Is the 2010 Nissan VERSA reliable?

The 2010 Nissan VERSA has 337 complaints filed with NHTSA (2.9x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: AIR BAGS problems.

What are common problems with the 2010 Nissan VERSA?

Top problems: AIR BAGS (130 complaints, avg repair $500); SUSPENSION (69 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (23 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2010 Nissan VERSA?

Yes, there are 8 recall(s): AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM), AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Contact any Nissan dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2010 Nissan VERSA?

The 2010 Nissan VERSA gets 28 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1714. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2010 Nissan VERSA?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2010 Nissan VERSA is approximately $1,366/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2010 Nissan VERSA

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2010 Nissan VERSA has 337 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.9x the segment average of 117. The most common issue is air bags problems (39% of all complaints), specifically: driving in snowy/icy conditions. vehicle started angle towards oncoming vehicle (large power company bucket/boom truck). the trucks driver (there were more than one) saw me coming at him. the truck moved to the side of the road to avoid me. i collided into the driver corner of the large truck head-o. There are 8 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 6 fire reports filed.

6 fire reports 25 crash reports 12 injuries

337

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

2.9x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

130 complaints

39%

• DRIVING IN SNOWY/ICY CONDITIONS. VEHICLE STARTED ANGLE TOWARDS ONCOMING VEHICLE (LARGE POWER COMPANY BUCKET/BOOM TRUCK). THE TRUCKS DRIVER (THERE WERE MORE THAN ONE) SAW ME COMING AT HIM. THE TRUCK MOVED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO AVOID ME. I COLLIDED INTO THE DRIVER CORNER OF THE LARGE TRUCK HEAD-O
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN VERSA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH OVER A POTHOLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN VERSA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,0

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 12 crashes

“DRIVING IN SNOWY/ICY CONDITIONS. VEHICLE STARTED ANGLE TOWARDS ONCOMING VEHICLE (LARGE POWER COMPANY BUCKET/BOOM TRUCK). THE TRUCKS DRIVER (THERE WERE MORE THAN ONE) SAW ME COMING AT HIM. THE TRUCK MOVED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO AVOID ME. I COLLIDED INTO THE DRIVER CORNER OF THE LARGE TRUCK HEAD-O”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2010 Nissan VERSA

Based on 212 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 64K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

Earlier than typicalmedian 77K mi · 15 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

Earlier than typicalmedian 67K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

Earlier than typicalmedian 2K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

Earlier than typicalmedian 18K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SUSPENSION

Reported earliermedian 56K mi · 62 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

Reported earliermedian 55K mi · 20 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

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.

Recalls (8)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE15/06/2018

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2011 Nissan Versa sedan vehicles and 2011-2012 Nissan Versa hatchback vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Nissan is also recalling 2010-2011 Nissan Versa sedan vehicles and 2010-2012 Nissan Versa hatchback vehicles ever registered in the states of ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2010 Nissan VERSA

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,715

Per month

$143

Per mile

14.3¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,001/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,412/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2010 Nissan VERSA

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,366

Full coverage / month

$114

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-18%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.85x

= Full coverage estimate$1366

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Nissan VERSA Service Intervals

Oil change

5K mi / 6 mo

Tire rotation

5K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

105K mi

Spark plugs

105K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

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

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Nissan. If you're buying a used 2010 VERSA, 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

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 337 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
AIR BAGS: DRIVING IN SNOWY/ICY CONDITIONS. VEHICLE STARTED ANGLE TOWARDS ONCOMING VEHICLE (LARGE POWER COMPANY BUCKET/BOOM TRUCK). THE TRUCKS DRIVER (THERE WERE MORE THAN ONE) SAW ME COMING AT HIM. THE TRUCK MOVED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO AVOID ME. I COLLIDED INTO THE DRIVER CORNER OF THE LARGE TRUCK HEAD-O
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SUSPENSION: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN VERSA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 TO 60 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE LANES, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE STARTED TO FISHTAIL AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AS NORMAL. NOT BEING ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, SHE THEN CRASHED
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: 2010 NISSAN VERSA. CONSUMER STATES UNINTENDED ACCELERATION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED ENGINE ACCELERATION WHILE HIS FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. THE CONSUMER STATED HE SHIFTED THE GEAR TO NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE RAN AT AN UNUSUALLY HIGH RPM FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS BEFORE RETURNING TO ITS NORMAL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN VERSA. THE CONTACT STATED THE SPEEDOMETER WAS UNREADABLE DURING DAYLIGHT AND HARD TO VIEW. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE TO POSE A RISK TO THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVER. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE TO THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 8 recalls have been completed — free at any Nissan dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)