Is the 2016 Nissan VERSA reliable?

The 2016 Nissan VERSA has 113 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: AIR BAGS problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Nissan VERSA?

Top problems: AIR BAGS (20 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (20 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (16 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Nissan VERSA?

No recalls have been issued for the 2016 Nissan VERSA.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Nissan VERSA?

The 2016 Nissan VERSA gets 31 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1548. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Nissan VERSA?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 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.

2016 Nissan VERSA

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Nissan VERSA has 113 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 117. The most common issue is air bags problems (18% of all complaints), specifically: driving on a two lane road heard a pop, car sudden pull right front end hitting a ditch on the side of road front end sliding down in the ditch coming to a stop in a vertical position. the air bag didn't deploy.. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 15 crash reports 17 injuries

113

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

20 complaints

18%

• DRIVING ON A TWO LANE ROAD HEARD A POP, CAR SUDDEN PULL RIGHT FRONT END HITTING A DITCH ON THE SIDE OF ROAD FRONT END SLIDING DOWN IN THE DITCH COMING TO A STOP IN A VERTICAL POSITION. THE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY.
• NISSAN VERSA, ALWAYS HAD ISSUES WITH GAS GAUGE FLUCTUATING. IGAUGE READ 79 MILES IN DRIVEWAY, I PULLED OUT OF DRIVEWAY INTO MAIN ROAD AND WENT ABOUT 25 FEET, HAS GAUGE STARTED FLASHING. TOLD GRANDSON I HAD TO GO TO GAS STATION BEFORE TAKING HIM TO SCHOOL. WE DROVE ABOUT 1/4 MILE AND HEARD POP UNDER
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN VERSA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A VEHICLE THAT RAN THROUGH A RED LIGHT. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD B

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 8 crashes

“DRIVING ON A TWO LANE ROAD HEARD A POP, CAR SUDDEN PULL RIGHT FRONT END HITTING A DITCH ON THE SIDE OF ROAD FRONT END SLIDING DOWN IN THE DITCH COMING TO A STOP IN A VERTICAL POSITION. THE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Nissan VERSA

Based on 64 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 32K 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+

AIR BAGS

In line with typicalmedian 31K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 10K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

Later than typicalmedian 56K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

Later than typicalmedian 51K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

High-mileage issuemedian 79K mi · 9 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Nissan VERSA

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,549

Per month

$129

Per mile

12.9¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$1,847/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,231/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 2016 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 2016 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

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 113 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
AIR BAGS: DRIVING ON A TWO LANE ROAD HEARD A POP, CAR SUDDEN PULL RIGHT FRONT END HITTING A DITCH ON THE SIDE OF ROAD FRONT END SLIDING DOWN IN THE DITCH COMING TO A STOP IN A VERTICAL POSITION. THE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: BOUGHT THE 2016 VEHICLE OCTOBER 15, 2015. RIGHT AWAY NOTICED A PROBLEM WITH THE AUTOMATIC GEAR SHIFT NOT MOVING SMOOTHLY FROM GEAR TO GEAR. THE BRAKES GROANING/WHINING AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LOOSENING. CAR DRIFTING/PULLING RIGHT ON HIGHWAYS AND LEFT ON STREETS. RATTLING FROM UNDER CAR CARRIAGE. POP
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: DRIVING ON A TWO LANE ROAD HEARD A POP, CAR SUDDEN PULL RIGHT FRONT END HITTING A DITCH ON THE SIDE OF ROAD FRONT END SLIDING DOWN IN THE DITCH COMING TO A STOP IN A VERTICAL POSITION. THE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: CAR SHUTS OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING AND IT'S BECOMING UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)