Carlexica

2016 Nissan Versa: problems, recalls and reliability

0 recalls and 80 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (28% of complaints).

Data updated weekly

0
recalls
80
owner complaints
1
fire reports
37,800
typical failure mileage, mi

All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.

NHTSA crash testOverall ★★★★Front ★★★★Side ★★★★Rollover ★★★★
4-star NHTSA overall safety ratingNo recall campaignsWeak spot: air bags (28%)1 fire reportProblems reported early (median 37,800 mi)

Common problems

Computed from 80 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.

Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)28% · 19 complaints
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)21% · 14 complaints
Service Brakes (brakes)9% · 6 complaints
Engine (engine mechanics)9% · 6 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System (fuel pump, tank, lines)6% · 4 complaints
Tires4% · 3 complaints
The airbag warning light has come on and is flashing.Brought it in twice for it was in diagnosis mode the first time. History mode second time and two days later it is on again and flashing that is three times in one month! Nissan needs to have this problem fixed!Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2025
My Check Airbag light came on without any incident and has stayed on since January, 2025. I took it to a Nissan dealer and they told me they would charge me $4,000.00 to see if it could be fixed. Charged me $209.96 just to look at the car. Their report said AIRBAG SIDE MODULE LH FAULTY. I am very uneasy now driving around not knowing if my airbag will deploy if ever needed. It is now July, 2025 and I cannot afford putting out this kind of money for the airbag light. I am a [XXX] over [XXX]. Can anyone help? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle lost motive power, and started jerking while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the RPM needled was fluctuating erratically. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2024
Show 7 more owner reports
In July 2024 my airbag light came for no apparent reason. I took it to Nissan Service-they got it off with no guarantee it would stay off and said the airbag would have to be replaced if it came on again. In came on again in June 2026. I got my oil changed at a local shop and they got the light off verifying it was the L side airbag causing it to flash. That lasted about 2 months and it is flashing again. I got it off turning the key on and off 3 times. I am not 100% sure the airbag would work if needed. Nissan wants thousands of dollars to fix it. I wonder why this hasn't been a recall.Many Nissan owners have had the same issue.Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2024
"Leaking injectors causing cylinder wall wash, resulting in low compression." Per Nissan of Chattanooga East. Stated they have seen this before and can be a "common" malfunction. Puts others and self at risk of catastrophic engine malfunction and fuel injector malfunction. Car fire, an engine explosion, or simply breaking down in the middle of the interstate, "Repair" occurred and sent home, 2 times. Subsequent followup revealed critical malfunction and requirement to replace engine and necessary components.Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · May 2024
Since buying car used last summer ive have numerous scares for the car stalling jerking and shutting off while driving or slowing down and taking off. I drove over train tracks on my way home and the car jerked stalled and died luckily i made it over the tracks and there was no train. Had a mechanic look at it and said the Cvt transmission more than likely blame for this problem. After researching more this particular make model and year had numerous of the same complaints and saftey is my main concern here. ThanksOwner report · Power Train · Jul 2023
Fuel gauge is always stuck to full. I have to rely on the gas pump to know that I have full tank of gas. Luckily I only drive it for short distances. It will not be safe to drive interstate.Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jun 2023
Air bag red signal on and off it is very loose. AC Compressor is locked that cause belt broken and pulley is not working that AC Condenser had to be fixed Power Train Catalyst issues Exhaust leaking at manifold and catalyst too exhaust as Exhaust connections. Oxygen sensors too slow to respond. Need to repair sensors with exhaust.Owner report · Engine · Jul 2022
Air bag red signal on and off. It is very loose. AC compressor needs repair that cause Belt broken, pulley isn't working and AC condenser needed to be repair. Power Train catalyst issues. Exhaust leaking at manifold, catalyst too exhaust as exhaust connections. Oxygen sensors too slow to respond. Replace sensors with exhaust repairs.Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2022
Just got the car from someone, and the air bag light comes up and stays on all the time the engine starts, trying all the ways to reset the light and not working, I found online that many same car owners has the same problem and there is no recall from the manufacturer, Nissan cars has a lot of air bags problems., my car has no collision and has only 62000 miles. Going to a dealer to ask about the price to fix and was told about more than a thousand dollars and not guaranteered'Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2022

When filing, owners marked a crash in 13 of these complaints and injuries in 16 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.

Trouble codes owners mention

OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.

Specifications

Factory options offered for the 2016 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.

Engines1.6L
Cylinders4
FuelGasoline
Body stylesSedan/Saloon

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 decoder

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Nissan Versa reliable?

NHTSA has 80 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record for the 2016 Nissan Versa. The most complained-about area is air bags (28% of complaints).

At what mileage do 2016 Nissan Versa problems usually appear?

Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 37,800 miles or less.

Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.