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2018 Nissan Versa
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 54 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2018 Nissan Versa, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and airbags categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 88 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 2017 | 2 | 2 |
| May 2018 | 1 | 3 |
| Aug 2018 | 1 | 4 |
| Sep 2018 | 1 | 5 |
| Oct 2018 | 3 | 8 |
| Nov 2018 | 2 | 10 |
| Jan 2019 | 1 | 11 |
| Feb 2019 | 1 | 12 |
| May 2019 | 1 | 13 |
| Sep 2019 | 3 | 16 |
| Oct 2019 | 1 | 17 |
| Nov 2019 | 3 | 20 |
| Dec 2019 | 1 | 21 |
| Jan 2020 | 2 | 23 |
| Jun 2020 | 1 | 24 |
| Oct 2020 | 2 | 26 |
| Jan 2021 | 1 | 27 |
| Jun 2021 | 1 | 28 |
| Jul 2021 | 2 | 30 |
| Oct 2021 | 3 | 33 |
| Dec 2021 | 2 | 35 |
| Jan 2022 | 1 | 36 |
| Sep 2022 | 1 | 37 |
| Nov 2022 | 1 | 38 |
| Feb 2023 | 1 | 39 |
| Apr 2023 | 1 | 40 |
| Jul 2023 | 2 | 42 |
| Oct 2023 | 2 | 44 |
| Jun 2024 | 1 | 45 |
| Dec 2024 | 1 | 46 |
| Jan 2025 | 1 | 47 |
| Mar 2025 | 1 | 48 |
| Aug 2025 | 1 | 49 |
| Sep 2025 | 1 | 50 |
| Jan 2026 | 1 | 51 |
| Mar 2026 | 1 | 52 |
| May 2026 | 2 | 54 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Electrical1621.9%
- Engine1419.2%
- Airbags1317.8%
- Powertrain (other)912.3%
- Brakes68.2%
- Driver assistance56.8%
- Visibility22.7%
- Body & structure22.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
2 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
2018 Nissan Versa transmission issues. i have 2018 Nissan Versa with 116,993 miles. Transmission is starting to skip and slip. it was diagnosed as a possible chain slip. there was bulletin out for this issue in which Nissan has known about. Nissan was contacted to see if they could warranty the transmission, but was told they were not going to cover it. There was warranty extension, but only for 84,000 miles. nissan was unwilling to help fix it and wanted to charge $210 to diagnose it. this is saftey issue because there are probably other nissan Versas out there with the same issue. the point is that there is an issue which knows about. vehicle should be fixed under warranty. car was bought used 4 years ago. tsb is NTB20-036a
- NHTSA ID
- 11740282
- Incident
- May 20, 2026
My car was parked out front my house. Weather has been in the 60’s no major differences. I walked outside ant 1pm and noticed the entire back windshield was shattered. There was no impact marks, no hole in the window. I’m not sure how this has happened and thankfully we were at home and not driving.
- NHTSA ID
- 11735379
- Incident
- May 2, 2026
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving approximately 4 MPH, the vehicle was shaking violently. There were no warning lights illuminated. When the heater was activated, there was a loud clanking sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the technician was unable to duplicate the failure. The failure reoccurred. While stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle stalled and was towed to the same independent mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with a faulty computer, coils, and a defective crankshaft sensor. There was also paper found inside the heater system. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11723880
- Incident
- Feb 26, 2026
- Mileage
- 105,000 mi
Out of nowhere my airbag light start blinking, I ran the code and got a P2096 which apparently is not related to the airbag I took it to Firestone to get it checked out and they told me they cannot do anything about the airbag light I would have to go to my dealership for help with that. No one seems to know what to do.
- NHTSA ID
- 11710587
- Incident
- Jan 12, 2026
I was driving on the express way in rush hour traffic, and my car started to judder and rpm were reving high.i tried to accelerate and the car just stop in mid traffic, I had to have the car towed home,and from home to the nissan dealership. They told me that my transmission had failed and needed to be replaced.i had no warning light or any other problem and I could have been hurt really bad if the car behind me hadn't stop and help me get out of the rush hour traffic.
- NHTSA ID
- 11685820
- Incident
- Aug 22, 2025
loss of power when using turn signal on highway changing lanes and making left or right turn on city streets. Once the signal is off I can accelerate. Left turn signal becomes more rapid as well. The Versa has a manual transmission. recurring issue for a month.
- NHTSA ID
- 11678813
- Incident
- Aug 5, 2025
Has an issue with the mass flow air sensor. I had this car for 7 months with 84,000 miles on it and noticed instantly that it had poor mileage and stalled a lot. Check engine came on the first time and I took it to have a diagnostic test and a P101 code came on, a couple of days later the car wouldn't start. Replaced the mass flow air sensor and the car was driveable but it had the same poor gas mileage and stalling that it did the first time. Went out again within a week for the 2nd time. Got it replaced recently a third time and Im still having acceleration, poor gas mileage, and stalling. Car isn't safe to drive and does not pass the smog test .
- NHTSA ID
- 11650356
- Incident
- Feb 12, 2025
I pulled up to a stoplight that was on a hill and tried to put on the brake. The brake pedal was highly resistant and wouldn’t let me push down fully. At that moment, all of the warning lights on the dashboard turned on. When the light turned green, I tried to hit the gas pedal but the car wouldn’t move forward. The car started rolling backward and I almost collided with the car behind me. I had to stomp on the brake as hard as I could to get the vehicle to stop. I then had to put on my hazards, put the car in park, turn it off, and turn it back on again before the vehicle worked like normal. My spouse said he’s had the same thing happen to him twice in the past year. Each time, the brakes and accelerator pedal freeze up and all the warning lights come on. But after turning the car off and on again, it goes back to normal. I don’t think this is a battery problem because the car battery is less than one year old.
- NHTSA ID
- 11638626
- Incident
- Jan 20, 2025
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
STRUCTURE:BODY
CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label” may be needed. HINT: Certification Label = FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) label. These items may be available from Nissan by request if certain criteria are met. This bulletin lists the criteria and provides an application form for such replacements. · The “VIN Plate/Label” (metal plate or vinyl label) is attached to the instrument panel or body on the driver side at the base of the windshield (see Figure 1). · The “Certification Label” (vinyl adhesive label) is located on the lower area of the driver side B-Pillar (see Figure 1).
STRUCTURE:BODY
CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label” may be needed. HINT: Certification Label = FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) label. These items may be available from Nissan by request if certain criteria are met. This bulletin lists the criteria and provides an application form for such replacements. · The “VIN Plate/Label” (metal plate or vinyl label) is attached to the instrument panel or body on the driver side at the base of the windshield (see Figure 1). · The “Certification Label” (vinyl adhesive label) is located on the lower area of the driver side B-Pillar (see Figure 1).
AIR BAGS
DTC B00A0-00 STORED This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin. IF YOU CONFIRM DTC B00A0-00 (OCCUPANT DETECTION SENSOR UNIT) is stored, AND OCS zero point reset cannot be performed, (continued on the next page)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAN COMMUNICATION CODES – DIAGNOSTIC TIPS AND GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 47.7 |
| 2024 | 94 | 1 | 1 | 44.1 |
| 2023 | 37 | 1 | 1 | 38.9 |
| 2022 | 20 | 0 | 1 | 45.9 |
| 2021 | 31 | 3 | 1 | 65.6 |
| 2020 | 64 | 2 | 0 | 57.4 |
| 2019 | 24 | 1 | 0 | 51.0 |
| 2018Viewing | 54 | 2 | 1 | 63.0 |
| 2017 | 62 | 3 | 1 | 58.9 |
| 2016 | 79 | 0 | 1 | 50.8 |
| 2015 | 168 | 1 | 2 | 52.0 |
| 2014 | 205 | 2 | 4 | 60.8 |
| 2013 | 204 | 1 | 4 | 51.2 |
| 2012 | 486 | 11 | 7 | 64.2 |
| 2011 | 268 | 7 | 2 | 61.9 |
| 2010 | 267 | 8 | 2 | 59.1 |
| 2009 | 503 | 8 | 2 | 57.8 |
| 2008 | 381 | 8 | 2 | 59.2 |
| 2007 | 354 | 9 | 2 | 58.9 |
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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.