2020 Nissan VERSA

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2020 Nissan VERSA has 117 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.5x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is driver assist/cameras problems (21% of all complaints), specifically: i had an accident where i struck a deer. the floor airbag deployed and injured me. my leg has a bad hemotoma from it..

7 crash reports 6 injuries

117

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.5x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

24 complaints

21%

• I HAD AN ACCIDENT WHERE I STRUCK A DEER. THE FLOOR AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND INJURED ME. MY LEG HAS A BAD HEMOTOMA FROM IT.
• This issue has been going on for 6 months. On three different occasions I have taken my car to Fred Hass Nissan due to the sensor lights coming on as if someone is going to hit me from the back and side of my car. It is still not fixed and they tell me it is safe to drive but I feel unsafe. You can
• This issue has been going on for 6 months. On three different occasions I have taken my car to Fred Hass Nissan due to the sensor lights coming on as if someone is going to hit me from the back and side of my car. It is still not fixed and they tell me it is safe to drive but I feel unsafe. You can

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 4 crashes

“I HAD AN ACCIDENT WHERE I STRUCK A DEER. THE FLOOR AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND INJURED ME. MY LEG HAS A BAD HEMOTOMA FROM IT.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

15 complaints

13%

• ALREADY HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. CAR JERKS AND SLOWS ME DOW AND THE STEERING HAS GOTTEN ALMOST UNMANAGEABLE IN LESS THAN 200 MILES. THE WHEELS ALREADY NEED ALIGNMENT AND I'VE HIT NO CURBS. THIS CAR IS ANOTHER DISASTER FROM NISSAN. THE CVT WAS A TERRIBLE THING THAT HAS HAPPENED TO VEHICLES
• FIRST ISSUE WAS A DEFECTIVE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE PART THAT COMPRESSESS AIR TO MAKE A HYDROLOGIC HAD A HOLE. YOU COULD HEAR WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A BASKETBALL BEING DEFLATED NEAR THE BRAKE PEDAL. THEY FIXED IT THIS WAS AT ABOUT 25K MILES. AND NOW THE PERSISTENT PROBLEM IS THE TRANSMISSION. IT MAKES MY CAR
• Cvt transmission shutter hesitating and failing in places that could cause an accident several times the car has come to a stop with the emergency assistance system and errors out often

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

“ALREADY HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. CAR JERKS AND SLOWS ME DOW AND THE STEERING HAS GOTTEN ALMOST UNMANAGEABLE IN LESS THAN 200 MILES. THE WHEELS ALREADY NEED ALIGNMENT AND I'VE HIT NO CURBS. THIS CAR IS ANOTHER DISASTER FROM NISSAN. THE CVT WAS A TERRIBLE THING THAT HAS HAPPENED TO VEHICLES”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

14 complaints

12%

• THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, IT WILL NOT START, IT WILL NOT TURN ON. NONE OF MY LIGHTS HAVE BEEN LEFT ON, NOTHING HAS BEEN PLUGGED IN. THE FIRST TIME I HAD IT JUMPED IT STARTED AND TURNED ON. THE BELT WAS MAKING A HIGH PITCHED SQUEALING NOISE. AFTER IT WAS INITIALLY JUMPED AND AFTER IT WAS ON & DROVE
• Check engine light came on went and got a diagnostics and P2859 and when i looked it up on google Nissan has had recalls in the past on the same thing
• The mass air flow sensor need to be replaced. There is also a camshaft position sensor circuit malfunction.

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

“THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, IT WILL NOT START, IT WILL NOT TURN ON. NONE OF MY LIGHTS HAVE BEEN LEFT ON, NOTHING HAS BEEN PLUGGED IN. THE FIRST TIME I HAD IT JUMPED IT STARTED AND TURNED ON. THE BELT WAS MAKING A HIGH PITCHED SQUEALING NOISE. AFTER IT WAS INITIALLY JUMPED AND AFTER IT WAS ON & DROVE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

14 complaints

12%

• Natural wind and/or velocity from surrounding moving vehicles, and/or speeds above 55mph forces random uncontrollable car movement, at times forcing the car to cross lane markers. I do not feel safe driving on the freeway, highway, or two way streets.
• This issue has been going on for 6 months. On three different occasions I have taken my car to Fred Hass Nissan due to the sensor lights coming on as if someone is going to hit me from the back and side of my car. It is still not fixed and they tell me it is safe to drive but I feel unsafe. You can
• When vehicle is engaged into gear it won’t move or moves very slowly. As I turn on my car and change the gear into drive or reverse and I accelerate the car won’t move at all. I’ve had this happen many times either after I’m moving from a parked spot or after stopping at a red light. My car was insp

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

“Natural wind and/or velocity from surrounding moving vehicles, and/or speeds above 55mph forces random uncontrollable car movement, at times forcing the car to cross lane markers. I do not feel safe driving on the freeway, highway, or two way streets.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

12 complaints

10%

• THE SCREEN FOR THE RADIO WON'T TURN ON SOMETIMES WHEN THE CAR IS ON. I HAVE TO DRIVE A COUPLE MILES BEFORE IT WORKS LEAVING ME WITHOUT GPS AND RADIO. ITS HAPPENED ABOUT A DOZEN TIMES SINCE OWNERSHIP.
• THE FUEL DOESN'T PUMP CORRECTLY AS IT SHOULD. THE FUSE BURNT OUT. THE AUTOMATIC BRAKING RANDOMLY ACTIVATES FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE DRIVING. IT ALSO DOESN'T ACTIVATE AT ALL. THE FRONT END OF THE CAR LIFTS UPWARD LIKE A WHEELIE FROM A STOP LIGHT. THERE WAS SMOKING AND BURNING SMELL FROM UNDER THE
• Everytime I turn my car on, there’s a chance that some lights will turn on my dash for absolutely no reason..the car could be parked and getting warmed up and the traction control light,parking collision warning, and front collision light all turn on simultaneously. I have included a photo to get a

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

“THE SCREEN FOR THE RADIO WON'T TURN ON SOMETIMES WHEN THE CAR IS ON. I HAVE TO DRIVE A COUPLE MILES BEFORE IT WORKS LEAVING ME WITHOUT GPS AND RADIO. ITS HAPPENED ABOUT A DOZEN TIMES SINCE OWNERSHIP.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~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 117 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: I HAD AN ACCIDENT WHERE I STRUCK A DEER. THE FLOOR AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND INJURED ME. MY LEG HAS A BAD HEMOTOMA FROM IT.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: ALREADY HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. CAR JERKS AND SLOWS ME DOW AND THE STEERING HAS GOTTEN ALMOST UNMANAGEABLE IN LESS THAN 200 MILES. THE WHEELS ALREADY NEED ALIGNMENT AND I'VE HIT NO CURBS. THIS CAR IS ANOTHER DISASTER FROM NISSAN. THE CVT WAS A TERRIBLE THING THAT HAS HAPPENED TO VEHICLES
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, IT WILL NOT START, IT WILL NOT TURN ON. NONE OF MY LIGHTS HAVE BEEN LEFT ON, NOTHING HAS BEEN PLUGGED IN. THE FIRST TIME I HAD IT JUMPED IT STARTED AND TURNED ON. THE BELT WAS MAKING A HIGH PITCHED SQUEALING NOISE. AFTER IT WAS INITIALLY JUMPED AND AFTER IT WAS ON & DROVE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: Natural wind and/or velocity from surrounding moving vehicles, and/or speeds above 55mph forces random uncontrollable car movement, at times forcing the car to cross lane markers. I do not feel safe driving on the freeway, highway, or two way streets.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)