2013 Nissan Versa: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 204 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (35% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 2015
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 204 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The transmission hoses don't stay on well, I have had to take it to a specialist mechanic on two separate occasions because it's a CVT and no dip stick transmission. Reached 102,000 mi and transmission started to shutter and then 2 weeks later quit. Transmission stopped working January 6th 2026”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jan 2026
“The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Versa. The contact stated upon inspecting the vehicle, she noticed water intrusion in the tail lights and headlights. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the electrical system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure and offered no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 71,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2024
“The Gear Shift Selector is stuck in Park. Being forced to use the manual override in order to drive, reverse or place car in neutral every time the car is being used. This is ridiculous!”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2024
Show 7 more owner reports
“Car unstable while driving all of a sudden will not shift into 2cd gear will not go over 20mph car is 2013 but only has 32,000 miles. Dealer said no recalls warranty only 5 years or 100,000 miles, it is past that period. Online suggest multiple complaints from consumers with cvt transmission, clasa acyion suits etc.thwy want 5550.00 to replace transmission.”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2024
“Speed Control, Engine and Transmission issues: After the recall from the manufacture was issued for the the acceleration problems this car still takes long to accelerate and get the car going. It feels like the transmission/ and or engine is ready to go out also and this car is only roughly at 80,000 miles. This car is well maintained.”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2024
“The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while accelerating from a stop, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart on the third attempt; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission (CVT) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2024
“I feel something is wrong when I step on the accelerator and the rpm scale shakes while driving. When I stop and go while waiting for the signal, the rpm does not increase and speed does not increase even though I step on the accelerator to the end. When I visit mechanics, they told me it is a transmission problem.”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2023
“The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while reversing at 2 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the engine. The contact also stated that the vehicle was hesitant to accelerate when driving at various speeds which caused the vehicle to jerk. The brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was due to a passenger-side lower control arm bushing being separated from the control arm. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2023
“For ten days my car suddenly loses 90% or more braking power-after moving at above 40 miles per hour for five minutes or more. Incredibly dangerous and no war I g lights and hard to diagnose. We are replacing master cylinder as they were investigated on this year and model. I want them to reopen that investigation and I want compensation.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2023
“.The automatic transmission sensor. When u turn on the right blinker the car starts stalling acting like it's going to die. And it's not right turns it's the actual right blinker. And yes can be inspected. . You need ur signals to communicate with other drivers. So right blinker is very important, not only that the car jerking around in traffic like that is dangerous. . The car was inspected by a mechanic.. .I just bought the car and I noticed it about a month after I bought the car from private owner.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2023
When filing, owners marked a crash in 18 of these complaints and injuries in 13 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Nissan Versa sedan vehicles manufactured June 9, 2011, to March 11, 2015, and 2014-2015 Nissan Versa Note vehicles manufactured April 23, 2013, to March 11, 2015. The affected vehicles have a center console trim panel that may catch the driver's shoe and delay the transition from the accelerator pedal to the brake pedal.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will modify the console trim panel, free of charge. The recall began on September 14, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2013 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Versa by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2013 Nissan Versa reliable?
NHTSA has 204 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2013 Nissan Versa. The most complained-about area is power train (35% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2013 Nissan Versa problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 59,938 miles or less.
Does the 2013 Nissan Versa have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.