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 4.1x the segment average of 80. 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. ⚠️ 7 fire reports filed.

7 fire reports 27 crash reports 33 injuries

327

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

4.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

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

SUSPENSION

46 complaints

14%

• 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
• 2011 NISSAN VERSA WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR NOT SHIFTING OUT OF PARK. AT THE TIME, POWERTRAIN WARRANTY WAS NO LONGER IN EFFECT. DEALER ADVISED, THAT THE SHIFTER SOLENOID IS NOT FUNCTIONING AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE COST FOR THE SHIFTER SOLENOID IS APPROXIMATELY $600.00 DOLLARS. I CONDUC
• WHILE CAR WAS SITTING IN DRIVEWAY (GETTING WASHED), I HEARD LOUD POP AND FRONT END DROPPED A COUPLE OF INCHES. RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING SPONTANEOUSLY BROKE. CAR HAS BEEN VERY GENTLY DRIVEN FOR 3 YEARS, 28,000 MILES. *TR

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 3 crashes

“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”

— NHTSA complaint filing

STEERING

21 complaints

• 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
• I HAVE A MAJOR STEERING ISSUE WITH MY 2009 NISSAN VERSA SL. THE DEALERSHIP, SOUTHERN STATES NISSAN IN RALEIGH NC, HAS ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE VEHICLE 4 TIMES, BUT HAS FAILED. WHEN MAKING RIGHT TURNS I EXPERIENCE CLUNKING, POPPING, AND VIBRATIONS AT LOW SPEEDS. THE SERVICE HAS NOT BEEN SATISFACTORY B
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN VERSA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENTER THE VEHICLE, THE POWER LOCKS AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST AND THE BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING HER TO CRASH INTO A TELE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 6 crashes

“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”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

21 complaints

• 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.
• EXHAUST SYSTEM CORRODING EARLY AFTER NORMAL USE. NEED TO REPLACE MIDPIPE AND SPRINGS HOLDING PARTS OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM IN PLACE. I AM HAVING THEM REPLACED BEFORE IT CAUSES AN INCIDENT, BUT IF NOT FIXED IT COULD HAVE LEAD TO PIECES OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM FALLING OFF DURING DRIVING AND CAUSING A ROAD
• I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK ONE MORNING AT 430AM I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE. I FELT A PULL IN MY STEERING WHEEL AND HEARD A BIG POPPING NOISE AND PULLED OVER TO CHECK ON IT AND EVERYTHING TO ME AT THAT TIME LOOKED OK. I KEEP DRIVING 5 MORE MINS OR SO AND I HEARD THE NOISE AGAIN AND AT THAT TIME MY PASSENGE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 2 crashes

“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.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

18 complaints

• NISSAN VERSA 1.6 BASE SEDAN, SPEEDOMETER PROBLEM. SHOWING A SPEED HIGHER THEN THE ACTUAL SO I AM GETTING MORE MILES THEN ACTUAL AND MIGHT RESULT IN THE EARLIER EXPIRATION OF WARRANTY. *KB
• WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT (WITH A HERTZ RENTAL CAR IN KAUAI HAWAII) AND SWITCHING BETWEEN HIGH BEAM AND LOW BEAM AND TRAVELING AT 40 MPH ALL THE HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF. THE STALK MOUNTED SWITCH CONTROLS BOTH HEADLIGHT ON/OFF (ROTARY MOTION) AND HIGH BEAM-LOW BEAM WITH BACK AND FORTH STALK MOTION. AFTE
• MY CAR THAT I BOUGHT IN 2011 BRAND NEW HAS CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING EVERY OTHER MONTH . IT IS VERY RANDOM AND NO LIGHTS COME ON IN THE CAR. THE LAST TIME MY WIFE WAS DRIVING 35 MPH ON A HIGHWAY AND SHE HAD TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC, PUT THE CAR IN PARK, AND START IT BACK AGAIN. I HAVE BROUGHT MY

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

“NISSAN VERSA 1.6 BASE SEDAN, SPEEDOMETER PROBLEM. SHOWING A SPEED HIGHER THEN THE ACTUAL SO I AM GETTING MORE MILES THEN ACTUAL AND MIGHT RESULT IN THE EARLIER EXPIRATION OF WARRANTY. *KB”

— NHTSA complaint filing

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
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)