RoadVitals

2016 Nissan Versa Note Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
28
Latest Jul 16, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
14
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2016 Nissan Versa Note, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Brakes514.3%
  • Airbags514.3%
  • Engine38.6%
  • Electrical25.7%
  • Driver assistance25.7%
  • Suspension25.7%
  • Transmission12.9%
  • Fuel system12.9%
  • Interior & seats12.9%
  • Exterior lighting12.9%
  • Other / unspecified12.9%
  • Seat belts12.9%
  • Steering12.9%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Engine keeps losing oil level when no leaks found which causes transmission and engine to act making weird noises when gas pedal hit when driving car. Transmission is making weird noises like it is slipping when driving when gas pedal is pressed down. A settlement with Nissan was reached due to a class action lawsuit as car is having the issue as car pass 120000 mileage limit when issue started. Volume on internal bluetooth speaker is too low for people to hear when on phone calls with cell phone paired to car thru bluetooth as issue on two different phone models.

NHTSA ID 11555932 · filed Nov 19, 2023

My vehicle was jumping when accelerating. It then went into limp mode to protect the engine due to code NTB17-034g. The mechanic stated this code is coming up and is a safety issue. The car is not accelerating as normal, car is jumping and will go into limp mode randomly.

NHTSA ID 11546018 · filed Sep 22, 2023
All 9 reports naming powertrain (other)

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE BREAK PEDDLE WILL SINK ON ITS OWN. IT HAS DONE THIS AT A COMPLETE STOP WITH THE CAR OFF, ON THE HIGHWAY, ON CITY STREETS, IN CORNERS. IT GOES OFF SEEMINGLY AT RANDOM. IT HAS DONE THIS IN SUMMER AND WINTER. IT HAS DONE THIS SINCE SHORTLY AFTER I GOT THE CAR, BUT I'M GOING TO ENTER TODAY'S DATE. I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2018 IN JULY

NHTSA ID 11375834 · filed Nov 22, 2020

WHEN STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR A STOP SIGN, THE CAR WANTS TO MOVE FORWARD EXCESSIVELY. I HAVE TO PUSH THE BREAKS HARD TO MAKE IT STOP. LOOKS LIKE THE CAR WANTS TO CONTINUE MOVING FORWARD ON THE SECOND GEAR. SOMETIMES, I HAVE TO PUSH IT WAY HARDER TO THE END. SURE IT WILL GET WORSE. IT COULD BE WAY DANGEROUS ON HIGHWAYS WITH HIGHER SPEEDS.

NHTSA ID 11306970 · filed Feb 4, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owned a 2016 Nissan Versa Note. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH in a parking lot, the vehicle failed to stop as needed while the brake pedal was depressed. No warning lights were illuminated. The failure caused the vehicle to crash into a nearby wall, which was not damaged. The driver’s side steering wheel air bag deployed, and the front windshield fractured on the passenger’s side of the vehicle. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed away to a local tow yard and deemed a total loss by the insurance provider. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The air bag deployed and struck the contact in the face, causing her front teeth to become loose and her mouth to bleed. A passenger was seated in the front seat when the windshield partially shattered, causing lacerations to the lips and the upper right eye. Medical attention was sought. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ID 11750785 · filed Jul 16, 2026

After arriving home, I stopped in my driveway and waited for the front passenger to exit. The vehicle was still running and may not have been in park. Immediately after the passenger exited and closed the door, the passenger curtain airbag and passenger seat airbag deployed unexpectedly. The vehicle was stationary and had not been involved in any collision. This sudden deployment posed a serious safety risk — anyone still inside or near the vehicle could have been injured. I brought the vehicle to a Nissan dealership, where technicians scanned the airbag system. I am awaiting additional diagnostic results or a written report. The manufacturer has indicated the situation is considered “out of warranty,” though I believe it represents a safety defect. The issue has not been reproduced or confirmed as a known defect by the dealer or manufacturer. There were no warning lights, error messages, or other symptoms prior to the deployment. The failure occurred immediately after the passenger closed the door, with no prior indication of any malfunction. The airbags and related components remain available for inspection.

NHTSA ID 11693047 · filed Oct 13, 2025

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Engine keeps losing oil level when no leaks found which causes transmission and engine to act making weird noises when gas pedal hit when driving car. Transmission is making weird noises like it is slipping when driving when gas pedal is pressed down. A settlement with Nissan was reached due to a class action lawsuit as car is having the issue as car pass 120000 mileage limit when issue started. Volume on internal bluetooth speaker is too low for people to hear when on phone calls with cell phone paired to car thru bluetooth as issue on two different phone models.

NHTSA ID 11555932 · filed Nov 19, 2023

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR WILL SHUT OFF. IT HAS HAPPENED A TOTAL OF 5 TIMES AND TAKEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES. OUT OF ALL THE TIMES IT HAS SHUT OFF MY 6-MONTH-OLD HAS BEEN IN THE CAR TWICE. ONE OF THE TIMES IT SHUT OFF I WAS ON THE FREEWAY WHILE THE OTHERS WERE ON THE STREET.

NHTSA ID 11350437 · filed Aug 20, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The car was parked over night and it was raining that night. The next day I went to move the car, started & warning lights went on. The windshield wiper water trough got clogged due to tree leafs falling in & the water overflow & entered the car by the air vent in to the car floor The 360-deg. Camera system module under the carpet, under the front passenger seat. It Drowned in rain water. Causing the car computers to Mel function. Drove it to a mechanic & that is when he told me that I need to replace the camera module & the air bag module. I was not able to go faster then 15 or 20 MPH in the HWAY & lost my left & right signal flashers. 1) Car MFG should put a leaf filter screen in the trough. 2) never put electronic computer under a carping. MFG are aware that water can go there. And it’s a water trap.

NHTSA ID 11447938 · filed Jan 18, 2022

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR WILL SHUT OFF. IT HAS HAPPENED A TOTAL OF 5 TIMES AND TAKEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES. OUT OF ALL THE TIMES IT HAS SHUT OFF MY 6-MONTH-OLD HAS BEEN IN THE CAR TWICE. ONE OF THE TIMES IT SHUT OFF I WAS ON THE FREEWAY WHILE THE OTHERS WERE ON THE STREET.

NHTSA ID 11350437 · filed Aug 20, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The car was parked over night and it was raining that night. The next day I went to move the car, started & warning lights went on. The windshield wiper water trough got clogged due to tree leafs falling in & the water overflow & entered the car by the air vent in to the car floor The 360-deg. Camera system module under the carpet, under the front passenger seat. It Drowned in rain water. Causing the car computers to Mel function. Drove it to a mechanic & that is when he told me that I need to replace the camera module & the air bag module. I was not able to go faster then 15 or 20 MPH in the HWAY & lost my left & right signal flashers. 1) Car MFG should put a leaf filter screen in the trough. 2) never put electronic computer under a carping. MFG are aware that water can go there. And it’s a water trap.

NHTSA ID 11447938 · filed Jan 18, 2022

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN VERSA NOTE. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. ADDITIONALLY, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V507000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPLACED DUE TO THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE REPLACEMENT VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED SIMILAR FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NISSAN OF QUEENS (LOCATED AT 93-25 ROCKAWAY BLVD, OZONE PARK, NY 11417, (718) 835-8300) TO BE INSPECTED, BUT NO FAULT CODES WERE FOUND. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,500. *TP *PM

NHTSA ID 11252896 · filed Sep 3, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Sway bar link broken, causing dangerous risk of steering failure. Rear hub bearing disintegrated, causing worn tires and high risk of wheel randomly separating from axel while driving! Wow! Car not old enough for such problems!

NHTSA ID 11476733 · filed Jul 31, 2022

I GOT 2 FRONT TIRES AFTER I NOTICED THE FRONT OF CAR HAD DROPED ABOUT 10 INCHES FROM SIDE FRONT DOORS TO THE FRONT OF CAR.I DRIVE THE CAR EVERY DAY FOR 2 YEARS I CAN SEE THE DIFFERENCE. A SHOP I TOOK IT TO SAYS ITS FINE BUT I KNOW MY CAR IT WASN,T THAT WAY WHEN I BOUGHT IT. AFTER GETTING THE TIRES THEY WENT KINDA HARD DOWN OFF THE JACK.SOMETHING HAPPENED?

NHTSA ID 11337314 · filed Jul 3, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Versa Note. The contact stated while driving at 70 mph, the vehicle would inadvertently decrease in speed to 30 MPH. The contact stated that the RPMs would fluctuate while driving. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but could not be diagnosed by an unauthorized dealer. The vehicle was not repaired but the contact had an oil change. The vehicle was then taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with nothing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact then stated two days later, the contact heard a loud scraping noise coming from the engine compartment. The contact then took the vehicle back to the same dealer for a second time where it was diagnosed with the transmission needing to be replaced due to metal shards being found in the transmission pan. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.

NHTSA ID 11422112 · filed Jun 24, 2021

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

Vehicle was shuddering or hiccuping accelerating and decelerating on its own without any warning lights turning on. Warning light (MIL) only came on after total failure and car would not move forward at all.without any control of acceleration I was forced to let the vehicle roll down the hill I was on to coast it into a parking lot to be off the road, while traffic was behind me causing a potentially dangerous situation as it was on a short street so line of cars driving the wrong direction with traffic entering behind going the appropriate direction.

NHTSA ID 11448669 · filed Jan 24, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

Car has had problems since day one when it was purchased for lack of power going up hills, and when changing lanes it shutters. Also since day one door latches have a problem working in cold weather.....Now at 46,ooo miles the right front passenger door does not want to open from outside, and sometimes will not open from inside, and the rear hatch will not open at all. The drivers door you have a 50/50 chance of it..may or may not open. This is a long term problem with Nissan cars and is a major safety problem if you cannot get out of a car. It is also problem that effects the safety of those who ride in Nissan Cars.....This has been a service bulletin and should be a major recall... It needs to be address...just look at the youtube video's its a common problems..

NHTSA ID 11442134 · filed Nov 30, 2021

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

UNKNOWN AT A STOP, WHEN THE A/C KICKS ON, I HEAR A VERY AUDIBLE RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM SOMEWHERE BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION. WHENEVER I AM STARTING OFF, FOR EXAMPLE, GOING DOWN MY STREET, I CAN HEAR A VERY AUDIBLE, YET DIFFERENT, RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM SOMEWHERE BEHIND THE GLOVE BOX. I THOUGHT THAT NOISE WAS SOMETHING I HAD IN THE GLOVE BOX, BUT I ALREADY TRIED EMPTYING ALL OF THE COMPARTMENTS AND DRIVING AND IT STILL MADE THAT NOISE, WHICH TELL ME THAT IT MUST BE SOMETHING JUST BEHIND THE GLOVE BOX INSIDE THE DASH. THE ELECTROLUMINESCENT LIGHTS FOR THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ARE ALREADY BEGINNING TO FADE OUT IN SOME PLACES. THESE PROBLEMS BEGAN AT 12K, 15K, AND 17K MILES RESPECTIVELY. I HAVE MENTIONED THESE PROBLEMS AT 2 DIFFERENT NISSAN DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENTS 4 INDIVIDUAL TIMES AND THE ONLY RESPONSE I GET IS THAT IT WILL BE AROUND $250 TO CHECK AND SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND THAT THE WARRANTY PROBABLY WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE HAS 33K MILES CURRENTLY AND I WILL BE TRYING ONE MORE TIME TO HAVE THE ISSUES RESOLVED AT THE 35K MILE SERVICE BEFORE THE WARRANTY EXPIRES AT 36K. I AM AFRAID THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS MAY GO OUT AT NIGHT AND I WON'T BE ABLE TO READ THE SPEEDOMETER. AS FAR AS THE RATTLING NOISES GO THAT I AND OTHERS ARE HEARING IS QUESTIONABLE. WHATEVER IS RATTLING COULD EVENTUALLY BREAK AND CAUSE A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND INJURE/ KILL ONE OF ME OR MY PASSENGERS. I CANNOT REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY THESE PROBLEMS BEGAN BUT I'M SURE IT WAS SOMETIME BETWEEN OCT 1, 2016 AND DECEMBER 31, 2016

NHTSA ID 11045428 · filed Nov 12, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

Sway bar link broken, causing dangerous risk of steering failure. Rear hub bearing disintegrated, causing worn tires and high risk of wheel randomly separating from axel while driving! Wow! Car not old enough for such problems!

NHTSA ID 11476733 · filed Jul 31, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

ON 7/13/2016----- MY PASSENGER AND I WERE TRAVELING ON CLEMSON ROAD WHERE THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT IS 45 MPH, ITS A FOUR LANE HIGHWAY WITH NO MEDIAN. A TRUCK DID A U TURN IN FRONT OF A LOT OF TRAFFIC MY VEHICLE STRUCK HIS AT ABOUT 40-43 MPH THOUGH ME AND MY PASSENGER HAD SEAT BELTS ON MY PASSENGER STILL MANAGED TO HIT HIS HEAD ON THE WINDSHIELD THROUGH THE AIRBAG. MY PASSENGER WAS 5'2 135 POUNDS SO THE SEAT BELT DID FIT PROPERLY AND WAS ALSO BEING WORN PROPERLY, WITH THE LAP BAND SNUG AGAINST HIP ONE AND SHOULDER STRAP FULLY ACROSS CHEST AND LATCH BUCKLED. MY PASSENGER WAS TOOK TO THE HOSPITAL AND WAS EXAMINED FOR INJURIES THAT MAY HAVE OCCURRED FROM THE HEAD TRAUMA OF HITTING THE WIND SHIELD.. WHY DIDN'T THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT KEEP MY PASSENGER FROM HITTING THE WINDSHIELD??? I BELIEVE THAT THE SEAT BELT DIDN'T LOCK IN PLACE LIKE IT SHOULD HAVE ONCE THE BREAKS WERE PRESSED- MY PASSENGER KEPT TRAVELING FORWARD AS THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN. NOTE THAT MY PASSENGER WAS HOLDING HIS HEAD ONCE WE EXITED THE VEHICLE!

NHTSA ID 10885340 · filed Jul 17, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING CONTROL ON 2016 NISSAN VERSA NOTE WHILE VEHICLE IN MOTION ON CITY STREET (QUEENS, NY) THANKFULLY, WE WERE ABLE TO AVOID COLLISION WITH A STEERING WHEEL THAT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. NO PREVIOUS ISSUES. P/S LIGHT APPEARED ON DASHBOARD SYSTEM INDICATING ISSUE WITH POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 33K MILES. DEALER STATES THAT STEERING MOTOR REQUIRES REPLACEMENT. HOWEVER, THEY ALSO STATE THAT NISSAN CORPORATE ALSO REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE STEERING SYSTEM AS THE MOTOR IS NOT SOLD SEPARATELY. REPAIR ESTIMATED AT $4200 PLUS TAX.

NHTSA ID 11253582 · filed Sep 6, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .