Is the 2011 Nissan VERSA reliable?

The 2011 Nissan VERSA has 327 complaints filed with NHTSA (2.8x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: AIR BAGS problems.

What are common problems with the 2011 Nissan VERSA?

Top problems: AIR BAGS (151 complaints, avg repair $500); SUSPENSION (46 complaints, avg repair $500); STEERING (21 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2011 Nissan VERSA?

Yes, there are 7 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, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS, 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 2011 Nissan VERSA?

The 2011 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 2011 Nissan VERSA?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2011 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.

2011 Nissan VERSA

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2011 Nissan VERSA has 327 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.8x the segment average of 117. The most common issue is air bags problems (46% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2011 nissan versa. the contact stated that while driving approximately 20 mph, another vehicle crashed into the driver's side of the vehicle. the contact stated that the driver's side air bag failed to deploy. the contact sustained injuries to the neck, back and sustained a co. There are 7 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 7 fire reports filed.

7 fire reports 27 crash reports 33 injuries

327

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

2.8x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

151 complaints

46%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN VERSA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, BACK AND SUSTAINED A CO
• I WAS IN A CAR CRASH; I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND IT VEERED OF THE ROAD, CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL,ROLLED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CAR EXPERIENCED FRONT IMPACT, SIDE IMPACT, REAR IMPACT, THE ROOF OF THE CAR CRUSH IN AND NOT ONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. I HAVE PICTURES AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. I FEEL THIS
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN VERSA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER BOTH SUSTAINED INJURIES AND WERE TRANSPORTED TO A HOSPITAL FOR MED

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 2 fire reports💥 12 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN VERSA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, BACK AND SUSTAINED A CO”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2011 Nissan VERSA

Based on 184 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 63K 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+

STEERING

Earlier than typicalmedian 35K mi · 19 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SEATS/RESTRAINTS

Earlier than typicalmedian 57K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TIRES

Earlier than typicalmedian 52K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

Reported earliermedian 53K mi · 14 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

Reported earliermedian 57K mi · 13 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

In line with typicalmedian 74K mi · 47 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 (7)

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 2011 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)

$1,455/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 2011 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 2011 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

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 327 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
AIR BAGS: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN VERSA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, BACK AND SUSTAINED A CO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SUSPENSION: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN VERSA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE A KNOCKING NOISE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS ADVISED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE STRUT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2011 NISSAN VERSA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE ROD FRACTURED ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHILE TRAVELING 25 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEEL BELT WAS VISIBLE ON BOTH FRONT TIRES. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BUT IT WAS RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE RENTA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: WHILE GARDENING OUTSIDE, WE HEARD A LOUD SOUND. THERE UNDER MY CAR WAS A PIECE OF MY CAR'S COIL SPRING, IT JUST CRACKED SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 7 recalls have been completed — free at any Nissan dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)