Problems · NHTSA complaints

2016 Nissan Versa problems

Owners filed 110 complaints about the 2016 Nissan Versa with NHTSA between Apr 2016 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is power train (30).

Complaints
110
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
16
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
20
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Power train30
  2. Air bags26
  3. Engine13
  4. Service brakes13
  5. Electrical system10
  6. Steering8
  7. Fuel/propulsion system7
  8. Vehicle speed control7
  9. Suspension5
  10. Exterior lighting4
  11. Wheels3
  12. Tires3
  13. Service brakes, hydraulic2
  14. Seat belts2

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
201610
201718
201810
201914
202018
20217
20226
20238
20243
202510
20266

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

30 reports
“0 The vehicle has a CVT transmission failure causing severe shuddering, jerking, and progressive loss of acceleration. Initially the vehicle would not exceed 20 mph, then worsened to 15 mph, then 10 mph, and now will not exceed 5 mph. The issue consistently occurs after the vehicle has been driven for more than approximately 2 minutes. There are no warning lights or alerts prior to the failure. The vehicle has completely lost power while driving and has stopped in the middle of the road with no ability to accelerate or restart the vehicle, creating an extremely dangerous situation and risk of collision. This appears to be a known and common defect with the CVT transmission on this vehicle model and year. The condition has progressively worsened and makes the vehicle unsafe to operate.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 11, 2026Power train, Air bags, Unknown or otherODI 11723507

Air bags

26 reports10 crashes
“In July 2024 my airbag light came for no apparent reason. I took it to Nissan Service-they got it off with no guarantee it would stay off and said the airbag would have to be replaced if it came on again. In came on again in June 2026. I got my oil changed at a local shop and they got the light off verifying it was the L side airbag causing it to flash. That lasted about 2 months and it is flashing again. I got it off turning the key on and off 3 times. I am not 100% sure the airbag would work if needed. Nissan wants thousands of dollars to fix it. I wonder why this hasn't been a recall.Many Nissan owners have had the same issue.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 13, 2026Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11756807

Engine

13 reports
“The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH with the cruise control activated, the contact approached oncoming traffic and depressed the brake pedal; however, the vehicle continued to surge forward without warning. The contact deactivated the cruise control; however, the failure persisted. The contact was able to pull off to the shoulder of the highway and placed the vehicle in park(P) while the RPM's continued to surge. Upon restart of the vehicle, the RPMs became extremely elevated, and the contact immediately shut off the vehicle. The contact opened the hood and reset the throttle sensor; the contact then restarted the vehicle and drove the vehicle home without further issues. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 176,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 13, 2024Engine, Vehicle speed controlODI 11594188

Service brakes

13 reports4 crashes1 fire
“EVERY SINGLE DAY MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY MY ABS LIGHT COMES ON CARS TRANSMISSION JERKS AROUND OR WHATEVER IT IS. I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND TURN VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART TO DRIVE AGAIN. I MAY HAVE TO DO THAT A FEW TIMES IN A MILE. I THINK IT'S A SAFETY CONCERN. IT COULD BE IN MOTION OR STOPPED CAR WANTS TO LUNGE FORWARD”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 15, 2021Power train, Vehicle speed control, Service brakesODI 11408194

Electrical system

10 reports1 fire
“A while ago my airbag light began flashing, we reset it a few times and it would come back after a week or two sometimes longer, either a flashing or solid light, it felt almost random. No codes came up when we had it ran, and then we took it to the dealership for inspection. It is the back of my driver seat, the airbag for the driver side back seat. I don’t know what the qualified number of complaints is, but please at least look into this. The most complaints this car has is something to do with the airbags. I’ve also had a similar ac/belt problem that was mentioned by the guy from Texas. He said the ac compressor caused a belt failure, mine was the other way around, my belt was squeaking for a while, had it replaced- month later my ac compressor gave out due to the belt operating at full capacity for the first time in a long time. It is available for further inspection. An airbag is plainly a safety risk, not to mention the part is “on extreme back order”, which leads me to believe that this a bigger problem then what is being reported here. The problem was confirmed by the dealership It has only been inspected by the Nissan dealership As also stated above,…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 13, 2023Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11544420

Steering

8 reports1 crash
“My engine light has always been on in my car contacted the dealership and they never cared to take care of the situation. My car has a problem with picking up speed and turning corners. Took it to a mechanic and said it’s my transmission and that it was never good especially the cvt transmission in my 2016 Nisan versa that it was recalled and no one contacted me. I would like it fixed I’m a single parent and I need my car”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 25, 2023Steering, Power trainODI 11540816
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.