Nissan Versa Reliability — Best and Worst Years by the Data

Quick answer

The 2012 draws 10.9 complaints per run and the 2014 5.84, a 1.9-fold gap within the same model. Half of all complaints arrive by 5 years of age, so 76.1% land after the 3-year basic warranty ends. The system owners report most is Air Bags, with 1,006 complaints, typically at 6.6 years.

Nissan Versa years to avoid — and the best ones

FIG.01·Nissan Versa — complaint rate by model year
Model year	Per run	Complaints	Runs	Enough history?
2025	1.57	11	7	too new
2024	4	96	24	too new
2023	2.12	36	17	too new
2022	1.36	19	14	too new
2021	1.78	32	18	too new
2020	2.1	63	30	yes
2019	2.56	23	9	yes
2018	3.47	52	15	yes
2017	3.1	62	20	yes
2016	5.36	75	14	yes
2015	7.1	149	21	yes
2014	5.84	187	32	yes
2013	7.6	190	25	yes
2012	10.9	436	40	yes
2011	5.95	244	41	yes
2010	7.55	234	31	yes
2009	10.14	446	44	yes
2008	9.34	327	35	yes
2007	8.17	294	36	yes

ROWS 19·SOURCE NHTSA complaints, grouped by VIN production run

Does the market discount it? In our listings a 2012 Versa asks a median $3,800, against $2,750 for a 2013, the next model year: 38% more, so the price shows no discount for its complaint record.

Among the 7 Nissan Versa years with enough history, the three to walk away from are 2012, 2009, 2008; the three worth hunting are 2014, 2011, 2010.

When it starts to break

FIG.02·Nissan Versa — age at failure
Age at failure	Complaints	Running total	Warranty
0 years	289	9.9%	covered
1 year	213	17.2%	covered
2 years	194	23.9%	covered
3 years	247	32.3%	you pay
4 years	267	41.5%	you pay
5 years	411	55.6%	you pay
6 years	302	65.9%	you pay
7 years	271	75.2%	you pay
8 years	282	84.9%	you pay
9 years	211	92.1%	you pay
10 years	120	96.2%	you pay
11 years	50	97.9%	you pay
12 years	24	98.8%	you pay
13 years	19	99.4%	you pay
14 years	8	99.7%	you pay
15 years	9	100%	you pay

ROWS 16·SOURCE NHTSA complaints with incident dates

Basic warranty on this car is 3 years / 36,000 miles. Only 23.9% of reported failures happen inside it — the remaining 76.1% come out of the owner's pocket. Powertrain cover (5 years / 60,000 miles) reaches further, but it only covers the engine and transmission, which account for about 28% of the complaints here.

What actually fails — and at what age

On the Nissan Versa, the early trouble is Engine and Service Brakes — reported at around 3.6 years, so a car still under warranty is the one to check for it. What waits further out is Air Bags at 6.6 years — past every basic warranty, and the bill lands on whoever owns the car then.

FIG.03·Nissan Versa — what fails and when
System	Complaints	Typical age	Crash	Fire
Air Bags	1006	6.6 yrs	145	6
Power Train	524	4.5 yrs	8	2
Suspension	427	5.8 yrs	9	2
Engine	314	3.6 yrs	7	9
Unknown Or Other	302	4.9 yrs	19	6
Electrical System	243	4.3 yrs	7	15
Service Brakes	183	3.1 yrs	53	5
Vehicle Speed Control	171	3.3 yrs	13	2

ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaints

What else in this class

6 models share the Versa's vehicle class. Per production run, the Toyota Corolla draws 5.16, the Lexus IS 1.31 and the BMW M3 1.49, against 6.6 for the Versa. That is the most complaints of the group.

FIG.05·Nissan Versa — rivals in the same class
Same class as the Versa	Complaints on record	Recall campaigns	Years built
Toyota Corolla	12,389	219	1981–2026
Lexus IS	47	118	2001–2026
BMW M3	565	78	1988–2026
Acura TLX	893	41	2015–2026
Ford Focus	22,576	138	2000–2026
Subaru WRX	290	17	2015–2026

ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA complaints and recall campaigns

The table shows totals on record; the rates per production run are in the sentence above.

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Everything on the Nissan Versa

Recalls75 campaigns Fuel economy35 mpg best Common problems3,458 complaints Check a VINAgainst this exact build DimensionsSize, weight, generations Cargo space19 cu ft Used prices2,592 listings What yours is worthValue by year & mileage Insurance costEstimated per year Window stickerOriginal Monroney label Decode a VINWhat each character means About this car2007–2026

Frequently asked questions

Is the Nissan Versa reliable?

By complaints per production run it is worse than typical: 6.6 against 3.73 for the average car, and more than each of the 3 class rivals we compared.

Which Versa years should you avoid?

By complaints per production run, 2012, 2009, 2008. The cleanest years old enough to judge are 2014, 2011, 2010. Years newer than 6 are left out: complaints keep arriving for years after a car is sold.

When do Versa problems usually start?

Half of all complaints arrive by 5 years of age. The most reported system is Air Bags, typically at 6.6 years, followed by Power Train.

Will the warranty cover Versa problems?

Mostly not: basic cover is 3 years / 36,000 miles, and only 23.9% of reported failures fall inside it. Powertrain cover lasts longer, but engine and transmission make up about 28% of the complaints here.

Is the Versa more reliable than the Toyota Corolla?

No: 6.6 complaints per production run for the Versa against 5.16 for the Toyota Corolla.

Complaint records from NHTSA, grouped by VIN production run (characters 1–11). Rates, age-at-failure and warranty coverage computed by ForCar. Model years newer than 6 years are excluded from rankings — complaints accumulate for a decade (how we measure). Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by Denis Kataev, founder of ForCar.

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