2016 Nissan VERSA NOTE
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2016 Nissan VERSA NOTE has 42 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 42. The most common issue is transmission problems (24% of all complaints), specifically: first year of owning vehicle. i was in the freeway and shifted gears - and nothing happened. the car engine reved, but no gears. i took it in for repair to dealership. dealership said it was under warranty, no charge. a year later i'm on the freeway i push clutch in and it bottoms out and cannot eng.
42
Total Complaints
0
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
1.0x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
TRANSMISSION
10 complaints- • FIRST YEAR OF OWNING VEHICLE. I WAS IN THE FREEWAY AND SHIFTED GEARS - AND NOTHING HAPPENED. THE CAR ENGINE REVED, BUT NO GEARS. I TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIR TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY, NO CHARGE. A YEAR LATER I'M ON THE FREEWAY I PUSH CLUTCH IN AND IT BOTTOMS OUT AND CANNOT ENG
- • 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
- • YOUR TRANSMISSION IN YOUR VERSA NOTES ARE CRAP I HAD TO HAVE ONE REPLACED LAST YEAR 15,000 MILES LATER I WAS DRIVING AND I ALMOST WAS KILLED WHEN MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AGAIN WHEN I HAD THE AUDACITY TO THINK I COULD ACTUALLY MAKE A TURN OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND NOT GET KILLED BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC EV
“FIRST YEAR OF OWNING VEHICLE. I WAS IN THE FREEWAY AND SHIFTED GEARS - AND NOTHING HAPPENED. THE CAR ENGINE REVED, BUT NO GEARS. I TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIR TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY, NO CHARGE. A YEAR LATER I'M ON THE FREEWAY I PUSH CLUTCH IN AND IT BOTTOMS OUT AND CANNOT ENG”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2016 Nissan VERSA NOTE
Based on 20 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 26K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
BRAKES
TRANSMISSION
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Nissan VERSA NOTE
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Nissan VERSA NOTE Service Intervals
CVT-equipped models (Altima, Sentra, Rogue, Pathfinder) MUST use Nissan NS-3 CVT fluid, not conventional ATF. Frequent CVT service extends life significantly.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Nissan New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
These are the terms for a new Nissan. If you're buying a used 2016 VERSA NOTE, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Nissan dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 42 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐TRANSMISSION: FIRST YEAR OF OWNING VEHICLE. I WAS IN THE FREEWAY AND SHIFTED GEARS - AND NOTHING HAPPENED. THE CAR ENGINE REVED, BUT NO GEARS. I TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIR TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY, NO CHARGE. A YEAR LATER I'M ON THE FREEWAY I PUSH CLUTCH IN AND IT BOTTOMS OUT AND CANNOT ENG
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: 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 GLOV
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐BRAKES: ON DECEMBER 12, 2016, BUY THE NISSAN VERSA NOTE, ON JANUARY 7 2017 2.30 PM, CRASH AT 30 OR 35 MPH, BRAKE, BUT ONLY WHEN I HIT THE OTHER CAR, ON FEBRUARY 28 I CRASH AGAIN IN FULL STOP 8 AM TO 20MPH, HABOA LOT OF TRAFFIC AND I HAD A CAR OF SEPARATION, THEY ALL ADVANCE AND BRAKE SUDDENLY, NO ONE CRASHE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐AIR BAGS: 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 ST
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Nissan VERSA NOTE — Year Comparison
How does 2016 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 42
- Recalls
- 0
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 2
- Injury reports
- 2
- Segment avg
- 42
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2016 Nissan VERSA NOTE