Problems · NHTSA complaints

2013 Nissan Versa problems

Owners filed 204 complaints about the 2013 Nissan Versa with NHTSA between Dec 2012 and Apr 2026. The most-cited component is power train (73).

Complaints
204
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
18
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
13
People reported injured
Deaths
3
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Power train73
  2. Service brakes32
  3. Vehicle speed control27
  4. Engine26
  5. Air bags22
  6. Structure18
  7. Electrical system12
  8. Steering8
  9. Fuel/propulsion system7
  10. Suspension6
  11. Visibility/wiper5
  12. Exterior lighting3
  13. Seat belts3
  14. Seats3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20121
201321
201415
201516
201618
201721
201834
201914
202015
202118
202215
20237
20245
20252
20262

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Power train

73 reports
“Speed Control, Engine and Transmission issues: After the recall from the manufacture was issued for the the acceleration problems this car still takes long to accelerate and get the car going. It feels like the transmission/ and or engine is ready to go out also and this car is only roughly at 80,000 miles. This car is well maintained.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 10, 2024Power train, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11630003

Service brakes

32 reports8 crashes
“For ten days my car suddenly loses 90% or more braking power—after moving at above 40 miles per hour for five minutes or more. Incredibly dangerous and no war I g lights and hard to diagnose. We are replacing master cylinder as they were investigated on this year and model. I want them to reopen that investigation and I want compensation.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 7, 2023Service brakesODI 11536938

Vehicle speed control

27 reports3 crashes1 related recall
“My car had a problem from day one I bought.The tires always showing not working and car has absolutely no power if you going on hill.From last year car having really serious problems with transmission and shuffling.I took car to Nissan Car dealership and the are reprogrammed transmission.Unfortunately after a few weeks the same problem and even worst.Car making absolutely horrible noises and speed not going more then 15-20”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 3, 2022Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, WheelsODI 11450325

Engine

26 reports1 crash
“Bottom line, Transmission needed. Had shifter put in stuck in park, paid for, right engine mount, paid, G censor said showed up . Trans is shot....this is what a Transmission person said.... couldn't get a person from Hesser Nissan only leave message, a week long nothing.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 24, 2023EngineODI 11518649

Air bags

22 reports8 crashes
“THE AIR BAG LIGHT STARTED BLINKING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND AFTER CHARGING ME $119.84 I WAS TOLD THAT IT COULD BE REPAIRED FOR A COST OF $1136.00. I WAS TOLD THAT THE AIRBAGS MAY OR MAY NOT GO OFF IF I WERE TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. SOUNDS LIKE A DEFECT TO ME. I'VE OWNED A LOT OF CARS AND I'VE NEVER HAD AN AIRBAG GET WORN OUT AND BREAK. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 27, 2020Air bagsODI 11331188

Structure

18 reports2 crashes
“The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while reversing at 2 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the engine. The contact also stated that the vehicle was hesitant to accelerate when driving at various speeds which caused the vehicle to jerk. The brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was due to a passenger-side lower control arm bushing being separated from the control arm. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 11, 2023StructureODI 11549359
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.