Is the 2013 Nissan VERSA reliable?

The 2013 Nissan VERSA has 294 complaints filed with NHTSA (2.5x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: TRANSMISSION problems.

What are common problems with the 2013 Nissan VERSA?

Top problems: TRANSMISSION (73 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (35 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (34 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2013 Nissan VERSA?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL. Contact any Nissan dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2013 Nissan VERSA?

The 2013 Nissan VERSA gets 32 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1500. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2013 Nissan VERSA?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2013 Nissan VERSA is approximately $1,478/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.

2013 Nissan VERSA

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2013 Nissan VERSA has 294 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.5x the segment average of 117. The most common issue is transmission problems (25% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2013 nissan versa. the contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph, the vehicle suddenly stalled. the vehicle was restarted and operated normally for approximately 5 miles before stalling a second time. the contact indicated that the failure was recurring. the vehic. There is 1 recall issued for this model year.

24 crash reports 16 injuries

294

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

2.5x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

TRANSMISSION

73 complaints

25%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN VERSA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND OPERATED NORMALLY FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES BEFORE STALLING A SECOND TIME. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHIC
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN VERSA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE CHANGED INTO DIFFERENT GEARS AND THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VE
• BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARING WENT OUT, STARTED MAKING A LOUD NOISE.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN VERSA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND OPERATED NORMALLY FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES BEFORE STALLING A SECOND TIME. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHIC”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Nissan VERSA

Based on 220 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 50K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 20K mi · 29 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 52K mi · 20 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

In line with typicalmedian 41K mi · 19 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

In line with typicalmedian 14K mi · 16 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 52K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 52K mi · 6 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 (1)

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL12/08/2015

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Nissan Versa sedan vehicles manufactured June 9, 2011, to March 11, 2015, and 2014-2015 Nissan Versa Note vehicles manufactured April 23, 2013, to March 11, 2015. The affected vehicles have a center console trim panel that may catch the driver's shoe and delay the transition from the accelerator pedal to the brake pedal.

Risk: A delay in the application of the brake pedal would lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will modify the console trim panel, free of charge. The recall began on September 14, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2013 Nissan VERSA

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,500

Per month

$125

Per mile

12.5¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$1,847/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,200/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 2013 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

$1,478

Full coverage / month

$123

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-12%

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 age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1478

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 2013 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

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 294 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN VERSA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND OPERATED NORMALLY FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES BEFORE STALLING A SECOND TIME. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHIC
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: I WAS DRIVING AND THE FLOOR MAT GOT STUCK ON THE GAS PEDAL AND WAS PRESSING IT DOWN WHEN I WAS TRYING TO SLOW DOWN. I MUST MENTION THESE WERE NOT OEM MATS, BUT SIMILAR TO. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN VERSA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DECELERATE, THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE PROPERLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AFTER MULTIPLE BRAKING ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER FAILE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: AT ABOUT 7:10AM ON JULY 18, 2013, I STARTED THE CAR AND A BAD NOISE CAME FROM ENGINE. I POOPED THE HOOD AND LOOKED BUT FOUND NOTHING VISUALLY. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER THE NEXT MORNING AND THEY HAD TO KEEP IT OVERNIGHT. THREE MASTER MECHANIC'S VERIFIED THE NOISE AND STATED THEY HAVE NEVER HERD
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Nissan dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)