IllustrationTHE VEHICLE WILL STOP AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT. THE VEHICLE STOPPED WHILE ALMOST ENTERING THE HIGHWAY. THEN WHEN TURNED OFF AND TRIED TURNING BACK ON THE ENGINE WOULDN'T TURN OVER. THE PROBLEM AUTO REPAIR SHOP IS SAYING THAT THERE IS NO COMMUNICATION WITH THE ENGINE.
2018 Nissan Versa
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2018 Nissan Versa do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 95.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Versa years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
110–25K
725–50K
250–75K
275–100K
4100–150K
0150K+
26 reports with mileage · 29 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
11 crash reports0 fire reports7 injury reports
What owners actually said
55 reportsTHERE ARE SERIOUS DESIGN FLAWS ON THE 2018 NISSAN VERSA THAT ALLOW WATER (I.E RAIN) TO COLLECT BELOW THE WINDSHIELD AND WHEN THE COLLECTED WATER DOESN'T DRAIN IT FLOODS THE CAR ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THERE IS A WATER GUTTER UNDER THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS THAT RUNS FROM EACH SIDE OF THE CAR. IT HAS TWO VERY SMALL DRAINS ON E…
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THERE ARE SERIOUS DESIGN FLAWS ON THE 2018 NISSAN VERSA THAT ALLOW WATER (I.E RAIN) TO COLLECT BELOW THE WINDSHIELD AND WHEN THE COLLECTED WATER DOESN'T DRAIN IT FLOODS THE CAR ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THERE IS A WATER GUTTER UNDER THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS THAT RUNS FROM EACH SIDE OF THE CAR. IT HAS TWO VERY SMALL DRAINS ON EACH SIDE. THE DRAINS GET PLUGGED BY DUST, DIRT, ETC. NORMAL STUFF THAT CAN GET ON THE CAR, AND THE WATER COLLECTS AND BUILDS UP IN THE GUTTER. THERE IS A HOLE FOR SOME CABLES IN THIS AREA, ABOVE THE GUTTER THAT THE BUILT UP WATER CAN FLOW THROUGH RIGHT ON THE PASSENGER FLOOR BEHIND THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. THE WATER DRAINS OUT ESPECIALLY WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING/IN MOTION. IF THERE IS A HEAVY RAIN, THE ENTIRE CAR FLOOR GET FLOODED. THE HEALTH DANGER IS THE WATER HAS NOWHERE TO GO INSIDE THE CAR AND GETS MUSTY AND MOLDY. THIS CAN BE FIXED FOR APPROX. $600, HOWEVER IT WILL LIKELY HAPPEN AGAIN BECAUSE ALL IS DONE IS UNPLUG THE SMALL DRAIN HOLES. NISSAN ALLOWED A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW IN THE 2018 VERSA SEDAN THAT LEADS TO FLOODING AND WET FLOORBOARDS, A DRAIN THAT IS PRONE TO CLOGGING, AND A HOLE FOR WATER TO FLOW INSIDE THE CAR. I FOUND OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ON GOOGLE. MY CAR DAMAGED HAPPEN APRIL 2020, AND OTHER CAR OWNERS HAS HAPPENED IN 2019. PLEASE HELP US. *TR
I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN (ABOUT TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY) AND MY CAR JUST SHUT OFF. NO SIGNS THAT IT WAS GOING TO DO THIS, NO SPUDDERING OR ACTING LIKE IT WAS GOING TO DIE. JUST SHUT OF. I HAVE READ ON FORUMS THAT OTHER NISSAN VERSA OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. SOME WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I LIVE 64 MILES FROM MY JOB. I…
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I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN (ABOUT TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY) AND MY CAR JUST SHUT OFF. NO SIGNS THAT IT WAS GOING TO DO THIS, NO SPUDDERING OR ACTING LIKE IT WAS GOING TO DIE. JUST SHUT OF. I HAVE READ ON FORUMS THAT OTHER NISSAN VERSA OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. SOME WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I LIVE 64 MILES FROM MY JOB. ITS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ME IF MY CAR DOES THAT WHILE I'M DRIVING.
WE WERE RECENTLY IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN OUR 2018 NISSAN VERSA. WE WERE GOING 55-60 MPH WHEN WE SWERVED TO AVOID AN ANIMAL. WE BROKE, BUT OUR SPEED DID NOT DECREASE MUCH, AS WE WENT INTO A DITCH AND CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF THIS DITCH, CAUSING SEVERE MECHANICAL AND BODY DAMAGE. THE PASSENGERS SUFFERED BRUISES AND A CONCUSSION. THE …
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WE WERE RECENTLY IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN OUR 2018 NISSAN VERSA. WE WERE GOING 55-60 MPH WHEN WE SWERVED TO AVOID AN ANIMAL. WE BROKE, BUT OUR SPEED DID NOT DECREASE MUCH, AS WE WENT INTO A DITCH AND CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF THIS DITCH, CAUSING SEVERE MECHANICAL AND BODY DAMAGE. THE PASSENGERS SUFFERED BRUISES AND A CONCUSSION. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 NISSAN VERSA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANTELOPE VALLEY NISSAN (451 AUTO CENTER DR, PALMDALE, CA 93551) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 NISSAN VERSA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANTELOPE VALLEY NISSAN (451 AUTO CENTER DR, PALMDALE, CA 93551) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
VEHICLE STALLS WHICH CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, MY GRANDMOTHER [XXX] DIED FROM STALLED VEHICLE WHO WAS DRIVING.*DT*JB *DT*DT*JB *JS PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
THE VEHICLE HAS DIFFICULTY SLOWING DOWN WHILE DRIVING. AND BRAKES SEEM NOT TO STOP THE CAR (WEAKENED BRAKE PADS) IT FELT LIKE I WAS LOSING CONTROL OF THE CAR. ALSO THE CAR WOULD LOOSE POWER WHEN STATIONARY AT STOP LIGHTS. THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS IF THIS OCCURRED ON A HIGHWAY OR WHILE IN MOTION. I HOPE THEY DON'T RENT VEHIC…
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THE VEHICLE HAS DIFFICULTY SLOWING DOWN WHILE DRIVING. AND BRAKES SEEM NOT TO STOP THE CAR (WEAKENED BRAKE PADS) IT FELT LIKE I WAS LOSING CONTROL OF THE CAR. ALSO THE CAR WOULD LOOSE POWER WHEN STATIONARY AT STOP LIGHTS. THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS IF THIS OCCURRED ON A HIGHWAY OR WHILE IN MOTION. I HOPE THEY DON'T RENT VEHICLE OUT UNTIL MECHANICAL ISSUES ARE SOLVED
SHAKING BRAKE PEDAL, DIFFICULTY SLOWING THE CAR DOWN WHILE DRIVING
MULTIPLE TIMES CAR HAS SHUT OFF/STALLED WHILE DRIVING. DRIVING HOME, TRYING TO CROSS A BUSY HIGHWAY, MERGED INTO TURNING LANE, STOPPED TO TURN AND CAR HAS SHUT OFF.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 NISSAN VERSA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH THROUGH AN INTERSECTION, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS T-BONED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING 55 MPH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS IN AND OUT OF CONSCIOUSNESS AFTER THE CRASH AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO A LOCAL HOSPITAL. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 NISSAN VERSA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH THROUGH AN INTERSECTION, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS T-BONED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING 55 MPH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS IN AND OUT OF CONSCIOUSNESS AFTER THE CRASH AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO A LOCAL HOSPITAL. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, BACK, SPINE, AND WAS PARALYZED FOR THE FIRST TWO DAYS AFTER THE CRASH. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MULTIPLE OTHER INJURIES AS WELL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE WHEREABOUTS OF THE OTHER DRIVER WERE UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
Official recalls
219V654000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
Sep 12, 2019
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. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
18V551000 · Electrical System:ignition
Aug 21, 2018
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.