2018 Nissan Versa Owner Complaints

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

While driving the car just shuts off and I have to stop the car turn the ignition off and then back on, this has happened multiple times and the dealer said there are no recalls on rhus vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11629880

Incident

Dec 10, 2024

Brake's grind and squeal at a slow stop even with new brakes and rotors and electric problems like it's blowing headlights with in weeks of installing and tag lights as well.

NHTSA ID

11592009

Incident

Jun 2, 2024

Purchased New in January, 2019, with 10-20 miles on it. In February/March of 2020 it started lurching forward, giving rough idles. It would rumble, and you could hear the engine move around. This reported to Nissan dealership, the Tech. could not find code, simply reset computer. In 2021, I took it back to dealership of purchase, they could not diagnose any problems, they claimed to repair some component in rear break light area. The Service Advisor never sent the completed paperwork to my email. I asked for a copy on site, but he "had to review papers". The problems arised again in March/April of 2022. I asked same Service Advisor for a new transmission. The vehicle was still within 60,000 miles warranty He said he could not do it without code and Nissan Corp. Approval. Losing acceleration when left turn signal on, fear getting stuck in intersection. I was fed up. Now dealing with a 3rd Nissan dealership for the extended warranty (84,000 miles) with 300-400 miles left . Warranty letter came July, 2023. I spoke to a Nissan Corp. Customer Service Rep. who stated that "Nissan would not tell the dealerships what to do". Yet when you go to the dealerships, they state "we can't complete any work without computer code and Corporate Approval." Nissan's Warranty Settlement is a gimmick. They lose nothing. Customers have to take vehicle to their dealerships with no satisfaction of their grievance. I know how to drive and purchased enough new and used vehicles to know when it has problem. I have not ever had transmission issue until dealing with Nissan. I did not go to work on 10-12 hours shifts, to pay over $21,000 for a Lemon. I never saw any warning posted at the purchasing dealer in relations to the CVT issues. I didn't see anything at the other two Nissan Dealers either. I need a new transmission or check. That's what customers deserve and should get. Please issue recalls before innocent lives are lost. I will never buy Nissan again.

NHTSA ID

11551620

Incident

Feb 15, 2020

TRANSMISSION ISSUES , STALLING, RPM REVVING.

NHTSA ID

11550189

Incident

Oct 16, 2023

Car stalls, I’ve contacted Nissan regarding electrical issues with ignition how it’s not reading the ecu. Another things is the recalls that comes up. Here it is Recall #19V654000 BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA Defect Description: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q7OL vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility." Defect Consequence: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash. Defect Corrective Action: Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200. Recall #18V551000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION Defect Description: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2017 Nissan NV200, Sentra, NV3500 Van, NV3500 Bus, NV200 Taxi, NV1500, NV2500 Van, Chevrolet City Express, 2017-2018 Frontier, Versa Note, and Versa Sedan vehicles that have a mechanical (physical) key ignition system. In these models, over time, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine. Defect Consequence:

NHTSA ID

11535181

Incident

Jul 28, 2023

The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while driving 32 MPH, the vehicle shut off without warning. The contact was able to pull over on the side of the road and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and stated that the vehicle was not under recall and that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not under recall. The failure mileage was 34,707.

NHTSA ID

11532839

Incident

Jul 14, 2023

Mileage

34,707 mi

The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that on various occasions, after driving from a stop signal, the vehicle shuddered. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was provided with TSB’s that applied to the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired, and the contact stated that she noticed the vehicle was returned with a flat tire and the instrument cluster was replaced without her knowledge. The contact also stated that the air bag warning light was intermittently illuminated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 15,000.

NHTSA ID

11517634

Incident

May 1, 2020

Mileage

15,000 mi

The check engine lamp light came on and vehicles current shift lamps not visible. Vehicle began to slip gears and Rev at high rpm. Risk of taking kids to school and myself to work was resolved by parking the car back in driveway. The car diagnostic machine put out code P0705 Transmission Range Sensor A Circuit. Also our vehicle is available for further inspection.

NHTSA ID

11505366

Incident

Feb 3, 2023

While driving the car airbag icon appeared on dashboard blinking

NHTSA ID

11492379

Incident

Nov 4, 2022

My Versa appears to have the same transmission issues as other Nissan vehicles where it has a harsh downshift slow speed shutter and bump when when coming to a complete stop vehicle has loud wine coming from transmission and has a slipping feeling under hard acceleration Nissan refuses to do anything about it at the dealer because it is not under the VIN covered vehicles

NHTSA ID

11485279

Incident

Sep 16, 2022

The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that she had collided with a deer that entered the roadway at 60 MPH. The airbags failed to deploy upon impact. The contact sustained sourness to her neck, back, and both shoulders but did not seek medical attention. The police were not called to the scene and a report was not filed. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic for repair. The dealer was notified of the failure and was promised a call back; the contact had yet to hear back from that dealer. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN number was not available.

NHTSA ID

11447189

Incident

Dec 30, 2021

1) When at red light with car in drive and brake pedal pressed the car occasionally begins to roll forward and then the brakes suddenly depress even more. 2) All brake lights intermittently go out and if hit will come back on for an unknown time until u realize they're not working again. 3) I have already had to replace the fuel pump twice with only 60k on miles on the car

NHTSA ID

11444958

Incident

Dec 25, 2021

I bought this new vehicle and I am the first owner. Two months ago, the airbag light is on and the system said the front passenger seat airbag is disabled even though my wife is siting on the front passenger seat. It seems that the airbag system cannot detect someone is siting on the passenger seat. I took this Nissan versa to the dealership in Columbia, MO (Joe Machens Nissan), and the staff told me that the sensor under front passenger seat doesn't work, which means the airbag will not work if accident happen. It's very dangerous. The staff also told me that this is not under warranty. When I brought this new vehicle, the contract said in the first 35000 miles, it's "bumper to bumper" warranty, which covers everything in the vehicle. Now my vehicle has only 34000 miles but they refused to follow the warranty. I has passed two months, no one contact me to solve this issue. My wife and I lived a anxiety-ridden life in the past two months. Considering the safety issue, I am going to repair it in Joe Machens Nissan at my own expense on 12/20/2021 because they refuse to cover it under warranty.

NHTSA ID

11444280

Incident

Oct 14, 2021

Unknown! Repeatedly spent thousands of dollars on repairs but car never fixes. Check engine light on every month and car stalls often.

NHTSA ID

11438755

Incident

Oct 29, 2021

I have a 5 speed manual transmission that has a defective throwout bearing clutch assembly that 'sticks' and does not engage or release in a smooth manner. Each shift is 'jerky' when the clutch pedal is released and the power transfer from gear to gear is is a sudden jerk instead of a smooth continuation of acceleration. Downshifting is not as jerky as up thru the gears shifting. My assumption is the folks who assembled the transmission and connected it to the engine did not line all parts in a straight line, so that the throwout bearing clutch plate mechanism is not perfectly balanced, along with the hydraulically controlled throw out bearing clutch plate mechanism forcing these items to over ride the off centered spinning mass to re-connect with a sudden jerk to complete the up shifted gear power transmission. I get the sensation of the clutch being 'ridden' even tho' the clutch pedal has been completely released back to its start position. Quite often when shifting from 2nd to 3rd, the clutch gets released but the gear is still in 2nd and not in 3rd, I have to resort to pushing the clutch pedal down again and releasing it so that 3rd gear engages. Getting into reverse is not easy, either. It takes 2 or 3 attempts from neutral to get the gear shift lever to get into position to allow the reverse gear to get engaged. It was like this from day 1. Nissan mechanics tell me the car is so new, it will take time for this stiffness to ease off. Well, 3 years later that never happened. The transmission/clutch/throwout bearing assembly was mounted in a defective manner at the factory, Nissan refuses to acknowledge this mistake. A recall is mandatory so that these defective transmission/clutch/throwout bearing have to be replaced and installed to original factory specs, with the engine out of the car to ensure the alignment/balancing required can be done properly. In the Army the expression...MAKE IT HAPPEN ... applies here.

NHTSA ID

11438654

Incident

Jan 1, 2018

Turned on my car that day and air bag lights stay blinking all the time for driver and front passenger.

NHTSA ID

11437736

Incident

Oct 19, 2021

Brake pedal is to small my right foot keeps sliping off the pedal i fell like it might cause a rear end accident

NHTSA ID

11426074

Incident

Jul 1, 2021