVT stops pulling — RPM rises, speed falls, sometimes at 60 mph with children aboard; replacement costs what the car is worth — $250–$400 for a fluid service; $3,000–$4,500 for a replacement CVT
Takata airbag inflators — driver and passenger — can rupture and throw metal (five recalls, and one spontaneous deployment) — $0 with the recall — verify it was performed
Takata airbag inflators — driver and passenger — can rupture and throw metal fragments (five recalls) — $0 with the recall — verify it was performed
Looking at one in particular?
This page covers the Nissan Versa in general. The Kestrel report covers the one you're looking at — the asking price against the market, the photos, the seller's description, and a BUY / NEGOTIATE / WALK AWAY verdict with a negotiation script.
Get My Verdict — $7.99Not ready to pay for one? The free read is instant and needs no card — it checks the asking price against the market and names the top issues for that year.
Known issues are based on documented owner reports, NHTSA complaints, class-action records, and manufacturer technical service bulletins. Individual vehicles vary. A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is always worth doing.
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