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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

31 reports
21 miles · Mar 28, 2023
Electrical SystemPower Train

The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while depressing the accelerator pedal from a stop sign, the vehicle started stalling. The contact stated the crash indicator warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, but the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle …

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The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while depressing the accelerator pedal from a stop sign, the vehicle started stalling. The contact stated the crash indicator warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, but the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 21.

NHTSA ODI #11514275

Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2023
EngineWheels

My tires go flat EVERY TIME I put in my rim caps. I spent so much money on new tires, thinking it was the tires but it’s actually my rim caps cutting where my air goes in at. I had to take all of the caps off and I’m still having problems. Besides that, it does not notify you when you need an oil change, my first time going…I co…

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My tires go flat EVERY TIME I put in my rim caps. I spent so much money on new tires, thinking it was the tires but it’s actually my rim caps cutting where my air goes in at. I had to take all of the caps off and I’m still having problems. Besides that, it does not notify you when you need an oil change, my first time going…I could’ve messed up my car. Glad I went in early enough!!! And when I plug my charger piece up, smoke begins to come from it..I always have to take it out.

NHTSA ODI #11511795

Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 2022
Air BagsCrashInjury

Driver lost control of vehicle and slid along fence to hit a tree stump. Driver airbags went off in time and driver was unscathed. Passenger remembers seeing tree hit car (vision was not obscured by deployed airbag). Passenger was seriously injured and needed airlift to local trauma center. Car was hauled by H&H towing of Gu…

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Driver lost control of vehicle and slid along fence to hit a tree stump. Driver airbags went off in time and driver was unscathed. Passenger remembers seeing tree hit car (vision was not obscured by deployed airbag). Passenger was seriously injured and needed airlift to local trauma center. Car was hauled by H&H towing of Gunnison, CO No lights prior to accident. No inspection by manufacturer. No confirmed reproduction by dealer/service center. Attached are police report and detailed report from driver, explaining scenario and injuries sustained.

NHTSA ODI #11492174

Mileage unknown · May 27, 2022
Air BagsStructureCrashInjury

Driving vehicle about 60-65 mph when collision with another vehicle occurred resulting in moderate front end damage to almost all of front bumper with no airbag deployment and put driver in danger due to speed and mechanism of collision which seems to be a malfunction in safety equipment.

NHTSA ODI #11466320

Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2022
Electrical System

After filling my tank, and driving less than 5 miles, it's at 1/4 full or below. Last fill up @145.3 miles: days later @ 145.3 miles 1/4

NHTSA ODI #11461272

Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 2022
Visibility/wiper

It was a cold February morning when a hard frost had hit our area. I was starting my car to defrost the windshield and warm up before work. After finishing up inside I hopped into my car and noticed a crack RIGHT AWAY!!! IT STARTED AT THE VERY TOP WHERE THE DEFROST STARTS and has now traveled through the middle towards the botto…

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It was a cold February morning when a hard frost had hit our area. I was starting my car to defrost the windshield and warm up before work. After finishing up inside I hopped into my car and noticed a crack RIGHT AWAY!!! IT STARTED AT THE VERY TOP WHERE THE DEFROST STARTS and has now traveled through the middle towards the bottom. After taking it to a dealership the response gives was that it was a stress fracture....There sincerely needs to be a recall on the windshields of other models too..like my daughter's 2020 Rogue..hers did the same thing!!!! Make it right Nissan!!???

NHTSA ODI #11458357

Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2022
Unknown Or Other

The shape of the driver’s armrest is sharply pointed at front of it. While leaning over to pick something up from passenger side, front of armrest lodged between my ribs and I felt something physically pop. Excruciating pain was caused to point of feeling nauseous. Nearly three weeks later, I’m still sore in the spot where the a…

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The shape of the driver’s armrest is sharply pointed at front of it. While leaning over to pick something up from passenger side, front of armrest lodged between my ribs and I felt something physically pop. Excruciating pain was caused to point of feeling nauseous. Nearly three weeks later, I’m still sore in the spot where the armrest stabbed me.

NHTSA ODI #11454792

Mileage unknown · Dec 8, 2021
Air Bags

Rear window tinting - dealer installed. Causes severe distortion/refraction on rear windshield during night driving making it impossible to determine where the cars are behind me.

NHTSA ODI #11443085

Mileage unknown · Dec 8, 2021
Visibility/wiper

New car purchased 10/19/2021. Did not test drive at night. When I drove it the next night there is severe rear windshield refraction/distortion at night. Multiple head light reflections for every car behind. Unable to safely determine where cars are behind my vehicle. Contacted East Charlotte Nissan and made an appointment to ha…

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New car purchased 10/19/2021. Did not test drive at night. When I drove it the next night there is severe rear windshield refraction/distortion at night. Multiple head light reflections for every car behind. Unable to safely determine where cars are behind my vehicle. Contacted East Charlotte Nissan and made an appointment to have it fixed. When I arrived, the tint person told me it was a manufacturers defect and I would just have to get used to it. No one can safely drive at night when their rear view looks like this. Left the dealership and called back spoke with the service manager. They are going to remove the dealer installed tint today to see if that fixes this problem or if is fact it is a manufacturer defect.

NHTSA ODI #11443081

Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2021
Engine

Car is still pretty new (less than 6,000 miles) and it is experiencing a loss of coolant. It was near the "max" mark on the reservoir when purchased brand new and now it is riding on the "min" mark. I have been checking my fluids and such occasionally since the day I bought it and have watched it progressively go lower. In compa…

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Car is still pretty new (less than 6,000 miles) and it is experiencing a loss of coolant. It was near the "max" mark on the reservoir when purchased brand new and now it is riding on the "min" mark. I have been checking my fluids and such occasionally since the day I bought it and have watched it progressively go lower. In comparison, I have a 20-year-old pickup truck that I personally replaced a head gasket on over a year ago and it holds coolant better than this brand new Versa. Wouldn't be surprised if other new Versa owners are experiencing the same issue. I'm doubtful the dealership will do anything quick to fix it

NHTSA ODI #11425340

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.