2021 Nissan VERSA

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2021 Nissan VERSA has 53 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.7x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is transmission problems (17% of all complaints), specifically: the contact owns a 2021 nissan versa. the contact stated while depressing the accelerator pedal from a stop sign, the vehicle started stalling. the contact stated the crash indicator warning light was illuminated. the contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, but the mechanic was unable to dupli.

6 crash reports 4 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.7x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

TRANSMISSION

9 complaints

17%

• The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while depressing the accelerator pedal from a stop sign, the vehicle started stalling. The contact stated the crash indicator warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, but the mechanic was unable to dupli
• When I bought the car, I knew it was not going to be a fast car. After driving for a couple months, I would be going to turn left at an intersection, and it would be sluggish getting across. Eventually you could feel it kick into gear and take off. It now seems to be getting worse. A local mechanic
• The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while attempting to reverse at 2 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal grinding sound. Additionally, the contact stated that the high-beam headlights were failing and were independently deactivating. The contact stated that the high-beam headlight

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while depressing the accelerator pedal from a stop sign, the vehicle started stalling. The contact stated the crash indicator warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, but the mechanic was unable to dupli”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

7 complaints

13%

• After filling my tank, and driving less than 5 miles, it's at 1/4 full or below. Last fill up @145.3 miles: days later @ 145.3 miles 1/4
• The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while depressing the accelerator pedal from a stop sign, the vehicle started stalling. The contact stated the crash indicator warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, but the mechanic was unable to dupli
• First the furl gage reads the wrong amount I filled up and the gauge never changed. The radio which is a known problem cuts in and out or just stops working

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

“After filling my tank, and driving less than 5 miles, it's at 1/4 full or below. Last fill up @145.3 miles: days later @ 145.3 miles 1/4”

— NHTSA complaint filing

AIR BAGS

5 complaints

• WELL DRIVING I NOTICE A CAR WITHOUT BRAKE LIGHTS ON STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME NOT MOVING. QUICKLY GOING TO BRAKE.. I HAD NO BRAKES I PUSHED AGAIN AND TURNED RIGHT. ALMOST INCHES TO HITTING A GAS PUMP. THANKFULLY BUMPS AND BRUISES . I WAS RENTING THE VEHICLE FROM INDIANA DRIVING TO NEW HAMPSHIRE TO FLOR
• Rear window tinting - dealer installed. Causes severe distortion/refraction on rear windshield during night driving making it impossible to determine where the cars are behind me.
• Driving vehicle about 60-65 mph when collision with another vehicle occurred resulting in moderate front end damage to almost all of front bumper with no airbag deployment and put driver in danger due to speed and mechanism of collision which seems to be a malfunction in safety equipment.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 3 crashes

“WELL DRIVING I NOTICE A CAR WITHOUT BRAKE LIGHTS ON STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME NOT MOVING. QUICKLY GOING TO BRAKE.. I HAD NO BRAKES I PUSHED AGAIN AND TURNED RIGHT. ALMOST INCHES TO HITTING A GAS PUMP. THANKFULLY BUMPS AND BRUISES . I WAS RENTING THE VEHICLE FROM INDIANA DRIVING TO NEW HAMPSHIRE TO FLOR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

5 complaints

• Car is still pretty new (less than 6,000 miles) and it is experiencing a loss of coolant. It was near the "max" mark on the reservoir when purchased brand new and now it is riding on the "min" mark. I have been checking my fluids and such occasionally since the day I bought it and have watched it pr
• My tires go flat EVERY TIME I put in my rim caps. I spent so much money on new tires, thinking it was the tires but it’s actually my rim caps cutting where my air goes in at. I had to take all of the caps off and I’m still having problems. Besides that, it does not notify you when you need an oil ch
• Driving down the road, the car enters a phase where you can not accelerate at all. It seems like the fuel injectors are cut off by 90% and you can only accelerate to about 35 mph. Although this has happened the whole life of the car 26,000 miles, today I was fed up with it and decided to make it kno

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

“Car is still pretty new (less than 6,000 miles) and it is experiencing a loss of coolant. It was near the "max" mark on the reservoir when purchased brand new and now it is riding on the "min" mark. I have been checking my fluids and such occasionally since the day I bought it and have watched it pr”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

5 complaints

• The shape of the driver’s armrest is sharply pointed at front of it. While leaning over to pick something up from passenger side, front of armrest lodged between my ribs and I felt something physically pop. Excruciating pain was caused to point of feeling nauseous. Nearly three weeks later, I’m stil
• Battery continues to die after 6 months of having a new one. Alternator and starter have been checked and are in good working condition.
• Water collects on spark plug coils and the car does not exceed 50 mpg, check engine light comes on. This has happened twice so far, the first time was 1/04/2024. I actually didn't drive the car for two weeks after the first repair, it just sat in the driveway in the rain and snow. The first time

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

“The shape of the driver’s armrest is sharply pointed at front of it. While leaning over to pick something up from passenger side, front of armrest lodged between my ribs and I felt something physically pop. Excruciating pain was caused to point of feeling nauseous. Nearly three weeks later, I’m stil”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 53 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while depressing the accelerator pedal from a stop sign, the vehicle started stalling. The contact stated the crash indicator warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, but the mechanic was unable to dupli
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: After filling my tank, and driving less than 5 miles, it's at 1/4 full or below. Last fill up @145.3 miles: days later @ 145.3 miles 1/4
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: WELL DRIVING I NOTICE A CAR WITHOUT BRAKE LIGHTS ON STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME NOT MOVING. QUICKLY GOING TO BRAKE.. I HAD NO BRAKES I PUSHED AGAIN AND TURNED RIGHT. ALMOST INCHES TO HITTING A GAS PUMP. THANKFULLY BUMPS AND BRUISES . I WAS RENTING THE VEHICLE FROM INDIANA DRIVING TO NEW HAMPSHIRE TO FLOR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: Car is still pretty new (less than 6,000 miles) and it is experiencing a loss of coolant. It was near the "max" mark on the reservoir when purchased brand new and now it is riding on the "min" mark. I have been checking my fluids and such occasionally since the day I bought it and have watched it pr
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)