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2021 Nissan Versa

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2021 Nissan Versa do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 95.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

Limited mileage data: 3 of 31 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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.

  • Power Train. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports

Service Brakes complaints

2 reports
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Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 2023
Forward Collision AvoidanceService BrakesCrash

2021 Nissan Versa S on Aug 26th 2023 driving back from NY heading toward Ma. when a Malfunction sign came up on the dashboard of the car. we pulled over trying to figure out what was happening and took a picture of the warning sign also the Break Assist showing something just happened. turned the car off and the driver turned t…

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2021 Nissan Versa S on Aug 26th 2023 driving back from NY heading toward Ma. when a Malfunction sign came up on the dashboard of the car. we pulled over trying to figure out what was happening and took a picture of the warning sign also the Break Assist showing something just happened. turned the car off and the driver turned the car back on. Continue driving. 20 miles down the road the Car brakes locked up the car skid a bit jerking driver and passenger forward. The driver stopped the car. A warning sign was on the dashboard showing a yellow square in front of a car and above two cars colliding. Monday I called the Nissan dealership and explained it and how that is very dangerous and a safety issue. lady said yes it is and we need to get you right in and said she was going to connect me with the Service Manger. after learning what happened he said yes that could be an issue and we need you to bring it in. Then said you did purchase the vehicle here said no in Vt then changed his tune now said we cant get you in right away don't have any opening. made an appointment for Sept 7th 11:00 am. I called Nissan Corporation and reported the issue and the way I was treated and how this vehicle is a safety risk to us and the public. was connected to Nissan Consumer Affair. Explained it to the lady she was going up the chain and get this taken care of. We emailed. I have the emails. called another Nissan dealer where we purchased it. Took me in the next morning. Ran a test then explained the test showing there's been a number of malfunctions happening. Said vehicle isn't having the issue at this moment so it passed. Said it was ok to drive. happened again appointment day came the 7th. Service Manger called me saying he can't get me in needs to reschedule. That afternoon happened again causing a crash. with a Utility pole. Showing emails and pictures to police. The police report reads Mechanical issue. I've tried uploading won't let me. but can email if need be.

NHTSA ODI #11545075

6,000 miles · Feb 27, 2021
Air BagsService BrakesSteeringCrashInjury

WELL DRIVING I NOTICE A CAR WITHOUT BRAKE LIGHTS ON STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME NOT MOVING. QUICKLY GOING TO BRAKE.. I HAD NO BRAKES I PUSHED AGAIN AND TURNED RIGHT. ALMOST INCHES TO HITTING A GAS PUMP. THANKFULLY BUMPS AND BRUISES . I WAS RENTING THE VEHICLE FROM INDIANA DRIVING TO NEW HAMPSHIRE TO FLORIDA. I ALMOST LOST MY LIFE. I …

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WELL DRIVING I NOTICE A CAR WITHOUT BRAKE LIGHTS ON STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME NOT MOVING. QUICKLY GOING TO BRAKE.. I HAD NO BRAKES I PUSHED AGAIN AND TURNED RIGHT. ALMOST INCHES TO HITTING A GAS PUMP. THANKFULLY BUMPS AND BRUISES . I WAS RENTING THE VEHICLE FROM INDIANA DRIVING TO NEW HAMPSHIRE TO FLORIDA. I ALMOST LOST MY LIFE. I ALSO GOT CHARGED AN EXTRA RENTAL DAY SINCE I WAS TOLD TO AWAIT A CALL. I'M NOT SURE WHO'S AT FAULT WHETHER IT IS A MASTER CYLINDER PROBLEM OR BOLT IN STEERING. PLEASE HELP ME. I HAVE BEEN STUCK IN FLA NOT ABLE TO GET HOME. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE CHECKED INTO.*DT*DT*JB

NHTSA ODI #11398151

Official recalls

3

23V496000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System

Jul 18, 2023

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021 Versa and Kicks vehicles. An intermittent electrical connection in the electric power steering (EPS) torque sensor can disable the power steering assist.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Loss of power steering assist can increase the steering effort required, especially at low speeds, and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the steering column torque sensor lot code and replace the steering column assembly, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PMA26. This recall involves vehicles that were previously inspected, but did not receive a steering column replacement, under recall number 22V-693. These vehicles will need to be reinspected for this recall.

22V693000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System

Sep 15, 2022

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021 Versa and Kicks vehicles. An intermittent electrical connection in the electric power steering (EPS) torque sensor can disable the power steering assist.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Loss of power steering assist can increase the steering effort required, especially at low speeds, and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the steering column torque sensor lot code, and replace the column, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 9, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's numbers for this recall are PMA10 / PMA25.

21V471000 · Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:bulbs

Jun 23, 2021

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Titan, Titan XD, and Versa vehicles. The front right and/or left turn signal bulb can crack and fail to illuminate.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Inoperable front turn signals cannot alert on-coming drivers and/or pedestrians that the vehicle will be turning, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the bulbs as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 20, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's numbers for this recall are PM986 and PC811.

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

1

PE24007 · Reduced Power After Engine Stall

Opened Mar 7, 2024 · Closed Oct 2, 2025

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation on March 7, 2024, after receiving twenty (20) consumer complaints and multiple field reports describing reduced power (limp mode) after re-starting the vehicle following a stall on certain 2022-2024 model year (MY) Nissan Versa.  A Preliminary Evaluation was opened to gather information and assess whether the subject vehicles contain a safety-related defect. During this investigation, Nissan explained that certain 2022-2044 MY Nissan Versa vehicles equipped with a manual transmission may, under specific conditions, experience a Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) along with reduced engine performance following an engine start-up after a stall.  In certain conditions, if the vehicle stalls and an engine restart occurs within five (5) seconds, the vehicle will enter a fail-safe mode with limited engine torque. The fail-safe mode helps prevent damage to the engine, a complete loss of motive power, and allows the driver to maintain control of the vehicle. ODI reviewed over 180 incidents where drivers described entering a limp mode following a vehicle re-start after having stalled the vehicle.  Review of these incidents did not identify any alleged crashes, near crashes, or injuries.  In all of the cases reviewed, the driver was able to drive the vehicle to a safe location. On April 28, 2025, Nissan released a Technical Service Bulletin NTB25-024 on certain MY 2022-2024 Versa vehicles equipped with a manual transmission.The remedy applies to subject vehicles built through July 9, 2024, and consists of replacing the Valve Timing Control (VTC) unit and installing updated control software.  The bulletin will be implemented at no charge to the customer and includes all parts and labor.  Subject vehicles built after July 9, 2024 were manufactured with these changes already in place. Following updates to the subject vehicles, ODI has not received any consumer complaints describing a limp mode condition on vehicles built after July 9, 2024 or after having received the NTB25-024 remedy. ODI believes the campaign issued by Nissan addresses the concerns raised in this investigation. As a result, PE24007 is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take any additional action if warranted. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.